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Favor: Guide to Getting Started as a Runner for Favor

April 4, 2019/in Blog/by Cassandra

Do you love running errands? Are you looking for a way to make extra cash that’s fun and active? If so, Favor may be just the right side gig for you. When you become a Runner with Favor, you’re basically a personal assistant who makes deliveries to customers throughout the city. If you are friendly and outgoing with a love for helping people, then this might be the perfect opportunity to make some extra cash in your spare time.

What Is Favor?

As the name implies, Favor is a company that delivers anything that customers need in under an hour. Rather than describing their Runners as delivery drivers, they like to think of them as personal assistants. This app sets itself apart from other delivery apps because it doesn’t just limit its deliveries to food items. Favor Runners will deliver almost anything to customers, from restaurant orders and groceries to dry cleaning, clothing, and prescriptions.

As an Austin-based company that is part of the H-E-B family, Favor is focused on serving customers across Texas. The service is currently available in the Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Houston areas as well as other cities throughout the state. The company does plan to expand into other Texas cities in the future, but as of now will only be serving customers in the Lone Star state.

How Favor Works

Favor works in a similar way to other delivery apps. Customers use the app to browse popular restaurants and stores within their area. They can also use the search feature to order from any store within their delivery service zone. Then, the customer adds the items they would like from the menu, or types in specific items to create a custom order.

Once the customer has made their Favor order, it is then assigned to one of the company’s Runners for delivery. The Runner is more than just a delivery driver and instead serves as a personal assistant who the customer can contact throughout the delivery process. For instance, if the customer wants to know the status of their delivery or needs to make changes to their order, they can text or call their Runner to let them know.

With Favor, there is no need for cash transactions. Customers use the app to directly and securely pay for their items and delivery fees. All of the customer’s payment information is safely stored on the app so that they only need to enter it one time. Favor charges you the same price you would pay at the store plus a delivery and processing fee, which varies by city.

Customers can track the progress of their delivery using the app. The items that they ordered are delivered right to their door by their assigned Runner. Though the company promises deliveries in less than an hour, the typical delivery time is about 35 minutes. This will, of course, depend on a number of different factors such as traffic and long store lines. The Runner lets the customer know if they should expect delays.

How Much Can I Earn as a Favor Runner?

Favor Runners earn 100 percent of all tips given by customers as well as 35 percent of the delivery fee. Though you are able to log on the app and work when you are free, Runners who schedule themselves ahead of time can take advantage of hourly rate guarantees, which are between $9-10 per hour. According to Favor, most Runners make an average of $12-18 per hour, and they have the potential to make even more when working in busy areas during peak times.

Favor also offers incentives for referrals. Runners can make some extra cash when they refer their friends to be Runners. Favor will go over their referral bonuses as well as some extra tips and tricks for maximizing income as a Favor Runner during their in-person orientation session.

Favor runner

How to Get Started as a Runner for Favor

Getting started as a runner with Favor is easy. But first, you’ll need to meet these basic requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older

• Must have an iPhone or Android smartphone

• Active U.S. driver’s license

• Should have personal vehicle and insurance

• Have a clean driving record

• Have a bank account to process direct deposit payments

There are no vehicle requirements for Favor. Runners can deliver items with a car, truck, motorcycle, or even scooter. If you are delivering in the Downtown Austin area, you can deliver via bicycle. If you are applying as a bicycle Runner in Austin, you don’t need a driver’s license. However, you will still need an official ID, as Favor runs background checks on all of its Runners.

If you meet the requirements, you can fill out the application on the Favor site, and someone from the company will contact you within a few days. First, you will undergo a phone screening process to make sure you are a good fit for the job. If you pass this phone screening, you will then be sent an invitation email to join an in-person orientation before you begin taking on assignments and deliveries.

During this orientation, Favor will provide you with helpful tips and information to help you maximize earnings. They will also show you how to use the app as a Runner, provide you with the Runner Card that you will need to get started, and give you the opportunity to purchase optional Favor Runner Gear. Once you’ve completed the orientation and passed a background check, you can start taking orders and making money.

Start Making Money with Favor

If you enjoy running errands and want to make a little extra cash, then Favor may be the perfect side gig for you. Getting started is easy, and you’re able to set your own hours, allowing you to work as much or as little as you want. If you’re living in Texas near or in one of the service areas, you can get started with the application process today. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until Favor comes to your city.

Turo: How to List and Rent Out Your Car

April 2, 2019/in Blog/by Hannah

If you ever find yourself not using your car for a day or more at a time, then you may be the perfect candidate to list and rent your car on Turo.

Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental service that connects local vehicle owners with those in need of a rental car. The whole process takes place online, allowing you to list your car for rent and approve potential renters before getting paid to rent your car. Below is a guide to listing and renting your car on Turo.

How to List Your Car on Turo

Listing your car on Turo is easy. To get started, you will head to Turo.com and click on “List a Car.” Then, follow these steps to complete your listing.

1. Create a Turo Account

First, you’ll need to enter some basic information about your location and vehicle. You’ll enter your country before giving the following information about your car:

Make, model, and year
Miles on odometer
Vehicle transmission type (automatic or manual)

After entering this information, you will then be asked to create a new account. You can sign in using Facebook or an email address. After signing up, follow the instructions to confirm your account on your mobile phone.

