Driving for Uber or Lyft sounds easy enough. Download the app, pick up a passenger, and get paid for it. Although it’s true that ridesharing apps are making it easier than ever to make a little extra cash, that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to be successful.
If you aren’t making as much money as you thought you would be, there is likely a good explanation. If you address the problem, you can greatly increase your side hustle income.
Here are four reasons why you aren’t as successful as you thought you would be, and what you can do about it.
You Aren’t Taking Advantage of Bonuses and Special Pricing
If you want to make money as a driver, you have to know how to play the game, and that includes a lot more than just turning on your app and waiting.
If you want to be successful, it starts by getting a bonus by signing up. You can literally make a couple hundred extra dollars just be being approved as a driver!
Then, you have to take advantage of surge pricing and prime time, but only when it makes sense. A little research and practice are needed to get the most out of the time you spend in the car.
You Aren’t Checking the Passenger App
Have you downloaded the passenger app? If not, you’re probably congregating where all the other drivers are.
Do yourself a favor and download the passenger app. That way you can see where there aren’t any drivers and you can fill in the hole.
It Could Be You
You could be the problem! Even simple things can turn off a passenger like:
- Stinky breath
- Talking too much
- Talking too little
- Getting too personal
- Not having a clean car
If you’re really bad, you could get deactivated, and it’s not just for the reasons you would think. Sure, if you’re promoting a competitor or you don’t pass the background check, you will no longer be allowed to drive, but you can also get kicked off for having a low passenger rating.
Not sure how to become a better driver? Consider taking a class! You can learn proper etiquette that will make you a better driver, and in turn, you’ll make more money.
You Aren’t Thinking Big Enough
Driving for Uber or Lyft provides you with an amazing opportunity to make some extra cash, but if all you’re doing is driving, you’re missing out on some great opportunities.
Consider selling something extra while you’re driving. You could promote your other business (as long as it isn’t another ridesharing company), or it could be something as simple as selling snacks. You could even consider joining Cargo to offer quick and easy items for sale in your car!
Don’t think being a successful driver just means sitting behind the wheel. There’s so much more to making your passengers happy! Consider the items on this list very carefully, implement them if needed, and you’ll see much more ridesharing success.
