5 Underrated Side Hustle Ideas That Make $8,000 A Month

Are you tired of the typical side hustle ideas and suggestions that never seem to move the needle? Or if they do, the income isn’t as consistent as you’d like?

What if I told you there are unique, untapped opportunities—ones that not many people are talking about—that can help you earn up to (and more than) $8,000 a month?

Look for proven, successful side hustles and then identify niche opportunities within those markets. This is how you find your own unique opportunity, even with so much competition.

These aren’t your average side hustles; they’re innovative, in-demand, and offer serious earning potential. Whether you’re looking to create passive income that works while you sleep or build a valuable new skill to launch a side career, there’s something here for everyone.

Let’s jump right in and break it down step by step, with actionable tips to get you started!

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1. Selling Digital Products on Etsy

In the last few years, digital products have really taken off on Etsy, as the platform has started allowing sellers to offer a wider variety of items.

These products cost you almost nothing to create, require no inventory, and can be created in under a day. By selling digital items like planners, templates, or printable artwork, you tap into a massive online audience looking for unique, downloadable solutions.

Here’s how to start:

Step 1: Learn how Etsy works and how to sell on Etsy to boost your chances of making your first sale.
Step 2: Research popular digital products like planners, templates, or printable artwork on Etsy.
Step 3: Use Canva to design your product. For example, search “planner” on Canva, customize a template, and download it.
Step 4: Create an Etsy shop and upload your product(s)

Tip: Start with 5-10 products to test what resonates with your audience.

A friend of mine does this and makes around $9,000 a month selling digital planners and other types of templates. It just goes to show what you can do with some creativity and regular uploads.

The reason I’m putting this first is because it’s one of the fastest side hustles to get up and running.

2. Creating Custom Canvases with Printify

Custom artwork is in high demand, and with tools like Printify and Etsy, you can create and sell posters and/or canvases without worrying about inventory or shipping logistics.

Printify allows you to design products that are made to order and shipped directly to customers, making it a hassle-free side hustle.

If you’re a graphic designer, you can create your own designs. Otherwise, AI tools can definitely help with the design process.

Here’s the process:

Step 1: Sign up for a free account with Printify and Etsy.
Step 2: Use Canva or DALL-E to design your artwork.
Step 3: Upload your design to Printify, customize a canvas, and connect your Etsy store.
Step 4: When a customer orders, Printify handles production and shipping.

Tip: Research trending designs on Etsy to make sure your artwork aligns with current buyer preferences.

3. Airbnb Property Management

This is one of my favorite choices, becoming an Airbnb “Co-Host”. Managing Airbnb properties is an underrated yet lucrative side hustle.

There’s a big demand for Airbnb property managers because many hosts simply don’t have the time to juggle bookings, cleanings, and communicating with guests. Some hosts might have started with Airbnb as a side hustle that unexpectedly turned into a full-time gig.

Alternatively, maybe they weren’t having luck with long-term tenants and switched to short-term rentals, which then became a full-time commitment.

These hosts often have other jobs or might own several properties and want to free up their time, so they also look for help. You can set your commissions to be 20%.

For example, let’s say an Airbnb is booked for a week at $1,500—you’d make $300 on a 20% commission.

Here’s how to dive in:

Step 1: Apply to become an Airbnb Co-Host (property manager) on their dedicated platform.
Step 2: Reach out to local Airbnb owners and offer your services.
Step 3: Make sure to communicate with guests in a timely manner, properties are cleaned, stocked, and guest-ready.

Just a heads-up – you might need to visit properties from time to time. Among side hustle ideas, this one involves occasional on-site work.

4. Freelance Writing with ChatGPT

Freelance writing has always been a reliable side hustle, but with AI tools like ChatGPT, it’s never been easier to get started.

There are many businesses and business owners that are too busy to keep up with all the latest AI developments. They need someone dependable to manage their copywriting and keep their branding consistent.

That’s where you come in as a freelance writer. For side hustle ideas with flexible time commitments, freelance writing is a great option.

You can create all sorts of content—blogs, marketing copy, product descriptions, training materials, SOPs, and custom articles—all tailored to your clients needs. You’re in charge of making sure everything aligns with your clients goals.

Steps to get started:

Step 1: Sign up on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr and search for freelance writing gigs.
Step 2: Use ChatGPT to draft articles, product descriptions, or blog posts. Customize and refine the content to suit the client’s needs.
Step 3: Offer competitive pricing to attract your first clients.

This way, you curate the content and ChatGPT serves as your assistant, helping you draft high-quality content in minutes.

5. Posting Motivational YouTube Videos

The fifth on this list of side hustle ideas is posting Motivational YouTube Videos. Short-form video content is taking the internet by storm, and YouTube Shorts is a goldmine for creators.

Motivational videos, in particular, perform really well in this format. This style of video is straight to the point, impactful and leaves strong impression to viewers.

By posting motivational videos, you can attract a large audience and monetize your channel through ad revenue. Over time, you can increase your income by monetizing your channel through affiliate marketing and brand partnerships.

Please note, motivational videos are just an example. You can research many other types of niche’s that are super popular on YouTube.

How to start:

Step 1: Research trending topics on TikTok, like “money motivation” or “success quotes.”
Step 2: Use Canva to create simple videos with text overlays and background music.
Step 3: Post 1-2 videos daily. Consistency is key to gaining traction.
Step 4: Monetize your channel through YouTube’s ad revenue program.

Tip: Repurpose your YouTube content on TikTok to grow your audience and brand. This strategy can also lead to monetization opportunities in the future.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let perfectionism or fear stop you from starting your side hustle. Start small, focus on consistency, do the best you can with the time you have and overtime your efforts will grow.

To stay motivated, pick a side hustle that excites you and you’re passionate about. This will make it easier to stay consistent and build momentum.

From there, dedicate at least an hour a day to it, and remember that everyone starts somewhere.

Which side hustle will you try first?

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Rob Berberian

Founder of GoldmineYourMind.co, I’m an e-commerce entrepreneur turned business coach and finance mentor. I help ambitious people master money, grow online businesses, and reach their highest potential—because wealth starts in the mind.

5 Underrated Side Hustle Ideas that Make $8,000 a Month