Here is your daily reminder that COVID-19 has changed our lives forever. As college students, we are trying to continue our studies, but also make some extra cash. Many college campuses are closed. Some schools have limited jobs for their students, leaving many students without a way to make rent, buy books or pay for groceries.
DoorDash is a food delivery service that partners with local businesses and major franchises to deliver its customers’ food right to their door. The company depends on everyday people with reliable cars to pick-up said orders from these restaurants and get them to their customers. DoorDash is available hours, which means their drivers can pick their own hours. Sounds perfect for a college student, right?
It was for me! After my summer plans fell through, I took up DoorDashing as a way to earn some extra cash. I found myself making anywhere between two hundred and three hundred dollars a week. At the start of the semester, I was able to pay for my books and more.
Maybe my short description has already convinced you to start, or you’ve signed up and have no idea what to do next. Never fear! Here are some tips to help you begin your DoorDash journey!
- Consider Your Area
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First things first, does your area have a lot of restaurants? If not, a professional DoorDash driver may not be a good occupation for you. If you do, check online or in-store to see if these restaurants are partnered with DoorDash for deliveries. If it seems like many are partners, then try and dash for a few hours to see just how many orders are coming through. If you are one of the ones who are not in a restaurant-dense area, then try another place close by. DoorDash allows you to drive for them anywhere!
- Dash During the Busy Hours
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One thing that will help you make some cash is dashing during the busiest times. These times include lunchtime, 11 am-1pm, and dinner time, 6 pm-8pm. Usually, these are the hours when deliveries are plenty, and DoorDash needs more drivers. Often, you don’t have to wait too long in-between deliveries, and with more orders, you’re less likely to compete with other drivers. For other busy times, check the schedule portion of your DoorDash driver app. Any opening slots mean drivers are needed during those times. Also, keep your notifications on! DoorDash often will send messages when your preferred area is busy and needs drivers soon.
- Do Be Near HotSpots
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When you begin a dash, your app will show you the hottest spots where orders are coming through. I highly recommend finding the closest one and hanging out in the parking lot until something comes through. What I don’t recommend is chasing down the hotspots and constantly changing your location. It only wastes your time and gas, two valuable things in the world of DoorDash. Instead, hang out at a hot spot for a while and give it some time before changing your site. Your area could be having a slow night, and it’s taking longer for orders to come through on the app. Just be patient!
- Consider Your Gas Tank and Your Time
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To make a real profit from DoorDash, be mindful about the orders you accept. How far away is the order? Will my tip make up for the travel time and gas? Can I pick up orders on my way back to my home base? These are all things you should think about in the 90 seconds you are given to accept an order. While too many rejections drive down your acceptance rate as a driver, it can always be brought back up, and sometimes continuous rejections alerts DoorDash to give something more to your liking.
- Grab a Partner
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Usually, you wouldn’t consider partnering up on a job but think about doing it for DoorDash. Navigation and hopping in and out of the car can be a lot on just one person. Find either a friend or family member that would be willing to either act as your driver or navigator. Maybe even propose to split your daily profits to make it more enticing for them! A partner also offers protection and back-up if you do end up taking an order someplace where you’re uncomfortable. If you do end up Dashing solo, I recommend getting either a car-friendly stand for your phone and a charger. This will help you drive hands free and safe to your destinations and keep your battery juiced up.
DoorDash is a great way to supplement some lost income during these unprecedented times. As always, stay safe by following the proper health protocols. Happy dashing!