1. Stop Hanging Around a Single "Hotspot"

Most lists will tell you to pick a hotspot, like a busy restaurant. But instead, pick a spot that’s close to multiple restaurants. That way, you’ll be in all of their radiuses, which means more opportunities.

By positioning yourself strategically, you can take advantage of multiple food delivery services to increase your earnings.

2. Maximize Your Miles

Try to maximize your time by not driving seven miles for a two to three-dollar order. As a rule of thumb, you should earn a base pay of at least two dollars per mile for food delivered. One dollar per mile is fine if it’s a quick order. Another tip is to chain food delivery orders together. By having multiple orders either from the same restaurant or along your delivery route, you can seriously increase your DoorDash earnings.

3. Avoid Bad Orders

Try to avoid unpredictable deliveries. As a DoorDash delivery driver, efficiency is key to maximizing your earnings. For example, Walmart runs can be more trouble than they’re worth. The customer may order two cases of water and a couple of bags of groceries that you have to lug up steps. You’ll receive little return for your trouble.

Also, fast food can be difficult. You have to wait in line like every other customer, so it takes time out of your run. Plus, since they’re low-cost items, you probably won’t receive much of a tip.

Don’t take orders that don’t compensate you enough with the distance you must drive. You want to make sure you're focused on taking high paying orders as opposed to low paying orders to bring in extra cash - especially during busy times.

4. Keep a Pen in Your Car

Ensure you have a pen or Sharpie in your car. That way, if the restaurant doesn’t write the customer’s name on the order, you can. This often times can be one a DoorDash challenge, but making sure the delivery bag has a customer's name on it will come in handy when you have several orders in your car. There’s nothing worse than delivering the wrong food to someone. Many experienced DoorDash drivers recommend this practice to avoid mix-ups and ensure customer satisfaction.

5. Take Advantage of Tax Write-Offs

Because you’re an independent contractor, it’s like you’re running your own business. As a DoorDash driver, understanding your tax obligations and benefits is crucial. That means you’re responsible for all the expenses. But these expenses can be written off on your tax returns.

Keep track of your miles. You can deduct 67 cents per mile for business expenses and driving for DoorDash is a business expense. If you bought special delivery auto insurance, write that extra expense off as well. Any equipment you had to buy for your business has the potential to be written off. Talk to an accountant so you receive everything due to you.

6. Don’t Eat Out

Don’t eat out while you’re driving. If you’re eating out every night, you’re dipping into your profits. You might blow everything you made if your lunch or dinner is pricey enough.

It’s hard not to eat when you smell all that good food. But don’t go to work hungry, and you’ll avoid some of it. Another way is to bring your own food. Have those leftovers or sandwiches when the hungries hit. By avoiding unnecessary expenses, you can keep more of the money you earn on DoorDash.

7. Don’t Strive to be "Top Dasher" Drivers

The top DoorDasher is an incentive program to award a DoorDash driver who has a high acceptance rate. You must complete a lot of deliveries per month.

The reward is you’ll be the priority when DoorDash assigns orders while things are slow. You can also dash even when a zone is greyed out.

But DoorDash wants a 70 percent acceptance rate, among other things. The problem with the high acceptance rate is that it means you’ll have to take a lot of low-paying dashes, which may not make the top DoorDasher perks worth it.

8. Don’t Worry About Acceptance Rate

It’s easy to get sucked into accepting everything that pops up. But keep in mind that the DoorDash platform starts with offering pennies for order. They then raise the base pay until someone accepts the order. It’s like an auction.

The more dashers reject low-paying jobs the more the pay is raised. That’s why skipping bad deliveries and waiting for something better or until the pay price rises are more efficient.

There aren’t any consequences for not accepting orders. Waiting for peak pay opportunities can also result in higher earnings for each delivery.

9. Cancel Accepted Orders Once in Awhile

Don’t get into the habit of cancelling or you’ll get kicked off the platform. But if you arrive at a restaurant and the order won’t be ready for another 15 to 20 minutes, go ahead and cancel. Your time is worth money.

Just contact the customer and explain that the food isn’t ready. Another dasher will pick it up for them. Customers will understand if you communicate. Utilizing fast pay can help you access your earnings immediately, which is useful if you need funds quickly.

10. Keep Insulated Bags for Hot and Cold Items

Even if it’s for the same customer, keep the hot and cold items separate to ensure quality food delivery. You’ll receive a bigger tip if the steak is hot and the ice cream is cold.

Remember, this is the cost of doing business so you can write the insulated bags off on your taxes.