SHS047: Strict Cancellation Policy For Airbnb Hosts Is Gone! Host Are Now Responsible For Chargebacks!?
Intro
Airbnb is making major changes…
And depending on how you run your business:
👉 These changes could either hurt your profits
👉 Or position you to win long-term
In this episode, Elijah Bilel brings together experienced operators to break down what’s really happening—and how to adapt.
Panel Cast
Host:
Elijah Bilel – Founder of The Side Hustler’s Society
Panelists:
Micheal Brown – Founder of PBD Stays
👉 Learn more about his business hereFederico Zimerman – Founder of Black Bird Hospitality
👉 Connect with him and his work here
Episode Overview
In this panel discussion, we break down:
Airbnb’s new cancellation policy changes
Why hosts are now responsible for chargebacks
How pricing strategy ties into policy changes
The shift toward more “professional” hosting standards
Why many operators are moving toward direct bookings
How to compete with hotels (not just other Airbnbs)
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Why This Panel Matters
Elijah Bilel intentionally brought on operators with larger portfolios and different business models to give a more complete perspective.
Because Not All Hosts Are the Same
Small operators → fewer units, simpler systems
Large operators → teams, systems, scaling challenges
The Key Insight
👉 The bigger your operation, the more these changes matter
If you’re newer to Airbnb or looking to build a stronger foundation before navigating changes like these, you can get access to a free 5-part video series on getting started as a host by joining The Side Hustler’s Society newsletter Here .
Breaking Down Airbnb’s Policy Changes
This episode focuses on three major updates:
1. Cancellation Policy Changes
Airbnb is removing the strict cancellation policy
👉 Hosts now have less control over refunds
What This Means
Previously:
Hosts could keep more revenue on late cancellations
Now:
Guests have more flexibility
Hosts take on more risk
Why This Is Controversial
👉 It directly impacts profitability
Especially for:
Larger properties
Higher nightly rates
Perspective Shift: Not Everyone Sees This as Negative
Federico provides a contrarian perspective:
👉 Airbnb may just be catching up to the rest of the industry
His Take
Other platforms already prioritize flexibility
Flexible policies can increase booking volume
Pricing strategy should adjust accordingly
Meanwhile, Micheal Brown Adds Another Layer
Micheal Brown highlights that operators also need to think beyond just Airbnb policies and focus on:
👉 how they generate and control their own demand
His Focus
Direct outreach (cold + warm)
Retargeting past guests
Building B2B relationships
Why This Matters
👉 If you rely ONLY on Airbnb…
You’re more exposed to platform changes
The Bigger Lesson: Adaptation Over Complaining
Across the panel, there’s a shared theme:
👉 The operators who win are the ones who adapt
What That Looks Like
Adjusting pricing models
Understanding booking behavior
Diversifying lead sources
Reality Check
👉 The platform will change whether you like it or not
Why Flexible Policies Can Increase Bookings
Federico emphasizes:
👉 Flexibility lowers friction
Consumer Psychology
People are more likely to book when:
Risk is low
They have options
They feel protected
Additional Insight from the Panel
Even when cancellations happen:
👉 Listings may get boosted again in visibility
Micheal Brown’s Strategy: Control the Demand
While policy changes matter…
Micheal Brown focuses on something deeper:
👉 Not relying on platforms alone
His Approach Includes
Direct marketing to businesses
Outreach to corporate clients
Following up with past guests
Key Insight
👉 The more control you have over your leads…
👉 The less these changes affect you
You’re Not Just Competing With Airbnb Hosts
This was one of the biggest insights from the discussion:
👉 Your real competition is hotels
Why This Matters
Hotels offer:
Flexible cancellations
Consistent experiences
Predictability
So If You’re Competing…
👉 You need to match or beat that experience
Example: Why Strict Policies Can Hurt You
Elijah Bilel shares a real experience:
Launched a listing
Used a strict cancellation policy
Got no bookings
What Changed
👉 Switching to a more flexible policy
Result
👉 Immediate booking activity
Understanding Customer Behavior
The panel also highlights how people actually book travel:
Typical Booking Flow
Flights
Events
Accommodation last
Implication
👉 Many bookings are last-minute
So If Your Policy Is Too Strict
👉 You miss those opportunities
Advanced Strategy: Competing Smarter
Federico shares a powerful positioning strategy:
Example
Offering 1-night stays
Capturing overlooked demand
Charging premium pricing
Meanwhile, Micheal Reinforces
👉 Demand isn’t just captured—it can be created
Through:
Outreach
Relationships
Strategic targeting
The Bigger Trend: Professionalization of Airbnb
A core theme throughout the panel:
👉 Airbnb is evolving into a more structured marketplace
What That Means
Less flexibility for hosts
More standardization
Closer alignment with hotels
Why This Is Happening
Shareholder pressure
Customer expectations
Market maturity
Final Thoughts
This panel makes one thing clear:
👉 Airbnb is changing—but opportunity still exists
Key Takeaways
From Federico:
👉 Adjust your pricing and strategy
From Micheal:
👉 Build systems outside the platform
From Elijah:
👉 Understand the customer and adapt
Because at the end of the day
👉 The operators who win aren’t the ones who resist change
👉 They’re the ones who move with it
If you want a step-by-step breakdown of how to actually get started and position yourself as a host in today’s market, you can get access to the free 5-part Airbnb starter video series by joining The Side Hustler’s Society newsletter Here .
