For a lot of people, including both drivers and passengers, Uber is a fantastic resource. Of course, it’s not perfect, but if you’re a driver, you have the opportunity to earn extra money and work on-demand when you want to or when you’re able.
Even with Uber’s fees you still tend to get a pretty decent amount of your earnings, and if you don’t want to work, or you can’t, you can simply take yourself offline. The concept is incredibly simple.
For passengers, it tends to be less expensive and faster than getting a cab.
With that being said, people who live in smaller cities and towns might not have the same access to Uber as people in big cities.
So, if you want to drive for Uber, how do you make that happen and how do you make decent profits when you’re in a small market, whether that be a town or a city?
The following are some key things to know about being an Uber driver if you live someone that’s not a bustling major city.
Getting Uber In Your Location
A lot of smaller cities and towns might not necessarily have Uber available in the area yet, but there are things you can do to encourage Uber to come closer to you.
Uber bases its service decisions on things like the populations of different locales, but there are other factors as well. For example, the company will consider how affordable and reliable the transportation options in the city or town are already. Uber wants to go into markets where there’s a need.
If you feel like it’s something that you area needs, you can start by downloading the app and trying to get your friends to do the same. This is one way to show Uber there’s interest. You can directly email Uber’s support team and ask them if they plan to start servicing your town or city, and you can ask others to do that as well.
Expenses
If you already have Uber where you live, and you’re getting started as a driver, you’re probably going to make less than someone who drives in a big city. This is because of both demand, and the fact that Uber rides cost more in larger locations.
There’s something to keep in mind though. Your profitability isn’t just about how much you make driving. It’s also about your expenses.
Learning to manage your expenses is important when you’re driving for Uber, and you want to make sure you’re keeping all of these things under control.
A good way to do this is with a tax app that will let you keep up with everything on the go.
You’ll not only be able to easily see how much you’re spending to be a driver and see where you might be able to cut costs and be more profitable, but you’ll also save money when it’s time to pay your taxes.
Go For More Rides
What most drivers in smaller markets find is that they do shorter rides. Yes, that means you’re earning less per ride, but approach it from the standpoint that you can then do more rides.
Try to use your time wisely as a driver and make the most trips that you can in the windows of time you spend driving.
You also have to think about the fact that one of the reasons rides are often longer in big cities is because of traffic, and you aren’t likely to have to worry about that as much in a smaller place, so take advantage.
Learn the Busy Times
No matter where you’re driving, it’s essential to know the busy times and the hot spots and then maximize them.
You can do the same in any city or town, regardless of size, but the busiest times may be different in a smaller location versus a big city.
You want to spend the least amount of time on the road and make the most money doing it, so if you’re only driving a few hours a week, make sure that you’ve done some research into the times that are going to allow you to do that.
Finally, as a driver in a smaller market, don’t be afraid to network and advertise your services. Riders can book cars ahead of time, and that may be what they end up doing most of the time in smaller areas, so give them your number or a business card and let them know you’re available.