Intro

When most people think about the gig economy, they think about hopping on an app and making quick money with their car—platforms like Uber, Lyft, and food delivery apps.

In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel takes a deeper look at one of the most popular entry points into that world: Uber Eats.

With over 3,000 deliveries completed, Elijah breaks down 10 practical tips that can help drivers make more money, avoid common mistakes, and approach delivery driving with a strategy instead of guesswork.  

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Episode Overview

This episode is built entirely on experience.

Before focusing on delivery, Elijah originally started in the gig economy as a rideshare driver. Over time, he transitioned into Uber Eats—especially after the platform introduced tipping, which made deliveries significantly more profitable.

One of the biggest advantages Elijah discovered early on was something simple but powerful: driving alone. This allowed him to listen to audiobooks, podcasts, and educational content while working—turning delivery time into both income and self-development time.

As Elijah continued delivering, he began identifying patterns—what made more money, what slowed him down, and what actually impacted hourly earnings. Those lessons eventually turned into a system.

In this episode, Elijah Bilel shares 10 key strategies designed to help drivers:

• Increase efficiency
• Protect their earnings
• Avoid unnecessary mistakes
• Think long-term instead of just day-to-day

The result is a much more intentional approach to a side hustle that many people treat casually.

Listen to the Episode

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Side Hustler’s Society Resources

The Anatomy Of Financial Success Audiobook

Gig Economy Mastery Free Course

Quick Takeaways

• Elijah emphasizes that Uber Eats can be a solid side hustle—but it should come with a long-term plan
• Starting each shift with a full tank of gas improves efficiency and prevents lost income
• Stopping for gas during deliveries can hurt tips and customer satisfaction
• Elijah Bilel explains that frequent “cash outs” can lead to poor money management and faster spending
• Investing in a large, neutral delivery bag improves professionalism and can increase tips
• Having a “do not do business” list of slow restaurants can significantly boost hourly earnings
• Elijah recommends tracking which restaurants are efficient during different times of day
• Sending a simple message to customers can sometimes get them to meet at the car, saving time
• Understanding how neighborhoods are structured can help drivers complete deliveries faster
• The key to making more money isn’t just working more—it’s completing more deliveries per hour

Who This Episode Is For

• Beginners looking to start making money with Uber Eats
• Delivery drivers who want to increase their hourly earnings
• People exploring gig economy side hustles
• Anyone who wants a more strategic approach to making money with their car

Key Topics Covered

• How Elijah Bilel made money with Uber Eats
• Increasing efficiency as a delivery driver
• Avoiding common beginner mistakes
• Managing income from gig work
• Turning a basic side hustle into a more optimized system

Watch The Podcast On Youtube!

If you would like to know more about thriving as a one person business owner, consider getting our free gig mastery course where you can learn the ins and outs of how to make the most money out of the gig economy apps (Uber, Ubereats, Doordash, Instacart, etc) Click here to learn more!