24 Side Hustles NO ONE Talks About That Make $10,000 Per Month
Intro: The Quest for the Ultimate Side Hustle
Side hustles: the magical unicorns of the modern economy. We’ve all heard the stories of people earning six figures a year doing something quirky, like flipping Pokémon cards or writing fanfiction about anthropomorphic vegetables. And while it sounds outlandish, let me assure you—earning $10,000 a month isn’t just for internet gurus with suspiciously curated Instagram feeds.
The trick? Finding the right hustle, putting in the work, and staying consistent. But let’s keep it real: this isn’t about overnight success. (Unless you’re the person who invented the Squatty Potty. In that case, bravo.) Instead, this guide is packed with 24 unique, actionable, and dare-I-say brilliant ways to make $10,000 a month without selling questionable detox teas.
Ready to hustle? Let’s dive in.
1. Create a “Niche” YouTube Channel
Everyone knows about YouTube, but instead of being a generic vlogger, go niche. The weirder, the better. Think “medieval reenactments of pop songs” or “hamster furniture building.” Niche channels thrive because they attract super-specific audiences who are passionate about the content.
How to Start:
- Brainstorm niche ideas that align with your hobbies or skills.
- Get a decent camera and editing software (or use free tools like DaVinci Resolve).
- Post consistently and optimize videos for SEO.
- Monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
Funny Bonus Tip:
If you can get a pet involved (a hamster, dog, or lizard), congratulations—you’re halfway to YouTube fame.
2. Rent Out Unusual Spaces
Have an attic that looks like the set of a horror movie? Or a backyard that could double as a tiny wedding venue? Rent it out on platforms like Peerspace or Giggster. Photographers, filmmakers, and event planners are always looking for unique locations.
How to Start:
- Take good photos of your space (angles matter!).
- List it on platforms like Peerspace.
- Offer customizable packages—add props or decorations for extra cash.
Why It Works:
People will pay a premium for spaces that are Instagram-worthy. Think “vintage farmhouse vibes” or “creepy basement aesthetic.”
3. Sell Custom AI-Generated Art
AI art is a trend, and people are cashing in big time by selling unique, custom pieces. You don’t even need to be an artist—tools like MidJourney or DALL-E can help you create stunning visuals.
How to Start:
- Learn how to use AI art tools (most are user-friendly).
- Sell prints on Etsy or Redbubble, or offer custom designs for businesses.
- Market your art as one-of-a-kind digital collectibles or decor pieces.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Create an AI art series called “Cats Doing Human Jobs” and watch the Internet throw money at you.
4. Be a Professional Cuddler (No, Really)
Yes, this is a real thing. Professional cuddlers provide platonic cuddling services for people who need physical comfort. The pay is surprisingly high, and the demand is growing.
How to Start:
- Join platforms like Cuddle Comfort or Snuggle Salon.
- Get certified in cuddle therapy (yes, there are certifications).
- Offer services locally and set your rates (average: $80-$100/hour).
Why It Works:
In today’s hyper-digital world, people crave human connection. Plus, cuddling is scientifically proven to reduce stress.
5. Launch a Microgreens Business
Microgreens are tiny plants with big profit potential. Chefs, health nuts, and smoothie enthusiasts love them, and they’re easy to grow at home.
How to Start:
- Buy seeds and grow trays online.
- Learn the basics through YouTube tutorials or microgreens courses.
- Sell to local restaurants, farmers’ markets, or directly to consumers.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Name your business something cheeky like “Tiny Greens, Big Dreams.”
6. Ghostwrite Dating App Profiles
Yes, people will pay you to write witty, attention-grabbing dating app bios and messages.
How to Start:
- Advertise your services on Fiverr or social media.
- Charge per profile or per hour ($50-$200).
- Offer add-ons like “first-date conversation scripts.”
Why It Works:
Some people are great at swiping but terrible at writing. Enter you, the Cyrano de Bergerac of Tinder.
7. Start a Subscription Box for Odd Items
Everyone loves subscription boxes, but the market for odd or niche boxes is booming. Think “monthly weird socks” or “bizarre snacks from around the world.”
How to Start:
- Choose a unique theme.
- Find suppliers or curate items yourself.
- Use platforms like Cratejoy to manage subscriptions.
Funny Bonus Tip:
A box called “Things You Definitely Don’t Need” could be oddly successful.
8. Flip Websites
Website flipping is like flipping houses but way less stressful. Buy underperforming websites, improve them, and sell for a profit.
