Tag: Gigwalk »

We took a quick look at Gigwalk back in February when it was still in beta. But the app and the service are now out of beta and accepting both gigs and workers.

As a quick reminder, Gigwalk can be described as a casual mobile workforce. As a Gigwalker, you log into your account and see what open short jobs are available around you. These jobs typically pay $3-$7 for a quick walk into a business, snapping a couple pictures, and filling out a quick survey. For business, it's a great way to crowd source the small data gathering jobs that need to be done. Things like documenting restaurant menus, hours of operation, locations of red light cameras, and product display details. These are the kind of jobs that businesses need done, but traditionally it's rather expensive to send out a person to gather this data. For the Gigwalkers, it's a quick and easy way to make a few extra bucks. Do the jobs, they get approved, and you get money via Paypal.

What makes Gigwalk special is that it is perfectly tailored for the mobile user and these short jobs. From the need of these quick data collection jobs, to the integration with the mobile device. It's one of the best examples of what a mobile platform is really capable of doing to change the way business is done that I've seen. The potential here is gigantic.

I had the chance to sit down with Matt Crampton and Ariel Seidman two of the three co-founders of Gigwalk to talk about the platform, and where they hope it will go. Right now, Gigwalk is available in a few major US cities such as San Francisco, New York City, and Philadelphia, but they hope to expand to other cities, and eventually internationally as demand grows.

I asked Matt & Ariel about the typical Gigwalker. Are they doing one job per day or 20? Turns out Gigwalkers run the full gamut. They have one user with over 600 jobs done already. While they have other users that will do the odd job when it's close to them at lunch or right after work.

Interesting in joining Gigwalk? Start by opening the Gigwalk app and registering or logging in. From there look at the map and see what gigs are available around you. Click one for instructions on getting started. An easy, casual, second job. Work when you want to. Who can't use a little extra beer money these days? Get walking.

Into Gigwalk? Let us know what you think in the comments. Also, take a look at the great Gigwalking Tips site for some more ideas on what Gigwalking is all about.

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If there is an app award for the app with the most specific niche, I think Gigwalk Inc. deserves the crown for their official Gigwalk app. From what I can gather, Gigwalk is a service that pays users to take pictures/videos and review local venues. Once you become a member you can earn Streetcreds to access higher paying gigs, and to increase your status among other Gigwalkers. The app description isn't very forthcoming, and it generalizes everything with the word "gigs" over and over. Don't let that discourage you, though, because if you happen to be one of the few people that live in the supported areas you can eventually earn money via Paypal by completing these gigs when the service takes off.

As of now, the app only supports people living in the following areas, but I am sure this will expand if their business model is successful:

(1) Los Angeles Metro Area
(2) New York City
(3) San Francisco Bay Area
(4) Philadelphia
(5) South Florida
(6) Boston
(7) Orange County
(8) San Diego Metro Area
(9) Santa Barbara Metro Area

The service is currently private, but you can enter your email address at the official website to be notified when they are ready for you to try out their offerings. You can also apply directly from within the app, but location has to be turned on to be sure you are in one of the designated areas. If you meet all their requirements (which are currently a mystery to me) then you might be accepted.

The concept is interesting because it pays users to do something they would probably do for free anyways. How many times have you taken a picture at a coffee shop or restaurant and forwarded it to all your friends to make them jealous? I know plenty of people do it to me. I also always see pictures of concerts and events with descriptions of how awesome they were on my Facebook wall all the time. Even if the pay is low I can really see this taking off because it offers a sort of grassroots marketing to venues that want new ways to advertise. It also gives the businesses critiques that can help them improve, and we all know how popular user opinions are these days (take any surveys lately?). Perhaps, one day this type of service might be in every major city, and our children will all wonder why we ever shared any of our opinions without some sort of monetary gain.