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS046: How To Build & Manage Multiple Income Streams With Yoshi Mei
Intro
Most people are taught to focus on one thing:
👉 One career
👉 One skill
👉 One identity
But what happens when you’re good at… a lot of things?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with multi-talented entrepreneur Yoshi Mei to break down how to turn multiple skills into income streams—without feeling scattered.
Intro to Yoshi Mei
Motivational rap artist and creative
Content creator and entrepreneur
Former professional dancer
Cybersecurity professional
Spiritual practitioner offering healing services
Military wife and mother of three
Yoshi is known for helping people turn their pain into purpose—and get paid while doing it.
To check out her content and connect with her on Instagram, click here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah and Yoshi discuss:
Why “not knowing anyone” is a weak excuse
How networking can happen anywhere (even casually)
The reality of becoming skilled at multiple things
How to monetize different talents simultaneously
Why content creation ties everything together
The mindset needed to thrive as a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
“I Don’t Know Anyone” Is Not a Real Excuse
One of the most powerful moments in this episode:
👉 “Not knowing anyone is an excuse.”
What That Actually Means
Yoshi explains that:
You can meet people anywhere
Conversations happen naturally
Opportunities come from simple interactions
Real Example
She describes:
Talking to someone casually
Giving advice
That conversation turning into value
The Takeaway
👉 The world is full of people
So:
👉 You’re always one conversation away from opportunity
Networking Isn’t Just Events
A lot of people think networking means:
Conferences
Meetups
Business events
But In Reality
Networking happens:
At coffee shops
In stores
Through casual conversations
Key Insight
👉 Support is free
Even something as simple as:
Sharing someone’s work
Recommending them
Talking about them
Can create opportunities
The Multi-Skill Advantage
A major theme in this episode:
👉 You’re going to develop multiple skills anyway
Especially If You Go Full-Time
Elijah Bilel explains:
You’ll wear multiple hats
You’ll gain new skills over time
You’ll become valuable in different areas
Examples Mentioned
People typically come to Elijah for:
App-based income
Airbnb / real estate
Content creation
Freelancing
The Opportunity
👉 Each of those can be monetized separately
Why Most People Miss This
Society teaches:
👉 “Pick one thing and stick to it”
The Problem
That mindset:
Limits income potential
Ignores your real capabilities
Prevents you from evolving
Yoshi’s Approach to Success
Yoshi Mei didn’t try to become multiple things…
👉 She already was
Her Skills Were Natural
From a young age:
Dancing
Performing
Speaking life into people
Creating
What Changed
👉 She started monetizing what was already there
Content Creation Is the Connector
One of the biggest hidden gems in this episode:
👉 Content ties everything together
Why This Matters
If you:
Have multiple skills
Offer different services
Content allows you to:
👉 Showcase ALL of them
Example
Instead of choosing one identity:
You can be:
Artist
Entrepreneur
Healer
Creator
And Content Makes It Make Sense
Because your audience sees:
👉 The full picture
The Real Skill: Monetization Awareness
A key point Elijah brings up:
👉 Knowing how to monetize what’s in your head is a skill
Why This Matters
When your main income slows down:
Economy shifts
Demand changes
Your Backup Plan
👉 Other skills become income streams
That’s How You Stay Independent
Instead of:
👉 Going back to a job
How This Happens Naturally
Yoshi didn’t force this path.