2. Verify Your Identity

Once you’ve created an account, it’s time to verify your identity. Turo will ask for some basic personal information, including the following:

Name
Date of birth
Driver’s license number
Current address
Last four digits of Social Security number

Turo will also ask some questions to verify your identity. These questions might include information about where your Social Security number was issued and your past addresses.

3. Fill Out Your Profile Page

Now you can complete your profile page. This is the profile renters see before they request to rent your car. As a new host, you’ll need to make sure you’ve completed your profile to establish credibility and show renters you take this responsibility seriously.

In addition to filling out information like your name, location, place of work, and languages spoken, you’ll also upload a clear photo of your face. Not only does this make your profile more personable, but renters need to know what you look like when you’re delivering the car. With a clear image, it will be easy for renters to recognize you and feel at ease during delivery.

4. Enter Your Car Information and Availability

Now it’s time to fill out information about your vehicle location. You’ll also need to provide your license plate number. Remember, renters will only see this information after they have confirmed their rental. After this is complete, you will decide on your vehicle’s availability.

Use the car availability section to choose what days your car will be available to rent throughout the month. Initially, you can choose from every day, weekends only, weekdays only, or decide later. You can always change this information after your vehicle has been listed.

The availability section is also where you identify whether or not you require advance notice for rental requests and how short or long you would like these rentals to last. The shorter the notice you allow, the more opportunities you will have to secure bookings. However, you’ll need to give yourself enough time for vehicle turnover. Therefore, if you have a full-time job, you may not be able to offer bookings on a one-hour notice.

5. Upload Photos of Your Vehicle

Now you need to upload photos of your car. You only need one photo to get started, but the more photos you provide, the more attractive you will be to potential renters. Make sure to upload multiple clear photos that accurately depict your vehicle. Try to take several photos in good lighting and from different angles, showing both the interior and exterior.

Hosts on Turo have access to a free photographer to take professional images of their vehicle. However, while you are waiting for the photographer to schedule a shoot, it’s best to provide your own photos of the vehicle so you can start listing as soon as possible.

6. Provide a Description for Your Car

You will also need to write a brief description of your car to let renters know why they should pick your vehicle. You can choose from a list of special features like GPS, hybrid, or convertible to highlight what makes your car special. Try to keep your description short and to the point while focusing on the best attributes of your vehicle.

Pricing Your Vehicle Properly on Turo

Once you’ve created a listing, you’ll need to set a rental price. Start by doing some market research on your car and checking out what other hosts in your city are charging for comparable vehicles. As a new host, you will need to competitively price your rental until you have earned some positive renter reviews. Once you’ve established yourself as a reputable host, you will be able to increase your rental prices.

Turo gives you the option to automatically price your vehicle. However, if you want to maximize your earnings, you may want to set your rental prices manually. Setting your own prices gives you more control over your earnings, as it allows you to adjust and optimize pricing for different circumstances.

For example, there is typically less demand for rentals during the week. By lowering weekday rental prices, you can maximize your weekday rentals. Similarly, offering discounts for longer rentals, like those that are a week or longer, can help you attract more longer rental opportunities.

When setting rental fees, consider the amount that will go to Turo. The fee depends on which insurance package you choose, but it is anywhere from 15 percent to 35 percent of the rental fee.

Setting Up Delivery and Airport Options

You’ll need to set up delivery options as part of your Turo rental.

Though renters can certainly take a rideshare to your home or another location to pick up the car, including a convenient delivery option gives the renter more reason to rent your vehicle. Not to mention, you will earn a delivery fee when you pick up the renter at the airport to deliver the car.

You can set the price for airport delivery and also offer a delivery discount for longer rentals. Offering free delivery for rentals over a week is a great way to stand out on Turo, as the “free delivery” ribbon will appear next to your vehicle in the search results. Remember when setting delivery fees that Turo takes 25 percent.

Selecting a Vehicle Protection Package

One of the greatest concerns for new hosts on Turo is how to make sure the renter is a safe driver. First off, Turo screens drivers by verifying their identity and allows hosts to view the renter’s profile before accepting the request. Turo also offers vehicle protection packages to provide additional security for hosts.

Turo offers three insurance protection policies, the cost of which is deducted from the trip price:

Basic Protection: This provides $1 million liability with $3,000 maximum out-of-pocket costs for damages. With this package, the host earns 85 percent of the trip price.
Standard Protection: This provides $1 million liability with no out-of-pocket costs to the host for damage to the car, including a replacement car during repair. With this package, the host earns 75 percent of the trip price.
Premium Protection: This offers $1 million liability, no out-of-pocket costs to the host for damage, including a replacement car during repair and covering exterior wear and tear, as well as loss of income in event of accident. With this package, the host earns 65 percent.

If you waive this additional vehicle protection, you will earn 90 percent of the trip price. However, it’s recommended you choose a protection plan just in case something happens to your vehicle.

Responding to Rental Requests and Delivering the Vehicle to Renters

Once you start receiving rental requests on Turo, you’ll be notified through email or SMS. You’ll need to log into your Turo account to accept or decline rental requests. Once in your account, you can see the renter’s profile information and how long they would like to rent your vehicle for. At this time, you’ll be able to contact the renter to ask any questions you may have about their request.

