46 Weird Ways To Make Money Online

If you’re looking for weird ways to make money online, this list of 46 unique ideas could be just what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re strapped for cash or simply looking for a change from your day job, there are a number of ways to boost your income.

Many of these side hustles can be done from the comfort of your home, and some even have the potential to become full-time gigs.

Get My Free Mini Course On How To Start A Successful Ecommerce Store

If you are interested in starting an ecommerce business, I put together a comprehensive package of resources that will help you launch your own online store from complete scratch. Be sure to grab it before you leave!

Table of Contents

Become A Human Guinea Pig

A human guinea pig is someone who volunteers for clinical trials to test the safety of new medicines or medical procedures.

It’s a quick way to earn money that can easily complement your primary job. Start by thoroughly researching the experiments and understanding the associated risks to be comfortable with the process.

After you do your research, Google “clinical test sites near me” to find potential opportunities.

Become An Online Friend

Being an online friend involves offering emotional support and conversing with clients in exchange for payment.

You can generate income by just being a friend to individuals online, a service frequently offered by freelancers on platforms like Fiverr.

Your primary responsibilities as an “online friend” will be to offer advice on day-to-day issues and be an attentive listener.

Your clients will typically consist of people working from home with limited social interaction or homesick foreign exchange students and expats seeking connection.

Become A Mukbanger

A mukbanger is a content creator who records themselves eating large quantities of food and shares the videos online, often as a form of entertainment or social interaction.

It’s a trend that started in South Korea about a decade ago and has become popular worldwide. For example, Bethany Gaskin earns seven figures each year from her mukbang YouTube videos.

If you’re a foodie, you can do this part-time, dedicating up to five hours a week and still earn a decent side income.

You can make money with mukbangs through YouTube ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships.

Video ASMR

Video ASMR is a genre of online content that uses various audio and visual triggers to induce a relaxing and tingling sensation.

Common ASMR triggers include whispered speech, tapping sounds, brushing, and other gentle, repetitive noises.

ASMR videos are known for making viewers drowsy and even helping them fall asleep. This is why they’re so popular on YouTube and are one of the weirdest ways to make money online.

The best part is that you can start without any upfront costs. All you need is a microphone for the sounds and your phone camera for recording.

Product Tester

A product tester evaluates the quality and functionality of a product through rigorous testing and feedback.

This weird side hustle can help you make some extra cash by assisting companies and merchants to improve their products.

For example, you can participate in the Amazon Vine program where you can order Amazon products for free and share your personal experiences with them on the platform.

You can also become a product tester on review platforms such as Rebaid and Vipon, where you provide reviews in return for free or discounted products.

If you are a frequent Amazon shopper, you can learn different ways to become a product tester in my article “How To Become An Amazon Product Tester And Get Free Stuff.”

Online Survey Taker

An online survey taker participates in questionnaires provided by survey sites in exchange for compensation such as cash, gift cards, or other rewards.

Some popular survey-focused websites include Survey Junkie, Idle-Empire, SurveyTime, and AppKarma.

In addition, online rewards platforms like InboxDollars, Swagbucks, and Media Rewards offer payment for activities like watching videos.

While this weird side gig won’t provide a full-time income, it offers a simple and enjoyable method to earn extra money during your free time.

User-Generated Content (UGC) Creator

A UGC content creator is someone who produces genuine content while endorsing particular brands or products in exchange for payment.

Simply put, it’s content created by real fans that brands share on their platforms, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.

By collaborating with UGC creators, brands can share content that maintains an organic or “less polished” style, which helps establish trust with their audience.

A study conducted in 2021 found that 80% of participants considered UGC to have a significant influence on their buying choices. This is why brands are always looking for UGC content creators.

You can find these jobs on Fiverr and Upwork, or connect with the brands directly on LinkedIn.

Paid Online Studies

Signing up for paid online studies involves sharing opinions individually or in a group in exchange for payment.