It Happened Through:
Natural abilities
Consistent interaction with people
Being visible
Taking action
Key Insight
👉 People start recognizing you for different things
And over time:
👉 You become known for them professionally
The Identity Shift
One of the hardest parts:
👉 Explaining what you do
Why It’s Difficult
Because:
You do multiple things
You’re evolving constantly
Reality Check
It can take YEARS to:
👉 Simplify your identity into one clear message
But Eventually…
👉 It clicks
Final Thoughts
This episode reinforces a powerful idea:
👉 You don’t need to limit yourself to one path
Instead
Develop your skills
Share them
Monetize them
Because in today’s world
👉 Being multi-skilled is an advantage
Not a weakness
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS045: The Correct Way To Do Lead Follow Up With Giuseppe Grammatico
Intro
Most people think making money in business comes down to one thing:
👉 Closing the sale
But what if the REAL money…
👉 Comes after the first conversation?
In this episode, Elijah Bilel sits down with franchise expert Giuseppe Grammatico to break down why follow-up is one of the most overlooked (and profitable) skills in business.
Intro to Giuseppe Grammatico
Franchise consultant helping professionals transition into business ownership
Former financial advisor with deep experience in sales and client acquisition
Franchise owner with nearly two decades of experience
Host of the Franchise Freedom Podcast
Helps people achieve time and financial freedom through franchising
To learn more about Giuseppe and his work, click here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah and Giuseppe discuss:
Why “the fortune is in the follow-up”
The biggest mistake people make after hearing “no”
How timing—not rejection—kills most deals
Why staying top of mind is everything
How to use content as a follow-up system
Practical follow-up strategies that actually work
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
The Personalized Side Hustle Starter Kit
The Real Problem: People Give Up Too Early
One of the biggest insights from this episode:
👉 Most people try once… and quit
As Elijah explains, many entrepreneurs:
Pitch once
Hear “no” (or nothing)
Move on immediately
But in reality:
👉 Most people don’t buy on the first interaction
Why This Happens
It’s usually NOT because:
They aren’t interested
It’s because:
The timing isn’t right
They’re distracted
They need more information
They’re unsure or hesitant
The Truth About Follow-Up
According to Giuseppe Grammatico:
👉 Follow-up is about staying top of mind
Not being pushy.
Real Example
A prospect reaches out…
Then:
Loses their job
Gets busy
Shifts priorities
They don’t respond—not because they’re not interested…
👉 But because life happened
Why Follow-Up Works
Follow-up allows you to:
Re-engage at the right time
Build trust over time
Educate your prospect
Address hidden objections
Key Insight
👉 Sales is not just about convincing
It’s about:
👉 Timing + trust
The Wrong Way to Follow Up
Most people follow up like this:
“Just checking in…”
“Following up…”
“Are you still interested?”
The Problem
👉 This adds ZERO value
And makes you easy to ignore
The Right Way to Follow Up
Instead of being repetitive…
👉 Be valuable
Example Approach
Share a relevant podcast
Send an article addressing their concern
Provide new insights
Offer helpful resources
Why This Works
Because now you’re not:
👉 Selling
You’re:
👉 Helping
Content = Follow-Up System
One of the biggest gems in this episode:
👉 Content creation can automate your follow-up
How Giuseppe Uses It
Monthly newsletter
Podcast episodes
Educational content
Industry insights
The Strategy
Instead of chasing people…
👉 Let your content follow up for you
Example
If someone is unsure about:
👉 Funding a business
Send them:
👉 A podcast breaking down funding options
Now you’ve:
Answered objections
Built authority
Stayed relevant
Multi-Touch Follow-Up Strategy
Giuseppe doesn’t rely on just one method.
He uses:
Email
Phone calls
Newsletters
Direct mail
Content
Key Insight
👉 Different people respond to different channels
Underrated Tactic
Direct mail (like postcards)
Why?