After approving a rental request, you will need to arrange a time and location to deliver the vehicle. When you meet with the renter, you will need to check their driver’s license and check your vehicle’s fuel level and mileage reading before giving them the keys. When the trip is over, the renter will return the car to you. In the meantime, you’ll be able to communicate with them along the way to make sure there are no issues.

Ready to list and rent your car on Turo? Sign up today.

Consider this the Cannabition: Understanding the Current Political Landscape and How Fast It Can Change

April 1, 2019/in Blog/by Cassandra

You heard it here first. Not since the 1920s has the United States (and let’s be honest the entire global economy) been on the verge of such a paradigm shift. No matter if you’re a proponent or vehemently against the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis products, you have to admit this is a wild time to be alive.

We have companies like Charlotte’s Web that changed the life of Charlotte Figi, who suffers from Dravat Syndrome, and was suffering through weekly seizures lasting 30 minutes to several hours. Her seizures could not be controlled with medicine, and as things seemed to hit rock bottom, her family became desperate. Charlotte’s health had declined so much, she was no longer walking, eating, or talking, and was suffering from 300 grand Mal seizures per week. It was then that her father found another boy suffering from Dravat Syndrome online, who was responding well to high-CBD cannabis. That was when the family began to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Within hours of her first dosage of cannabis, Charlotte’s seizures stopped.

There are also cannabis companies like MedMen, whose retail locations have been likened to Apple Stores, and whose market value is approximately $2 Billion.

We’re also seeing cannabis used to treat our country’s massive problem with opiates. And on the other side of the aisle, we have had politicians like Jeff Sessions looking to keep the plant criminalized on a federal level. The topic of cannabis is a divisive one – if nothing else.

The problems go so deep that it’s about more than special interest groups, legislation, and politics appeasing their base. We have start-up companies employing delivery drivers who must adhere to laws that regulate the transportation of cannabis products.

In a previous article, we spoke to the reasons why it is of utmost importance to work for a licensed and legal cannabis company — this is a major reason why. If you aren’t reading the top cannabis journals daily, you might not even be aware that you’re breaking the law.

Medmen store

Regulations and Competitors

The next issue at hand is that new regulations often favor certain companies that have a considerable amount of capital to curry favor among top officials. This has been a contentious issue with Eaze, a company known as “The Uber of Weed.” A litany of complaints have been lobbed against Eaze (although the complaining has largely come from Eaze’s direct competitors).

According to MJ Biz Daily, various cannabis industry leaders note that the updated regulations that were issued by the state Bureau of Cannabis Control favor those business models similar to that of Eaze. Specifically, Eaze runs a website and smartphone application wherein consumers can actually place orders for cannabis delivery. However, Eaze isn’t required to obtain state permits because the orders placed with the company are filled by properly licensed retailers.

The new rules have prompted officials to re-examine Eaze in a marketplace that previously did not require it to operate with a cannabis license. Direct competitors largely believe this is due to the company’s major political pull with state officials in charge of this new line of lawmaking.

One of the biggest issues is the Bureau of Cannabis Control’s Section 5418, which was meant to prohibit the “ice cream truck model of delivery” that allows Eaze to operate in a way that no other cannabis delivery company can. However, an updated ruling appeared to continue to allow this method of cannabis transport, much to the chagrin of delivery companies all across Los Angeles County. This model of delivery allows companies to “operate roving trucks that are stocked like a retail store and fill orders as they are placed online”. That said, the regulations are constantly being re-written and evolving, with a final revision likely being finalized at the end of the year.

New Laws

In other long-awaited news, the Assembly Bill 1793 is going to make an adjustment to the current legislation which will hasten the process of identifying, reviewing, and notifying individuals who could be eligible for the dismissal of cannabis-related convictions.

This bill allows the Department of Justice a period of time for a review of records to find past convictions that are eligible for dismissal or re-designation. The new law would also require courts to automatically reduce or dismiss convictions of certain cannabis-related charged by July 1, 2010. Once this bill takes effect, the new law will bring important changes to the criminal justice system; it could help save law enforcement resources and potentially reduce prison overcrowding.

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Eaze Wellness

Another update is AB 3067, which is a rule that was put in place when Prop 64 passed in order to protect those under 21-years of age from cannabis marketing.

Although the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (“AUMA”) restricted various cannabis-selling avenues, such as through cable, radio, print, and digital advertising, there are online protections for minors wishing to purchase cannabis. Therefore, this created a loophole for those companies who could aim to sell cannabis to those under the age of eighteen. On January 1, 2019, a new California law was introduced to close this loophole by helping to protect minors from online advertisements of any product which they can’t legally consume.6

The law stipulates that any cannabis, cannabis product, cannabis business, or instrument or paraphernalia that is intended to aid with smoking or ingesting cannabis be added to the list of products and services subject to the privacy rights for California minors in the digital world.

Lisa Buffo, Founder and CEO of Cannabis Marketing Association, says that this new law mainly clarifies some of the language that was already in effect. She noted that one major change is that businesses can’t use images of anyone under the age of 21. Before, businesses couldn’t use depictions or images of minors under 18 (6).

Still Into It?

Overwhelmed? Yeah, so are we, but the new frontier is promising and full of opportunities for those who stay up on the news, policy updates, and cannabis business journals. Frankly, this is a fantastic time to be a ganjapreneur. Get in before the market becomes overly saturated. Hot top: make sure everything you do is legal and you’re already ahead of 70% of the game.

