Are you tired of the same old ways of making money online and looking for something unconventional to earn extra cash?
Do you have a downright boring business you go to every day?
Then you might be in for a treat because there are many weird ways to add income to your wallet today.
TL;DR: Weird Ways To Make Money
While there are many weird ways to make money from home or on the side, you'll want to choose something worth it.
Here are my favorite and most reliable weird ideas:
- Start an AI business
- Become a ghostwriter for brands
- Sell pictures and other content online
- Rent out any extra space you might have
- Sell your hair
- Apply as a guinea pig for market research
I'm not just going to talk about the same old ways that everyone tells you, such as:
- Freelancing
- A part-time job
- Or uninteresting side hustle ideas
This article explores the most unusual methods people use to make money today.
The options are extensive and imaginative, from selling hair to beekeeping to getting paid for waiting in line or being a professional cuddle buddy.
As you dive into these weird money-making ideas, remember that not all of them may fit your lifestyle, but they might spark your curiosity or inspire you to create something unique.
With an open mind and creativity, you can use these distinctive ways to earn extra income and have fun.
Keep reading to discover weird ways to make money from home or online.
We partner with awesome companies that offer products that help our readers achieve their goals! If you purchase through our partner links, we get paid for the referral at no additional cost! For more information, visit my disclosure page.
What Are The Weirdest Ways To Make Money Online?
Before it gets bizarre, let's review the weird ways to make money online and offline.
1. Start An AI Side Hustle
Making money with AI on the side is weird but a growing trend for many people joining the digital world.
There are so many weird ways to make money through AI, and you need to start with your niche.
With the help of no-code app builders, you can build or start an AI business.
For example, you can start a blog or create stories with AI and sell that content to people online. You can also create an AI chatbot that helps website visitors with queries and makes money from it.
I've been using AI to help me make money with affiliate marketing, and here is an example of commissions.
You can also optimize blog posts using ChatGPT or other AI tools and sell them for a hefty price online.
So start a side hustle and make money with ChatGPT or any other AI model.
2. Professional Eater
You might be surprised to learn that some people make extra money by becoming professional eaters and can even travel worldwide to do this.
You can join the major league eating website and learn how to participate as a competitor.
In this weird way of making money, you can participate in online eating contests and gain an audience who enjoys watching you eat sizable portions of food in record time.
Sometimes you will earn cash or other prize money just by eating food for the entertainment of others.
3. Human Guinea Pig
A strange but legitimate way to earn money online is by becoming a human guinea pig.
You can sign up for clinical trials and get paid for testing new medications or medical procedures.
This side hustle requires thorough research and personal assessment of the risks involved.
It's quick money, and you can easily do this in your spare time. After researching, you can go onto Google and type in "clinical test sites near me" to find potential opportunities.
4. Beekeeping
Beekeeping can be an unconventional way to make money online and is excellent for bee lovers.
You can sell honey, beeswax, or other bee-derived products, create content about your beekeeping adventures, and capture potential audiences with your exciting hobby.
Working with something you love is one of the many ways to earn extra money.
5. Professional Cuddlers
If you're compassionate and empathetic and enjoy providing physical comfort, becoming a professional cuddler may be a weird side hustle worth considering.
As a professional cuddler, you'll offer non-sexual, platonic touch services to clients who seek companionship and human touch.
While it is one of the most unusual ways to start a business, many lonely people will pay for this service.
Make sure to establish clear boundaries and adhere to guidelines for safety and professionalism.
6. Sell Feet Pictures
Did you know people will pay money for pictures of feet? That's right.
Many content creators have even made a million dollars selling their feet pictures to those who want them.
You can do this from your home and never have to meet anyone in person.
You can create a portfolio of feet photos and sell them to interested buyers seeking feet pictures for various reasons.
Remember that this side hustle might require comfort with the concept and discretion in sharing and selling pictures.
7. Build An AI Avatar
Using an AI avatar generator, you can easily duplicate or clone yourself to film content or answer questions online.
This is a strange way to build a side income, but many creators are generating AI voices or avatars to make money, and you can, too.
You can use a tool like Synthesia or Murf AI to clone your voice and face. These AI tools make it easy to recreate your face and look more human for people to watch.
Murf allows you to create natural-sounding voices that can be used for your videos and audio recordings. It uses advanced algorithms to capture the nuances of human speech, from subtle inflections to dynamic changes in pitch and volume.
