5 AI Side Hustles for Beginners That Actually Make Money in 2024
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, AI side hustles for beginners are transforming how aspiring entrepreneurs make money. I’ve been exploring various AI side hustles for beginners myself, and I’m excited to share five that truly work and can earn you anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars each day. Throughout this post, I’ll provide insights and effective prompts that have consistently brought me success in these ventures. Let’s dive into these lucrative AI side hustles for beginners!
We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.
Table of Contents
1. Make Money with AI Images on Pinterest
If you’re familiar with my content, you already know that Pinterest is a powerhouse when it comes to driving traffic. In fact, over 60% of the traffic to my website comes from this platform. Pinterest isn’t just a social media site; it functions as a visual search engine. One of the most effective formats for driving clicks isn’t video pins, but rather simple pin images. The good news is that we can now create these eye-catching images using AI tools.
So, how do we turn these images into cash? The key lies in linking your Pinterest images back to your website. You can create engaging blog posts, also aided by AI, that provide value to your visitors. However, a crucial tip is to edit the AI-generated content to ensure it reflects your voice and prevents your website from appearing overly automated or spammy. Once you post these images on Pinterest, you can attract traffic to your site.
To fully grasp how this strategy works, consider checking out my on-demand Pinterest class linked in the description below. Your ultimate goal with this side hustle is to get your website into premium ad management companies like Mediavine, Adthrive, or Monumetric. Interestingly, Mediavine now accepts blogs with just 10,000 monthly visitors. Typically, your RPM (revenue per thousand visitors) on Mediavine ranges between $20 and $40, influenced largely by the location of your audience.
Advertisers favor U.S.-based audiences and will pay a premium for that traffic. Fortunately, Pinterest can provide you with a significant U.S. audience. In my experience, the RPMs generated from Pinterest traffic are often much higher than those from Google organic traffic. So, while you utilize AI tools to streamline your content creation process, remember that adding your human touch is essential to meet platform guidelines.
When it comes to creating pins, I recommend tools like Midjourney or Leonardo AI, but I’ve also discovered a fast and affordable option on Freepik. This platform stands out because it allows you to generate images with text overlays, making your pins even more engaging. If you want me to elaborate more on this side hustle, feel free to comment “Pinterest” below this post!
2. Selling Print-on-Demand Products Using AI Images
The next profitable side hustle I want to discuss is starting an e-commerce business through print-on-demand, utilizing AI-generated images or designs. With tools like Midjourney, Leonardo AI, and Freepik, you can create unique designs that can be applied to a wide variety of products, including t-shirts, mugs, and wall art.
It’s worth noting that AI image generators often produce designs in lower resolutions, which might not meet printing standards. Fortunately, you can enhance these AI images using tools like KREA to increase their size and improve the resolution. You may be wondering, “How do I print these designs onto products, and how do I handle shipping?” The beauty of this business model is that you don’t have to physically manage any products.
Your role is to create appealing designs that resonate with your audience. Print-on-demand allows you to sell custom products without maintaining any inventory. This flexibility means you can operate your business from anywhere in the world—be it Australia, India, or beyond. Products are produced and shipped as close to your customers as possible, making logistics hassle-free.
To get started, all you need is a reliable print-on-demand platform. I’ve been using Gelato, which fulfills orders in 32 countries, ensuring fast shipping and low costs. Plus, Gelato offers a free plan! You only pay for the products you sell at the prices you set. Imagine a customer places an order in your online store, whether it’s on Etsy, Shopify, or another website-building platform.
Gelato seamlessly integrates with virtually any platform, handling production and shipping while you focus on creating great designs. Depending on your niche and product range, you can enjoy profit margins between 20% and 50%. With Gelato’s excellent reviews on Trustpilot, I am thrilled to mention that I partnered with them for this segment. Use my link in the description below to snag 50% off your first order through my referral link: gelato.com/anastasia.
If this business model piques your interest, I’ve also prepared a comprehensive print-on-demand tutorial, which you can check out once we finish discussing the other business ideas in this post.
3. Creating Faceless YouTube Videos
Next up is the fascinating world of faceless YouTube videos. Have you ever stumbled upon a channel that exploded in popularity? One such channel, created just two years ago, has already amassed an astonishing 1.4 million subscribers. As someone who’s been posting videos for six years, I find this rapid growth absolutely remarkable.
Upon examining their most viral videos, it’s clear they utilize a simple yet effective format—enhanced slideshows featuring quotes from famous individuals, all supported by AI-generated background images and voiceovers. This method is particularly intriguing given how YouTube’s monetization program works. I even checked two different websites that allow you to monitor the monetization status of various channels, and both confirmed that this channel is indeed monetized.
They consistently upload about four videos a week, which is a manageable workload. The YouTube monetization program operates in over 200 countries, allowing creators to share ad revenue with the platform. The average RPM (revenue per 1,000 views) for YouTube videos is around $4, though it can vary significantly based on your audience’s location and your niche.