Top 10 Side Gig Apps and Sites for Freelancers

March 25, 2019/in Blog/by Hannah

If you’re looking for a steady side gig and you have specialized skills to share, becoming a freelancer is a great opportunity to make some extra cash on your own terms. Whether you’re freelancing full-time or just to make some money to supplement your income, there’s a good chance you’ll spend a significant amount of time looking for new projects and clients. Below, we’ve put together our list of the top 10 side gig apps and sites for freelancers.

1. Upwork

With over 12 million freelancers and 5 million clients listing around 3 million freelance writing, design, and development jobs each year, Upwork has become one of the most popular platforms for freelancers to find work. Companies post job details, and freelancers can apply to the job with some details about how their background and experience is well-suited for the project. Then, the company chooses which freelancer they want to work with. Upwork does take 20% of the project fee, but this is a great platform for those who are new to freelancing and trying to build up their clientele.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr gets its name from the company’s premise that every freelance job starts at just $5. Though this may seem like a low price to charge for freelance work, you are able to set up tiers above the base $5 option to charge appropriately for different services. You decide which gigs you want to create (or services you want to offer) and then you post them to your profile. When clients want the service, they can pay you to deliver. It’s free to sign up, but Fiverr takes 20% of each transaction, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when pricing services.

3. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is the go-to site for not only freelancers but also for those who are looking for other remote opportunities and flexible side gigs. This platform makes it easier for freelancers and flex workers to find worthwhile opportunities, as the FlexJob team works to filter out scams and other junk opportunities so users are only looking at real quality job opportunities. Though you can browse opportunities on the site for free, if you want access to the full freelance job postings, you will need to become a paid member.

4. 99 Designs

99 Designs is a popular site for freelance designers that works a little differently than the standard freelance site. Clients will publish contests on the platform, and designers will submit their work. The client will then choose the design they like best and pay the designer for their work. The downside to this site is that if you don’t win, you won’t get paid for your design work. However, this can be a great way for new freelancers to build up their portfolios and earn money based on their talent and skill rather than years of experience.

5. Gigster

Gigster is a site focused on freelancers with tech expertise. Freelance software designers, web designers, and app developers can find projects as the site’s AI matches freelancers with projects based on their experience and skillset. It’s important to note that this is not a site for newbies. But experienced tech developers can find interesting web development, artificial intelligence, mobile development, and product design projects from a wide variety of companies.

6. Freelancer

Freelancer.com brings together freelance writing and design professionals and companies who have projects they need to hire for. This site has a wide variety of project types with some offering an hourly rate and others designed as contests. What’s the catch? You only get 8 free applications before you have to pay a membership fee. Once you start taking on freelance projects, the commission fee is between $3-5 or 3-5% of the project price, whichever is greater. This is one of the lower commission rates out there for freelance platforms.

7. Guru

The Guru platform makes it easy for freelancers to create a profile that demonstrates their experience and skill set, helping potential employers easily find the freelancer online to reach out about projects. Guru also features a wide variety of different job postings that freelancers can apply to, including projects for programmers and developers, designers, artists, writers, translators, sales and marketing professionals, secretaries, engineers and architects, business and finance professionals, and lawyers. Users have a limited amount of free applications, and Guru takes a 9% commission rate.

8. SolidGigs

Similar to some of the other freelance sites, SolidGigs hand-picks the freelance job opportunities you see by filtering out the scam postings and junk opportunities that are a waste of time. After combing through dozens of freelance job boards, SolidGigs sends you the top 2% of freelance gigs available each week straight to your inbox. As an added benefit, SolidGigs also has a massive resource library with courses, interviews, templates, and other tools that will help you pitch, price, and sell your freelance skills to new clients. After a 30-day trial period for $2, regular membership is $19 per month.

9. Belay

Interested in becoming a virtual personal assistant? Belay is one of the leading virtual assistant solutions companies in the United States. The site offers both part- and full-time virtual assistant positions for freelancers who want flexible, remote work as an administrative assistant. It’s important to note that Belay is looking for individuals with at least 5 years of experience in an administrative support role and availability during business hours with at least 20 hours per week to dedicate to the work.

10. Toptal

Toptal helps freelancers in the IT and finance spaces find quality gigs. Jobs can range from software engineering and coding projects to market research and product management. It’s important to note that Toptal is not the best option for those who are new to freelancing or those who only have a few years of experience in their industry. You have to apply to be able to use the platform, and the company only accepts the top 3% of freelancers.

Boost your income by taking charge of your freelance game. Try one or more of the above services as a way to supplement your full-time job.

The Employers Guide to Hiring on Wonolo

March 21, 2019/in Blog/by Cassandra

Wonolo is an app similar to Shiftgig or Gigwalk in that it allows individuals to pick up shifts on demand based on their schedule and skillset. This can be an excellent tool for businesses that need additional help throughout the year but aren’t ready to hire someone full-time.

In this guide, we’ll explain how Wonolo works and how it can help your business fill in the gaps when you need extra help. We’ll also provide you with the basics of how to find help on Wonolo and some tips for getting the most out of the app.

How Does Wonolo Work?

