RSG029: All About Driver Referrals

On today’s podcast, it’s just you and me!  No guests or interviews, but I do go very in depth into driver referral programs.  Most of you are probably already familiar with this system but if not, I break down the basics and then talk about all the ways drivers are using these referral systems to increase their earnings.

RSG029: All About Driver Referrals
RSG029: All About Driver Referrals

I’ve got a lot of experience dealing with driver referrals since it is one of the main ways I monetize this site but I’ll also talk about a lot of the pain points and ways that the driver referral programs can be improved.  And make sure you stay tuned until the end, since I’ve got a special announcement about a referral program of my own!

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here

Intro

  • Today’s podcast is all about driver referrals – how to get started and maximize your referrals, and how companies can improve their programs
  • Keep reading/listening to find out more about my referral program
  • Special thanks to our sponsor, Stride Health – a health care advocate that can help you find affordable health care plans

What Are Driver Referrals?

  • Affiliate marketing
  • Pat Flynn’s recent podcast on this, but basically if I use a product or service and I like it, I can sign up to be an affiliate and promote that product. People who sign up with my link earn me a small commission
  • You’ve probably seen spammy driver referrals, on Facebook or on forums, but that’s not sustainable long-term
  • If you use it, like it, and promote it to family and friends, you should get a payout for referring more business to these companies

How to Use the Referral System to Your Advantage

  • New drivers: take advantage of sign up bonuses
  • In the past, Uber offered the best bonuses, but now Lyft is leading the pack
  • Some delivery companies also offer bonuses
  • Current drivers: referring new passengers and drivers
  • How to stand out: one RSG reader offers one-on-one consulting for new drivers
  • Think outside the box, and don’t follow the spamming approach
  • Stay on the look out for limited time offers. RSG summarizes LTO bonuses monthly, but keep an eye out for promotional emails, too

How I Use Driver Referrals

  • Important to establish a relationship with people before you start promoting a product
  • My most popular articles aren’t always the most flattering to companies (Postmates, for example)
  • I only work with products I use and like – there are companies I won’t promote, even if they offer affiliate programs
  • Driver referrals are my number one source of income
  • DoorDash approach: they don’t offer a sign up bonus
  • Important to find something that works for you: companies are not invested in you, so take advantage of limited time offers and bonuses while you can

Problems with Driver Referrals

  • Rideshare companies are in the Stone Age when it comes to driver referrals
  • Lack of transparency: sign up bonuses vary from city to city, and no one knows what the sign up bonuses are around the country
  • Affiliate programs are like the Wild West – which is good and bad
  • Issues with sign up codes
  • Accountability is difficult, but there are ways to increase conversion
  • I thank people with a sweet RSG hat!

How to Improve Referral Programs

  • Easy-to-follow driver dashboard – how much the bonuses are for me, and how much they are for the people I refer
  • Get rid of the sign up codes!
  • Follow up and communication with referred drivers
  • How to market: tips on how to refer people, what to say, where to go, etc.

Maximum Ridesharing Profts

  • From the referral programs I’ve seen, I’ve learned what not to do in my affiliate program
  • Maximum Ridesharing Profits is now offering its own referral program!
  • Have already sold several hundred courses, and now we’re opening an affiliate program for people who’ve bought our course
  • Offering this program to people who’ve bought the course already because we want people who’ve used the course and believe in it to be the ones to promote it
  • This program helps you learn how to promote the course – I’ve definitely learned from the ‘affiliate’ programs offered by Uber & Lyft!

Outro

  • As a rideshare driver, I know exactly what I want from an affiliate program
  • Affiliate programs are great ways to increase your profits, but you have to do it in a sustainable way
  • Rideshare and delivery companies could improve their referral programs, which would really be beneficial for drivers looking to increase profits
  • If you’ve bought an MRP course, sign up to become an affiliate with our course
  • Have suggestions for who you’d like to see on this podcast? Send me an email!
  • Check out the full transcript here
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Show Notes

Stride Health

This episode was sponsored by Stride Health, they’re a company that connects self employed workers with health coverage and health care for free! And even if you already have health insurance, once you sign up, you’ll get access to a personal advisor who you can call to get help with all your health care decisions and more.  Sign up here to get free access today!

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here

What do you guys think about driver referrals and what has your experience been like either signing up as a new driver or referring new drivers onto these platforms?

-Harry @ RSG