How to Start:
- Find undervalued websites on platforms like Flippa.
- Optimize the site with better design, SEO, and monetization.
- Sell for 2-3x the purchase price.
Why It Works:
A well-optimized site can go from earning $100/month to $1,000/month, making it way more valuable.
9. Rent Out Tools or Equipment
Have a garage full of tools you rarely use? Rent them out to DIY enthusiasts or contractors through platforms like Loanables or Fat Llama.
How to Start:
- Inventory your tools and equipment.
- Create detailed listings with photos.
- Set competitive rental prices.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Rename your ladder “The Stairway to Riches” for marketing flair.
10. Become a Virtual Reality Tour Creator
With VR tech booming, people pay big bucks for immersive virtual tours of real estate, museums, or travel destinations.
How to Start:
- Invest in a 360-degree camera.
- Learn VR software like Matterport.
- Market your services to real estate agents or tourism boards.
Why It Works:
VR tours can make properties or attractions more accessible and appealing to remote audiences.
11. Create and Sell Custom Board Games
If you’re creative, design a board game and sell it through Kickstarter or Etsy. Board game enthusiasts are always looking for something fresh.
How to Start:
- Brainstorm a unique concept and playtest with friends.
- Use tools like Tabletop Simulator for digital prototyping.
- Crowdfund your game or sell it directly online.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Create a game called “Side Hustle Simulator,” where players compete to make $10K/month.
12. Start a “Luxury Picnic” Service
Luxury picnics are Instagram gold. Set up aesthetic picnic experiences for couples, birthdays, or proposals.
How to Start:
- Buy picnic essentials: blankets, baskets, fancy tableware.
- Market your service through Instagram or local ads.
- Offer customizable themes (boho, romantic, beach vibes).
Why It Works:
People love the idea of a fancy picnic but hate the hassle of planning it.
13. Offer Specialized Online Coaching
Everyone’s a coach these days, but the key is to go super niche—think “vegan weightlifters” or “introverts in corporate jobs.”
How to Start:
- Identify your niche expertise.
- Create coaching packages and set up a website.
- Market through social media and networking.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Market yourself as “The Only Coach Who Gets You.” (Because, let’s be honest, people love exclusivity.)
14. Be a TikTok Sound Designer
TikTok creators need catchy, original sounds for their videos. If you have basic audio editing skills, you can sell sounds to content creators.
How to Start:
- Use software like Audacity or GarageBand.
- Sell custom sounds on Fiverr or Gumroad.
- Offer royalty-free tracks for a premium.
Why It Works:
TikTok’s demand for unique audio clips is exploding, and creators are willing to pay.
15. Create Digital Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are all the rage, but you don’t need a physical location to make one. Design digital escape rooms for team-building events or family fun.
How to Start:
- Learn escape room design basics through online guides.
- Use platforms like Google Forms or Genially for interactive puzzles.
- Market to corporate clients and schools.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Make the theme “Escape the Zoom Meeting” for extra relatability.
16. Curate and Sell Vintage Digital Downloads
If you’ve ever stumbled across old maps, vintage postcards, or retro advertisements, you know they ooze charm. You can digitize these treasures and sell them as digital downloads for craft projects, decor, or gifts.
How to Start:
- Hunt for vintage items at flea markets, thrift shops, or estate sales.
- Scan them in high resolution and clean them up with Photoshop or Canva.
- List them on Etsy or your own website with creative tags like “printable vintage Paris map.”
Why It Works:
Crafters, scrapbookers, and design enthusiasts are always on the lookout for unique digital assets.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Call your collection something quirky like “Grandma’s Digital Attic.” Bonus points for leaning into the nostalgia!
17. Become a Virtual Reality Fitness Trainer
With VR headsets like Oculus becoming more popular, there’s a growing demand for VR fitness classes. Gamers want to stay fit, and fitness buffs are curious about tech. Enter you, the fitness-loving nerd who brings these worlds together.
How to Start:
- Invest in a VR headset and fitness app like Supernatural or FitXR.
- Learn how to lead engaging, interactive classes within the platform.
- Market your services through social media or by partnering with gyms that want a tech-savvy edge.
Why It Works:
VR fitness is a booming market, and you can charge premium rates for 1-on-1 virtual coaching.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Prepare to answer this question daily: “Does VR fitness actually work?” Your reply? “You’ll feel the burn… and also look like a superhero while doing it.”