Wonolo promises to make on-demand staffing simple with an easy three-step process for employers. The employer or “requestor” can start posting a job in a matter of minutes:

The requestor creates and posts the job using a clear description.
The Wonoloer accepts the job when they are available and are the right fit for the job.
The Wonoler completes the job, and the requestor approves the job by giving the Wonoler a rating.

It’s that easy! Wonolo also takes care of all payment processing after the job has been approved. There are no employment contracts necessary. The Wonoler’s relationship to the employer is that of an independent contractor. After the shift is over and the work has been approved, there are no further agreements between the two.

Benefits of Using Wonolo for Your Business

There are many benefits to using Wonolo to hire temporary staff for your business. The platform is built around the principle of helping match employers with effective, on-demand workers qualified to help meet the business’ needs. While a temporary staffing agency may take time to find the right hire, Wonolo gives you access to a pool of pre-qualified, vetted, and reliable workers who are motivated to help your business with little notice.

Not only can Wonolo help find your business temporary staff quickly, but the app also boasts a 90% average fill rate for all positions, while traditional temporary and contract staffing companies have a fill rate averaging 34%. Additionally, Wonolo is cost-effective, costing business an average of 40% less than working with a staffing agency. Wonolo allows you to set the rates for each position, giving you more control over your budget.

All Wonoloers undergo a qualification process before they can start accepting shifts, which means companies can feel secure in knowing they are working with pre-screened and vetted workers. Every Wonoler must agree to Wonolo’s temporary worker contract, which outlines all worker expectations. They also must undergo a background check, tests, and screening calls.

How to Hire Temporary Workers on Wonolo

When you’re ready to start hiring temporary workers on Wonolo, the job posting process is pretty simple. First, you’ll need to work on your job description. The jobs that fill up quickly tend to have concise descriptions that include the following information:

Description of the company
Description of the main job tasks
Any preparation that’s required, such as reading material
Any specific job requirements, like dress code or knowledge of technology
Any tools required, like a smartphone or certain shoes or clothing
Logistical information, like how to find the building, who to contact on arrival, etc.

Once you have created a description for the job, you’ll need to decide on a pay rate. This is entirely up to you, but consider making the hourly pay rate competitive with market rates if you want a Wonoloer to accept the job. Once you’ve chosen a pay rate, you will post the job and wait for a Wonoloer to accept it.

Wonoloers only accept jobs they are available and qualified for. Once they accept the job, you can expect to see them on site for the specified shift. After you have found specific Wonoloers you like working with, you can add them to your Preferred Wonoloers list and invite them to more jobs in the future. If you find some Wonoloers that are not a good fit, you can also block them from seeing future ad postings in the app.

Wonolo Payments & Fees

Once the requestor has approved the Wonoloer’s job, Wonolo will pay the worker directly on the next day. Wonolo will charge the requestor’s card on file immediately after they have rated the Wonoloer’s performance, so it’s important that the requestor makes any necessary payment adjustments before approving the job.

Wonolo charges a 45% service fee, which is applied after the requestor has approved the job and rated the Wonoloer’s performance. Wonolo will send an invoice after job approval with both worker payment and service fee – both of which are charged immediately after approval.

Hints & Tips for Using Wonolo as a Requestor

Here are some additional tips for getting the most out of the Wonolo app as an employer:

If you want to get in touch with Wonoloers, use the in-app messenger. Once the worker has picked up the job, you’ll be able to see their profile page, including any pertinent contact information.
If you want to invite a specific Wonoloer to a job posting, click on the button “Preferred Wonoloers” at the bottom of the job posting page and click on the name of the Wonoloer you’d like to add to the list. After you click “Post Job,” the notification will be sent.
To save time, you can create teams of Wonoloers within your account, making it easy to invite them to a specific job opportunity later. Just add the team to the job before posting to notify them.
Be sure to choose your preferred method of receiving notifications so you don’t miss a message. In addition to in-app notifications, you can also get text and email notifications.

Overall, Wonolo is a great option for businesses who need to fill in the employment gaps during busy times of the year. Whether you need servers, event staff, cashiers, administrative personnel, or warehouse workers, you can find the temporary help you need on Wonolo.

How to Set Up the Best Rate for Yourself on TaskRabbit

March 19, 2019/in Blog/by Farhan

Looking to snag some side hustle cash?

TaskRabbit is a great way to create your own schedule and fill it with jobs that you enjoy. Running errands, assembling furniture, and holiday decorating are just some of the many jobs available for you to explore.

As an independent contractor, make sure you understand the key a successful side biz: selecting the best rate to charge your clients for your services.

Let’s get to work!

Start with a Thorough Application

Depending on where you live, being a Tasker can be a little competitive. Big cities will have more people competing for the same work. For this reason, building a stellar application that lists as many skills as you can and gives specifics about your experience is very important.

Highlight any customer-service experience you have and take extra time to answer the questions provided. There is even a space to upload an introductory video. Use this short video to introduce yourself and why you’re excited to work with your new clients.

Does working around people energize you? Are you passionate about helping others? Be sure to smile!

Check Out the Suggested Rates

Below each task’s description, you can find a list of expectations. Once you click “I agree that I am able to fulfill these expectations,” your Tasker rate window will allow you to adjust your individual rates.

