As an Elite Tasker who works in the Moving, Assembly, and Outdoor Maintenance categories, Tasker Lionel R. knows what it means to be hard working. He has built a business on Taskrabbit by being hyper-aware of the ins and outs of the platform, what he needs to know for each skill he tasks in, and how his clients perceive him. His priority? To make his clients’ day, no matter what the task is.
We chatted with Lionel to get his thoughts on life as a Tasker and his tips for maximizing tasks in his favorite category: Moving. Check out what he had to say below!
What’s the first thing people need to know when it comes to running a Moving business on Taskrabbit?
“Reviews matter—you may not think that clients aren’t reading, but they are,” Lionel says.
“I look at every review like a credit towards my Moving ‘master’s degree.’ The more reviews I have, the more confidence it builds in the client’s mind, and that’s extremely important.”
Tangentially, proper etiquette during Moving tasks matters. Lionel always uses “S & S”—his personal code for “scoping” and “setting expectations.”
“I need to know everything I possibly can to be prepared for a task, because preparedness often leads to great performance. Setting expectations always helps—for example, letting the client know I’m male, that I’m strong and able to lift heavy items, etc. The ‘S’ never stands for ‘super,’ even though the reviews may say otherwise. That label can only be given by a client after you do great work.”
Do you have any basic rules or processes you follow with every Moving task?
“It may be common sense, but just recognize that we are all human regardless of relationship—meaning be respectful, show empathy, and be conscious of time,” Lionel says. “Simply asking clients ‘How are you?’ is a great start—it shows you care and demonstrates that you’re there to help.”
Lionel also follows a few other protocols for every task, including:
- Keeping his Skills & Experience pitches both concise and proofread, and making sure he clearly explains what he can and can’t do.
- Making sure he shares pictures of 1) past work when scoping tasks with his clients and 2) finished work after completing a task.
- Making sure there can be a second set of hands present, whether it’s the client themselves or another Tasker.
- Asking if he should remove his shoes before entering a home.
- Showing empathy by recognizing that moving can be a stressful life event.
“Your presence should be confident and calming,” Lionel says. “Also, it will always serve you well to be conscious of time in general. If you think that the task time is going longer than expected and will impact the financial side for clients, communicate it as soon as possible, because no one wants to feel taken advantage of.”
What Moving task had the most impact on how you run your business, and how can Taskers make the most of the platform?
Lionel’s most impactful tasks have always been ones where he’s added another resource. Whether it was meeting another strong and reliable Tasker he could recommend to future clients, learning a new lifting technique for more efficient moving, or picking up specific tools to make the overall job easier, he has always used opportunities like this to add to his arsenal.
When it comes to using Taskrabbit, he recommends that all Taskers learn everything they possibly can about the platform—its history, its policies and procedures, and how the Tasker and client apps work.
“The more knowledgeable you are, the more professional you come across,” Lionel says. “The same goes for the Moving category—knowing what other Taskers are charging to gauge the market, where you fit according to your experience, and what essential tools you need to make your task more efficient and easier on your body (e.g. furniture dollies, hand trucks, tape gun, furniture blankets, door stops, gloves, and straps). If money is an issue, remember that Meta Marketplace can be your best friend, particularly the ‘free’ section.”
Finally, Lionel explains that attitude is everything. “When it comes to approaching seemingly daunting tasks, always keep a mindset of trying before you fail. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover that nothing is ever as hard as you make it out to be in your mind!”
What is your best memory of a Moving task?
Lionel’s favorite tasking memory, as it turns out, involved helping a stressed-out client with her last-minute, high-pressure move.
“She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown,” he explains. “After assessing the situation, I assured her that the task could be done before the deadline, and she didn’t need to worry. I encouraged her to grab some food and breathe, because we had her covered. Once she saw us moving efficiently, she did just that—and took a deep breath and relaxed tremendously.”
We’re thrilled that Lionel has made the most of his entrepreneurial spirit by using Taskrabbit. By focusing mostly on Moving tasks, he has embraced the freedom of working for himself and helping others in the process!
