Ride-Share as a Side-Hustle

In the past, I've referred to the "gig" economy and how it can be helpful for creatives trying to build the life they want. Another term for the "gig" economy is the sharing economy, and ride-share apps are central to this new and emerging economy. If you live in a market that has Uber or Lyft, then you already know what I'm talking about. Rideshare is not only convenient as a consumer, it is a very nice way for creatives to build a side-hustle that does a very nice job supporting the work they want to make.

Barrier of Entry: A Car

While most of the side-hustle's I like to talk to people about have a low barrier of entry, this has one of the higher barriers. You need a car. Not only do you need a car, there are a few other restrictions about the type of car you need. Each city is different, however, so make sure to check out the rules for your city before you get started.

If you don't have a car, Uber does offer some programs to help you get one. So if you need a car, this could be a side-hustle that makes that possible. Now, that eats into your earnings. But if you're simply looking for a way to get a car, this could be a plan for you.

The beauty of ride share services is that you are truly able to set your own hours. You'll need to keep in mind though that your hourly rate won't be the same at all times of day. But over time you'll be able to determine what times work best for your rate and your schedule. This is a side-hustle that can fit your schedule in any way.

Each service also does an excellent job of offering incentives. Incentives help guarantee an hourly rate if you meet certain conditions, and this can help you plan out how much money you'll earn. Incentives are also a reason it makes sense to be on multiple ride-sharing platforms. You can switch from service to service depending on who has the best offer for you at the time. Just like a consumer shopping for the best rate, the freedom to choose how you earn continues to expand.

Each state and municipality has different rules and regulations regarding ride sharing services. You’ll have to head to their respective websites in order to see what vehicles qualify. There also might be restrictions on things like airport pickups, so you'll want to ensure you know all of the rules as you get to work.

Best Suited For

This side-hustle is particularly well suited if you like driving a car. If you can’t stand to sit in a car for hours on end, then this probably isn’t the job for you. I found it very useful in my writing life. Between fares I would pull to the side of the road and either work on a project or brainstorm about a project. Sometimes though, business can be too good to get any work done!

There are a lot of costs associated with this side-hustle. Your car insurance is likely to be higher. You’re going to need to spend a lot more on gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. So if you decide this side-hustle is the one for you, make sure you are factor those costs into your hourly rate. An accurate hourly rate gives you a better picture of how many hours to drive each week.

For more information about how you can build a sustainable side-hustle to support your work as an artist, check out my book: A Life in Art: Building Side-Hustles to Empower Your Life as an Artist