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  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Local delivery and errand runner: your step-by-step start

Deliver food, groceries, parcels and medicine for local shops, takeaways and households, and run errands such as queues and collections.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Reliable people with a scooter, motorbike, bicycle or car who know their area well.

Think twice if

  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.
  • You cannot free up about 10 hours a week.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 7 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: road accidents: wear a helmet and do not rush.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How local delivery and errand runner worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Visit five local shops with your offer3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Post your rates in community groups3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Keep a trip log: date, from, to, fee, paid3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Ask regulars for referrals3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Agree weekly rates with your best shops3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Consider app delivery work for quiet hours3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R3 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Scooter, motorbike, bicycle or car
  • Helmet
  • Insulated bag
  • Trip log

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.