👉 Nobody gets real mail anymore
So when they do…
👉 It stands out
The Psychology of Follow-Up
A major takeaway:
👉 Silence ≠ rejection
It often means:
Confusion
Hesitation
Lack of clarity
Your Job
👉 Identify what’s holding them back
Then:
👉 Provide value that solves it
Elijah’s Approach to Follow-Up
Elijah Bilel highlights a key strategy:
👉 Make it natural
Instead of This
“Just checking in…”
Do This
Build rapport
Reference past conversations
Start with something relatable
Then transition into business
Example
Instead of jumping straight into sales:
👉 Start with a shared interest
Then:
👉 Bring the offer into the conversation naturally
Final Thoughts
This episode makes one thing clear:
👉 Most sales are lost due to lack of follow-up
Not lack of opportunity
The Big Lesson
If you want to make more money:
👉 Don’t just generate leads
👉 Nurture them
Because at the end of the day…
👉 The fortune is in the follow-up
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS044: 5 Underrated Sources Of Lead Generation That Freelancers Are Sleeping On In 2026
Intro
When most people think about lead generation…
They think about:
Social media
Ads
Websites
But what if some of your BEST lead sources are already in your life…
👉 And you’re just not using them
In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down five underrated lead sources that exist in your everyday routine—and how to turn them into real opportunities.
If you’re serious about building a system that consistently brings in leads and income, you can learn more about how to structure that inside the Self Made Business Academy Here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
Why outbound offline marketing is underrated
How everyday interactions can become lead sources
The power of people you already do business with
How to turn regular conversations into opportunities
Why most people are leaving money on the table
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
The Big Idea: You’re Already Around Leads
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
👉 You don’t need MORE places to find leads
You need to:
👉 Use the environments you’re already in
As Elijah explains:
If you interact with someone regularly
And you’re spending money with them
👉 They should know what you do
And ideally…
👉 They should be referring people to you
Lead Source #1: Restaurants You Frequent
Not just any restaurant…
👉 Places you go to consistently
Why This Works
Staff recognizes you
Owners may know you
You already have rapport
The Strategy
Let them know what you do
Ask if you can leave business cards or flyers
Position yourself as a regular, not a stranger
Real Example
Elijah shares how he promoted an event by placing flyers in vegan restaurants.
Result:
👉 People saw the flyers
👉 Attended the event
👉 Engagement increased
Key Insight
👉 High foot traffic = more visibility
And since you’re already a customer…
👉 You have leverage
Lead Source #2: Your Barber or Hairstylist
This one is HUGE.
Because these environments are naturally:
👉 Social
People are:
Talking
Sharing
Opening up
Why This Works
Barbers and stylists:
👉 Talk to people ALL day
Which means:
👉 They hear problems
And if your service solves those problems…
👉 You become the referral
Simple Strategy
Talk about what you do naturally
Build a real relationship
Leave your contact info
Advanced Strategy
👉 Have more than one barber or stylist
Why?
Because now you’re tapping into:
👉 Multiple networks
Different shops = different people = more leads
Lead Source #3: Places You Spend Money Regularly
This is the underlying theme of the episode.
Think about:
Gyms
Coffee shops
Stores
Service providers
The Rule
👉 If you spend money there regularly…
They should know:
👉 What you do
Why This Matters
Because when someone asks them:
👉 “Do you know anyone who does ___?”
You want the answer to be:
👉 “Yeah, I know someone”
Lead Source #4: Natural Social Environments
You don’t always need a “strategy”
Sometimes:
👉 Just being present is enough
Places like:
Shops
Waiting areas
Lounges
Are all opportunities to:
Have conversations
Build rapport
Mention what you do
Key Difference
This isn’t cold outreach.
👉 It’s organic interaction
Lead Source #5: Existing Relationships
This might be the most overlooked:
👉 People you already know
Why This Works
Because:
Trust already exists
Communication is easy
Referrals happen naturally
The Mistake
Most people assume:
👉 “They already know what I do”
But in reality:
👉 They don’t
Or…
👉 They forgot
The Fix
👉 Remind them
Regularly
Why Most People Don’t Do This
Elijah points out something important:
👉 People are afraid of putting themselves out there
Even in environments where:
It’s natural
It’s expected
It’s low pressure
But Here’s the Reality
👉 These are some of the HIGHEST converting lead sources
Because:
Trust is built faster
Conversations are real
Referrals happen naturally
The Bigger Picture
This episode ties everything together:
👉 Lead generation doesn’t have to be complicated
You don’t need:
Fancy funnels
Expensive ads
Complex systems
You just need to:
👉 Use what’s already around you
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel makes one thing clear:
👉 You’re closer to leads than you think
The question is:
👉 Are you using your environment… or ignoring it?
