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In today’s fast-paced digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being utilized not just by tech giants and skilled engineers but also by everyday entrepreneurs and freelancers to create new opportunities and boost their income.
While AI can streamline tasks, unlock creative potential, and open up lucrative niches, there’s an ongoing debate among experts about which AI side hustles genuinely offer sustainable prospects versus those that are merely clickbait promoted by marketers.
In this guide, we focus on AI side hustles that show legitimate promise or are already helping people generate income online.
1. Social media content creation
Using AI to generate social media graphics and copywriting is an accessible side hustle for those interested in digital marketing.
This gig involves designing eye-catching graphics and crafting engaging text for various online platforms using tools like Canva for visuals and Jasper for writing.
For example, at DollarSprout, we pay a freelance graphic designer to create Pinterest pins for our blog content and eye-catching thumbnails for our YouTube video content. (If you pin this post, you can see the image they created).
Starting is straightforward, and you can quickly build a portfolio that attracts clients seeking to enhance their social media engagement.
- Difficulty: Easy. The tools involved are user-friendly and designed for those without professional design or writing experience.
- Earning Potential: You can expect to earn anywhere from $500 to $2,500 a month depending on the number of clients and projects you take on.
Begin by familiarizing yourself with a design tool like Canva, which offers a wide range of templates and design elements to help you create professional-quality graphics.
For copywriting, platforms like Jasper can assist in generating engaging written content that resonates with audiences.
Then, build a portfolio by creating sample posts and offer your services on freelance platforms like Upwork — or, directly approach small businesses and startups.
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2. AI-generated voiceovers
AI-generated voiceovers leverage advanced text-to-speech technology to create professional-sounding spoken content from written text. This side hustle is an easy way to make money online by producing voiceovers for videos, advertisements, educational materials, and more, without the need for traditional recording equipment.
Not so long ago, we paid a voiceover artist $650 to record a 45-second spot for a brand promo video. Her experience — and the finished product — were worth every penny, but it highlights what brands are willing to pay for professional-sounding voiceovers.
For less important work, or brands with smaller budgets, AI-generated voiceovers may be the perfect solution for their project needs.
- Difficulty: Easy. Modern text-to-speech software is designed to be user-friendly, allowing even novices to produce high-quality audio content.
- Earning Potential: Ranges from $200 to $1,500 monthly, depending on project complexity and client base.
Begin by experimenting with text-to-speech platforms like Speechify or Murf to understand their capabilities and the quality of voice simulations they can produce.
Then, build a small portfolio demonstrating different tones and styles, and market your services on freelance platforms such as Fiverr or Upwork.
Reaching out directly to content creators who may need voiceovers for YouTube videos or e-learning content could also be a fruitful approach.
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3. Photo colorization
Photo colorization using AI is an easy side hustle that involves breathing new life into old black-and-white photos by adding color.
This task, which blends hobby with technology, is now significantly more accessible thanks to AI tools that handle nearly all of the work.
- Difficulty: Easy. Modern AI tools like CapCut and DeOldify can automate the colorization process, making it simple for anyone to start, regardless of their background in photo editing.
- Earning Potential: Income can vary but typically ranges from $100 to $1,000 per month, depending on the demand and your marketing efforts.
To begin, experiment with AI colorization tools to understand their capabilities. Start by enhancing personal photos or public domain images to build a diverse portfolio.
Showcase your work on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, where visual content thrives and can attract clients interested in restoring historical photographs or personal mementos.
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4. YouTube thumbnail creation
Thumbnails act as the primary visual draw for viewers on YouTube, making or breaking a viewer’s decision to click on a video.
By utilizing AI, even those without extensive graphic design skills can produce eye-catching thumbnails that stand out in a crowded feed.
This not only enhances the visibility of videos but also plays a critical role in boosting a channel’s overall engagement and view counts.
- Difficulty: Easy. Tools like Canva, CapCut, and Adobe Express streamline the thumbnail creation process with their user-friendly features such as automatic resizing and text enhancement.
- Earning Potential: Depending on the frequency of projects and the profile of the clients, creators can earn between $200 and $1,500 per month by designing YouTube thumbnails.
To get started, delve into the principles of effective thumbnail design, such as using bright colors, clear fonts, and engaging imagery.
Practice with AI-driven design platforms to harness their full potential, creating a range of sample thumbnails to display in your portfolio.
Promote your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, and learn to use cold email campaigns to effectively reach YouTubers who might benefit from a professional touch on their video previews.
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5. Product photo editing
Product photo editing using AI tools is becoming increasingly popular among freelancers who specialize in enhancing e-commerce images.