For instance, channels with a large U.S. viewer base often see much higher RPMs. If you’re curious about the RPMs for different niches and countries, I found some insightful data in an article that I’ll link for you in the description below. To illustrate the potential earnings, let’s consider one video that receives 8 million views; it could earn the creator approximately $32,000!
Many channels achieve much higher RPMs; in fact, my videos often surpass that $4 average. What’s fascinating is how simple these videos can be—AI-generated slideshows accompanied by AI-generated images and voiceovers. Even the scripts might be written using tools like ChatGPT, demonstrating just how accessible this content creation method has become.
As I researched further, I discovered numerous other channels employing similar strategies. One channel, just a year old, boasts over 180,000 subscribers while posting wisdom story videos with AI-generated art and voiceovers. Their videos consistently garner tens of thousands to millions of views. Another channel, only ten months old, has already amassed over 200,000 subscribers and several viral videos, including one that hit a million views.
You might be wondering about monetization requirements. Yes, your channel must meet specific thresholds, including 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. However, by the time you reach that 1,000 subscriber milestone, you’ve likely accumulated enough views to satisfy the watch hours requirement as well. So, how do you create viral videos like these? There are two primary approaches.
First, you can generate background images using AI tools like Midjourney, DALL-E, or Leonardo AI, ensuring you use the correct 16:9 aspect ratio standard for YouTube long-form videos. To generate the quotes, tools like ChatGPT are invaluable. After creating the images and quotes, you can combine them in Canva and save the presentation as a video file. Alternatively, you can use platforms like InVideo or Fliki AI to streamline the video creation process.
While some of the tools I mentioned offer free versions, many will require a monthly subscription. I want to emphasize that even traditional design tools like the Adobe Suite come with their own costs and steep learning curves. In contrast, AI tools significantly speed up content generation, effectively replacing the need for graphic design or video editing skills you would have otherwise had to master.
4. Create Amazon Reviews with AI
Amazon stands as the largest e-commerce marketplace globally, presenting a golden opportunity for those interested in affiliate marketing. There are two main programs offered by Amazon that allow you to recommend products and earn commissions: Amazon Associates and Amazon Influencers. Essentially, you can earn money by creating short video reviews of various products available on Amazon.
To give you a sense of the potential earnings, I came across a YouTuber who shared his journey as an Amazon Influencer. Within just five months, he transitioned from zero income to approximately $4,000 per month. If you want to see his video, I’ll link it in the description below. You can publish these review videos on your social media platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, or even start a YouTube channel.
In your video descriptions, don’t forget to include your affiliate links to the products. If you get accepted into the Amazon Influencers program, you can also upload your videos directly to Amazon, where they will appear under related products. If someone makes a purchase after viewing your video, you earn a commission—a fantastic way to monetize your content!
Before you jump into creating review videos, it’s crucial to select a niche. I recommend honing in on a micro-niche, such as kitchen gadgets, travel gear, or accessories, as these areas typically have lower competition. Start by searching for a product on Amazon; for example, let’s look for an air duster with excellent reviews.
Next, you can utilize a tool called Flicky AI to generate your review video. This process doesn’t require extensive editing or thoughtful input, making it accessible
for those without advanced video editing skills. Although the content will initially be somewhat automated, you can refine it to fit your style.
Another tip: Instead of relying solely on AI-generated reviews, enhance your content by incorporating your insights and experiences with the product. This will help your audience relate to your perspective and build trust in your recommendations.
5. ChatGPT-Based Services
The final lucrative side hustle I want to share is one that has gained immense popularity: offering ChatGPT-based services. Leveraging the power of AI, you can cater to various needs across multiple industries. As a freelancer, you can assist clients with tasks such as copywriting, social media management, customer support, or even content creation.
The best part? The possibilities are nearly endless, making this an adaptable side hustle. There are several platforms you can utilize to offer your services, including Fiverr, Upwork, and even LinkedIn. This business model works exceptionally well for those with a knack for communication and creativity.
To get started, define your service offerings. For example, you can create blog posts, product descriptions, or social media content—anything where your writing skills shine. While AI can significantly enhance your productivity, remember to infuse your unique style into your work, especially in fields that demand a human touch.
An effective strategy is to create packages for your services, offering different tiers based on complexity and delivery time. This approach allows you to attract a range of clients, from individuals to small businesses and even larger corporations. As your reputation grows, you can gradually increase your prices, capitalizing on your expertise and experience.
Final Thoughts
Exploring AI side hustles in 2024 opens up numerous possibilities for income generation. From creating captivating Pinterest images to establishing a print-on-demand business, faceless YouTube videos, Amazon reviews, and offering ChatGPT-based services, the opportunities are endless. I’ve personally seen the transformative power of these strategies, and I hope you find them as rewarding as I have.
If you’d like me to elaborate on any of these side hustles or have specific questions, feel free to drop a comment below! Embrace the world of AI and let it empower your entrepreneurial journey. Happy hustling!
We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.
