How Much Can You Make Renting Out A Room?

How Much Money Can You Make From a Vacation Rental?

/in /by

How Much Money Can You Make From Renting Out Your Home?

If you’re interested in a side gig that potentially brings in tens of thousands of dollars each year, renting out your vacation home is the way to go. Property rental websites like VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) and AirBnb have boomed in popularity as travelers demand more from their vacations.

The “free” hot breakfast and on-site restaurant simply aren’t making the must-have amenities list anymore. These alternative lodging websites are now two of the top choices for vacationers, connecting travelers to property owners hoping to rent out their homes for extra cash.

The appeal of having the luxuries of home – but in an awesome city – pulls travelers to the 2 million rentals on VRBO, and the 5 million on AirBnb.

If you want to make some serious cash with a side gig, renting out your vacation home is the way to go. Before you start researching whether VRBO or AirBnb is better, decide how you want to rent your space. Your answer will likely help guide which platform is better suited for your property.

How Much Space Do You Want to Offer?

The main difference between VRBO and AirBnb is the types of spaces that can be offered on each site.

  • VRBO: Only entire homes are offered for rent on the site. So if you’re not willing to give up the whole condo, cabin, or beach house, this isn’t the platform for you. This restriction gives your guests comfort in knowing they won’t be sharing the property when they arrive.
  • AirBnb: Don’t mind sharing your space or want to rent to travelers who are up for renting just a room? AirBnb is the place to be.  AirBnb owners can rent out their entire home or offer up a single room.

How Much Can You Make on Vacation Rental Sites?

There are a number of factors that go into how much you can make by listing your property on VRBO or AirBnb. While some vacation property owners rake in more than $10,000 per month, renting out a single room can still help you bank a few hundred dollars each month.

Those who list their property on AirBnb bring in an average of $11,000 per year, while VRBO owners make an average of $28,000 annually. Before you list, it’s important to understand the fees you’ll pay to place your vacation home on each platform.

VRBO & AirBnb Fees

  • VRBO Fees: Owners can opt into a VRBO subscription or a pay-per-booking model.
    • The VRBO subscription requires each owner to pay a $499 yearly subscription fee and a 3% processing credit card fee. For owners who rent their property for at least 6 weeks out of the year, this model works best.
    • VRBO’s pay-per-booking model allows you to skip the subscription fee, but you’ll pay 5% for each booking made through VRBO as well as the 3% credit card fee.
  • AirBnb Fees: A pay-per-booking fee of 3% is charged for each reservation made on AirBnb.

In general, AirBnb attracts visitors looking for a short stay or weekend trip, while VRBO caters to those planning a week-long vacation or new city experience.

What Determines My Vacation Home Rental Revenue?

Even after you decide how much of your home you want to rent out and which vacation rental platform is best, there are outside factors that play into your revenue potential. When you price your vacation home, consider these elements:

  • Area events (Concerts, festivals, sporting events)
  • Amenities you offer
  • Location, location, location (VRBO traditionally does better in vacation destination areas)
  • Local taxes
  • Personal usage
  • Regulatory considerations
  • Seasonality
  • Self-managing vs. hiring a property manager
  • Vacation rental competition
  • Wear and tear, plus the cost of maintenance
Airbnb Booking Tips

 

Make More Money from Your Vacation Rental Property

If you want to make more than the yearly average of a typical vacation rental owner, you need to implement a strong strategy for how you’ll screen renters, accept payment, and set property policies. When you have the right procedures in place, your property will bring in top dollar. Here’s how to do it.

  • Screen renters: You wouldn’t let just anyone into your home if you were there, so you should be even more vigilant about who has access to your property when you won’t be home. Speak with potential renters on the phone, not just via email, to determine if your home is right for their trip and if you’re comfortable with the guest.
  • Establish a rental agreement: A clearly written rental agreement establishes expectations for you and the guest. The document should include the rental period, pet policy, occupancy limits, and rental and incidental fees. You and the renter should sign and receive a copy of the agreement.
  • Request deposit: Allowing guests to pay for the rental upon arrival leaves you at risk for a no-show. Require a 25% deposit to book the room and the remainder of the amount with enough time for the payment to clear before handing over the keys.
  • Meet in person: Even if the guest pays in full before arrival, don’t send the keys in the mail or leave them in a pick-up location. Meet the guest who booked the home and introduce yourself. This not only allows you to confirm the person who is staying in the home is in fact the person who booked the rental, but it also allows you to spot any potential challenges like unexpected pets.
  • Enhance the experience: Not only should everything in the home be in working order, but offering custom luxuries—like clean linens, toiletries, and a welcome basket—will enhance the guest’s stay. The more the guest enjoys their rental experience, the more 5-star reviews you gain. Owning a top-ranked property on the rental website means your rental property value increases.

Price Your Property Well

Avoid vacancies in your vacation home rental by pricing the property well. Consider the size, amenities, and location of the home, and study other vacation options available to travelers. A price that’s too low will make it hard to get your money’s worth, but over-pricing the home means the property will stay empty. Airbnb makes this part a bit easier with Smart Pricing, which sets the rental price based on a number of factors, such as time of year, and location.

There are also a number of tools out there to help hosts with things like set up (HappyHost) and pricing (Beyond Pricing).

Use your vacation rental as a side gig revenue when you know where to list, how much to ask, and how to feature the home’s best assets. Consider how much of your home you’re willing to rent and put the proper procedures in place to attract quality guests to keep your vacation rental full—maxing out your side hustle income.

 

Lyft Pitch Competition 2018

Lyft Offers More Details On Lyft Pitch (Washington, D.C.)

/in /by

Lyft Offers More Details On Lyft Pitch – Washington D.C.