Once done, you can start using a tool like ChatGPT to write your scripts and create voiceovers. This AI tool will help you to create a clone of yourself that can think for itself and answer questions from your customers.
8. Watch TV
Believe it or not, you can make money by watching TV through platforms like Swagbucks.
You'll receive compensation for watching specific content or sharing your thoughts about the programs you watch.
You won't reach financial freedom by watching TV, but you can earn a few bucks every time you do this. This is a quick and weird way to make money from home if you need money.
9. Sell Milk
For new mothers producing surplus breast milk, selling it online can be a way to earn extra income.
Following guidelines and regulations for safely storing, shipping, and selling breast milk before starting this unusual venture.
I'd highly recommend that you watch videos or take a course on how to sell breast milk properly, and it's one of the odd jobs that can bring in a lot of money.
10. Sign Up For Sleep Studies
Do you love to sleep? You can make money by signing up for sleep studies.
Research companies often pay participants to monitor their sleep patterns, and they might be eligible to participate and get paid for snoozing.
Is it a bit weird? Yes. But you can start making money for a few hours while sleeping. Do some research to find out more about sleep studies in your area.
11. Start No-Face YouTube Channels
Creating a no-face YouTube channel involves making videos without showing your face.
You can create content about various topics, like cooking recipes, educational tutorials, or voiceover narration.
There are also relaxing sound channels that you can create by using an AI music generator.
This way, you retain anonymity while still building an online presence and possibly earning ad revenue.
This can become an easy way to make money from YouTube.
12. Fiverr Gigs
Fiverr is a platform that enables you to offer all sorts of services, from great professional skills to bizarre and unusual talents.
Some people make money by offering services like voice impersonations or creating digital artwork out of food photos.
You can even use an AI voice generator to sell custom audio clips without using your voice.
13. Become a Twitch Streamer
Becoming a streamer on Twitch is in high demand and a great way to make money playing games at home.
Depending on your niche, some weird stuff is going on, from digital creators who perform comical acts to gamers who jump in and out of virtual worlds.
So Twitch streaming could be the way to go if you play video games and have a weird niche.
You'll need a webcam, microphone, and streaming software, but once you get started, you can earn money from sponsorships, donations, and subscriptions.
14. Become a mystery shopper
Becoming a mystery shopper is certainly a weird way to make money, but it might be your niche if you enjoy shopping and investigating.
As a mystery shopper, you'll get paid to pose as a regular customer and assess the quality of a certain store or restaurant.
This business model works for many and can become a profitable side hustle idea. You can start with a platform such as Secretshopper and get your credentials.
15. Create ASMR content
One of the weird ways to make money online is by selling ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response content.
If you go to YouTube and type in ASMR, you'll find odd and weird videos people watch to relax and feel better.
If you have a mic and a few items, such as sand or earbuds, you can start creating ASMR content and monetize it through Google or ads.
16. Wait in line for others
Becoming a professional line sitter is an interesting way to earn extra money, but you can double your income by pairing it with another side hustle idea in this article.
Say you are waiting in line for someone and have over an hour to spare, and you can answer survey questions or take coaching calls.
You can find these odd gigs using a platform like Taskrabbit, which offers unique jobs in exchange for cold, hard cash.
Related Article: Double 10k Quickly
17. Join food delivery services
This job would have been weird to think about years ago until social media and side hustle apps were launched.
You can deliver food for others who want to avoid going out and making good money while driving your car.
You can join platforms like Uber Eats or Postmates and become a contractor. You also can get many self-employed benefits such as write-offs and other types of deductions.
18. Offer Ghostwriting Services
As weird as it sounds, ghostwriting is an actual business that can make you thousands of dollars to even a million dollars per year.
If you want to help companies or brands with their copywriting and know how to write content that converts, then consider doing this.
With the help of AI copywriting software, you can generate text for brands using their writing style and tone of voice to make this idea even more accessible.
I use Jasper AI to write all my blog articles and social media content. This AI writing tool lets you create a blog post in seconds with just the push of one button!
This is not only a high-income skill to learn, but there are many types of copywriting that you can start with.
Some of the types of copywriting include:
- SEO
- Sales Videos
- Ads
- Video Scripts
- Landing page copy
And so many other ideas can be used when you become a copywriter.
