Grow Your Business by Driving for Uber

Would you be interested to learn how to actually get paid to network and build your list of business contacts? At first glance, it probably sounds absurd. Can driving for Uber really help you get more real estate business? (Spoiler alert: YES!) Honestly, I was skeptical too when one of my mentors in business recommended that I drive for Uber to grow my business and get more leads, and make some extra cash at the same time. Once he explained why, it actually made a lot of sense. Just think about what an Uber driver does… they get paid to drive around and talk to new people all day, all while getting to know their city much more intimately. Of course knowing your city is invaluable for a Realtor. So I got signed up to drive for Uber using someone’s referral link. About a week later, after a background check and an easy, basic car inspection, I was on the road, getting paid to drive around my city and network with some pretty awesome people. The requirements to Drive for Uber can be found at the end of this article.

Driving for Uber app screenshot

Now let me make this crystal clear up front: I am absolutely NOT telling you to openly and overtly solicit your services to your Uber riders. That is 100% wrong, and violates Ubers policies, and will just turn people off to you as a person. No one likes to be pitched within minutes of meeting someone. This is all about putting yourself in a position where you can meet more people, and have great conversations with them about life, your city, the weather, and naturally, what else you do for a living besides Uber.

If you a Real estate agent, mortgage loan officer, or insurance salesman who is trying to build your business, you should seriously consider driving for Uber. Not only will you make all sorts of great, valuable business connections, but you’ll get paid to do it! Uber pays its drivers every week via direct deposit. Not a bad deal! On top of that, make sure you take advantage of this $100 – $300 Uber driver bonus just by using this special link to enroll. which is automatically paid out once you complete as few as 20 rides. Easy peazy. (that’s honestly the first time I’ve ever used the phrase “easy peazy”, and I’m kind of weirded out).

 

Since I started driving for Uber I have networked and had great conversations with dozens and dozens of people who are either in the market for buying a home in my city, or know someone who is. In addition, I now know dozens of other business professionals to add to my contact database. Some have helped share my real estate blog articles from my blog on social media, and some have been other Realtors from around the country that are now my referral partners. Please understand though, you should NEVER make it a goal to pitch everyone who gets in your car. It must be a natural conversation or you will piss people off, and get yourself kicked off the Uber platform. I am not advocating that you give business cards to ALL your riders. That would be ridiculous, weird, unnatural, and you’d be seen as the pushy salesman. That’s an example of exactly what not to do.

Also, please understand that this is playing the long game. You may get lucky and get a new client on the spot, but most likely you need build a relationship first. This is not a “get real estate leads TODAY” thing. If that’s what you’re looking to do, you need to either go door knocking, or run highly targeted Facebook ads or drop $1000 into Google AdWords. This is all about building relationships over time.

Driving for Uber is like mixing the newest industry disruptive technology with good old fashioned networking. We all know that networking regularly builds businesses, regardless your profession. Networking will always be a surefire way to build a business and get more clients. Networking is timeless, and Uber will pay you to do it.

Driving for Uber

What NOT to do when driving for Uber:

Now pay attention, this is very important. Just like any other forms of networking, you NEVER want to treat people like a prospect or potential client. That’s a guaranteed way to turn people away, and get you a poor Uber driver rating which can get you kicked off the platform. You don’t think Uber wants it’s drivers giving sales pitches to their riders, do you? Of course not. DO NOT give out your business card to everyone! Have some biz cards handy, but only give them out if it seems natural to do so. The key here is really quite simple; strike up casual conversations with those you are driving. 95% of them are super friendly and eager to talk. They’ll usually always ask you what else you do besides driving for Uber. Ask about them first, find out what they do for a living and if they are visiting your city, find out why. They will almost always open the door for you to talk about what you do.

Make sure you have a small stack of business cards with you when you’re driving for Uber, but be careful and tactful about how and when you give them out. I have found that the best way is to ask them for their business card first, and tell them you’d “love to stay in touch. It was great meeting you today.” This creates a natural, casual opportunity to quickly exchange business cards. I DO NOT recommend doing it any other way, or you risk making it weird and unnatural, which are not good when networking.

Just be yourself, be friendly and genuinely curious about them and 95% of the time they’ll be genuinely be interested in you as well.

Sign Up for Uber driving bonus

Click Here to Sign Up to Drive for Uber: Get up to $300 bonus with this link

 

Requirements to Drive for Uber

Age Requirements

  • You must be 21 years of age or older.
  • You must have 3 years driving experience. If you have recently moved from another state, you may have to verify your driving history. Keep your out-of-state drivers license. You might need it.

 

driving for uber black carOther Requirements to Drive for Uber

  • Must have in-state car insurance in your name.
  • Must have in-state car registration (does not need to be in your name)
  • Must have an in-state Driver’s License.
  • Must have Social Security Number for a background check.

Uber Driver Background Check

  • Clean driving record.
  • Pass a background check.

*The background check can take a few days, and is done by a third party company called Hirease.

Background check: in the past 7 years you may not have had…

  • No DUI or drug-related offenses.
  • No incidents of driving without insurance or license.
  • No fatal accidents
  • No history of reckless driving.
  • No criminal history.

Car Requirements to Drive for Uber

You must have a vehicle that meets these Uber Car Requirements…

The vehicle requirements to drive for Uber X are:

  • 4-door sedan, must seat 4 or more passengers excluding driver
  • Year 2001* or newer
  • In-state plates
  • No marked, taxi, or salvaged vehicles
  • Pass Uber vehicle inspection
  • The car must be currently registered, but your name does not have to be on the registration

*Uber car year requirements can vary by city. It is currently year 2001 or newer in many cities.

**If you have a nicer, newer car (for example, but not limited to: BMW or a black suburban or Tahoe) you may qualify to drive for UberSelect, UberSUV, or UberBlack which pays quite a bit MORE than the standard UberX. 

—> Click Here to Sign Up to Drive for Uber: Get up to $300 bonus with this link <—

If you have any questions about my experience driving for Uber and how it has helped grow my real estate business, feel free to Contact Me.

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EAP Homes Realtor

EAP Homes, Realtor

About the Author: The above article on How Driving for Uber Helped Grow My Real Estate Business was written and provided by EAP Homes, a leader in the field of Real Estate sales, marketing, and smart home technology. Chris can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 801-455-8753. Chris has helped many people buy and sell Salt Lake City area homes for years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a real passion for buying and selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & smart home technology. I’d love to share my expertise!

I help people buy and sell real estate in the following Salt Lake area cities & neighborhoods: HolladayCottonwood Heights, Millcreek, Olympus Cove, Canyon Rim, SugarhouseMidvaleMurray, East Millcreek, Sandy, White City, Draper, Riverton, Daybreak, South Jordan, West Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale, South Salt Lake, The Avenues, Federal Heights, and of course, Salt Lake City.

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