Lyft recently launched a ‘Shark Tank’ style competition for drivers who have a business idea. The competition will offer over $30,000 prizes, as well as mentorship from successful professionals.

Lyft was kind enough to make Kate Glantz, Lyft’s Regional Marketing Manager for the Mid-Atlantic region, who joined Lyft from Seed Spot, available to answer some of Rideshare Central’s questions about the new competition. Her answers are below.

What will the boot camp involve, and about how long will it be? Will it primarily focus on the preparation and pitch aspect, or will other areas be covered (finance, materials sourcing, technologies the start up could take advantage of, etc..)?

KG: The eight finalists will attend a full-day, intensive business bootcamp and elevator pitch clinic in DC, which will focus on: accessing different types of capital, building a social media presence, understanding the sales funnel, among other topics. The next day, they will be able to take professional headshots and participate in a photo and video shoot showcasing their business ideas.

What was the catalyst for this idea? Was it from drivers occasionally pitching ideas, or just stories about drivers who have been able to synergise driving Lyft with another business?

KG: Every single one of our drivers is driving with Lyft to help them reach some kind of personal or financial goal, whether that is saving to put a downpayment on a house, planning a vacation, paying the monthly bills, or funding their business. One in five Lyft drivers identifies as an entrepreneur. Driving is often the first step toward opening a restaurant, launching an online store, or making extra cash while dreaming up a business. We developed “Lyft Pitch” not only to help provide a funding boost for their ideas, but to provide them with exposure and mentorship from VCs and other successful business people.

Does Lyft have a venture arm, or is Lyft considering starting one, and if so, will it be involved in the process?

KG: Lyft does not currently have a venture division. “Lyft Pitch” is a program we saw the opportunity to launch in the Mid-Atlantic region as a way to embrace our own entrepreneurial spirit while supporting our local drivers to reach their goals both on and off the road. We hope to expand the program nationally next year.

Will Lyft be partnering with other organizations in this endeavor, and in what capacity?

KG: Intuit and General Assembly are sponsors of “Lyft Pitch.” The finalist whose pitch is voted the audience favorite will receive the Intuit Prosperity Award, along with $5,000 in cash. General Assembly will give all competition applicants a $25 credit and each finalist a $100 credit to classes and workshops, while the winner will be awarded a free part-time class.

A diverse group of regional partners from the startup ecosystem are offering support for the competition in varying capacities, including: reviewing applications, promoting the event to their networks, providing mentoring, and leading workshops during the bootcamp. These partners include: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Washington DC Economic Partnership, Startup Virginia, ETC Baltimore, Halcyon Incubator, Black Girl Ventures, and the Vinetta Project.

Does Lyft have a specific selection criteria in mind? Are they looking for ideas related to rideshare and on demand, or is the contest pretty open ended in that regard?

KG: “Lyft Pitch” was not designed to source ideas related to Lyft’s business, but to support drivers in their personal endeavors. Finalists will be selected from a range of industries based on the creativity of their idea, their traction to date, how they differentiate from their competition, and the impact their concept will have on the community.

Lyft is looking to expand the program to more markets next year. Is Lyft also considering adding other features to the contest in the future (incubator for the winners, a conference centered around the contest etc.)?

We will consider adding new components to the competition should we expand the program next year. For now, we are focused on fostering the ingenuity of the tens of thousands of Mid-Atlantic drivers who are working hard to launch a business but may not otherwise have access to the relationships and mentorship to jumpstart their ideas.

How To Enter Lyft Pitch

If you’re a resident of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C., you can submit an application to Lyft Pitch at lyftpitch.co.

However, you’ll need to hurry as the application deadline is October 21st, 2018!

 

Side Hustles Best Features

Look For These Features In Your Side Hustle Apps

/in /by

The Best Side Hustle Apps Have These Features in Common

It’s no wonder that 4 in 10 Americans have a side gig. The average student loan payment each month is $351, then add to that rent, utilities, and having a morsel of a social life, and the month will likely run longer than the cash in your account. Whether you’re just looking to make some extra money or you’re exploring side gigs to find a new career direction, there are a number of reasons having a side hustle is a good thing.

In addition to providing you with some extra cash, side gigs also give you the opportunity to build new skills and gain experience in different industries. Starting career exploration with a part-time side hustle can be a great way to determine if the industry is really for you.

A side hustle may be awesome, especially for college students, but they’re not all created equal. When you’re choosing your side gig, especially an app-based side gig, there are three qualities you should look for to ensure you’re creating the best-case scenario for your schedule and wallet. Below, we’ll explore which features the best side hustle apps have in common.

Broad Focus

If you’re going to spend your downtime working on your side gig, it should at least be something you want to do with the flexibility to match your specific needs. The best side hustle apps provide a wide range of services that allow you to broaden your horizons. These broad focus apps give you the opportunity to exercise different skills and try out different services to find out what you’re best at and enjoy the most.

With a broad range of opportunities, you’ll never get bored. If you want a variety of side gig options in one platform, check out these apps:

Care.com

Whether your gift is SAT prep or dog walking, the Care.com app allows you to find a job that fits your skill set. Provide child care, adult and senior care, pet care, and home care to customers, or find tutoring, errands, and odd job opportunities.

Fiverr

With more than 116 different service categories, you’re sure to find a few gigs right for you on Fiverr. This app connects you to entrepreneurs and businesses in need of graphics and design, music and audio, writing, digital marketing, and more. If you’re a creative looking to build your portfolio, download this app today.

Hubstaff

Skip the bidding-for-gigs process and get straight to work on Hubstaff. You’ll be connected with business owners searching for IT managers, coders, designers, marketing gurus, and content writers. Find consistent work in your particular niche, and don’t lower your rate just to grab a job.