Studies are similar to online surveys but involve more time and generally offer higher pay.

Online studies typically pay between $25 and $200 per hour, and you can find them on platforms like User Interviews, LifePoints, and Respondent.

Sell Feet Pics

Selling feet pics involves taking photos of your feet and offering them for sale on social media or private platforms.

You can snap a few pictures of your feet and list them for sale on websites like Instafeet and Feetify.

While it may seem gross, some individuals are willing to pay for this unusual content, making it one of the more weird but profitable ways to earn money.

For example, Jessica Gould from Canada makes over $70,000 a year by posting pictures of her feet on Instagram.

Create A Faceless Instagram Account

A faceless Instagram account is an anonymous profile that lacks personal photos or identifying information about the user.

You can be a social media influencer without showing your face. If you’re introverted, camera-shy, or value online privacy, this is the perfect gig for you.

In addition to Instagram, platforms like YouTube also offer opportunities. Several niches, such as art, technology, and motivation, have popular faceless accounts with millions of followers.

To succeed, select a niche that aligns with your interests and maintain a consistent content creation schedule for YouTube to recommend your videos to the right audience.

Virtual Babysitter

A virtual babysitter is a remote caregiver who monitors and interacts with children, providing supervision and entertainment through digital means.

Virtual Babysitters Club hires individuals with diverse talents like dancers, musicians, artists, puppeteers, and game show hosts to entertain kids online.

If you enjoy spending time with children or have a knack for performing, like doing improv or telling stories, this could be an interesting and unique way to earn money online.

Book Flipping

Book flipping is buying books at a low price and reselling them at higher rates, often online or in specialized markets.

The most profitable books for resale include arts and crafts books, textbooks, guidebooks, nonfiction, and vintage novels. You can sell used books on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.

Boost your earnings by selling book bundles, especially comics and textbooks. This makes it easier for buyers to get several books from one seller, increasing your overall profit.

Domain Flipping

Domain flipping is buying and selling domain names for profit. It’s a bit like real estate in the digital world. People look for unique, catchy, or potentially valuable domain names and then wait for the right buyer to come along.

Some domains have sold for millions, making it a quirky but potentially lucrative online venture for those with a knack for spotting valuable web addresses.

You can purchase domains from a domain auction or from websites like NameCheap, JustDropped, and Sedo, then sell them online for a profit.

Sell Low-Content Books

Low-content books have minimal written content, such as activity books, coloring books, and crossword puzzles.

They’re simple to produce, and even though they’re sold at a lower price, selling a substantial number of these books can generate a passive online income.

You can create low-content books with tools like Book Bolt, Canva, and Publisher Rocket, and sell them on Amazon through the Kindle Direct Publishing(KDP) program.

Virtual Bridesmaid

Virtual bridesmaids participate in a wedding ceremony and support the bride through online or remote means, often due to geographical or logistical constraints.

For those who are into offbeat weddings, having a virtual bridesmaid can be a wonderful addition to the wedding party.

You can charge for services like your bridesmaid dress, hair and makeup assistance, and planning support.

To connect with clients, create a listing on Fiverr or reach out to companies that hire bridesmaids, such as Bridesmaid For Hire.

Build An AI Avatar

An AI Avatar is a computer-generated version of a person powered by artificial intelligence and is used for communication, interaction, or assistance in virtual environments.

Using AI avatar generators like Synthesia or Murf AI, you can create your own clone and produce videos on various topics.

These AI tools recreate your face and make the avatars look more human and relatable for your audience. Once you have a following, you can monetize your channel through ads, sponsorships, or merchandise.

Vlogging

Vlogging is creating and sharing video blogs, documenting your daily life, experiences, or expertise on various topics for an online audience.

Many vloggers offer viewers an inside look into their everyday routines, providing a glimpse into their lives. For example, if you’re a college student, you can vlog about your study techniques, campus adventures, and leisure activities with friends.

The primary platform for vloggers is YouTube, where they create and publish their content. You can earn from ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, product sales, and even donations through platforms like Patreon.