This is essential for online businesses that rely on visually compelling product photos to attract and convert customers. By using AI, editors can efficiently handle tasks such as background removal, color correction, and even intricate detail enhancements, making product listings stand out in highly competitive markets.
- Difficulty: Easy. Today’s AI-powered editing tools simplify the editing process, allowing for high-quality results without the need for advanced manual skills.
- Earning Potential: This side hustle can generate earnings from $500 to $3,000 per month, depending on the volume of work and the complexity of the projects handled.
To begin, use AI tools like CapCut, AutoRetouch, or Remini which are designed to automate and enhance photo editing tasks. Then, develop a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to transform basic product images into professional, sale-ready photos.
Promote your services through freelance platforms, social media, or by directly contacting e-commerce businesses that could benefit from improved imagery.
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6. Clothing model photos
Using tools like CapCut, designers and retailers can upload their clothing line images and seamlessly project them onto realistic AI-generated models. Fortunately, very few merchants know about this yet and that’s where you can step in: offering this as a service.
This technology not only streamlines the production of model photos by eliminating the need for physical photoshoots but also offers significant cost savings and creative flexibility.
You can adjust everything from the model’s pose to the background, ensuring that the final images perfectly align with the brand’s aesthetic and marketing goals.
- Difficulty: Easy. Requires minimal technical skills to get started.
- Earning Potential: Freelancers can earn from $500 to $3,000 per month, depending on the volume of work and the prestige of the clients they serve.
To begin, familiarize yourself with AI modeling software like CapCut. Start by experimenting with different clothing images and settings to produce a variety of model photos.
Then, build a portfolio to showcase your ability to appealing model images. Market your services to boutique clothing brands and e-commerce sites that may be interested in enhancing their online product displays without the logistical complexities of traditional photoshoots.
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7. Create digital products with AI
From interactive e-books that cater to specific educational needs to simple things like Excel templates that can be customized for various businesses, AI tools simplify the process of creating profitable digital products.
Other popular digital product ideas might include personalized fitness plans that adapt to user feedback, nutrition guides tailored to dietary preferences, and comprehensive online courses that cover everything from photography to finance.
For the artistically inclined, AI can assist in designing unique art pieces, music compositions, or even children’s books. This approach is not only efficient but also opens up global market opportunities for entrepreneurs to monetize their creative or technical skills.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. While AI facilitates many aspects of product creation, a successful digital product also requires effective marketing and an understanding of your target niche.
- Earning Potential: The income from digital products can vary widely, with potential earnings ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month, depending on market demand and the uniqueness of the products.
To get started, first identify a niche or area where you have expertise or a unique creative angle. Utilize AI tools such as Canva for graphic design, Jasper for content creation, or platforms like Teachable for developing educational courses.
These tools can help automate the design and content creation process, making it easier to produce and refine your products. Once your products are ready, set up an online store on platforms like Shopify, or through your own website, and employ digital marketing strategies across social media and other online channels to attract and build your customer base.
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8. AI-powered niche sites
By employing AI, creators can automate and enhance the content creation process, using tools to generate articles, manage SEO, or even interact with visitors via AI-driven chatbots.
For example, AI can help by suggesting trending keywords, writing initial article drafts, or optimizing content for search engines based on current algorithm trends.
Popular types of niche sites that can benefit from AI include those focused on niche hobbies, specialized diets, unique investment strategies, or specific tech gadgets.
These sites often monetize through affiliate marketing, where they earn commissions by recommending products; display advertising, using platforms like Google AdSense; or selling digital products and memberships.
AI significantly cuts down the time and effort needed to manage these sites by automating routine tasks. It can generate fresh content regularly, ensure the content is SEO-friendly, and even tailor marketing emails to segmented audiences, thus increasing engagement and revenue.
- Difficulty: Moderate. While AI tools simplify many tasks, success in niche sites often requires familiarity with the niche itself and effective digital marketing strategies.
- Earning Potential: Income varies widely but can be quite lucrative. Niche sites typically earn from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month, depending on traffic, niche selection, and monetization strategies.
To get started, select a niche you are passionate about or have expertise in.
Utilize AI content tools like Jasper for content creation and Surfer SEO for search engine optimization.
Set up your website with an affordable hosting service like Bluehost, and begin populating it with AI-generated content. Monitor analytics to understand your audience better and refine your content and ads accordingly.
Finally, explore different monetization strategies to maximize your site’s earning potential.
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9. Generate stock music with AI
AI music generators allow users to effortlessly craft unique soundtracks and songs, manipulating elements like tempo, genre, and instrumentation.
This side hustle is ideal for creating bespoke music for content creators, marketers, and game developers who require tailored audio for various projects.