TaskRabbit

Are you handy around the house? If you enjoy home improvement and are good at repairs, then TaskRabbit is a great app for making some extra cash in your spare time. Choose from a variety of household chores from putting together furniture, mounting a mirror, or helping someone move. The opportunities are endless!

TaskRabbit at a construction gig.

 

Tispr

Tispr is a great app for creatives that are looking to pursue their passions and build or diversify their portfolio while making a little extra cash. After creating a profile on the app, you’ll have access to a wide variety of creative job opportunities with diverse companies that are looking for someone with your expertise.

Gigwalk

Gigwalk matches side hustlers with businesses in their area that are looking for a little extra help. Whether you’re running an event or just running errands, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a variety of side gigs right in your area that you’re qualified to help with.

Bonuses and Incentives

Don’t miss out on bonus checks or added incentives just because you’re working a side gig. While traditional work environments may not offer you the chance to take advantage of incentives, some of the best gig apps often offer bonuses or incentives for side hustlers who work hard and consistently deliver.

Bonuses and incentives are one of the best ways to maximize your extra cashflow. If extra “perks” of the job make a side hustle more enjoyable for you, spend your time on one of these apps:

Lyft

When you join Lyft as a driver, you can enjoy a sign-on bonus when you meet certain trip requirements within the first 30 days. Lyft also offers a number of other bonuses and incentives like weekly ride challenges, power zones with an incentive for picking up riders in certain areas, and streak bonuses.

Instacart

With Instacart, you get paid to deliver groceries to customers’ homes. This app offers incentives for you to earn even more on the app’s busiest days. You can also earn commissions based on your speed and accuracy, meaning the more you work and better you get, the more potential you have to earn more.

Uber

When you drive with Uber, you can take advantage of incentives like Boost, which multiplies your trip fares by a specified amount for all of the trips you complete within a hotspot during certain times. In addition, Quest incentives allow you to earn extra money for reaching certain trip goals in a specified time period. Uber usually has two quests per week, one for Monday through Thursday, and another one for the weekend. This gives Uber a slight advantage over Lyft when it comes to driving part-time.

Postmates

When it comes to incentives that help increase your earnings, Postmates is one of the best delivery apps out there. They often include bonuses that allow you to earn an additional amount for each delivery accepted and completed within a certain timeframe as well as bonuses for completing a certain amount of deliveries in a specified timeframe.

Wag

If you’re passionate about animals and want to make some extra cash walking dogs, then Wag! is a great side hustle app as it provides some extra incentives for hard-working dog walkers. The app offers featured walks, some of which have bonuses attached to them, which allows you to earn additional funds on top of the initial walk pay out.

Flexible Scheduling

One of the biggest perks of a side hustle is that you’re able to make extra money during your free time. If you want the freedom to sign on for a few hours and make money on your schedule, then finding an app with scheduling flexibility is a top priority. Many jobs will allow you to work early morning, afternoon, or late at night, allowing you to pick the jobs that fit best within your schedule.

Whether you’re balancing a full-time job or just other side hustles, you’ll want to check out some of the apps that allow for flexible scheduling. If you want to set your own schedule each day, here are your best side gig app options:

Wonolo

With the Wonolo staffing platform, you can choose from a variety of jobs in your community. The app allows you to choose from immediate hourly, single, or multi-day jobs. With a single swipe, you can accept or deny the job based on how much (and if) you want to work for the day. You’re only committed to the jobs you choose, but if you need to back out of a gig, you need to let the employer know more than 12 hours out.

Amazon Flex

For side giggers 21 and older, Amazon Flex is a great way to set your own schedule on a daily basis or for the week ahead. You can choose to deliver Amazon packages each day from available blocks of time or set your schedule before the week starts if you prefer a regular routine.

Dolly

Dolly lets you make money on your time without driving someone around or walking their dog. You simply move boxes, furniture, or anything else people need help transporting. Whether you want some weekend work or can bring in some cash in the evenings, the Dolly app shows you how much you’ll make before you accept the job and explains what you’ll be moving (so there are no surprises when you arrive on scene). This app is best for those who don’t mind a little sweat and can lift at least 75 pounds. If you have a truck, you can make even more working for Dolly.

Shipt

With Shipt, you can earn up to $22/hour shopping for the app’s members. This side hustle app allows you to be your own boss and set your own hours. Whether you want to work full- or part-time or only have availability during certain days of the week or hours of the day, you make your own schedule with Shipt.

Shipt Shopper

 

Rover

If you love dogs and want to make some extra cash, Rover is a great app that allows for flexible scheduling. Whether you just want to work weekends or need specific days off during the week, you set your availability using a convenient calendar feature, allowing you to only get dog walking and petsitting requests on the days you are available.

Finding the right side gig app depends on your priorities. Whether you want to choose your daily schedule, benefit from bonuses and incentives, or find gigs tailored to your skill set, knowing which side hustle app to choose will offer the best fit for your needs.

 

Gig Economy News October 12, 2018

Lyft Hires, Uber Elects, and Microsoft Grabs – This Week In On Demand

/in /by

This Week In On Demand — Oct. 12, 2018

It’s been a busy week for on-demand industries. From employee switch-ups to new partnerships, here’s what you need to know about your favorite side-hustle companies.

Lyft Hires New CMO & Policy Chief

On Monday, Lyft announced Joy Howard is joining their C-suite as CMO. Howard, who previously worked with Sonos and Patagonia, is replacing Melissa Waters. However, Howard’s introduction wasn’t the only team change this week, as it was announced on Tuesday that Anthony Foxx is also joining the company. Does that name sound familiar? The new Chief Policy Officer was once mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, and more recently, the U.S. Transporation Secretary under former President Barack Obama.

