The "Uber-Pitch": Opportunities Beyond the Driver's Seat

Step aside elevator pitches and make way for the "Uber-pitch". Not only are Uber and Lyft drivers finding great careers from being drivers; professionals with day jobs are moonlighting as shared car service drivers to increase their earning potential—and not through the tips they get from passengers, but in their professional careers!

Carless city-dwellers, alcoholics, and those who simply prefer not to drive, tout that the benefits of ride-sharing outweigh that of the traditional cab: drivers get rated so they tend not to drive like maniacs, their cars don’t smell of three-day-old takeout (or worse), and usually they greet you with a smile and ask if you have a preferred route. But aside from the obvious utilitarian purpose of getting passengers from point a to point b, ride sharing has another intrinsic function –- connecting people long enough to hear what they do, and/or what they're interested in. Ride sharing translates to some into a mini, in-person, job screening, or for others, an elevator pitch.

Opportunistic drivers are using these chance meetups to enhance their “real-world” occupation. Just the other night, I caught a ride to the airport with a mortgage broker who was hoping to supplement his income, not just by Uber-driving-- but by connecting with potential mortgage seekers who need a ride. Another friend of his, a real-estate broker, closed four deals (four deals!!!!) in the past two weeks, all which started off in her ride sharing vehicle.  Just think, if they’re motivated enough to work a second job to get leads, they either really suck at business development, or probably know other insider industry knowledge too.

Conversely, the Lyft driver who picked me up when I landed informed me that he often receives referrals for jobs. He even scored a job interview at Ebay a few weeks ago.

Despite their ads on Facebook, I haven’t met one ride sharing driver who has struck it rich in Uber/Lyft-land. However, these clandestine moments between driver and passenger have the potential to be a better networking opportunity than most happy hours. You get direct, casual, one-on-one time with the other person (way more than what most recruiters get) while in transit. Who knows what this could lead to if you've mastered the art of the "Uber pitch”. Viable business opportunity awaits on both sides of the driver's seat if the connection is right.

Furthermore, savvy drivers can work location to their advantage too. Looking for funding for your start-up? Consistently pick up passengers around Sandhilll road (i.e. Nor-Cal's venture capitalist central) and someone is bound to ask you what you do. Want to get a feel for the work culture of a particular industry? Tailor your route so that it hits the places where the major players work, dine, or hang out at (and see how bad the traffic is too). Opportunities extend well beyond the driver's seat in the ride sharing community.