You will find a colorful bar with sample rates. TaskRabbit analyzes these rates based on market data, your experience, and a client’s willingness to pay you according to the market value of the service.

If you enter a rate higher than the ones suggested, it will inform you that the rate may be too high to get hired for the job. The range of rates available will automatically update with every new task you complete and when supply and demand ratios change in your area. For example, during the holidays, more people will be searching for last-minute holiday gift wrappers, so this can be beneficial for you.

Increase Your Rates Over Time

Although TaskRabbit makes sure you are working at least for your area’s minimum wage, the company also takes 30 percent of your earnings. If the suggested market rate is already lower than you’d like, think about the long-term game. Once you complete a task – say running errands for a family nearby – increase your rates after successfully completing that job. Test raising your rates by $1 after each job; you’ll be surprised how high you can go.

Know Your Worth

TaskRabbit can offer some seemingly basic jobs to Taskers, but don’t undersell yourself and what your time and energy are worth. Take into consideration how far you are commuting for this job, if you need to take public transportation, and if any of the tasks become inconvenient to complete. Keep raising your rates with each new task. You’re worth it!

Take Supplies Into Account

With some jobs, there are no tools required. But with many, like furniture assembly, cleaning, or moving, there are things you can bring to increase your chances of getting booked by clients.

A decent toolset can run upward of $50 or more. If you choose to invest in something like this for your Tasker side hustle, be sure to take that into account when setting your rates. Think about it like a long-term investment, something that will eventually pay for itself with all the jobs you book because you come prepared with your own supplies.

Don’t be afraid to set your rates higher over time for that industrial power tool; it will get you far with IKEA furniture assembly.

Consider Your Skillsets

There are many jobs to choose from on TaskRabbit, some more labor intensive than others. Tasks like heavy-lifting, moving, and carpentry have higher rates than other tasks, starting out at upwards of $25 – $27. While these numbers are tempting, take into consideration the effort these tasks will entail, such as lifting heavy boxes up and down stairs.

Other tasks, like waiting in line for concert tickets, will not require as much physical labor (although if you are not able to stand for long periods of time, think twice before signing yourself up for this one), and may be better options if you are not looking to exert manual labor on the job. If you have physical limitations like a bad knee or arthritis, try out jobs like organizational and shopping tasks.

Cleaning your home may not thrill you, but if you have great attention to detail, you may want to emphasize this experience on your profile.

Check-In With Local Taskers Near You!

If this is your first time applying with TaskRabbit, it’s not a bad idea to network with other Taskers in your area. Simply type “TaskRabbit” into Facebook or other social media platforms and filter by Groups. You should be able to find groups of several hundred other Taskers willing to help out if you have questions.

To get an insider’s scoop, introduce yourself in a post once you get accepted into the group by its admin. Be sure to read and follow rules set up by the page. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a great conversation thread about rate setting or how to deal with unruly clients.

Setting your rates, no matter your industry, can be a tough thing for freelancers and individual contractors. With TaskRabbit, you deserve to get the most from your tasks. Stick to your guns and stay tuned for more helpful tips!

Maven Gig – Uber, Lyft, Postmates And Doordash Rental Cars

March 17, 2019/in Blog, Cars & Vehicles/by Brandon

Maven gig is a car rental option for rideshare or delivery drivers. It make the most sense for those who are looking to decrease out of pocket maintenance and fuel costs.

If you’re a Lyft or Uber driver (or both), or you deliver goods for Instacart, Postmates, or Doordash, you’re probably concerned about the wear and tear on your vehicle.

After all, when you drive rideshare or delivery, you do need to replace things like brakes, tires, and oil, more often than if you were just using your car for personal use.

Thankfully, these days you have a few car rental options that let you continue to earn money through services like Uber or Doordash, but without having to worry about a check engine light coming on, or how much tread is left on the tires.

Previously, we’ve looked at rideshare rental options like Fair.com and Lyft Express Drive, but today we’re looking at Maven Gig.

(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

What is Maven Gig?

Maven Gig lets you rent a car to use for all of your side gigs, whether it’s delivering for Postmates, driving Uber, or working for Handy. You get a vehicle that lets you earn money on your terms, with unlimited miles, maintenance and insurance included.

The service is offered by Maven, a subsidiary of General Motors. Some of you may remember the early Lyft and Uber competitor Sidecar. After Sidecar shut down in late 2015, GM hired some former Sidecar employees, and bought some of Sidecar’s assets, to form Maven.

Since then, Maven rideshare vehicles have covered over 250 million miles while delivering goods and people to the places they need to be.

“Maven remains committed to a mobility model that takes critical steps toward developing sustainable and livable cities, including launching peer-to-peer car sharing and deploying electric vehicles in high-mileage, shared-use applications.” – Alex Keros, Smart Cities Chief at GM Urban Mobility / Maven

In addition to Gig, Maven also offers two other car rental services.

Maven Car Sharing For Members – Offers hourly, daily, or monthly rental cars with gas and insurance, and dedicated Maven parking spots. (Sign up now to get 20% off your first rental.)
Maven Car Sharing For Owners – Lets vehicle owners rent out their cars. Owners get 60% of trip revenue and their vehicle is insured by Maven during the rental period

Join Maven

How does the Maven Gig program work?

Once you’ve signed up for Maven (see the sign up process further down this page), it’s actually pretty simple.