19. Sperm Donor
One of the oddest ways to make money online is by becoming a sperm donor.
Many clinics and sperm banks select suitable candidates to become donors for women who want to become pregnant.
You can start by searching in the local area where you could become a donor and start earning cash.
20. Start An Online Dating App
Are you good with words, and everyone knows you as the wingman? You can start an online dating app that helps people to find their ideal matches.
You can also leverage AI dating apps to help generate pickup lines for people who need help breaking the ice.
You can turn this into a subscription model and make passive income while helping others get their first or forever love.
21. Sell Plasma
Selling plasma to make more money outside your regular job is an easy and weird idea that can turn into a monthly thing.
This weird side hustle won't ever become a full-time job, but it's an easy way to earn cash occasionally.
22. Become an Uber or Lyft driver
If you feel comfortable giving others a ride to a specific destination, you can start working with Uber or Lyft to make extra money.
You can create your own schedule and choose the trips you want to take through those side hustle apps.
It can be weird because you'll probably come across crazy life stories from all of your passengers. I recommend working in busy areas such as airports or downtown cities to earn extra cash.
23. Drone service provider
If you enjoy playing with drones and understand the mechanics of these items, you can start a drone service business.
You can do this unique and weird niche on the side and make a ton of money.
You can get clients by referrals or start a website that ranks on Google for your local area and focus on specific keywords.
24. Play games for money
There are many weird ways to make money, and playing games is one of them.
If you enjoy testing new games and apps, this idea is perfect. Start by doing some research and looking for game-testing jobs.
25. Product Testing
As companies grow, they will always need people to test their products and services before it goes out to the public.
This strange side hustle can help you earn cash by assisting companies with their research and development.
You can learn more about this opportunity by searching on Google or signing up for websites that list product testing gigs.
26. Write books for kids
Storytelling has become one of the most important ways to build an audience and make money. You can sell children's books on different publishing platforms.
Try leveraging an AI story generator to help create interesting stories for kids. You will be helping children enjoy reading while also making some cash.
27. Sell other people's products
Selling other people's products may sound weird, but this is what I like to call affiliate marketing.
Affiliate marketing is the easiest and fastest way to go from $0 to $10,000 monthly. You can find tips on affiliate marketing on my site or on YouTube.
You can affiliate with different companies and promote their products or services through your website or blog. Whenever someone buys a product using your link, you get commissions.
28. Build an AI chatbot
Have you noticed many companies use AI chatbots to run their customer service department instead of humans?
Yes, this is very strange, but I also explain this as one of the many ChatGPT use cases where you can help businesses automate parts of their business.
29. Claim lost mail
There are two ways to go about this business idea of finding unclaimed money for yourself or others.
You can start many services by finding unclaimed properties for others and earning a commission.
30. Blogging
Starting a blog is one of the best ways to make an income online and allows you to scale quickly.
I've always provided many blogging tips for others, and some may find blogging is weird or doesn't make money, but that is entirely wrong.
I've been using blogging tools to help with my website and scale my content marketing efforts. Now, I make a full-time living with a blog.
You can also set up a platform to sell digital products in your blog content—this way, you can earn money blogging without becoming just an affiliate.
Many people have thought this idea is just a hobby, but you can monetize blogging by leveraging high-income skills.
31. Become a lice removal technician
Although this is a gross and weird sound hustle, many people will need this service. Removing lice is also profitable; with the right tools and skillset, you can make much money with this idea.
32. Create deep fakes
Creating deepfakes is becoming very popular in the digital economy.
You can use them to create fake videos and photos, but you must always be careful.
Synthesia is an AI Video Generation Platform that allows you to create talking headshots with AI.
Plenty of tools are available to help you get started with deep fakes, and they can be used to make money in various ways.
With the help of deepfake apps, you could create funny videos for people or even use them for marketing purposes.
33. Paid online surveys
One of the weirdest ways to make money is by taking online surveys.
You can easily earn extra cash, but it's usually pennies per survey, and the time it takes to complete the surveys is only sometimes worth it.
However, this can be a great way to make a few extra dollars if you have some spare time.
34. Offer virtual babysitting services
If babysitting wasn't already your thing, you can now earn some extra cash by offering virtual babysitting services.