Mock Online Juror

A mock online juror participates in a simulated legal trial or case review process conducted online to provide feedback and opinions on the case.

As a mock juror, you’ll hear testimonies, receive jury instructions, and participate in deliberations to provide a guilty or not guilty verdict.

You can find mock juror jobs online on eJury, Jury Test, and Online Verdict, which pay around $20 to $60 per case.

Game Tester

A game tester is responsible for evaluating video games to identify and report bugs and gameplay issues to improve the quality of the game.

Platforms like Game Tester compensate gamers with cryptocurrency and gift vouchers for testing video games before their official release. In addition, you can explore part-time or full-time testing positions on job portals like Gaming Jobs Online and Hitmarker.

On the flip side, there are various ways to earn money through gaming, including receiving donations on platforms like Twitch, securing brand deals for vlogs and live streams, and generating income through YouTube ads.

Mystery Shopper

Mystery shoppers perform undercover evaluations and provide reports on the quality of products and services businesses offer.

This allows companies to receive unbiased feedback about their products and employees, helping them improve their operations.

Typically, companies pay about $50 per assignment, which can be conducted in person or online. To get started, check out mystery shopping companies such as BestMark, IntelliShop, Secret Shopper, and Market Force.

Ethical Hacker

An ethical hacker is a cybersecurity professional who legally exploits vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks to identify and fix security weaknesses.

This helps organizations protect their data and systems from malicious attacks.

You can earn full-time income through ethical hacking roles like ethical hacker analyst or cybersecurity specialist, as well as by participating in bug bounty programs.

In 2022, Google paid a total of $12 million via its bug bounty initiatives, with its highest-ever reward reaching $605,000.

Beekeeper

A beekeeper is a person who manages and cares for bee colonies, typically for producing honey and other bee-related products.

This profession offers multiple income streams, including selling honey, beeswax, and other bee-derived products.

In addition, you can create beekeeping content for YouTube and earn through the YouTube Partner Program.

Sell Your Hair

Sell your hair on marketplaces like Hairsellon, wig manufacturers, or directly to individuals for use in wigs, extensions, and other hair-related products.

Human hair is highly sought after for its natural quality and durability. Prices vary, typically ranging from $150 to over $1000, depending on factors like color and length.

Thick natural red and blond hair generally commands the highest prices. If you have long, healthy locks in a natural hair color, you can also charge more.

Professional Cuddler

A professional cuddler offers non-sexual cuddling services to clients for therapeutic, emotional, or companionship purposes.

It’s a unique way to earn money online, with each session paying up to $80 an hour or even more.

Clients seeking cuddling can book an appointment online and then meet the cuddler for their session. You can find jobs as a pro cuddler on Cuddle Comfort, Cuddle Up To Me, and Cuddlist.

Sell Toilet Paper

Sell toilet paper products, including organic or custom-made options, to meet the demand of customers. In addition to selling conventional toilet paper, you can also sell empty toilet rolls.

These seemingly mundane items find new life on eBay for various applications like creating seed starters, organizers, cases, storage, and bird feeders.

Professional Mourner

A professional mourner is someone hired to attend funerals and express grief or sadness.

People hire a professional mourner for various reasons, such as increasing the perceived popularity of the deceased or improving the overall atmosphere of mourning.

Professional mourning is a weird way to make money but can be lucrative. For example, companies like Rent A Mourner pay mourners $30 to $120 per funeral.

Professional Line Waiter

A professional line waiter is hired to stand in queues or lines on behalf of others, often for events or product releases, to save time or secure a spot.

People pay up to $1,500 for professional line sitters to secure concert tickets, product collections, and sneaker releases.

You can start by creating listings on freelancing marketplaces like TaskRabbit or Fiverr.

In addition, advertise your line-waiting services within specialized online communities like sneaker reselling, popstar fan, comedy series, and late-night show enthusiast groups on Facebook and Reddit.

