Introduction
Ridesharing companies provide Nigerians with the flexibility to make easy, convenient money. Drivers are able to make money while they travel to places they would not normally go. They also have a chance to meet interesting people.
Driving for ridesharing companies is a great way to earn some extra cash. However, you can get more tips from your passengers if you make a little effort.
Becoming a rideshare driver is an easy way to make money in your spare time, but you can boost your earnings by effectively communicating with passengers.
That said, rideshare drivers are always looking to get more effective tips from passengers.
If you’re wondering if there’s a unique way to approach tipping as a ridesharing driver, well, there is! There are actually many ways for you to get more essential tips.
Be Yourself
Don’t try to fake being a different person to get more tips from riders.
Do the basics – smile. But don’t go overboard with it. If you’re not a smiley person, don’t pretend to be one. If you’re not a talkative person, don’t pretend to be one. It comes off as disingenuous and uncomfortable for both you and your rider.
The best way to get tips is to be yourself and do a good job. Don’t attempt changing who you are to get directions or make people like you.
Be Friendly
This is the most essential part of being a great driver and getting better tips. Along with being friendly, you have to have some personality which many people lack these days.
Most passengers just want someone they can converse with and feel comfortable with while they are in your car. You don’t have to be overly talkative, but just enough that they can enjoy the ride and feel like they can talk to you if they want.
Don’t Be Afraid to Talk.
Most drivers are afraid to talk to their passengers unless they initiate the conversation. This is a mistake that can cost you tips! If a passenger starts a conversation with you, then great, but if not, don’t be scared to start the conversation yourself.
Your passengers are your customers, so make them feel like it by talking with them. Just be sure not to overdo it – if they don’t seem interested in talking, just shut up and let them enjoy their ride!
Have an Auxiliary Cord Suppose you’re one of the many rideshare drivers who supplement your income by driving on a limited basis. In that case, it behoves you to have an auxiliary cord that plugs into your vehicle’s stereo system.
This allows you to play music or podcasts through your car stereo while you’re on the road, providing entertainment for passengers and helping increase their tip sizes.
The auxiliary cord will serve as a personal music device for passengers. It connects to the standard audio input port in your car. It will carry a maximum of 2-hours of music at total volume without affecting the instrument panel controls.
Suppose there are multiple riders in your vehicle. In that case, you can charge each person’s phone separately, so they don’t all run out of battery power at once.
Make Your Car Smell Good
The first thing passengers notice about your car is the smell. Some cars smell like cigarettes, some smell like old french fries, and some just smell like a million different scents all combined into one horrid stench.
In case you are looking to get more practical tips, make sure your car doesn’t smell like any of those things.
Make it easier to tip you.
When it comes to tips, drivers who focus on excellent service will have a better experience and get more critical tips than drivers who focus on how much they’re getting paid per mile.
Drivers don’t need to be psychologists, but they need to recognize that passengers are people. And people respond well when you show them that you care about them as individuals.
If you treat your passenger like a human being and not someone who is somehow less than you, you will find yourself in the path of good fortune more often than not.
One way for rideshare drivers to get more essential tips is to make it easy for riders to leave one. If the app doesn’t give riders an easy way to the tip, they’ll find another way. If a rider can’t easily tip directly through the app, they’ll tip in cash or give a compliment through the app, which will lead to higher ratings and more business for you.
Be Punctual
If you show up early, that’s great! But if you show up late, you’ve already pissed off your passenger before they even get in your car.
If you know you’re going to be more than 5 minutes late, call or text your passenger, so they know what to expect. Don’t tell them your ETA if you don’t know when you’ll be there. What if the passenger is waiting in the rain?
They may want to head inside somewhere if they know you won’t be there for another 20 minutes.
Know Your City
The best way to provide an excellent rider experience is to know your city like the back of your hand. Ensure you know where all the hotspots are, whether restaurants, hotels, bars, or shopping centres.
It will impress your riders if you know the city well and provide suitable food, entertainment, and lodging recommendations. In case you live in a smaller city, it’s essential to be familiar with all the major roads, highways, landmarks, and other relevant areas.
The Pickle
If you’ve been driving with a ridesharing company for any length of time, you probably already know about the pickle. The pickle is an inexpensive gift that you can give to your passengers when they get out of your car.
This is can be an excellent way to stand out from other drivers and shows the passenger that you really care about their experience in your vehicle. It’s also a great conversation starter if you have especially chatty passengers.
Ask Them Directly
If you’re hoping to take home a bigger tip, why not ask them if they need any help with payment or tipping once the ride is over? Not only does this strategy work for people who want to get paid more, but it can also work for those who want to avoid getting stiffed by customers.
Conclusion
Of course, none of these ideas is foolproof, and some rideshare drivers might not appreciate or reciprocate them. However, the best way for rideshare drivers to get more essential tips is to give better service to their customers. And that’s something every driver can work on improving.