Imagine you are at home while babysitting kids via video chat. You can teach them new things, help with schoolwork, and even play fun games.
35. Become a hired bridesmaid
Have you attended enough weddings that you are a professional bridesmaid? If so, you can make money doing this on the side and get hired as a bridesmaid.
This is a thing, and you can earn money doing tasks like helping with the wedding planning, arranging vendors, and attending fittings.
You can even help advise the couple before their big day.
36. Sell your hair
If you have healthy hair and want a weird way to make money, you can sell it and turn it into long hair extensions for others.
Many women or men would love to buy hair pieces or extensions, especially if it has a natural hair color.
You won't make big money that will change your life, but it is a free way to start since you will always continue to grow hair every month. Why not sell it?
37. Lose Weight
A motivational and weird way to earn money is by losing weight with HealthyWage. They offer challenges that allow you to make money and feel healthy all at the same time.
You can also create focus groups where you create monthly health challenges, and everybody gets to lose weight.
38. Start an OnlyFans
Starting Onlyfans is an unconventional way to make money online, as most people use it for the wrong reasons.
Fortunately, there are a lot of creators who use it for normal content, but there are a lot of onlyfans creators who sell weird stuff online.
Either way, if you are willing to get creative with your content and charge a monthly subscription fee, then OnlyFans can be a good source of income.
39. Sell Used Underwear
Yes, this is the weirdest idea, but there have been many stories about creators on Onlyfans selling used underwear.
I am trying to understand how this could have started, but there is a way to make a profit from your underwear if you genuinely need the money.
I will tell you to proceed with caution as there is something I tell everyone to go by. It's called having a digital footprint, and if you ever want to get a normal job down the line, you want to avoid being forever associated with selling used underwear.
40. Freelance writing
If you know how to write blog posts fast or any content, you can write in strange niches online that other creators won't do.
Content At Scale is an influential blog writing tool that can generate +2000 word articles in minutes. With just a few clicks, you can turn ideas into engaging blog posts full of interesting facts, statistics, and research.
This can become a lucrative business idea if you want to write content or copy for other websites and brands.
41. Rent out your free space
If you're cool with renting out space, you can earn cash from this idea in many ways.
Some of the space you can rent is a parking space or a spare room where they pay you monthly.
You can also rent out a part of your storage space depending on the rules for your area. You need to know the regulations, and you're all set.
42. Create And Sell Stock Images
If you take many pictures or have worked as a graphic designer, you can add your images to a stock photography site like Pixabay.
You can then get paid through the stock photo site for every image they use, which can be lucrative. This is an easy way to start earning passive income.
43. Garage Sales
One of the last weird ways to make money is by selling old items with a garage sale. This a great way to flip your money and profit, all while removing old junk in your household.
Most garage sales run through the weekend, so many are sure you announce on social media or signs.
44. Sell Weird Toilet Paper
Although this is pretty weird, you can sell organic toilet paper or custom-made options for people.
This can be helpful for those who are in the substantiality niche.
45. Detect AI Content
If you can learn how to detect AI Content for businesses and brands, this can be a great way to make money online.
This is an unusual way to make money, but it can work since many websites fear hiring writers who rely entirely on AI writing tools.
That is where you come and use an AI content detector such as GPTZero or Originality.io to help you scan through AI-generated text.
What Are The Benefits Of Weird Business Ideas?
There are many benefits to having a weird business idea, such as unconventional ways of making money on the internet.
You don't have to struggle to get a part-time job or do unnecessary interviews to earn extra cash.
Some of the best benefits of these weird ways to make money are the following:
- Make more money
- Lower barrier to entry
- You can always jump from one idea to another
- You can work from home or on your own time
Beyond that, it's just an easier way to supplement your income; you can move out much quicker if you are young.
Final Thoughts
Now that you understand the crazy and strange ways to make money, you can pick and choose one that fits your lifestyle and timeframe.
I recommend choosing something that is less headache yet offers a great ROI in the shortest time.
FAQs.
How do I get started with an unusual side hustle?
Identify your niche, do your homework on the opportunity, and start small to test the waters. Don't quit your day job right away. Scale up gradually as you gain experience and prove the concept.
What are some unusual ways to earn extra cash?
From renting out your parking space to participating in paid online surveys, there are plenty of unconventional ways to boost your income. The key is finding opportunities that align with your skills and interests.