Sell Plasma

Selling plasma is donating blood for compensation at a plasma donation center or clinic.

Although the process isn’t entirely online, it begins with online registration and appointment scheduling. Anyone above 18 can donate plasma every 28 days and up to 13 times a year.

Compensation for selling plasma ranges from $50 to $75 per appointment, with some companies offering generous payouts of up to $1,000 to $1,200 for first-time donors, such as CSL Plasma.

Become A Mermaid

Mermaids are mythical aquatic creatures with a human upper body and a fish-like lower body. They are popular at children’s parties and corporate events, often involving posing for photos and enchanting audiences with underwater feats.

If you’re great at swimming and holding your breath underwater, you can become a mermaid and potentially earn between $250 to $1,000 per event.

Netflix Tagger

A Netflix tagger categorizes and tags content on the Netflix platform to improve recommendations and search results.

Netflix taggers can earn between $25 to $30 per hour, translating to an annual income of $55,000 to $70,000.

Since these positions are in high demand and fill quickly, regularly monitor Netflix’s “Job Openings” page to stay informed about any vacant positions.

Food Tester

A food tester evaluates the flavor, quality, and characteristics of a food or beverage product by sampling it. If you enjoy critiquing cuisine, being a food tester is a great way to earn money and get free meals.

You can check for food testing opportunities at Martec Group, Area Wide Market Research, and AOC Marketing Research.

Answer Text Messages

Apps such as McMoney, 1Q, and MoneySMS compensate you for receiving and responding to text messages.

You simply need to download the app, register, and you’ll start getting text messages.

Some of these texts may contain user queries, and you can earn by providing answers.

Rent Your Pool

If you’re a homeowner with a pool, you can rent your swimming pool for a short term using platforms like Swimply, Peerspace, or Swimmy and earn up to $150 per hour.

You can also monetize other spaces, such as parking areas, spare rooms, or storage spaces.

This option is cost-effective for those in need of storage and offers a passive income source for hosts like you. Make sure you check your local regulations, and you’re good to go.

Seat Filler

A seat filler is a person who temporarily occupies an empty seat during events like award shows or concerts to ensure that the audience appears full for television broadcasts or photographs.

Although this weird side hustle isn’t entirely online, websites like Seat Fillers and More, Seat Stir, and OTL Seat Fillers provide free tickets to popular events.

To get paid for seat filling, you can also contact major event organizers directly.

Rent Your Backyard For Campers

If you have a spacious yard, you can earn money by renting it to campers.

While being close to nature isn’t a must, living in a rural area can help keep your property booked regularly. A smaller but beautiful campsite can be attractive as well.

Platforms like Hipcamp, The Dyrt, and Tentrr make it easy to rent your land for overnight stays, with an average rental rate of $100 to $200 per night.

Sell Stock Photos

Stock photos are generic images available for use in creative projects and marketing.

Selling stock photos offers creatives a weird way to make money online. Capture shots of landscapes, people, or objects and upload them to stock photo platforms like Shutterstock, Alamy, and Getty Images.

Even if you’re not a professional photographer, a decent camera and photography skills can still net $0.03 to $1 per download.

Hand Model

A hand model is a person primarily hired to showcase and photograph their hands for products such as jewelry, accessories, or cosmetics.

If you have long and slender hands with clear skin and even skin tone, you can earn between $100 and $600 per day in this role.

To land gigs, maintain an active social media presence, and join freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Backstage.

Claim Lost Mail

Claiming lost mail means purchasing lost or unclaimed mail and reselling them.

Each package is essentially a mystery box; you never know what you’ll find inside. If the items are profitable, you can flip them on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Keep in mind this does require upfront capital to purchase lost mail packages. However, if you price the items well, you can not only recoup your investment but also make a profit.

With more capital, you can explore purchasing Amazon return pallets from liquidation companies, which often contain high-value products.