These changes come a few weeks after Lyft hit one billion rides. The rideshare company also began building its IPO team over the past few months as they plan to hit the market next year. With such monumental changes on the horizon, it’s possible we’ll see a few more C-suite hires over the upcoming months.

Uber Is Hitting the Election Polls

Uber has decided that it’s ready to take part in the mid-term elections this November. The rideshare company announced the past week that they’re partnering with Vote Together and Democracy Works to provide free rides across the country on Election Day, November 6th. They’re also working with When We All Vote to help both drivers and passengers register to vote in the run-up to the election.

The decision comes more than a month after Lyft announced their own Election Day program. However, the competitor is only offering free rides through partners in underprivileged areas of the country, and the rest of the locations can apply a 50% off promo code. Uber’s choice to offer free rides and not just reduced rates ensures they win the PR award for this round, which is much needed after the last few years of poor publicity.

Grab Scores Microsoft Investment

Southeast Asian rideshare powerhouse, Grab, has snagged a new investor in Microsoft. The five year deal, for an undisclosed amount, will have Grab implement Microsoft Azure, the company’s cloud offering. Together, the two businesses hope to use machine learning and AI technologies to improve and enhance the on demand transportation experience.

Microsoft joins a long-list of Grab investors. In June 2018, Toyota — who’s also invested in Uber — pumped $1 billion into Grab. Grab is also backed by Vertex Venture Holdings, Tiger Global, and SoftBank. The Singapore-based company’s worth is currently estimated to be over $10 billion. While they’re only currently serving Southeast Asia markets, the backing of such large international companies means the on-demand company is likely to move into other markets in the near future.

Airbnb Hits a Roadblock in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the city where just about anything goes, except for (apparently) peer-to-peer property rentals. The Las Vegas planning commission voted on Tuesday to take the first step towards banning services, like Airbnb, from the city. Now, the issue must be decided by the city council before the new regulations go into effect.

Clark County, Nevada — where Las Vegas is located — already has regulations in place for Airbnb hosts, which includes requiring property owners to get a permit. However, until now, Las Vegas allowed homeowners to rent out their spaces without any sort of registration or licensing. If the new law is passed, only property owners who already have the correct permits will be allowed to host short-term renters.

DoorDash Announces New Partnership With Bringg

DoorDash and Bringg announced a new partnership on Wednesday. While DoorDash is known for its on-demand food delivery options, Bringg specialty is in-house delivery ordering. The new collaboration allows Bringg’s current customers to access DoorDash drivers for customer deliveries in the area.

DoorDash already offers an impressively large North American market with operations in over 1,000 cities. Partnering with Bringg is a step in the right direction to further grow their coverage areas. The move also allows DoorDash to expand earnings in their current markets as they’ll have the opportunity to work with customers who would otherwise forgo the on-demand delivery platform and go straight to the restaurant.

Waymo Hits the 10-Million-Mile Mark

This past Wednesday, Waymo announced it hit 10 million miles of testing their self-driving vehicles on public roads nationwide. After continued success in public testing trials, Waymo expects to have more self-driving minivans available for public use before the end of the year.

Right now approximately 400 riders are using auto vehicle services in the Pheonix metropolitan area. While Waymo’s robotaxi debut will be limited to the Pheonix area at first, this puts them at the forefront of the autonomous vehicle game.

Now, you’re all caught up! What do you think about Lyft’s evolving team? How about the Vegas pushback against Airbnb? Let us know in the comments!

Uber & Lyft San Francisco Driver Guide

San Francisco Lyft & Uber Guide

/in , /by

San Francisco Lyft & Uber Guide

Rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber are only getting more and more popular, especially in big cities, where owning a personal vehicle can be more of a hassle than a blessing. Out of all the cities in the U.S., San Francisco is the favorite when it comes to ride-hailing services, logging more than 75 million trips in 2017.

Whether your fares are tourists, commuters, or pub-crawlers, San Francisco can be an intriguing and profitable city to drive in for Uber or Lyft.

To maximize your earning potential as a Lyft or Uber driver, it’s essential to know the ins and outs of driving in San Francisco. This guide will hopefully help you navigate the crowded streets of San Francisco like a pro in no time.

Looking for A Job That Causes Less Wear And Tear On Your Car?

Sign up for Doordash today and start earning up to $25/hr!

With Doordash, you can deliver by motorcycle, scooter, and in many markets, even bikes! And, no passengers!

Join Doordash

Where Are the Best Areas to Drive Uber or Lyft in San Francisco?

If you’re looking to maximize your income driving for Uber or Lyft in San Francisco, head over to these hot spots.

The Peninsula

From commuters to night-time hotspots, focus on these areas:

  • Downtown San Francisco
  • Mission District
  • North Beach
  • Pacific Heights

East Bay

These areas are big during the morning and evening commutes, as people often take advantage of Lyft and Uber to fill the gap between BART stops and their final destinations:

  • Berkeley
  • Oakland
  • Hayward
  • Fremont

South Bay

Like the East Bay, the South Bay is also ripe for fares during commute hours. Stake out your place near Caltrain stations in:

  • San Mateo
  • Palo Alto/Mountain View
  • San Jose

North Bay

Rush hour in Marin County can be a boon for Uber and Lyft drivers, but the real money is in weekends in the wine country. Head over to these locations for lighter traffic, hot fares, and beautiful scenery:

  • Santa Rosa
  • Petaluma
  • Napa Wine Region (focus on HWY 29 and Silverado Trail)
  • Sonoma (hang out around Broadway and W. Napa)
  • Vallejo
  • San Rafael
  • Larkspur
  • Mill Valley
  • Tiburon
  • Marin City
  • Sausalito

When Are the Best Times to Drive Lyft or Uber in San Francisco?

