8 Real Side Hustles That Worked for Me and Made $1M+

Hey everyone, I hope you’re all having an amazing day. When exploring real side hustles, it’s important to find options that are both profitable and legitimate. There are thousands of side hustle ideas out there, but many don’t pay well or turn out to be scams. Today, I’m sharing eight of my most successful real side hustles that have actually made a profit. I’ll also reveal how much this YouTube channel has earned so far and offer tips for starting each real side hustle so you can start making money too. Stick around, because you don’t want to miss this!

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.

1. Passive Income Apps

One of my earliest successful side hustles was using passive income apps. This was one of the oldest side hustles I tried back in college. In essence, passive income apps allow you to earn free cash or gift cards by sharing your data. When I first started, I was running a phone farm in my dorm room. Yes, you heard that right—I had nine burner phones running video reward apps all day long. I earned small amounts of money based on the data I shared or the videos I watched.

Back then, I was making around $20 to $50 a month. However, phone farming isn’t very viable these days, so I wouldn’t recommend buying a bunch of devices. But there are still some cool passive income apps available today. For example, Mobile Expression is a data collection app, while Kaden is a new iOS app that pays for sharing data. There’s also Pawn App, which pays you for sharing your bandwidth, and cashback shopping apps like Bridge Money, Do, and Pogo.

While these apps won’t make you rich, you can realistically earn $5 to $25 a month just by sharing your data or extra internet bandwidth. Over the years, I’ve made a couple of hundred bucks using these apps, and I usually earn about $100 annually from various cashback shopping apps. It’s a super simple side hustle anyone can do.

2. Selling Print-on-Demand Merchandise on Etsy

Another successful side hustle I explored was selling print-on-demand merchandise on Etsy. A lot of people don’t know this, but I launched an Etsy print-on-demand shop while I was in college. I was selling meme merchandise and coffee mugs featuring popular memes like Caveman SpongeBob and Caveman Patrick. I used Printify, my favorite print-on-demand partner, to create and list these products on Etsy for just 20 cents per listing.

Even though my shop was eventually shut down for copyright violations, it was a great learning experience. It showed me that you don’t need graphic design skills to start an Etsy print-on-demand business. You can create and sell your designs, or use meme images like I did, and still attract organic traffic. Print-on-demand is a popular side hustle these days thanks to AI image generation tools and various print-on-demand providers.

Even if you don’t have prior experience, you can start a print-on-demand business and find numerous guides and YouTube channels to help you get started. If you’re interested in launching your own shop, I’ll link to my review of Printify below for more details on how to create print-on-demand products.

3. GPT Sites and Get Paid To (GPT) Websites

Another side hustle that has worked well for me involves using GPT sites or get paid to websites. If you’ve been following my channel, you know I’ve covered numerous GPT sites and survey platforms. These websites pay you for completing simple online tasks such as answering surveys, playing games, watching videos, shopping online, or surfing the web.

I started using these GPT sites back in college, filling out surveys and completing tasks during breaks between classes or before bed. Some of my favorite GPT sites from that time include Branded Surveys, Survey Junkie, and Prize Rebel. There are also newer options available now, like Free Cash, which pays for playing games, and Prime Opinion, another great survey site.

While GPT sites won’t make you rich or replace your day job, they can provide a decent side income. By answering a few surveys on your lunch break or completing offers daily, you could realistically earn $100 to $200 or more per month with minimal effort.

4. Flipping Stuff

Flipping stuff is another side hustle I’ve had success with over the years. Although I haven’t talked about this much on my channel, I got into flipping college textbooks while I was in school. I would buy used textbooks and sell them for a slight profit once I was done with them. Additionally, I dabbled in selling electronic copies of textbooks to fellow students for $10 to $20 each, though it wasn’t entirely legal.

Flipping textbooks was a consistent way to make $100 to $200 per semester, which helped cover expenses like groceries and daily living costs. While I focused on textbooks, you can flip various items, such as furniture, mattresses, and collectibles. A great way to start is by sourcing items from Facebook Marketplace or garage sales and selling them for a higher price.

In college towns, you can find plenty of free items on curbsides when students graduate and move out. A friend of mine picked up and flipped such items for a profit. Flipping is an easy side hustle to start, and there are many ways to get involved.

5. YouTube Channel

The fifth side hustle that has been quite successful for me is this YouTube channel. I started the channel in 2020 to promote my main blog, This Online World. I never anticipated reaching over 60,000 subscribers, and I’m truly grateful for the support from viewers like you.

Starting this channel required an initial investment of about $500 for a budget Sony camera, a basic USB light, and a USB microphone. Although I’ve since upgraded to a $1,000 setup, it’s still nothing extravagant. This channel has been a low-cost side hustle that has generated significant revenue. To date, it has earned over $72,000 in YouTube ad revenue and has accumulated more than 5.5 million views.

Starting a YouTube channel can be an excellent side hustle. You don’t need a lot of money to begin, and you can use AI tools or even start a faceless channel with just your phone. I’ve found that working with video editors and thumbnail designers has made the process more manageable. This side hustle has been a game-changer for me and offers a lot of flexibility and potential for growth.

6. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is another side hustle I ventured into around 2018 while I was still in school. Initially, I wrote clickbait articles for a local advertising agency, earning about $20 per article. Over time, my blog helped me transition into personal finance writing, where I started getting paid 7 cents per word.

By 2020, I left my office job to pursue freelance writing and blogging full-time. My writing income grew substantially, reaching over $10,000 a month from various clients. Freelance writing became my main source of income for nearly three years, and I’ve had the opportunity to write for prestigious platforms like Forbes.

Writing offers flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere in the world. I’ve traveled to six continents while making a living with my laptop. As a freelance writer, you can also specialize in niche areas and learn valuable skills like search engine optimization (SEO) and affiliate marketing, which can significantly boost your earning potential.

7. Blogging

Blogging is one of my most successful side hustles and has crossed the $1 million revenue mark. I started my blog, This Online World, in 2018 while still in school. In the first year, the blog earned just $1,700 from Google AdSense and affiliate links. However, the income grew to over $20,000 in the second year, $92,000 in the third year, $272,000 in the fourth year, and over $500,000 in 2023.

Scaling my blog into a full-time business involved creating valuable content and learning the basics of SEO and affiliate marketing. I initially spent about $150 on a domain name and a basic WordPress theme. It wasn’t until a few years later that I began working with freelance writers and editors.

Despite challenges such as AI and Google algorithm updates, blogging remains a viable way to make money. You can monetize through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and display ads. Blogging also allows for geoarbitrage opportunities, meaning you can earn in stronger currencies while living abroad. My blog has made over a million dollars in Canadian revenue, demonstrating the potential of this business model.

8. Investing

Finally, I want to mention investing as a side hustle that has potential for long-term success. Investing has been a part of my financial strategy for years. Thanks to advances in technology, it’s easier than ever to start investing with minimal fees.

These days, you can open a commission-free trading account with your bank or an online broker and invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and more. There are also safe and simple options like high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs. I personally invest a portion of my income each month into various assets to build a diverse portfolio.

Investing is a side hustle that anyone can start with little money. Many platforms allow you to invest with as little as $5. It’s a great way to make your money work for you, and I hope you consider starting to invest as you explore side hustle opportunities.

So, that wraps up my list of the eight most successful side hustles I’ve tried. From passive income apps to blogging and investing, these hustles have not only made money but have also shaped my career and lifestyle. I hope you find this information helpful and that it inspires you to start your own side hustle journey. Thanks for reading!

FAQs:

What is the best legit side hustle?

The best legit side hustle depends on your skills, interests, and availability. Popular and reputable options include:

Freelancing: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr allow you to offer services such as writing, graphic design, or programming.
Online Tutoring: If you have expertise in a particular subject, consider tutoring on websites like Chegg or Tutor.com.
E-commerce: Selling products on platforms like Etsy or eBay can be profitable, especially if you have a niche product or craft.

Virtual Assistant: Many businesses need help with administrative tasks, which you can provide remotely.
Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services through your blog or social media and earn commissions on sales.

Each of these side hustles has a track record of legitimacy and can be tailored to fit various schedules and skill sets.

How can I make $2000 a month side hustle?

To make $2000 a month from a side hustle, you can:

Freelance Work: Take on multiple projects in your area of expertise. For instance, if you charge $50 per hour, you would need to work 40 hours per week to reach $2000.
Online Courses: Create and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable. High-quality courses on in-demand topics can generate significant income.

Dropshipping: Start an online store with dropshipping, where you sell products without holding inventory. Success requires effective marketing and customer service.
Remote Consulting: Offer consulting services in your field. If you can charge $100 per hour, working 20 hours per week could meet your goal.
Blogging or YouTube: Build an audience and monetize through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. Consistency and quality content are key.

Combining several smaller income streams can also help you achieve this monthly target.

Are there any real online side hustles?

Yes, there are many real and effective online side hustles, including:

Freelancing: Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr connect you with clients looking for a wide range of services.

Online Surveys: Companies like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie pay for your opinions on various topics.
Content Creation: Blogging or creating a YouTube channel can be lucrative once you build an audience and monetize through ads and sponsorships.
Remote Customer Service: Many companies hire remote customer service representatives to handle inquiries and support.

Selling Digital Products: E-books, printables, or online courses can generate passive income.

Each of these options has the potential to be a legitimate source of income with the right approach and effort.

Which side hustle pays the most?

The highest-paying side hustles often require specialized skills or experience. Some top contenders include:

Freelance Consulting: High-demand fields like business, technology, or finance can command high rates.
Software Development: If you have coding skills, freelance software or app development can be very lucrative.
Digital Marketing: Skills in SEO, PPC, or social media management can be highly sought after and well-compensated.

Private Tutoring: Especially in high-demand subjects like advanced math or test preparation, tutoring can pay very well.
Affiliate Marketing: Successful affiliate marketers can earn substantial income from commissions, especially if they focus on high-ticket items or niches.

Ultimately, the highest-paying side hustle for you will depend on your skill set, experience, and market demand.

We strongly recommend that you check out our guide on how to take advantage of AI in today’s passive income economy.