Over 50 million workers in the United States participate in the gig economy, either to supplement their primary income or as their full-time job. New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business explores how these gig workers can leverage online communities to increase their earnings.

The study reveals that while gig work offers financial opportunities, many workers earn less than minimum wage. The secret to improving their earnings, the research suggests, is developing political skill, which helps workers effectively use online communities.

The researchers focused on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers, a platform that connects freelancers with businesses needing virtual tasks completed.

Key skills

Over the years, the researchers have published several papers on the impact of MTurk. Their latest study, along with previous publications in Internet Research (2022) and the International Journal of Information Management (2023), emphasizes the value of social skills.

They found that while technical skills are crucial for productivity, social skills—such as political skill and social capital—are key for gathering information and receiving emotional support. These skills help workers identify and seize gig opportunities, enhancing their financial situation.

Their collective research suggests that gig workers seeking financial success should invest time in building connections with other gig workers. These relationships can help them learn about and evaluate potential gigs, ultimately boosting their earnings.