The most successful Uber and Lyft drivers tend to driver when it’s busy to take advantage of Uber’s Surge and Lyft’s Prime Time pricing. Hit the road during these peak times and take some time for yourself in the hours between.

The Peninsula

The best times to drive in San Francisco proper are:

  • Weekdays – 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Friday/Saturday – 7:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
  • Sunday – 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Along the Embarcadero, you can find tired tourists in need of transport every weekend and on just about any day during the summer. Keep track of Giants games as well, for ample opportunities to make some extra cash.

East Bay

The best times to drive in the East Bay are:

  • Weekdays – 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday through Saturday – 8:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Keeping up with UC Berkeley happenings can be advantageous for Uber and Lyft drivers. Sporting events, freshmen days, family weekends, and graduation are great times to hit the road.

South Bay

The best times to drive in the South Bay are:

  • Weekdays – 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
  • Friday/Saturday – 7:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Trips from SFO to the South Bay can be lucrative, especially during weekends or counter-commute, but avoid being on the wrong side of the freeway during rush hour.

North Bay

The best times to drive in the North Bay are:

  • Weekdays – 7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (Marin County).
  • Weekends – All day (Napa/Sonoma).

Weekends in the wine country can be beautiful and rewarding. Don’t forget to stock those bottles of water and snacks for passengers enjoying the local wines.

San Francisco Traffic – Uber and Lyft Routing Tips and Shortcuts

San Francisco’s narrow, one-way streets, steep hills, and regulatory hurdles can pose obstacles to lucrative driving experiences. Here are some pro tips to keep you moving and out of trouble:

  1. Timed green lights – Maintaining speeds of 20-25 mph will enable you to hit green lights all the way down:
    1. Fell Street – westbound
    2. Oak Avenue – eastbound
    3. Pine Street – westbound
    4. Bush Street – eastbound
    5. Franklin Street – northbound
    6. Gough Street – southbound
    7. The Great Highway – both directions
  2. Take the slalom path – Staying in center lanes, where available, can keep you moving steadily towards your destination. Where center lanes are not an option, watch for turning cars and make safe lane changes back and forth to avoid slow-downs.
  3. Watch for transit lanes – While many roads forbid left-hand turns, streets like Market and Mission have additional limited left turns, as well as mandatory right turns between 14th and Ceasar Chazez. Keep your eyes open to avoid unanticipated detours.
  4. CalTrain – Avoid the bus stop on 4th, and you’ll avoid a $300 ticket – opt instead for pick-ups and drop-offs at Bluxome or Townsend.
  5. AT&T Park – During special events, the city closes the roads around the field. Avoid congestion by dropping off and picking up north of the field near Pier 40 or south by Berry and 4th
  6. Civic Center Bart – Pick up and drop off on the white-curbed area around McAllister and 7th or Grove and 8th.
  7. Opt for long drives on the weekends – Longer rides are a great way to boost earnings as an Uber or Lyft driver. Try to take pickups from the airport to increase your chances for a longer ride with less traffic than weekdays would afford.
  8. Use your filters – Set your destination filters away from heavy traffic, like HWY 101 to ensure you’re making the most of your drive time.
  9. Chat up the tourists – San Francisco is a major tourist destination, so be sure to brush up on interesting local tidbits – your fares will appreciate the information and may tip you more than they normally would.

Uber and Lyft Airport Dropoffs and Pickups in San Francisco

There are three major airports in the San Francisco Bay Area that you’ll want to be familiar with – San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK), and San Jose International (SJC). Be sure to stay up-to-date with unique requirements for Lyft and Uber drivers.

In general, you will want to keep these tips in mind when dropping off or picking up Uber or Lyft passengers:

  • Each airport will have specific wait areas for Lyft and Uber drivers.
  • Identify in advance the places you are legally allowed to drop off or pick up passengers.
  • You must display your Uber or Lyft tradedress (decals, lights, etc.) when at the airport.
  • You must maintain online status on your Uber or Lyft apps while at the airport.
  • Both Lyft and Uber maintain a “First In First Out” policy (FIFO), so if there are tons of drivers already queued, you may want to move to another area of town.

Is It Better to Sign Up for Uber or Lyft in San Francisco?

There are pros and cons to driving for both Uber and Lyft. Most drivers maximize their profits by driving for both companies. While Uber was first in the market, San Francisco-born Lyft is the clear choice amongst Bay Area riders and drivers.

With that said, both Uber and Lyft offer competitive signing bonuses and guarantees for drivers who hustle. You can maximize your income by taking advantage of heat maps, surge and prime time pricing, and ensuring you provide added value by passing on useful information, engaging conversation, or tasty snacks. A little customer service can go a long way.

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

Sign up to drive with Lyft today and get a sign up bonus.

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

 

drive with Lyft san diego

San Diego Lyft & Uber Guide

/in , /by

San Diego Lyft & Uber Guide

Driving for Lyft and Uber can be a great way to make a living in sunny San Diego. With its decent year-round weather and ample hot spots, San Diego rideshare drivers have brought in over $500 million in revenue in 2017.

Want a piece of that action? Check out this San Diego rideshare driver guide for insider advice on how to drive like a pro and maximize your income as an Uber or Lyft driver. With Lyft and Uber offering lucrative sign-on bonuses or four-figure driver guarantees, San Diego is a prime spot to begin your rideshare career or side-gig.

There’s even a third rideshare option in San Diego if you already drive for Uber or Lyft. It’s called Bounce, and their platform allows riders to choose their favorite drivers, and request them again.

Where Are the Best Areas to Drive Uber or Lyft in San Diego?

