The Side Hustle Show – Episode 711

Title: 8 Online Businesses You Can Start With (Almost) No Money
Host: Nick Loper
Air Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nick Loper discusses eight legitimate online business models you can start with little to no upfront investment. Drawing on real-life stories from past guests, Nick unpacks side hustles ranging from Amazon Influencer videos to teaching video game classes, focusing on models that are accessible even if you lack tech skills, expertise, or a large audience. The tone is enthusiastic, practical, and loaded with actionable tips.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Amazon Influencer Program

[00:46]

• How it works: Get approved based on having at least some social following. You review products sold on Amazon in short videos; Amazon places your video on product pages. Purchases through your video yield commission.
• Long-Term Potential: Videos create passive income. Example: $2,000+ total, $300+ in the last year without new uploads.
• Pro Strategies:
  • Consistency is key—set manageable weekly goals, don’t expect instant big wins.
  • Success can snowball; old content often continues to earn long after posting.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “If I stopped making videos today, I’d probably still make at least $25,000 this year just because I have that catalog.” (Guest, [04:15])
• Bonus Monetization: Brands may pay you for content; free product = possible reselling.

2. Free Freelancing & Consulting

[05:15]

• Get started by identifying your skill or “superpower.” Consider what comes naturally or what you’ve done professionally.
• Niche Down: Focus on a specific tool or use-case to increase your rates.
• Guest Example – Christy Da Silva:
  • Started as a general VA, then specialized in ClickUp & Honeybook setup.
  • “I was making about $30-40/hr as a VA… now I charge $300 an hour for a strategy session.” ([07:23])
• Lead Generation Tactics:
  • YouTube content builds “know, like, trust” with prospects (80% of leads, per Christy).
  • Use tools like Vidiq for long-tail keyword and competitor research.
  • Consistency matters but focus shifts as audience and expertise evolve.
• Attraction Marketing: Pull clients in by answering their questions on video/social.
• Strategic Partnerships can also yield referrals (e.g., admissions consultant pairs with essay prep expert).

3. Digital Product Sales

[15:15]

• What qualifies: Anything downloadable—printables, templates, spreadsheets, planners, mini-courses, art.
• Evergreen Assets: Create once, sell repeatedly.
• Guest Example – Cody:
  • Took a new Etsy shop to $1,000/month in 3–4 months by posting 20–30 products/week.
  • “If you understand keyword research and SEO… you could be a 5 out of 10 graphic designer and still make sales.” ([16:09])
• Tools: eRank (for Etsy keyword/volume research, free tier available).
• Strategy: Go after niches with as little as 50 monthly searches if competition is low, stacking multiple “little money seeds” for cumulative effect.

4. Rank and Rent Websites

[17:46]

• The Concept: Build & rank local service-business websites (e.g., “Gravel Driveways Boston”), then rent them to real companies for $500–$1,500/mo.
• Ideal Niches: Service-based, high-ticket, not storefront-driven (roofers, concrete, demolition).
• Population Sweet Spot: Towns/cities with ~400,000 residents offer good volume and less competition.
• Process: Do online research, build and rank the site, then lease to hungry local businesses.
• Scaling: As described by guest Meow Rios, portfolios of 20–30 sites are possible.

5. User Generated Content (UGC)

[21:46]

• What is UGC: Make short brand/product videos as an everyday user. Brands use this for their own feeds, not yours.
• Guest Example – Megan Collier:
  • Started by filming 4 videos with products she owned; landed a $750 deal just 10 days in.
  • Outreach by DM/email—ask to connect with the “person in charge of partnerships.”
  • Suggestion: inventory your home for products, then pitch those brands.
  • “You don’t need an audience… brands are looking for authentic looking user-generated content.” (Nick, [26:53])
• Compensation: $100–$1,000+ per video; potential for retainers.
• Alternate Method: Use affiliate programs (e.g., TikTok Shop) to earn commission from sales.