If you want to build a real system around this so you’re not just “hoping” for leads but actually creating a predictable flow of clients, you can learn how to do that inside the Self Made Business Academy Here .
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS043: The Self Made Business Academy
Intro
If you’ve been consuming content from Elijah Bilel for a while, you already know:
👉 The goal has always been to help people move toward self-employment
But there’s been a gap…
And in this episode, Elijah breaks down exactly what that gap is—and how he plans to solve it.
If you’re serious about becoming self-employed or growing your one-person business, you can check out the Self Made Business Academy Here .
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
Why free content alone isn’t enough for most people
The limitations of one-on-one consultations
The inspiration behind the Self Made Business Academy
What makes this different from everything else he’s created
How this helps bridge the gap for aspiring entrepreneurs
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
The Problem: Not Everyone Can Be Served the Same Way
Over time, Elijah Bilel realized something important:
👉 Not everyone in the audience can be helped the same way
There are currently three main ways people learn from his content:
Free content (YouTube, podcast, etc.)
One-on-one consultations
Local meetups like “Money Talks”
But each of these has limitations.
Why Free Content Isn’t Enough
Free content is powerful…
But it comes with a problem:
👉 It’s scattered
To learn one topic, you might have to:
Watch 10–20 videos
Piece everything together
Figure out what applies to you
For many people:
👉 That’s too time-consuming
Why One-on-One Isn’t Always an Option
Consultations work…
But not for everyone.
Some people:
Can’t afford it yet
Don’t have the time
Aren’t ready for that level of commitment
Why Local Meetups Don’t Solve It Either
Even with initiatives like “Money Talks”:
👉 Not everyone can attend
Schedules
Location
Life responsibilities
All of it creates friction.
The Gap: People Who Are Serious… But Stuck
This creates a specific type of person:
👉 Someone who wants to move forward
👉 But doesn’t have the right structure
They’re stuck asking:
“How do I leave my 9–5?”
“How much money do I need?”
“What if I fail?”
“How do I build something sustainable?”
And without answers…
👉 They don’t take action
The Solution: Self Made Business Academy
That’s where the Self Made Business Academy comes in.
This is designed to be:
👉 The middle ground
Between:
Free content
High-ticket one-on-one help
What It Is
A membership-based academy that gives you:
Direct access to Elijah
Structured learning
A community of like-minded people
What You Get
Inside the academy, members will have:
1. Weekly Office Hours
Every week, there’s a live Q&A session where you can:
Ask questions
Get clarity
Move forward faster
2. Access to Courses
Everything on the platform (now and future) becomes available.
This includes:
Freelancing
Lead generation
Content creation
Business building
3. Courses Released in Phases
Instead of waiting months for a full course…
👉 You get access as it’s being built
That means:
Faster implementation
Real-time learning
Ability to give feedback
4. Community Support
This might be the most underrated part.
Because being self-employed can feel:
👉 Isolated
Inside the academy, you’ll have:
People on the same journey
Shared experiences
Support when things get tough
What You’ll Learn (Big Picture)
The academy focuses on what Elijah calls:
👉 “Modern money mechanics”
This includes:
Building a one-person business
Generating leads consistently
Scaling income
Investing as a self-employed person
Retirement strategies (Solo 401k, SEP IRA, Roth IRA)
Structuring your business (LLC, S-Corp, etc.)
All things that:
👉 Traditional jobs don’t teach
Why This Matters
Self-employment comes with:
Freedom
Flexibility
Income potential
But also:
Uncertainty
Complexity
Responsibility
The academy is designed to help you:
👉 Navigate both sides
Who This Is For
This is NOT for casual side hustlers.