The best way to ensure four-figure weekly earnings with Uber or Lyft is to make a lot of pick-ups each day. So naturally, you’ll want to focus on the busiest spots in San Diego. Pick one of these hot spots and get started.

  • The Gaslamp Quarter
  • Pacific Beach
  • San Diego International Airport
  • University City (one of the busiest parts of town midweek, especially on Lyft)
  • La Jolla
  • Downtown San Diego
  • Del Mar
  • Encinitas

San Diego Happy Hour and Weekend Destinations

If you’re not already in-the-know about local San Diego hangouts, get familiar with what’s hot and start your Friday evenings near one of these:

  • Rustic Root (Gaslamp)
  • PB Shore Club (Pacific Beach)
  • C-Level (Harbor Island)
  • House of Blues (Downtown)
  • Omnia Night Club (Gaslamp)
  • Balboa Park
Lyft San Diego Balboa Park

Don’t ignore the universities and beaches, which can be highly profitable on weekends and Thursday and Friday nights.

Camp Pendleton

Drivers in San Diego can get base access through the DBIDS program. This allows a driver to do drop-offs and pickups on the Camp Pendleton Military Base. The Camp Pendleton area can get pretty busy, and Lyft usually offers a fair number of pickup bonuses in that area during the week and weekend.

When Are the Best Times to Drive Lyft or Uber in San Diego?

Knowing where to be is only half the battle. You’ve also got to know when to be there! If you can, split up your day, focusing on rush hours at the beginning and end of the day.

  • Weekdays – 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday nights – 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
  • Sundays – 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.

As you can see, San Diego almost never sleeps, making it an optimal spot to drive for Uber or Lyft.

San Diego Traffic Routing Tips and Shortcuts

Like any city, navigating in San Diego successfully requires local knowledge. Using Waze as a navigational tool is a great start. Ready to go? Navigate to Encinitas for the pub-crawl route.

PCH Pub Crawl

For maximum profitability, be sure to head over to the Pacific Coast Highway after 6 p.m. on any given day. Between Encinitas and Del Mar, there is a high density of nightlife spots -with minimal stoplights and congestion. Curbside pick-ups and drop-offs allow for easy in-and-out access. Once you’ve made it into Del Mar, head up Birmingham Drive towards the I-5, making stops at the myriad train stops in Encinitas and Solana Beach.

Downtown San Diego Party Spots

On your way down to San Diego, you might as well hit the airport off of I-5 and North Harbor Drive. Once you get close to the airport, your queue timer will appear in the app. If it reads more than 10-15 minutes, skip it and head back downtown. Start on Market Street, avoiding 5th (near Petco Park)—you’ll hit too much traffic. If you use 1st and 6th Avenues as your borders, you can wind your way through downtown, picking up and dropping off scores of riders all night long.

Pro tip: If you find yourself with a request near 4th and 5th avenues below W. Broadway, cancel—it’s likely not worth your time.

University Party Central

If you like the party crowd, they can be found in these fine neighborhoods:

  • University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard (between I-5 and the 805)
  • Mission Hills
  • University Heights
  • Hillcrest
  • North Park

These folks tend to prefer Lyft over other rideshare apps and tip better than you might expect. Stick to 30th Street for the best results.

You Might Want to Avoid…

If you’re averse to patrons puking in your vehicle and general mayhem in the streets, you may want to avoid Pacific Beach. And, while La Jolla might boast a tamer crowd, its geographical location makes it difficult to get in and out of, resulting in a high amount of minimum fare requests. With all the other, more profitable options available to you, it may be wise to just skip this part of San Diego.

Uber & Lyft Airport Dropoffs and Pickups in San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the pickier airports in California when it comes to accommodating rideshare drivers. Here are some pro tips for navigating this travel hub while staying out of hot water:

  • One rideshare company at a time please—SAN prohibits rideshare drivers from working for more than one rideshare company at a time while on the premises. Pick one and keep that app open at all times.
  • Display proper trade dress—If you choose to work through Uber, then you must display proper Uber decals on the front passenger windshield and the rear passenger windshield—both facing outward.
  • No old vehicles—SAN requires all rideshare vehicles to be less than 10 years old.
  • Keep to the wait zone—At SAN, this area is behind the Airport Cell Phone Lot near North Harbor Drive.
  • Know your pick-up areas—Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have designated pickup zones, but beware—you must pull a ticket, pick up your rider, and be out within 10 minutes, otherwise, you must pay fees.
  • Obey the FIFO queue—Both Uber and Lyft drivers are subject to the SAN “First In First Out” (FIFO) policy. Once you are within the FIFO zone, you are placed in the queue. If you leave the queue, you lose your place.

The one great thing about SAN is that you can drop passengers off curbside. Eager for extra tips? Consider helping your riders with their luggage.

Is It Better to Sign Up for Uber or Lyft in San Diego?

Both Uber and Lyft are popular rideshare companies in San Diego. While Uber is bigger overall, Lyft has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and boasted more than 400 million rides in San Diego in 2017 alone. Regardless of personal opinions over Lyft or Uber, most rideshare drivers work with both companies. You never know if some snag will bring an app down for a few hours, or if a problem with paperwork may leave you out of commission for a few weeks.

Which San Diego Neighborhoods Favor What Rideshare App?

It may seem strange, but there are certain neighborhoods that favor Lyft over Uber and vice versa. Here’s the breakdown of Team Lyft neighborhoods in San Diego:

  • Hillcrest
  • Mission Hills
  • University Heights
  • Pacific Beach
  • Seaport Village
  • Balboa Park
  • Encinitas
  • Torrey Pines
  • Solano Beach
  • Chula Vista
  • Del Mar

San Diego State and UCSD have partnered with Lyft to provide discounted rides for students.

Who Makes More, San Diego Lyft or Uber Drivers?