6. Websites (Especially Directories)

[27:44]

• Content Site Challenges: Informational blogs are struggling; directories less so.
• Guest Example – Frey Chu:
  • Built a thrifting directory; hit 1,000 daily visitors in six months and $1,200/month from ads with minimal ongoing work.
  • Tactics: Find “near me” searches and underserved niches; layer in value-added data.
  • Promoted new directories via niche subreddit posts.
  • “What I really wanted was a business with five things: scalable, cheap, remote, high margin, and sellable as an asset.” ([31:12])
• Value: Directories are more resilient to SEO changes, can be monetized via ads or lead sales.

7. Email Newsletters

[35:57]

• Platform suggestions: Substack, ConvertKit (both have free tiers).
• Monetization options: Sponsorships, affiliates, your own products, or paid subscriptions.
• Guest Example – Danielle Desir Corbett:
  • Started “Grants for Creators,” earned $1,000+/mo with a paid newsletter.
  • Growth via pinned tweet on Twitter and word of mouth.
  • “I think that tweet showcased my vulnerability...Everyone knows the feeling of what it feels like to start something new.”
• Tactics: Consistent social media promotion, leveraging mentions in others’ newsletters.
• Scalability: Marginal cost per extra reader is nearly zero.

8. Teaching Online Classes

[41:08]

• Models: Pre-recorded (course) or cohort-based (live).
• Platforms: Outschool (for K–12, especially extracurriculars), among others.
• Guest Example – Devin Ricks:
  • Earned ~$4,000/mo part-time teaching video game classes to kids via Outschool.
  • Focused on building a strong profile and quality intro video.
  • “You can market to...so many parents that there is plenty of space for educators in any field…there’s no one who teaches like you do.” ([44:15])
  • Outschool markets classes, takes 30% fee. Typical pricing: $10–$15/hr per student; 12 students in a class can yield $100/hr.
• Passive Model: Prerecorded classes ("passive income, students are enrolling, all you have to do is post the different assignments for the different days...making money while you sleep" [46:19]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If I stopped making videos today, I’d probably still make at least $25,000 this year just because I have that catalog.” – Amazon Influencer guest ([04:15])
• “I was making about $30-40/hr as a VA… now I charge $300 an hour for a strategy session.” – Christy Da Silva ([07:23])
• “If you understand keyword research and SEO...you can be a 5/10 graphic designer and still make sales.” – Cody on Etsy digital products ([16:09])
• “What I really wanted was a business with five things: scalable, cheap, remote, high margin, and sellable as an asset.” – Frey Chu ([31:12])
• “You don’t need an audience...brands are looking for authentic looking user-generated content.” – Nick Loper ([26:53])
• “You can market to...so many parents that there is plenty of space for educators in any field…there’s no one who teaches like you do.” – Devin Ricks ([44:15])

Timestamps for Key Sections

| MM:SS | Topic | |---------|---------------------------------------------| | 00:46 | Amazon Influencer Program | | 05:15 | Freelancing & Consulting | | 15:15 | Digital Product Sales (Etsy, Printables) | | 17:46 | Rank and Rent Websites | | 21:46 | UGC – User Generated Content | | 27:44 | Websites (Directory Model) | | 35:57 | Newsletters | | 41:08 | Teaching Online Classes / Outschool | | 44:15 | Pricing and class setup on Outschool | | 46:19 | Passive prerecorded classes |

Recap & Next Steps

Nick wraps up with encouragement: There are dozens of ways to make money online with little to no capital if you pick a model that plays to your strengths and stay consistent. He points listeners to previous full-length episodes featuring highlighted guests (episodes linked in show notes) and offers a personalized episode playlist via hustle.show.

Tone: Encouraging, practical, down-to-earth, and informal—just as Nick’s audience expects.
Best For: Beginners or anyone seeking real-world-tested, low-barrier online business ideas, including passive income streams and active freelance options, with action steps and inspirational real-life stories.