Build-in-Public Side Hustles: Delivery Gigs + AI MVPs

Build-in-Public Side Hustles: Delivery Gigs + AI MVPs

Turn your gig shifts into a content engine and product lab. Build in public, show your numbers, and ship simple AI MVPs inspired by real problems on the road.

This guide maps a repeatable system: film a day-in-the-life, publish a transparent income report, launch a no-code AI prototype, and funnel viewers into a conversion stack.

Day-in-the-Life: Multi-App Delivery Gigs

Film a Real Shift with Time Stamps

Record an actual run across DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats. Time-stamp each segment to show pace, decisions, and earnings in context.

• 08:45—Pre-shift setup: app toggles, heat maps, fuel check.

• 09:10—First ping: acceptance reasoning, distance vs. pay.

• 12:30—Lunch peak: stack orders, zone switch, tip estimates.

• 15:00—Wrap-up: final delivery, summary, and quick debrief.

Strategy: Route Planning, Peak Hours, Acceptance Rate

Pick a primary zone and a secondary fallback to avoid dead miles. Anchor your shift around lunch and dinner peaks.

• Route planning: favor dense restaurants with easy parking and short building distances.

• Acceptance policy: set minimums (e.g., $1.25 per mile, limited wait times) and stick to them.

• Multi-apping safely: drive-focused first, pause secondary apps during pickups, and never text while moving.

Gear Review: Hot Bag, Phone Mount, Portable Charger

Show what you use, why it matters, and how it holds up. Keep it honest with pros and cons.

• Hot bag: thermal retention, zipper reliability, and size for stacked orders.

• Phone mount: stability on rough roads, quick-release design, windshield vs. vent mounting.

• Portable charger: wattage needs, cable management, and battery health after long shifts.

On-the-Road Workflow

Demonstrate the micro-moves that compound into profit. Narrate each decision briefly in the video.

• Order stacking: prioritize pickup proximity, avoid multi-restaurant stacks with mismatched prep times.

• Parking tactics: curbside gears, hazard-light etiquette, and pre-reading building access notes.

• Customer comms: templated messages for “on the way,” “arrived,” and “leave at door” photos.

• Heat maps: chase red zones only if they align with your route and acceptance rules.

Disclosure and CTA

Include referral codes and promo codes with clear on-screen captions and a spoken disclosure. State that you may earn commissions on qualifying purchases.

• Caption example: “Referral codes below—commissions support the channel.”

• CTA: “Watch the full playlist for deeper dives, strategy breakdowns, and gear links.”

Transparent Income Report & Tax Tips

Earnings Breakdown Per App

Publish a clean weekly report across apps. Separate base pay, tips, promos, and mileage metrics.

• Base pay vs. tips: show how tips shift acceptance standards by time of day.

• Promos: document peak pay and quests, noting completion constraints.

• Mileage and time-on-task: track total miles, active hours, and per-hour earnings.

Gross vs. Net: Realistic Costs

Be transparent about what you keep after expenses. Estimate fuel, maintenance, and depreciation.

• Fuel: cost per gallon x gallons used; or miles x vehicle MPG x fuel price.

• Maintenance: oil, tires, brakes—allocate a per-mile reserve (e.g., $0.05–$0.08).

• Depreciation: use a standard rate or the IRS mileage method as a proxy where applicable.

Spreadsheet Template and Formulas

Show your tracker and explain simple formulas. Keep it repeatable for weekly reports.

• Gross earnings: sum of base + tips + promos across apps.

• Expense estimate: miles × mileage rate or fuel + maintenance + depreciation.

• Net: gross − expenses; effective hourly: net ÷ active hours.

Tax Tips for Gig Workers

Share general guidance, not advice. Encourage professional consultation for local rules.

• Mileage tracking: log start/end odometer or use a mileage app for every shift.

• Quarterly estimates: plan for self-employment tax; set aside a percentage weekly.

• Write-offs: hot bag, phone mount, portion of phone plan used for work.

Tools Demo and Compliance Notes

Demo mileage/expense apps and disclose affiliates. Mention record keeping and forms.

• Tools: mileage trackers, receipt scanners, cloud spreadsheets.