Remove Photo Backgrounds

Removing photo backgrounds is isolating the main subject in an image by eliminating the background using PhotoShop or other editing software.

This task has become much faster with AI-based editing tools. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are ideal for finding clients who require such services.

You can also reach out to Instagram users with a decent number of followers who require additional image editing, including background removal.

Sell Digital Templates On Etsy

Digital templates are downloadable, customizable files for various digital designs, such as social media posts, banners, and to-do lists, typically sold on platforms like Etsy.

If you’re creative, you can make templates using Canva, which offers a drag-and-drop interface with thousands of free templates.

For example, if you have experience in social media marketing, you can create strategy, calendar, report, and resume templates.

Once your designs are up on Etsy, customers can download and customize them, generating income for you.

Website Flipping

Website flipping is buying, improving, and selling websites for profit.

If you have expertise in content writing, monetization, or SEO, this can be the best way for you to make money online.

The trick is to target niche websites owned by individuals and not businesses. These sites often require updates or external expertise and can be bought at a lower cost.

You can then flip these websites on platforms like Empire Flippers, Trademysite, Afternic, and Flippa.

Write Online Dating Profiles

Writing online dating profiles involves creating compelling and engaging descriptions of a person.

With the rise of online dating, many find it challenging to stand out in a sea of profiles, which presents a business opportunity.

If you have a good eye for detail and a talent for writing, you could offer your services to improve dating profiles. This could be a flat-rate service or charged per project.

Lose Weight

Wellness companies like HealthyWage and DietBet reward individuals for dropping weight. Participating in their challenges allows you to both boost your income and enhance your well-being.

On average, successful goal achievers receive a prize of $1,331 on Healthywage. For example, Lashea from Texas received $2,307 for shedding 57 pounds over seven months.

Fly Drones

A drone service provider offers various drone-related services, such as aerial photography, surveying, mapping, or data collection using drones.

If you’re already a drone enthusiast, you can turn your hobby into a paying job. To fly drones professionally, certification is necessary, although it’s less demanding than obtaining a traditional pilot’s license.

You must be at least 16 years old to become a drone pilot, and the average pilot earns approximately $33 per hour.

You can find job opportunities on employment websites or collaborate with wedding and real estate photographers for more creative gigs.

Sell Your Breast Milk

Selling breast milk might seem like a weird way to make money online. However, breast milk is in high demand, particularly due to recent baby formula shortages.

If you’re a new mother producing surplus breast milk, you can look into online platforms like Only The Breast.

They offer a forum and community for moms interested in selling breast milk, with prices typically starting at $1 per ounce.

Take Notes for Others

If you excel at taking comprehensive notes in college classes, you can turn that skill into an income source.

Selling your typed lecture notes on platforms like StuDocu, Stuvia, and OneClass helps students who have missed classes or need extra help with course materials.

With potential earnings of up to $22 per upload, it’s a practical way to make money while helping fellow students.

Final Thoughts On Weird Ways To Make Money Online

If you’re looking for weird ways to make money, you’ve got various options.

For quick cash, you can look into taking paid surveys, selling feet and hand images, and participating in online mock juries. These options tend to pay less but can add a little extra to your pocket.

If you want to make six figures, look into business-focused ideas like website flipping and UGC content creation.

For a steady stream of passive income, consider selling digital templates on Etsy, vlogging, or note-taking for students.

For more on ways to make money, check out How To Make $5000 A Month and What Can I Sell To Make Money Online? 30 Ideas Explained!.

Ready To Get Serious About Starting An Online Business?

If you are really considering starting your own online business, then you have to check out my free mini course on How To Create A Niche Online Store In 5 Easy Steps.

In this 6 day mini course, I reveal the steps that my wife and I took to earn 100 thousand dollars in the span of just a year. Best of all, it's free and you'll receive weekly ecommerce tips and strategies!

Share On Facebook Share On Twitter Share On Pinterest

Note: This post above may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase when clicking a link. Please consult our privacy policy for more information.