Maximizing Profit:
* Sign up with more MSC's. If you are not signed up with every MSC, you don't know what shops you are missing and therefore can't maximize your profit. You can't make money of shops that you don't know exist.
* Routes, routes, routes! When you leave the house to shop, don't go somewhere for just one shop. Rather, go for a bunch that are all right next to one-another or along the same roads.
* Expand your geography! The best-paying shops are often in locations where nobody else wants to go. Be the one willing to travel to Timbuktu and you'll be paid for it. If enough is not offered on the boards, ask for it.
* Negotiate! Know what you think your time is worth and don't work for less. If you are called or emailed to do a job, ask for a little more than what you think your time is worth. (You might be under-valuing yourself. Some MSC's will never take your offer, but will counter and this leaves you room to bargain.)
* Figure out what you do well and capitalize on it. I can write well and type quickly. So, I gravitate towards higher-paying shops with narratives. Some folks are really good with their smartphones, so they look for shops that can be done on an app. Some folks do high-end luxury well. (I don't.) I do cars, new homes, apartments, and casinos well.
* Video! Think: Half the work, double the pay. You wanna break $500 in a day with some regularity?
* Learn the value of filler shops! So, you build a $300 route with some cushion-time built in - just in case something goes sideways. Then everything goes smoothly and you find yourself way ahead of schedule. Do you have a list of quickie shops along your route that you can self-assign? Suddenly, your $300 day can be a $400 day!
* Answer the phone! If an MSC calls, they want something. Often, they are willing to pay for it. You won't find out how badly they really want it done, if you don't answer the phone and ask for what your time is worth (or a bit more).
* Take the Initiative! If you see a job that is not getting filled (perhaps it is in Never-Never Land?), contact the scheduler and make an offer.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.