[gk1]

As a freelancer (consultant), no thanks. This looks like yet another platform that commoditizes freelancers (think Upwork). The belittling name "gigster" doesn't help.

If you're a freelancer/consultant who wants equity, ask for it. Some companies are willing to give non-qualified options (the only choice, really) after you've built up a relationship and if you're making a significant contribution to the company.

Also, I've read the page top-to-bottom and still not fully clear on what's happening here. Highly suggest running this by non-insiders and rephrasing the messaging until it's easier to understand.

[JumpCrisscross]

The difference being Gigster is offering a portfolio. Granted the "everyone shares in 1%" part makes it economically immaterial.

What's needed is a collaborative investment management platform for freelancers. For example. twenty freelancers could make an agreement pursuant to which they each (a) reasonably demand equity alongside pay for their work, (b) contribute all equity they earn in exchange for services to a fund co-controlled by the others and (c) share in the fund either equally or proportionally to their contributions/the performance of their contributions (e.g. contributor gets 20% and the remaining 19 split the 80%). This is a healthier financial structure than having bigger, but more concentrated, stakes ceteris paribus.

[RaitoBezarius]

FYI, Gigster is absolutely not Upwork or Upwork-like, this is amusing misconception that all people have about Gigster.

If you're a freelancer asking for equity, you'll give up some of your payment. Gigster is not saying AFAIK: we cut some of your pay in exchange for some equity.

Again, AFAIK, Gigster is clearly saying: The more you make customers happy and engaged in your gigs, the more you will earn equity from companies of the Gigster Fund.

(I speak as a Gigster which was also using Upwork before, so I'm biased but I believe in Gigster and I am happy to tell people about it.)

[Disruptive_Dave]

For the record, they are clearly not saying anything in a clear manner here. It's all pretty crappy marketing speak (coming from a marketer...and a freelancer) to support what is 100% a PR ploy.

[RaitoBezarius]

I understand what you mean. Sorry for not being sufficiently clear.

While I understand your point of view, I will not try to argue over whether this is a PR ploy or not.

This announcement is also a surprise meant for us, Gigsters. And this surprise was a success because I have experienced that when Gigster says they want to do something, they will.

Gigster said they want our happiness, naïve or not, I believe in it and Gigster granted us a real opportunity, I feel happier with Gigster as a freelancer.

So, what I am trying to say? Basically, a lot of people says that Gigster is like Upwork, that this announcement is not clear, this is marketing.

Please, just do not immediately judge Gigster with the "Upwork" hat, there is a lot of misconceptions about Gigster. :)

[Kurtz79]

"Gigster said they want our happiness"

No offense, but I don't think you are not really doing a favor to Gigster with these posts, they seems to be written by someone under a heavy dose of kool-aid.

If you want to help them I suggest you stick to the facts :)

[RaitoBezarius]

You're definitely right, I was afraid of this kind of situation.

There is not much I can do anymore, I am too much enthusiast about what happened, thanks for saying it.

[Disruptive_Dave]

I'm actually not judging Gigster or Upwork. I have had amazing experiences with Upwork, but that's mostly because I make it work for me. I don't know anything about Gigster so don't hold any thoughts on the company or service as a whole. But yes, this whole "equity" thing is a PR ploy, not many ways to spin it otherwise. The platform may be wonderful, but this specific move falls short of being valuable.

[frakkingcylons]

Can you elaborate on how Gigster is not like Upwork?

[RaitoBezarius]

Glad you asked it.

Upwork is a race to the bottom, the cheapest developer gets the project, at the cost... of the quality and experience.

Gigster is more realistic, I don't know how much I can talk about this.

We are working with a team of fellow Gigsters, and we work together to estimate fairly the project. We are obviously against the race to the bottom, and we desire cool or interesting projects.

Fairly means: Developer is happy with the quote, the timeline / timeframe and the scope. Product Manager is ready to help his team to achieve this project with a happy customer and a happy team.

Of course, we do have problems sometimes. But Gigster happiness, that means: Product Managers, Developers and Designers is crucial and I feel it personally.

Finally, I will say it bluntly: I am a developer, and I am not paid 40 $ / hour to produce a stupid idea which will change the world.

If you want more information, I think that a Gigster employee can explain more about his experience.

(sorry for the unstructured explanation!)

[themodelplumber]

> Finally, I will say it bluntly: I am a developer, and I am not paid 40 $ / hour to produce a stupid idea which will change the world.

I don't understand, could you re-phrase? Also, do you see your current hourly as sending a high, middle, or low end signal to clients?

[RaitoBezarius]

> I don't understand, could you re-phrase?

I feel like that the guys which handles the project in Upwork are not real developers. I said: "I am a developer", because I work on fascinating problem, I practice problem solving everyday, we do not do "web scale" (TM) indeed ; but I find pleasure in my work, compared to what Upwork offered me.

> Also, do you see your current hourly as sending a high, middle, or low end signal to clients?

It is rare that developers have direct contact with clients, so I am not exactly sure about what clients feels about our hourly rate. A Product Manager might be more insightful about this question.

[quackware]

The biggest difference for me is I can make a salary comparable to a big company in NYC / SF freelancing solely for gigster