Drivers for Lyft and Uber generally earn between $15 and $20 an hour. If you approach things strategically, part-time drivers can increase that hourly rate to $20-$26 per hour, working just evenings and weekends.

The one key difference in income between Lyft and Uber is tipping. Lyft has had a tipping feature in its app since inception, while Uber added the feature later in the game. The result? Uber patrons aren’t in the habit of tipping drivers. Lyft riders, on the other hand, are not only a little more used to tipping, but tend to tip more per ride than Uber riders.

When it comes to driver experience, most drivers prefer Lyft over Uber—two-thirds, in fact. Nationally, Lyft drivers earn about $2 more than Uber drivers.

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

Sign up to drive with Lyft today and get a sign up bonus.

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

 

Rover pet sitter sign up

Rover Dog Walker Sign Up Guide

/in /by

Rover 101: How to Become a Dog Walker

Do you like spending time outdoors? Do you also love dogs? If so, you can finally make some easy cash while living your best life. From food delivery to rideshare, peer-to-peer businesses are popping up left and right. Now, we can add dog walking to the list thanks to Rover. If this scenario sounds like your ideal job, then keep reading to find out how to become a professional dog walker. If you’d like to try Rover out, click the button below to book a sitter on Rover.

 

Book A Sitter

 

What Is Rover?

Rover is a service that’s designed to bring pet owners together with dog service providers throughout the area. However, instead of a traditional pet hotel or veterinary office, the company utilizes independent contractors throughout the area. This arrangement ensures that owners and walkers have the opportunity to schedule services based on their unique schedules. As a result, it’s more convenient for all parties involved.

The company’s slogan is “We’re the Dog People,” which, in itself, emphasizes their desire to work with compassionate individuals. Along with dog walking, you can also sign up for boarding, house sitting, doggy daycare, and drop-in visits. While the services are focused on canines, sitters can tailor their profile to cats as well.

Dog walkers have been a staple in large cities, like New York, for decades. However, most cities and towns don’t have their own variation. As a result, Rover has opened up the market for dog lovers in several areas to earn some extra cash. Currently, the service is available in thousands of communities across the U.S. and Canada, including:

  • Atlanta
  • Austin
  • Boston
  • Cincinnati
  • Denver
  • Houston
  • Kansas City
  • Los Angeles
  • Milwaukee
  • New York City
  • Phoenix
  • Portland
  • Seattle
  • Washington, D.C.

Rover is incredibly popular in large cities, but it also filters into smaller neighborhoods. If you want to join their fleet of walkers, there’s a good chance that it’s available in your location.

How Rover Works

Rover is essentially the Uber or Lyft of the dog care industry. Owners and dog walkers are connected through the platform. However, there aren’t any minimum hour requirements or pre-set working schedules. As a result, walkers are able to set their own hours and choose which projects they want to take on. Take a closer look at how this unique platform works, below.

The Rover App

The Rover app is where all of the most important processes occur.

Dog walkers and sitters create profiles that outline their services as well as highlight their availability in the built-in calendar. Owners, on the other hand, can browse these profiles to find the right match and leave reviews afterward. When they need a service, they simply submit a request to their chosen contractor, who can either accept or deny it. The Rover app also offers the ability to create repeat bookings for regular services with the same dog walker or sitter.

Even better, when you’re on a job, you can record feeding times, look up care info, or contact the owner, all from within the app.

Rover pet sitter tracking chat

At the end of a job, you can send the owner a note or report, so they know how their pet is doing.

Rover report card

 

Payments

Rover service providers take home 80% of each payment. The company charges a 20% commission as well as a 5% to 7% service fee. However, the latter charge is covered entirely by the client.

All payments are processed electronically. After a service is completed, the money is available within two days. Contractors can transfer the amount from their Rover app to their bank account any time after that period.

The Rover Guarantee

The company also offers a peace-of-mind program known as the Rover Guarantee. While it’s similar to an insurance policy, it’s more of a reimbursement program for dog care providers. It’s designed to help cover financial costs in the event of damage or injury.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Covers up to $25,000 for vet care.
  • $1 million dollars in protection for property damage or third-party injuries.
  • Walkers and sitters only need to pay the $250 out-of-pocket deductible.

When qualifying issues occur, Rover contractors are able to contact the Trust and Safety Team to file a claim.

Rover pet sitter guarantee

Around-the-Clock Support

One of the top advantages of working with Rover is their around-the-clock support. The support staff is reachable by phone and email at any time of the day and night, and they also offer veterinarian assistance. While the 24-hour support is handy, the ability to speak with a veterinarian makes Rover stand out. This quality is sure to put both service providers and owners at ease.

RoverGo

RoverGO is Rover’s program for experienced sitters who have regular availability, and the ability to house sit, board dogs overnight, or both. RoverGo is primarily aimed at those who want to build a full fledged dog care business, with regular bookings.

How to Become a Rover Dog Walker

If you’d like to get paid to hang out with dogs of all ages and sizes, then Rover is probably a good match. However, they don’t hire just anyone. The company’s basic applicant requirements are as follows:

  • Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Criminal History: Able to pass a background check.
  • Bank: All payments go through the Rover app, so every applicant needs a bank account.

Since you don’t technically need to transport the dogs, there aren’t any vehicle requirements. As such, dog walking is open to a much wider group than delivery and rideshare services.

The Rover Dog Walker Application

Joining the Rover team is a fairly simple process as long as you meet the requirements. To begin the application, visit their website or download the Rover app on your Apple or Android device. Once you create a rover account, follow these steps:

1. Open The Rover App

From the Rover Dashboard, click “more” in the lower right hand corner.