For instance, as highlighted in one of our side hustle features, this lawyer moonlights as a stock music composer, earning a passive $300 per month selling stock music. To date, he’s made more than $10,000 with this gig.
- Difficulty: Moderate. Platforms Audoir, AIVA, or Landr are user-friendly, making it possible for those without musical training to produce quality music.
- Earning Potential: Monthly earnings can range from $200 to $1,500, depending on the uniqueness of the compositions and the clientele.
To begin, familiarize yourself with different AI music creation tools that offer customizable options for creating varied music styles.
Develop a portfolio of tracks that highlight your style and ability to adapt to different musical needs.
Market your services through freelance and stock music platforms, or reach out directly to businesses in industries such as gaming, film, and advertising that consistently seek out original soundtracks.
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10. AI-assisted freelance writing
Freelance writing supplemented by AI allows writers to streamline their workflow, from drafting initial outlines to refining final drafts.
AI tools can assist in research, grammar, style suggestions, and even content ideation and creation, making it easier to handle larger volumes of work or complex topics without compromising on quality.
For example, in the past, it would take our editors an hour or more of work to draft an article outline and identify keywords that people could potentially search for to find the finished piece.
Now, using ChatGPT, our editors can create comprehensive briefs for writers, including plausible titles, article descriptions, appropriate headers, and a list of keywords, in mere minutes.
- Difficulty: Moderate. While AI tools simplify the process, effective writing still requires a strong grasp of language and subject matter expertise.
- Earning Potential: Earnings can range from $500 to $3,000 per month, greatly depending on your skill level, the complexity of topics, and client demand.
Start by familiarizing yourself with AI writing tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Grammarly, which can help streamline the writing and editing process.
Then, create a portfolio of sample writings to showcase your ability to potential clients on platforms like LinkedIn, Contently, or directly through your own professional website.
Marketing your services effectively is key—consider specializing in niches where AI can significantly enhance research and content development, such as tech, finance, or health.
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Related: 12 Ways to Grow Your Income as a Freelance Writer
11. AI-generated video content for YouTube
AI-generated video content for YouTube offers a flexible path for content creators looking to maintain faceless channels or freelance creators aiming to produce videos for clients. Specifically, AI technology enables the production of a wide range of content, including tutorials, reviews, and news updates, without the need for on-screen presence.
AI tools can automate scripting, voiceovers, and editing, making it possible to rapidly produce high-quality videos that are optimized for viewer engagement.
For those managing their own channels, AI allows for consistent content creation, crucial for building and maintaining an audience. Alternatively, freelancers can use these skills to offer video production services to other YouTubers or businesses looking to expand their digital footprint without managing daily content creation themselves.
- Difficulty: Moderate. The technology simplifies production, but success requires understanding YouTube’s algorithm and audience engagement strategies.
- Earning Potential: Earnings can vary widely. Channel owners might earn from ad revenue and sponsorships, while freelancers can charge per project or on a retainer basis, typically earning between $500 to $5,000 per month based on the scope of their projects.
Start by identifying a niche that suits automated video production. Then, master AI tools like Synthesia or Lumen5 to create engaging videos from text inputs.
If you’re aiming to freelance, develop a portfolio showcasing a range of content styles and market your services to potential clients. Use YouTube SEO techniques to enhance video reach and analyze engagement data to refine content and strategy continually.
📽️ Invideo has a great guide on setting up a faceless YouTube channel using AI that you can read here.
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Related: How This Teacher Turned YouTuber Makes $40,000 a Month
12. AI-driven ad management
AI-driven ad management is transforming digital marketing by enabling more precise and effective campaign management. This side hustle involves leveraging AI tools to automate and optimize ad placements, targeting, and bidding strategies across platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads.
For instance, AI can analyze historical data to predict which demographics are most likely to convert, optimize bids in real-time to maximize budget efficiency, and test different ad creatives to identify the most effective messaging.
Specifically, AI can be used to segment audiences based on their behavior and preferences, allowing for highly personalized ad campaigns. It can also predict customer lifetime value, helping to focus efforts on the most profitable segments.
Furthermore, AI-driven tools can dynamically adjust ad content based on user interactions, such as changing calls to action based on the time of day or a user’s previous engagement with the brand.
- Difficulty: Moderate to High. Effective AI-driven ad management requires a solid understanding of both AI technology and digital marketing strategies.
- Earning Potential: Ad managers using AI effectively can significantly boost their earnings, with potential monthly income ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000, depending on the scale and success of the campaigns managed.
To get started, gain expertise in digital marketing through certified marketing courses offered by Google or HubSpot, or go more in-depth with a course that walks you through the process of creating an ad agency.
