How To Make Money Driving & Delivering As A Freelancer

Tap into the Gig Economy by Driving and Delivering as a Freelancer 

If you have a reliable car that gets good gas mileage, there are many opportunities for the gig worker. Being a freelance delivery driver can be lucrative. You can earn about $20 per hour and work only when you want to. You can drive and deliver people, packages, or food as a delivery driver. It’s easy to get started with any of the companies that are out there. You’ll just need to apply in your area. Keep reading for more information on how to make money driving & delivering as a freelancer.

Some companies to investigate:

• Uber.com
• Instacart.com
• Lyft.com
• Ubereats.com 
• Grubhub.com
• Postmates.com
• Doordash.com
• Flex.Amazon.com
• Dolly.com
• Drizly.com

Make sure you investigate each company and their terms of service and their rules and regulations for drivers. Always follow all their rules and suggested best practices so that you can be successful. There are some issues to think about if you want to get involved with freelance delivery driving.

Consider the Market 

Not everyone lives in the right market to truly make a fair living as a freelance driver. The people who report doing best live in busy cities with multiple stores to shop in and places to go. Try out the services that are in your area as a customer. Ask the drivers if they like it. Observe if they look happy with it or not. Do some research online to find out what drivers in your area are saying about the service. Sign up without taking deliveries to see how many offers you get for about a week to figure out if you could make the money you think you can. 

Consider the Startup Costs

Even gig jobs require some startup. You’ll need a car that works well that’s big enough for whatever you want to use it for. The car you might already own, but you may need to upgrade some of the systems and seating to make it more comfortable if you’re going to pick people up. You may need licensing or extra car insurance in your area. Add up these costs before you get started.

Think About the Recurring Costs 

Since this freelance gig takes you out of your home, you may need to have lunch, buy gas a lot, and even water for the people who ride in your car. Additionally, of course, you’ll have more wear and tear on your vehicle and need to buy tires more often, get the oil changed more, and all the normal upkeep that you’ll need to do on a recurring basis. 

Understand the Tax Implications 

When you work as a freelancer, you don’t always receive tax information the way you will when you’re an employee, so sometimes this can be a shock. Talk to a tax professional about what you need to save in terms of expenses, records, and paperwork so that you don’t get shocked. You can also use software like Go Daddy Bookkeeping, keep track of your income and expenses, and it lets you know how much you need to pay to the Feds every quarter. Anywhere from 20 to 35 percent of your income may go to federal taxes and self-employment taxes – even before expenses. 

Drive for More Than One Service 

Don’t put all your eggs in one delivery basket. Instead, sign up for more than one. They don’t charge you for your background checks or anything, so it’s not a big deal, but driving for more than one service will give you a back up to use in case one goes out of business. 

Focus on Safety 

The most important thing is that you (and your passengers) arrive home every day safely. Take a defensive driving course and learn about how to be safe on the road, whether you’re letting people in your car or not.

Being a gig driver, whether you drive people or packages or food, can be a very lucrative way to earn a living. You can do it part-time around a full-time job, or you can go full-time if that’s what you desire. It depends on your community, your health, your vehicle, and some other factors, but if you’ve done your research, it may be a very good way to earn a living where you live right now.

Want to Work When You Want, Where You Want and With Whomever You Want–ASAP? Start Your Freelance Career in Just 30 Days!