• Compliance: 1099-NEC/1099-K, maintain logs, store receipts, and reconcile monthly.

• Disclaimer: educational only, not financial or tax advice.

CTA: Lead Magnet

Offer a free earnings tracker and tax checklist. Gate it behind an email opt-in.

• CTA: “Download the tracker and checklist—join the list for weekly updates.”

• Auto-delivery: email the template with a quick-start video.

Build in Public: No-Code AI MVP Challenge

Identify Pain Points From Deliveries

Turn road frustrations into product ideas. Pick one that’s narrow and high-impact.

• Routing: dynamic batching and prep-time alignment.

• Tip prediction: heuristic models to guide acceptance strategy.

• Earnings tracking: automated per-order logs and alerts.

Set a 48–72 Hour MVP Challenge

Define scope with constraints to ship fast. Decide must-haves and cut the rest.

• User stories: “As a driver, I want A so I can B.”

• Data model: Orders, miles, time, payout, and restaurant metadata.

• Must-haves: single-screen input, simple reports, and export CSV.

Tools to Test

Use no-code + AI to speed up. Stack lightweight tools you can iterate with.

• AI app builder for prototype UI and data handling.

• Bubble or Glide for web/mobile front-end.

• Zapier or Make for automations and notifications.

Dev Logs: Daily Updates and Feedback

Post short builds, failures, and pivots. Invite comments and use them as product signals.

• Day 1: scope, mockup, and data schema.

• Day 2: core features, first user tests, bug list.

• Day 3: polish, analytics, and a public changelog.

Ship Prototype and Invite Beta Users

Publish a lightweight demo and collect emails. Use a referral link for early access.

• Waitlist: a simple form with user role and platform used.

• Feedback loop: in-app prompts and a weekly survey.

Monetization Experiments

Test low-friction offers tied to content. Keep pricing simple and refundable.

• Templates: downloadable trackers and data sheets.

• TikTok Shop bundles: hot bag + mount + checklist.

• Affiliate tie-ins: gear pages with transparent disclosures.

Conversion Engine: Affiliate, TikTok Shop, Email

Playlist Series Structure

Design a bingeable flow across episodes. Each video tees up the next step.

• Day-in-the-life.

• Income report and tax tips.

• No-code AI MVP build.

• Weekly recap and roadmap.

CTA Mapping: Hooks and Captions

Align CTAs from top to end. Use captions and pinned comments for link visibility.

• Top hook: “Watch the playlist to see the full system.”

• Mid CTA: “Download the tracker—free in bio.”

• End CTA: “Join the beta—spots are limited.”

Link Architecture: Link-in-Bio Hub

Centralize links for clarity. Keep naming consistent across platforms.

• Affiliate gear page, referral codes, and promos.

• Lead magnet signup and MVP beta waitlist.

• Playlist hub with episode order.

TikTok Shop Strategy

Bundle gear with timing and scarcity. Lean on seasonal promos and UGC.

• Starter bundle: hot bag + phone mount + cable kit.

• Seasonal offers: winter insulation and rainy-day covers.

• UGC: feature customer clips and durable-use reviews.

Lead Magnet Ecosystem

Create a simple path from viewer to subscriber. Trigger with specific CTAs.

• Earnings tracker, tax checklist, and gear list.

• Delivery: instant download plus tutorial email.

• Cross-promo: invite to MVP waitlist and community.

Email List Growth and Value

Run a helpful sequence with consistent timing. Keep updates short and actionable.

• Welcome: tools, templates, and expectations.

• Value emails: weekly insights, route tests, and gear tips.

• MVP updates: roadmap, feature polls, and launch announcements.

Analytics and A/B Testing

Track what works and refine. Small tests compound into better conversion.

• CTR, conversion rate, opt-in rate, and watch time.

• A/B test thumbnails, hooks, and CTA positioning.

• Iterate weekly and document changes in public.

Final CTA: Build, Report, Ship

Film a real shift, publish your numbers, and launch a 72-hour AI MVP. Invite viewers into your playlist, gear page, and lead magnet to grow the engine.

Disclosures: affiliate/referral links may earn commissions; educational content only, not financial or tax advice. Ready to start? Tap the playlist and download the tracker to join the email list and beta waitlist.