There are many reasons to celebrate the UK's gig economy, which offers flexible working for freelancers, wide talent pools for companies, and instant solutions for clients. In particular, the past few years have seen the rise of the gig economy as more people are looking for flexible ways to work and earn. This rise has only accelerated during the pandemic, as even more people now need new streams of income, either to top up or entirely replace income if they have lost their jobs.

Often, people think of gig economy workers as Deliveroo and Uber drivers, or people who rent out their spare rooms on Airbnb. However, there are other ways to build a successful gig economy - all while protecting the traditional economy. One of the best examples of a company that achieves this is Utility Warehouse (UW), which launched in 2002 as a subsidiary of Telecom Plus, offering energy, telephone, and broadband services. As the UK's only genuine multiservice provider, UW has put its own spin on the gig economy to make the most of its benefits.

The UW business model combines the best of the franchise model, which employs over 710,000 people in the UK, with the gig economy. This combo allows UW to build its impressive Partner network of 45,000+ independent distributors while recruiting full-time employees, too. The gig economy/franchise blend has laid the groundwork for the UK's current gig economy, which has developed over the past two decades and now generates a continuous stream of work opportunities for freelancers.

The UW Partner network

While UW offers customers all their home services in one simple, great value, monthly bill, the multiservice provider also presents opportunities for people to earn a new stream of income through its Partner network. UW Partners earn money in their own time and on their own terms for signing up customers to UW's products and services. They continue to receive a residual income - like royalties for artists - for as long as these people remain customers.

UW Partners also earn when they build their own Partner teams that help more people save time and money on their home services. They then manage these teams and support them through their UW journeys. On top of this, UW Partners can earn their way to incentives, like seasonal hampers and gifts, as well as family holidays, luxury holidays, and exclusive experience days. They can even get their hands on a car, like a MINI (on a subsidised hire agreement, when they've signed up 75 customers) or a Porsche (to drive for a calendar month, once they've got to 200).

UW Partners come from all walks of life - from stay-at-home parents to military personnel. You might even know a UW Partner - they just might not have told you about the opportunity yet.

How being a UW Partner works

UW Partners share an informal appointment presentation with prospective customers to explain how UW can cut the cost of utility bills. If you become a Partner, you can meet friends, family, and people you know over a coffee - or, where COVID-19 restrictions apply, a Zoom call - to let them know about the money and time they could save with UW. You can also tell them about UW's free LED light bulbs, green initiatives, and cashback card, which customers can use to save up to 7% when shopping with dozens of retailers, including Primark, M&S, and Sainsbury's. UW applies these discounts to the customer's next utility bill.

UW doesn't require Partners to buy stock upfront. They only pay a small joining fee (£10 for customers and £50 if you're not a customer). In return, UW Partners receive ongoing training, marketing materials, and support from an experienced UW Partner. Training takes 3-6 hours, at which point Partners can then earn as much as £370 for every customer they sign up.

Some UW Partners use the opportunity to earn a full-time income, but many more run their UW businesses alongside other jobs and earn based on the number of customers they sign up in their free time. While some Partners are saving to buy a house or set up nest eggs for the future, others are saving to pay off credit cards or cover their children's education costs. Whatever you're saving for, the UW Partner opportunity can help you scale your income.

UW's original gig economy system means they don't have any shops or need to spend anything on TV or radio advertising to attract customers. Instead, the multi-award-winning home services provider has built its 650,000-strong customer base through word-of-mouth recommendations from Partners.

Becoming a Utility Warehouse Partner amid the pandemic

As a result of coronavirus, many of our professional needs and priorities have shifted. In the UK alone, millions of people are looking for new ways to earn due to job losses, reduced income, and uncertainty about the future. Whether you're looking for a secure 'Plan B' or to rebuild a full-time income, you might find the answer in becoming a UW Partner.

UW is helping the nation to get back on its feet during this challenging time by supporting its Partners to achieve their business goals. Now the UK has entered a third lockdown, UW is continuing to support its Partners through remote appointments and personalised websites. As more and more people sign up to take part, it's also testing new ways to get the Partner opportunity in front of even more people.

Becoming a UW Partner allows you to save time by working to your own agenda. You can pick exactly when and where you work while generating an instant income. Plus, you'll meet like-minded Partners and get to be a part of a positive community. If you want to, you can even use the opportunity as a springboard to launch your own business without the usual associated costs. However you approach the opportunity, you can improve your financial security without the stress of working continuous overtime.

Learn more about becoming a UW Partner.

About Utility Warehouse

Utility Warehouse is a FTSE 250 company that takes the hassle out of utility bills by bundling home services into simple, monthly payments. UW's home services span all the way from gas and electricity to broadband, landline, and mobile services, as well as home insurance and boiler care. UW has won countless awards and top ratings for its excellent utility bundles and customer service from establishments such as Which?, Uswitch, Utility Saving Expert, Moneywise, Defaqto, Moneyfacts, and the Institute of Customer Services.