1. Select your vehicle.

2. Reserve it. (Currently, you can only reserve for the same day, or the next business day)

3. At the time of your reservation, go to the pickup address, unlock the car using the Maven app, and drive away. Be sure to upload your Maven vehicle and insurance information to Lyft, Uber, or whichever service you’ll be working for, before you pick up your vehicle. It often takes a few hours for gig economy services to approve a new vehicle.

How do I pay for Maven?

When you make your reservation, Maven will put a $250 authorization hold on your credit card. Within 24 hours of picking up your car, the exact reservation amount will be taken from those held funds.

If your reservation is less than $250, Maven will release the outstanding amount back to you. If it ends up being more than $250, you will see an additional charge for the remaining funds.

Maven bills weekly, so your billing date will be the day of the week you started your reservation. So, if you start your reservation on a Tuesday, you will be charged every week on Tuesday.

How Do I Link Maven to Lyft, Uber, Doordash etc…?

After you reserve your vehicle, Maven will provide you with a Certificate of Insurance with your name, and vehicle VIN details, so you can upload it to various ridesharing driver or delivery platforms.

Where do I find my Maven certificate of insurance?

Open your Maven App and click “More” in the bottom right corner. You’ll see the Certificate of Insurance link where you can view the COI.

How To Get Approved For Maven Gig?

The Maven sign up and application process is pretty simple. Download the Maven Car Sharing app from the App Store, Google Play, or from the Maven website, and follow these instructions.

1. Select your driving country.

2. Click on “Drive to earn with ride sharing and delivery services”.

3. Select your Maven Rideshare market.

4. Accept Maven’s terms and conditions.

5. Enter your name, phone, address, and driver’s license information.

6. Wait for approval. Maven says this can take up to two days, but generally it takes less than an hour.

How old do you need to be to rent from Maven?

To rent from Maven Gig, you must be 21 years or older. However, if you’re in NYC, you only need to be 19 years or older, but you will also need to have a valid TLC license.

Besides that, you’ll just need a Valid credit or debit card.

How Much Are Maven Rentals?

Maven rideshare rentals rates start at $199 for compacts, sedans, and crossover suvs, and at $229 for the Chevy EV Bolt. However, certain markets may be slightly more expensive. You can select from a variety of GM vehicles including the Chevy Cruze and Colorado.

The Chevy Equinox, which qualifies for Lyft XL and Uber XL, is also available.

The minimum rental time is 6 days and the maximum time is 28 days (35 in California). Standard rental vehicle terms are for 28 or 35 days, but you can return the car after the first week without penalty.

If you are renting a Maven vehicle to drive rideshare or delivery, your full rental cost is a tax-deductible business expense.

What states and cities are Maven Gig rideshare rentals available in?

You can rent a Maven vehicle for gig work in:

Austin
Baltimore
Boston
Detroit
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Diego
San Francisco
Washington, D.C.

How does Maven compare to services like HyreCar, Fair, and Lyft Express Drive?

Overall, the rental rates are comparable. Similar to renting with HyreCar and Fair, renting with Maven doesn’t lock you into driving for one particular service (on Lyft Express Drive, you can only Drive With Lyft).

However, with Maven you get access to GM’s OnStar network, and to the Chevy EV Bolt.

Driving with a Chevy Bolt on Maven also gives you access to the EVgo charging network for free vehicle charging. In 2018, Maven contracted with EVgo to build a dedicated network of fast charging stations exclusively for Maven Chevy Bolt drivers.

With this arrangement, not only do Chevy Bolt EV drivers on Maven not have to pay for gas, they don’t even have to pay for the electricity to charge the vehicle.

Click here to find your nearest EVgo charging location. Maven also has existing partnerships with Deliv, Grubhub, HopSkipJump, and Roadie.

What is Maven’s phone number?

Maven doesn’t force you to use email or a chat app. To reach Maven customer service, simply call 1-844-HIMAVEN (1-844-446-2836).

Is Maven a good rental option for Uber, Lyft or Postmates drivers?

It depends. If you’re a Lyft driver, but you only drive 10 to 15 hours a week, it probably doesn’t make sense to rent a car from Maven. On the other hand, if you drive 30 hours a week or more total (for Lyft, or for a bunch of services together), Maven is a great option.

So, if you drive full time for your side hustles and you’re in one of the cities where Maven is available, then it’s certainly an option you should consider strongly.

Maven’s Big Advantage Over Hyrecar, Fair, and Express Drive

While Maven’s rates are comparable to other rideshare rental services like Hyrecar or Fair, renting with Maven can give you access to an electric vehicle and free charging. This alone is worth picking Maven over some of the alternatives, as it amounts to free gas.

Another advantage of Maven versus Fair or Hyrecar is the keyless pickup. With Hyrecar, you’re picking up from an individual, which means setting a pickup time, and going to meet the person. If you rent from Fair.com, you usually have to go to a dealer, speak to someone there, and then pick up your car.

With Maven, you show up, unlock the car with the Maven app, and hit the road.

So, if you’re already driving full time for Lyft, Doordash or a combination of services, a Maven rental could be a great option.

Don’t take our word for it, check out the Maven app, where you can browse available vehicles, reserve a tax-deductible rental, or even rent out your own vehicle when you’re not using it.

Click the button below to get started renting from Maven Gig today!

