Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

I just spotted a little article that got me thinking.  It's about "getting paid to drive".  Basically, the premise (or promise?) is that licensed drivers over the age of 18 can get a free car or money in their pockets for going about their weekly business of running errands, attending functions, and everything else that gets them out on the road.

Sounds intriguing, doesn't it?  After all, for those who spend a long time commuting, whether for work or play, it'd sure be nice to offset some gas costs.  The concept will definitely spark an interest in those who are looking for ways to come home for work, rather than work for someone else.  But is it a steady paycheck?  Hmmmmm.

This particular article (and I'm sure there are others out there) is from a business person whose whole point is to get you to want to do this, of course.  You'd have to dig deeper, as with investigating any "work from home" or franchise opportunity, to find out what the real deal is.  My most basic bet is that you probably have to be in an area that advertisers really want to market their product.  If you live out in the sticks and you drive a lot, but it's to the feed store and the vet, you're not going to get any bucks from an advertiser who is trying to hit the urban market.  (And vice versa: the downtown commuter may be stuck in traffic for long periods, but isn't necessarily doing a lot of miles -- which equal exposure to a variety of drivers.  The guy behind you for 47 minutes is going to get sick of that ad, no matter who it's for.)

My second guess is that one could probably supplement one's income, but I don't know that I would assume I could earn anything truly worthwhile.  Who knows?  Maybe you could create your own business in your area, specifically targetting businesses that want to find new ways to get their name out to your neighbors and the folks in the parking lot at the PTA meeting each Thursday.  Or you might be able to find someone who is willing to slap a magnetic sign on their trunk or doors in exchange for gas money each week, in an effort to advertise your brand new day spa or, well, feed store and vet's office in the town next door!

Have you participated in any of these programs, either on the earning/driving side or on the advertiser's side?  Let us know if it really worked for you or not!  I must admit that, as the driver of a pick-up with a lot of empty space on it, it's tempting to see what kind of extra bucks could come from opportunities like this, assuming you get in with a legit organization!