This is for people who:
Want to go full-time
Are already self-employed
Are serious about building something real
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel created the Self Made Business Academy to solve a real problem:
👉 People want to move forward—but don’t have the structure
This is about:
Clarity
Direction
Execution
If you want to be part of it as a founding member and help shape what this becomes, you can check it out Here .
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS042: 5 Ways You Can Generate Leads As A Freelancer For Your Business As A Uber Eats Driver
Intro
Most people look at the gig economy as:
👉 A way to make extra money
But what if you could use it for something more?
👉 Lead generation
In this solo episode, Elijah Bilel breaks down how to turn everyday gig work into a system that brings in:
Clients
Opportunities
Business growth
Because if you’re already doing the work…
👉 You might as well maximize it
Track Your APP Earnings As A Gig Worker efficiently!
Track your earnings and app expenses using The FREE App Lifestyle Pay Spreadsheet! Compatible with google spreadsheets! Click here to join out newsletter and get started!
Episode Overview
In this episode, Elijah covers:
How to use rideshare to generate leads
How to use delivery apps for networking
Why most gig workers miss these opportunities
The importance of positioning yourself correctly
How to turn conversations into clients
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
The Anatomy Of Financial Success Audiobook
Gig Economy Mastery Free Course
The Foundation: You Need This First
Before anything else, Elijah makes one thing clear:
👉 You need a system in place
Specifically:
A business card
A QR code
A simple web page or website
Your QR code should:
👉 Link directly to your page
Where people can:
Learn about your service
Contact you
Take action
Without this?
👉 You’re missing the opportunity completely
Ride Share Strategy #1: Just Talk to People
This is the most obvious…
But also the most underused.
Most passengers will ask:
👉 “So what else do you do?”
This is your opening.
The Key: Be Prepared
Don’t just say:
👉 “I’m a video editor”
Instead, tell a short, engaging story:
How you got started
What you do
Who you help
Then…
👉 STOP talking
Let them:
Ask questions
Show interest
Lead the conversation
Closing the Interaction
Before they leave:
👉 Hand them your business card
Keep it simple:
“If you’re ever interested, feel free to check this out.”
No pressure.
No pitch.
Ride Share Strategy #2: Use a QR Code in Your Car
This is where things get interesting.
Instead of relying only on conversation…
👉 Let curiosity do the work
How It Works
Print out a QR code and place it where passengers can see it.
Add a message like:
👉 “I get this question a lot—scan here to see what I do”
Why This Works
Even if someone doesn’t want to talk…
👉 They might still scan
And now:
They’re on your page
They’re learning about your service
They might reach out later
Important Rule
👉 Don’t be pushy
Let them choose.
Delivery Strategy #1: Stop Being on Your Phone
This is where most people lose opportunities.
While waiting for orders:
👉 They’re on their phone
Scrolling
Talking
Distracted
The Better Move
👉 Talk to the people around you
Other drivers
People waiting
Staff
Why This Matters
These people are:
Working
Trying to make money
Often building something
Which means:
👉 They’re highly relevant connections
Delivery Strategy #2: Network With Other Drivers
A simple conversation can go a long way.
Start with something easy:
“How long you been doing this?”
“You working on anything outside of this?”
Where This Leads
Now you can:
Share what you do
Exchange business cards
Build real connections
This is:
👉 Low effort
👉 High opportunity
Delivery Strategy #3: Use Your Brand While Working
This is subtle…
But powerful.
Elijah mentions using:
👉 Clothing or items that promote his brand. Some examples of this are here with The Side Hustler's Society Merch
Example:
Branded shirts
Logos
Messaging
Why This Works
People see it and think:
👉 “What is that?”
Now you’ve created:
👉 Passive curiosity
The Bigger Picture
Most people treat gig work like:
👉 A temporary income source
But Elijah flips it:
👉 It’s a networking environment
Think about it:
Ride share → You meet people
Delivery → You’re around people
Restaurants → Constant interaction
That Means
👉 Every shift = opportunities
The Real Advantage
If you apply these strategies consistently:
You build connections
You create visibility
You generate leads
Without:
Ads
Expensive tools
Complex systems
Final Thoughts
Elijah Bilel makes one thing clear:
👉 The gig economy is more than income
It’s:
A networking tool
A marketing channel
A lead generation system
If you use it correctly…
👉 It can help you transition into something bigger