What Worked When I Tried Side Hustles Full Time

Did you know that many popular side hustles can be more hype than profit? After nearly a decade of trial and error in the online business world, I’ve identified which ones actually deliver and which ones fall flat.

In today’s world, the allure of side hustles can be irresistible. Many people seek ways to boost income or achieve financial freedom. After being fired from a startup about ten years ago and scrambling to find my footing, I tested a variety of side hustles. Some turned out to be golden opportunities; others barely made a dent. Below, I break down the three I’d avoid and the three that consistently generate results, so you can focus your energy where it counts.

The Three Failed Side Hustles

Learning from our mistakes can be just as valuable as celebrating wins. Here are the three side hustles I tried that didn’t work out—and why.

1. Rain Ambiance Videos on YouTube
   A few years ago, black screen rain videos exploded in popularity on YouTube. I spent months curating stock footage, syncing audio loops, and uploading dozens of videos. Despite following every “how-to” tutorial, my AdSense revenue was dismal. In a saturated niche, originality matters—and with AI-generated clips flooding the platform, my channel failed to stand out. YouTube now deprioritizes generic content, so if your idea can be replicated by a simple script, expect minimal traction.

2. AI-Generated Automated YouTube Content
   Next, I experimented with converting my written blog posts into text-on-screen videos, paired with AI-sourced B-roll. Initially, I saw modest growth, but YouTube’s policies quickly changed. The platform cracked down on channels that relied on mass-produced, unoriginal content. While you can still create “faceless” channels, you must use your own footage or unique concepts—don’t just stitch together AI clips and call it a day.

3. AI-Powered Niche Affiliate Blogs
   Finally, I built niche affiliate marketing blogs using AI tools like ChatGPT to generate articles. I even outsourced writing to teams who pumped out dozens of posts per week. Google’s algorithms, however, flagged this low-value content and stripped all my rankings. The lesson? Originality reigns supreme. If you launch a blog, write your own articles or heavily revise AI drafts. Genuine insights and personal touches will help you climb search results.

The common thread among these failures? If it can be easily automated by artificial intelligence and everybody is doing it that way, the market is too crowded.

Three Side Hustles That Actually Work

After those flops, here are three side hustles that have consistently proven successful—and scalable—over the years:

1. Create Educational Courses on Skillshare and Udemy
   Do you have expertise or a unique skill? Packaging that knowledge into an online course can generate passive income for years. The barrier of entry often holds people back—yet you don’t need to be the world’s top expert, just a few steps ahead of your audience. Record your screen while presenting a slide deck, or film yourself teaching with a smartphone. Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare handle marketing, pricing, and sales management. I know several friends who taught basic coding, photography, or Excel tricks and now earn hundreds of dollars monthly with minimal upkeep.

2. Print On Demand
   Print on demand allows you to sell custom merchandise—such as t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags—without inventory or shipping headaches. Simply design graphics on your computer or tablet, upload them to a print on demand marketplace, and set your prices. When a customer places an order, the service prints and ships the item, and you collect a profit share. This side hustle is ideal for beginners: no upfront costs, no minimum orders, and instant feedback as you test different designs. For a complete walkthrough, check out my full Print On Demand tutorial.

3. Affiliate Marketing
   Affiliate marketing—essentially online referrals—lets you earn commissions by promoting products and services. Sign up for free affiliate programs, then create valuable content around those offerings. You can write in-depth review articles, publish comparison videos on YouTube, or share honest recommendations via your social channels. As someone who’s experimented with multiple strategies, I’ve found that long-form blog posts combined with targeted SEO can drive steady, high-value traffic. For step-by-step guidance, watch my affiliate marketing tutorial, which breaks down the best practices and avoids common pitfalls.

Each of these side hustles leverages originality, personal expertise, and low overhead. They require effort upfront but can yield lasting returns when done right.

Conclusion

Choosing the right side hustle is about aligning your skills, interests, and market demand. Focus on ventures where you can add genuine value rather than chasing the latest AI-powered shortcut.

• Bold takeaway: Prioritize side hustles that leverage your unique expertise and creativity—avoid models that anyone can replicate with a script.

Have you tried a side hustle that surprised you—either positively or negatively? Share your experiences in the comments below; your insights could be the next person’s ticket to success!