Join Maven

Sign Up with Handy and Put Your Skills to Work

March 11, 2019/in Blog/by Cassandra

Looking for a way to make money working with your hands, and fast? Check out Handy.

They’ve got a portal to a wide range of in-demand services for cleaners and handymen. Professionals, licensed electricians, plumbers, and lawn care technicians can employ the system to get jobs from sprucing up a house to fixing a leaky pipe. Here’s a quick glance at how you can get started with Handy.

Signing Up With Handy

The application process is straightforward and can be done on a phone or tablet. Here’s what it looks like every step of the way:

1. Start by putting in your basic information – name, email address, ZIP code, and the basic position you want to apply for.

2. Next, enter your phone number and address.

3. Further down, you’ll see questions about your work experience. Identify your skills, work experience, training, and supplies.

4. Finally, confirm that you can legally work in the United States, how you heard about Handy, and how you will be commuting to your job.

From there, you will need to pass a background check. Once that’s approved, congratulations — you’re officially part of the Handy team! If it all seems overwhelming at first, don’t worry. New pros are offered an online orientation to show them the ropes.

The Handy Pro App

You can download the Handy Pro App on both Android and iOS devices. Here’s a breakdown of how to successfully install the app onto your device:

In your browser, type in handy.com/p to find the right app for your device. If you’re using an iPhone and get a message prompt reading “Untrusted Enterprise Developer,” go to Settings/General/Profiles & Device Management and select the Handybook option. Set it to “trust,” and you’ll be good to go. If using Android, if a popup asks “Do You Want to Keep the Handy Pro?” just hit “OK.” From there, you will be prompted through installation steps. If your Android prompts you with “Install Blocked,” go to Settings/Security and check the box next to “Unknown Sources.”
Once the app has been successfully installed, be sure to allow for “Push Notifications” once prompted. This will ensure you get important updates on Handy and jobs in your area.
Next, enter your phone number into the system. Be sure the phone number you enter is the same one as the device where you’ve entered your application. You’ll then be prompted to request a PIN code, which Handy will send via text. Use that code to log into the Handy Pro App.
Once the app is up and running, you’ll see the status of your application. As soon as that process is completed, the status page will become a “Welcome” page. There will be beginner tips available here, and you will be prompted to enter your banking information. Now you’re all set to start claiming jobs!

Claiming Jobs

On the Handy Pro App end, here’s what how you can go about claiming jobs:

On the app, click on the button on the bottom left corner that says “Claim.”
On the Claim Page, you’ll see different days of the week at the top. Tap each day to see what bookings are available in your area. Not finding one on the day or time you’re interested in? Check back later, as jobs are being constantly updated.
Each booking will show you: a) the name of the neighborhood the job is in; b) the time and duration of the job; c) whether or not the job is a one-time gig or if it repeats. Pros are welcome to claim as many jobs as they can complete in a given day!
Once you tap on the job, a detailed map will come up. This is the page where you will be prompted to claim the job. Keep in mind: the earliest jobs start at 7:00 a.m., while the latest jobs end at 11:00 p.m.

Once the process is complete, you can work as much or as little as you want, make up your own schedule, and agree to pay rates that you find acceptable. Scheduling jobs is simple on the app, and there’s a great guide on Handy’s platform to help you along as well.

Also on the app, the Instant Book function allows clients to directly communicate with you so you can get on the same page when booking a job. Handy makes it easy to set this function up in the Instant Book section of their ProHelp guide.

Time to Work

Now that you are set up on the system and eligible to accept work, it’s time to gear up and be ready to work. First things first: you have to bring your own equipment and supplies to the job. That means tools, cleaning products, vacuum cleaners, etc. Check out Handy’s checklist for professionals on the Handy app for more information.

Additionally, you will need to budget some time up front for a walk-through prior to getting started, as well as a few minutes for the post-process review with the client (assuming the client is present).

Being ready for all possibilities is what makes the Handy experience pleasant and satisfying for all involved. That’s why Handy will take care of processing all payments(and any possible tips). This means there is no awkward face-to-face billing or collecting from clients.

Building on Your Handy Experience

Using the Handy platform doesn’t end after a job is over. Ensuring a steady flow of offers means working the system on a regular basis, which can lead to greater earning opportunities.

One of the most important features on the app is the rating system. Clients generate ratings based on how things went with the job. The higher you are rated, the more likely you are to get more work and be paid higher rates. Handy also offers tips on how to make positive impressions on clients, which can lead to higher ratings.

By being mindful of the elements that reinforce the experience, you can build your own network of favorite clients based not only on your score on the app, but also by word-of-mouth. As you build your reputation on the platform, income expectations can go up as well.

Never Stop Learning

Handy’s platform offers a great way for household professionals to create or expand a business where you are the boss, controlling your own schedules and workflows. The system itself is easy to use, intuitive and provides a lot of flexibility.

Additionally, Handy’s mobile app is chock full of informative articles to help you reach the level of success you seek. Dozens of topics are covered in articles, informative blogs, and checklists. Just about any question you may have is addressed. There’s also an email help desk available, with urgent matters often receiving attention within minutes.

Handy is not only a full-service job platform application that you can use to the best of your advantage, it also acts as a partner, taking care of a lot of the business for you. If you think Handy could be for you, sign up today!