For a living, I am a writer. Period. And that’s all I wish I could do. However, there are days when I have to supplement my income, but need something flexible. I started in the gig economy in 2018, and have seen for myself its ups and downs…the good, the bad, and the ugly.
In my area, it is VERY difficult to earn a living in the gig economy. We all know about the bots people are using to unfairly get orders. And unfortunately, these companies are turning a blind eye, because it is to their benefit to get those people to work for them to pick up all of those non-tipping orders that others don’t want to pick up. So you have to be very strategic. In this post, I’ll explore effective techniques and strategies to help you maximize your earnings on Doordash in 2024.
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Choose Busy Shifts
In 2024, Doordash is expected to continue expanding, leading to increased competition among drivers. To make more money, it’s crucial to select the busiest and most profitable shifts. I find in my experience that the times of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. are good for breakfast. For lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. are good. And for dinner it’s best to work from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you start working at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. you’ll be getting one order an hour and sitting in traffic, wasting gas.
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Also, after 9 p.m. a lot of fast food restaurants close their lobbies, and force everyone to go through the drive-thru, increasing your wait time. Also, if you like to work late nights, that little pop between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. is nice. It mostly consists of Walgreens orders and CVS deliveries, where I live. So make sure you stay close to those stores. NEVER shop at the Dollar Store. Usually, people that order from those stores are on their last dollar or a very modest budget and really don’t have much left over to tip.
Plus, the Dollar Store seems to always only have one cashier working, increasing your wait time. Try to get familiar with your area. Jot down and keep track of restaurants with slow wait times and AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE! They will only hold you up. And since Doordash makes you keep a 90% completion rate, it’s better not to torture yourself. I say any restaurant with the word “Wing” in it is never a good idea. Keep an eye on the app’s scheduling system and try to grab shifts during peak hours or days when demand is high. This way, you can ensure that you are getting consistent orders and maximizing your earning potential.
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Familiarize Yourself with High-Tipping Areas
One way to increase your earnings on Doordash is to focus on delivering to areas known for higher tips. Spend time driving and discovering which neighborhoods are more likely to have customers who tip generously. By prioritizing these areas, you can boost your overall earnings across deliveries. In this economy, in which money is extremely tight, you MUST work in areas where people can afford the service, or else, you’ll wind up picking up a bunch of $2 trash orders.
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I’ll tell you that I have high priority on shopping orders. This is where the money is. I always park in the Randall’s shopping center because the store tends to be one of the higher-priced stores, and so maybe the clientele that shops there may have a little extra to spend…and tip. I am lucky because I live right next to Randall’s, Target, and Petsmart. So, I just wait for orders to come in while I’m sitting at home. I never go out there and just aimlessly drive around. If you don’t live next to one of those stores, it is recommended to drive there and sit in the parking lot for orders.
Or drive and park next to the restaurant where you’d like to get orders from. Proximity is everything. Set yourself up for success.
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Optimize Efficiency
Time is money, especially when dashing. Streamline your delivery process to maximize efficiency:
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Maintain a High Rating
Customer ratings play a crucial role in securing orders. In this day and age, when Doordash is oversaturated with drivers, having a high acceptance rate is a MUST! Without it, you will get the crumbs and leftovers that no one wants, and you won’t make any money. Aim for a high rating by providing excellent customer service, accurately delivering orders, and being prompt and friendly. I find that following directions is critical. These people are paying a lot of money for these deliveries, and they want it done correctly. Take the time to read instructions and follow them. Maintaining a good rating ensures that you have access to more lucrative orders, thereby increasing your earning potential.
Customer Communication
Establishing good communication with customers can lead to higher tips and repeat business. If the restaurant is running late on deliveries, let them know. If the restaurant is out of something don’t be shy about making a phone call to ask for a substitution. Maybe while you’re waiting, text them and ask if they need anything else like extra napkins, extra hot sauce, or extra ketchup. I’m not saying you have to send a Doordash meme to every customer, but communication is key. If you need to make a substitution, run it by the customer if you can’t find something suitable on your own. People will appreciate it when you go the extra mile to please them…and yes, they may add an extra tip. Keep customers informed of any delays in delivery and promptly respond to their queries or concerns. Going the extra mile in customer service can help cultivate positive reviews and increase your earnings over time.
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Leverage Promotions
Take advantage of Doordash’s promotions and incentives to boost your earnings. Keep an eye out for extra bonuses during peak times or for completing a certain number of deliveries. By strategizing your work schedule around these promotions, you can earn more money without investing additional time.
To make more money on Doordash in 2024, it’s important to adapt and optimize your strategies. By selecting busy shifts, focusing on high-tipping areas, optimizing efficiency, maintaining a high rating, improving customer communication, and leveraging promotions, you can maximize your earnings potential. Stay ahead of the game, adapt to the changing landscape, and watch your income grow on Doordash in the year 2024.
If you aren’t making money, it’s your own fault. You aren’t strategizing, you aren’t giving good customer service, and most of all, you’re not picking up lucrative orders that make sense. Picking up a $3 order going 5 miles doesn’t make sense. You’ve got to treat it like a business. It’s your business, treat each customer like they are paying your rent. If you picked up a bad order, it’s not the customer’s fault, it’s YOUR fault for picking up a bad order, because every order that comes through CLEARLY lists the mileage and the tip upfront.
Remember, as the gig economy evolves, always stay updated with the latest tips, policies, and opportunities to continually improve your earnings on Doordash.
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Kristen is a writer of over 14 years. 👉Contact Kristen on Upwork here
Originally posted on Medium