Then, familiarize yourself with AI advertising tools like Google Ads AI for optimizing search campaigns or AdCreative which helps with ad design and performance testing.
Start small by managing campaigns for local businesses or start-ups, using AI to demonstrate clear improvements in ROI, and gradually build a portfolio that showcases your ability to leverage AI for more complex campaigns.
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13. E-commerce optimization with AI
AI can now be used to analyze customer data and behavior, enabling personalized shopping experiences, such as product recommendations tailored to individual preferences or predictive search functionalities that anticipate customer needs. Additionally, AI tools can optimize pricing strategies in real time based on market demand, competitor pricing, and inventory levels.
For example, AI can automate the management of large inventories, dynamically adjust pricing, and create personalized email marketing campaigns targeted at specific user segments. These capabilities not only improve user engagement but also help e-commerce sites to scale efficiently by automating repetitive tasks and providing insights into consumer behavior trends. Effective AI implementation can lead to significant improvements in customer retention and overall profitability.
Popular methods for monetizing these optimizations include upselling and cross-selling personalized product recommendations, using AI-driven chatbots to handle customer inquiries and drive sales, and implementing dynamic pricing strategies to help maximize profit margins.
- Difficulty: High. Implementing AI in e-commerce requires not only technical know-how but also a strategic understanding of marketing and customer service.
- Earning Potential: Freelancers specializing in AI e-commerce optimization can expect to earn between $1,000 and $5,000 per month, depending on the complexity of the projects and the value they bring to client businesses.
To get started, identify key areas of your e-commerce business that can benefit from automation and personalization.
Integrate AI tools like chatbots for customer service (e.g., Chatbot.com), personalized recommendation engines (e.g., Algolia), and dynamic pricing software (e.g., Prisync).
Start by offering your services to small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses that might not have the in-house capabilities to implement advanced AI solutions.
Build a portfolio of successful case studies that demonstrate how your services have improved client sales and operational efficiency on platforms such as Upwork, and use this to attract larger clients.
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Ethical and Legal Considerations
When using AI to accelerate content creation, it’s important to follow ethical guidelines to ensure compliance with legal standards and maintain the trust of your audience. Here’s a best practice list for navigating these considerations effectively:
- Understand Copyright Laws: Familiarize yourself with intellectual property rights and copyright laws to ensure that your use of AI does not inadvertently infringe on the rights of others.
- Provide Transparency: Be transparent with your audience about the use of AI in your content creation process. This can include disclosing AI involvement in content production in your credits or descriptions.
- Check for Accuracy: AI-generated content can frequently produce inaccuracies or “hallucinations.” Always review and fact-check AI-generated content before publishing to ensure it meets your editorial guidelines.
- Seek Permission: If your AI tools use existing content as a base for learning and generation, ensure you have the necessary permissions for that content. This is especially critical if the AI-generated output closely resembles the original copyrighted materials.
By adhering to these guidelines, content creators can harness the power of AI in their workflows while respecting legal boundaries and maintaining ethical standards.
Related: We Asked Over 1,000 Everyday People About AI. Here’s What They Said.
Popular AI Tools
From enhancing written content to automating video production, these popular AI tools are empowering freelancers to boost efficiency and output quality, helping them stay competitive in various niches.
| Category | AI Tools | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Copywriting | ChatGPT, Jasper, Copy.ai | AI for generating text and enhancing content quality. |
| Video Creation | CapCut, Lumen5, Synthesia | Automate video creation from text content. |
| Photo Editing | Canva, Remini, Luminar Neo | Enhance photos using AI-powered tools. |
| Music Generation | Audoir, AIVA, Landr | Create music with AI, no expertise needed. |
| Web Design | Wix ADI | AI-driven automatic web design. |
| Ad Management | AdEspresso, AdCreative.ai | Optimize ads with AI-driven insights. |
| SEO & Content Marketing | Surfer SEO, MarketMuse | AI to analyze and optimize SEO strategies. |
| E-commerce Optimization | Algolia, Prisync | AI for personalized e-commerce experiences. |
| Chatbots | Chatbot.com | Develop AI-driven chatbots for enhanced customer interaction. |
The Future is Already Here
Incredible stories of AI-driven success reveal a future that’s already unfolding before our eyes.
From the story of Dimeadozen, a digital product that unexpectedly sold for thousands, to a photographer who found a niche creating unique dog posters using AI, the scope of what’s achievable is vast and varied.
These examples highlight not just what AI is capable of today, but also hint at its evolving role in shaping entrepreneurial ventures in the years to come.
Related:
- 42 Easy Ways to Make Money Fast
- 16 Realistic Ways to Quickly Make $1,000
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