18. Operate a “Weird but Useful” Product Review Blog
Have a knack for finding bizarre-yet-practical gadgets on Amazon? Turn that skill into cash by creating a review blog. Think of products like “umbrella hats” or “toaster tongs.”
How to Start:
- Choose a memorable domain name like UsefulButWeird.com.
- Write detailed, honest reviews with affiliate links to the products.
- Monetize through ads, affiliate sales, and sponsorships from quirky brands.
Why It Works:
People love entertaining reviews of stuff they never knew they needed. (Hello, banana slicer reviews!)
Funny Bonus Tip:
Make your writing so funny that people visit your blog just for laughs—even if they don’t buy the product.
19. Start a Drone Photography Business
If you’ve got a good eye for photography and some cash to invest, drone photography is a lucrative and unique niche. Real estate agents, wedding planners, and tourism companies all need jaw-dropping aerial shots.
How to Start:
- Buy a drone and get licensed (depending on local regulations).
- Practice flying and capturing cinematic footage.
- Create a portfolio and market to realtors, event planners, and small businesses.
Why It Works:
Drone footage is in high demand, and clients will pay a premium for high-quality shots.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Call yourself “The Flying Photographer” and include dramatic sound effects when you present your work.
20. Teach “Unusual” Skills Online
Forget boring topics like algebra—people want to learn fun, quirky skills. Think “how to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded” or “the basics of yodeling.”
How to Start:
- Identify your unusual talent.
- Create an online course on platforms like Teachable, Skillshare, or Udemy.
- Promote your course through social media and niche forums.
Why It Works:
Unusual courses stand out and attract curious learners looking for something different.
Funny Bonus Tip:
If your skill is truly bizarre, lean into the humor when marketing it. “Become the World’s Next Great Kazoo Player” practically sells itself.
21. Offer “Decluttering Therapy”
Marie Kondo meets therapist vibes. Help people declutter their homes and their minds simultaneously.
How to Start:
- Take a course in decluttering or organizing (optional but useful).
- Offer virtual or in-person decluttering sessions.
- Market yourself on platforms like Instagram or TaskRabbit.
Why It Works:
Decluttering is emotional work, and many people need both practical help and moral support to tackle it.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Start a podcast called Messy Minds, Messy Closets. Record every time someone tries to keep a pair of jeans “just in case.”
22. Become a Voiceover Artist for Niche Projects
Got a smooth or quirky voice? Use it to voice audiobooks, commercials, or even characters in mobile games.
How to Start:
- Invest in a good microphone and soundproof setup.
- Create a demo reel showcasing your range.
- List your services on platforms like Voices.com, Fiverr, or Upwork.
Why It Works:
Niche industries like indie games, small YouTube channels, and educational apps are always looking for affordable voiceover talent.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Specialize in cartoonish voices and market yourself as “The Voice of Your Inner Child.”
23. Organize Virtual Murder Mysteries
Virtual murder mystery games are a hit for team-building events and parties. If you have a flair for drama and storytelling, you can host them as a side hustle.
How to Start:
- Write a few engaging murder mystery scripts or buy pre-made ones.
- Set up themed Zoom calls and charge participants for tickets.
- Offer customization options for corporate clients.
Why It Works:
It’s fun, interactive, and doesn’t require much upfront investment.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Dress up as the detective and give over-the-top dramatic monologues. People will pay extra for the theatrics.
24. Start a Personalized “Good News” Delivery Service
People are bombarded with bad news, but you can flip the script by delivering customized good news via email or video.
How to Start:
- Set up a website where people can submit details about their recipient.
- Craft heartwarming, funny, or inspiring messages tailored to each person.
- Charge per message or offer subscriptions for recurring doses of good vibes.
Why It Works:
In a world of doomscrolling, people are willing to pay for positivity.
Funny Bonus Tip:
Include ridiculous add-ons, like singing telegrams or hand-drawn portraits of the recipient hugging a puppy.
Conclusion: Pick Your Hustle and Get Hustling!
There you have it—24 unique side hustles that could help you hit the elusive $10,000-a-month milestone. The trick is to pick one (or two), commit to it, and embrace your inner entrepreneur. Yes, it’ll take work, but the payoff could be life-changing—or at least enough to fund your coffee addiction and then some.
And remember: the best side hustle is the one that makes you laugh, pays the bills, and doesn’t involve selling dubious supplements to your friends. Now go forth and hustle—your bank account will thank you.