Rover App Dashboard

2. Start Your Rover Pet Sitter Application

On this screen, choose “Become a Sitter”, followed by “Get Started” on the next screen, to begin the Rover application.

Rover Become A Sitter
Rover Application - $1000 per month

3. Build Your Profile

Next, it’s time to create your profile. Enter your name, address, contact information, and social security number to set up your account. This step requires that you complete your public dog walker profile by adding information about yourself, including experience and images. Finally, all applicants must authorize the background check before their application is considered complete.

Rover pet sitter sign up - address

4. Wait for Acceptance

The internal Rover team reviews each dog walker’s profile to ensure everything is correct. If there are any questions, they’ll email you directly. The team also has to wait until the background check is complete. Typically, the entire process takes around three to five days, but can take a little longer.

Once approved, you’ll have instant access to your local Rover network. If you plan on also offering other services, like pet boarding, be sure to upload pictures of your home. This step makes potential clients more at ease. As a result, you’re likely to get more requests and boost your overall earning potential.

Hit the Pavement With Rover and Start Earning Today!

Rover is opening up opportunities for dog lovers and owners alike. Pet owners will appreciate that the company utilizes a background check system as well as highly personalized profiles. Plus, the ability to re-book with the same walker is an added perk, especially when you find a person that both you and your furry friend like. If you’re interested in becoming a pet sitter with Rover, click the button below to start your application.

 

Join Rover

 

 

on demand apps sharing economy

Uber Scooters Make The Jump, Softbank Moves With Toyota – This Week In On Demand

/in /by

This Week In On Demand – October 5, 2018

Welcome to the first edition of This Week In On Demand, Rideshare Central’s roundup of the biggest news stories from the sharing economy. Every Friday, we’ll be recapping key new investments, company partnerships, new hires, and major app updates.

This week, we’ve got IPO news, some partnerships, and a whole lot of scooters.

Lyft IPO news and diversity report

It looks like J.P. Morgan will be Lyft’s lead underwriter for it’s IPO. Lyft has also retained IPO advisory firm Class V Group LLC, and is targeting an IPO date of late Q1 2019. The company seems to be in a good position for their IPO, more than doubling their revenue in the first half of 2018, to $909 million.

Lyft also released it’s second annual diversity report. Overall, the report is a mixed bag. African Americans, Asians, and Latinx or Hispanics, all make up a larger percentage of Lyft’s workforce now than in 2017. However, women now actually make up a smaller percentage (40% vs. 42%) of Lyft’s workforce than last year. However, they’re still ahead of Google (31%) and Apple (32%) in this area.

2018

Lyft Diversity Chart Ethnicity 2018

2017

Lyft Diversity Chart Ethnicity 2017

Taxify gets Google Maps integration

You can now order a ride from Taxify, the rideshare startup competing with Uber in Europe, Africa, and Australia, through Google Maps (outside the U.S.). The Estonian rideshare startup rolled out the service in 16 countries. This should level the playing field with Uber, which has had Google Maps integration since 2016.

While Taxify has no plans to enter the U.S. market, the company currently operates in about 30 countries. Last year, they took investment from, and entered into a strategic partnership with Didi, the Chinese rideshare giant. The company also recently closed a $175 million funding round led by Daimler and Korelya Capital, that valued the company at $1 Billion. Didi was a returning investor for this most recent funding round. With that sort of backing, Taxify looks set to take the battle to Uber across Africa, Australia, and Europe.

Upwork has it’s IPO.

Upwork, the on demand freelancer company, went public on Wednesday at $15 per share. The price shot up about 50% at the open, to $23 per share, but gave back some of those gains before closing at $21.18 per share.

The company connects buyers and sellers of services that run the gamut from social media management, to translation services, to business plan writing. Upwork was formed from the merger of Elance and Odesk back in 2014. While that merger process has been turbulent, Upwork has seen strong revenue growth over the past year. However, the company is currently unprofitable, and should remain so, since it’s expenses are currently growing faster than revenue.

Uber’s Jump escooters join the fray

Uber’s first Jump escooters hit the sidewalks this week, launching on Wednesday in Santa Monica. Uber acquired the bikesharing start up Jump earlier this year for a rumored price of around $200 million. The Santa Monica pilot will involve 250 Jump escooters, to go along with the 500 Jump ebikes they already operate in the city. Uber was one of four companies awarded permits for the Santa Monica pilot.

When it comes to escooters though, it looks like Uber may be playing a bit of catch up. Main rival Lyft launched their scooter pilot last month in Denver. Lyft was also granted one of the coveted Santa Monica permits, and have already been operating there for a couple of weeks. Bird and Lime are also a part of the Santa Monica pilot. The escooter wars have officially begun!

GM and Honda team up to build an autonomous vehicle

Honda is investing and partnering with General Motor’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Cruise Holdings. Under the deal, Honda will take a 5.7% stake in the subsidiary, investing $750 million immediately, and an additonal $2.05 billion over the next 12 years.

Honda’s investment values Cruise Holdings at just shy of $15 billion, roughly a third of the total market cap of GM. GM previously invested $500 million in Lyft, but that partnership seems to have cooled as the Lyft – Waymo partnership has strengthened. Currently, GM and Lyft have no active projects together.

Softbank and Toyota are forming a mobility services joint venture.

Toyota and Softbank are forming a new company, Monet Technologies, with an initial investment of $18 million. The company will develop a software platform for autonomous vehicles that can be used by businesses and consumers alike.

The joint venture makes a lot of sense. Softbank collects a lot of data from phones and other Internet of Things devices. By coordinating this data with Toyota’s data from it’s connected vehicles program, the new company hopes to create an ecosystem with services and products suited for a world where most people don’t own their own cars anymore.

 

Got some news from the on demand app world? Send us the scoop here.