Unlike in the 90s when a car was considered a luxury, today, a car is regarded as a necessity because of the convenience that comes with it. Your private car could also become a source of side income in these tough economic times.
Key takeaway points
- If you do aggressive marketing your private car can turn from a side income to a main source of income.
- You can make your car taxi, engage in car hire, moving billboards among other ways that can earn you some points
The following are 6 ways in which you can make a side income with your car
Car Hire
This is the most common way car owners can make an extra income.
The rates of car hire in Nairobi vary, but most range from 3000-10,000 depending on the type of car and the destination.
You can fuel your car before hiring it and expect it to be returned with a full tank. Or you can hire it out with no fuel and have it returned with no fuel.
Some private car hires just hire the car with no driver. However, if you like traveling and would want to ensure that your car is well-driven, you can offer to be the driver, of course at an extra fee.
Taxi
Another common way that most people with private cars have made additional source of income is through getting their cars to uber, bolt, little cub, and other taxi companies.
When these companies got into the country around 2015, the industry was highly lucrative with good rates of return for car owners. With time the company has attracted a large number of riders and we could say it is now saturated. One can only make good returns if you have not employed a driver.
This can be a good source of income for the evening or weekends if you are employed. Hiring a driver would not be highly advisable if you are not employed, as the returns are too low.
While Uber, bolt, and little cab are very famous, try other options such as corporate cub services, and this will have you smiling to the bank.
On average you can easily make KSh 40,000 on a good month.
Delivery services
If there is a business in Nairobi that is always in high demand, it is the delivery business.
Things such as goods, documents or even parcels always need to be delivered.
One can use their cars to offer these services, especially between Nairobi and the towns surrounding it, like Thika, Murang’a, Machakos, and Naivasha.
You can advertise these services on social media pages. If you offer excellent services then you start getting referrals. As you get into the industry, consider low prices until you have a good name or brand. Then you can increase the prices gradually.
Boot sales
If you have a car and you are passionate about business, you can use the boot of the car as the shop for your products.
This works very well in the evening when you can sell foodstuff such as vegetables, sell clothes and shoes, among others.
The good thing about this is that you do not pay rent for a shop. In addition, you can make sales from different points or towns.
Carpooling
If you live in an estate and you know a few of your colleagues who live within the same area, you could offer them rides to the workplace or town.
Your colleagues get or neighbors are assured of comfort and convenience unlike when using matatus and you are assured of a extra coins and it is a win win.
Moving Billboard
This strategy has not yet been explored by many people in Nairobi unless it is a company car.
You could have your car become a moving billboard and have it wrapped with marketing or advertising content.
As you do your regular driving, you will still get paid by the company you market for.
There you have ideas on how you can make your private car earn you more money.
