When I first started building online businesses, I spent way too much time chasing the wrong strategies, wasting energy on things that didn’t move the needle. If I had access to the kind of straightforward, no-fluff advice I’m about to share with you, I could’ve saved myself thousands of dollars—and countless hours.

In this post, I’m sharing a few of the easiest (and surprisingly effective) side hustles you can start without burning yourself out. These aren’t random tips I found online—they’re things I’ve actually done myself to make over $1,000 a day across different online businesses.

Let’s get into it.

1. eBay Dropshipping

This was my starting point—the side hustle that helped me leave my 9-to-5 for good. eBay dropshipping is simple, scalable, and honestly, kind of underrated.

Here’s the basic idea:

• You find products that people are already searching for on eBay.
  
• Then, you source those products from a supplier—like Amazon, Walmart, or another retail site.
  
• You list the product on your eBay store at a higher price.
  
• When someone buys it, your supplier ships it directly to the customer. You never have to touch the product.
  

Sounds easy, right? That’s because it is—especially with tools like AutoDS. It takes care of the heavy lifting for you:

• Automatically imports products from Amazon to your eBay listings
  
• Tracks inventory and price changes
  
• Even fulfills orders for you (no packing, no shipping, no hassle)
  

If you set it up properly and put in a bit of upfront effort, this can become a low-maintenance income stream. It’s one of the few side hustles that truly feels “lazy”—but in the best way.

2. AI-Powered Online Store

If dropshipping on eBay feels like dipping your toes in the water, running your own AI-powered store is like diving in—but with a floatie.

It’s a very similar concept: you’re still selling products you don’t have to touch, store, or ship.But unlike eBay, this time you’re the one in charge—you’re building your own online store from the ground up. And that comes with some pretty solid perks:

You can list as many products as you want

You have full control over the design and branding

You’re not stuck following someone else’s rules or paying marketplace fees

The best part? What used to take days—and often required hiring a web developer—can now be done in just a few minutes, thanks to AI-powered store builders.And with tools like AutoDS, the setup is insanely fast:

Build a clean, professional-looking store in 2–5 minutes

Instantly import winning products

Set up auto-fulfillment so orders are handled without you lifting a finger

Seriously, what used to feel like a full-time job now takes less effort than ordering takeout.

If you’re looking for a way to build a real online business without being glued to your laptop 24/7, this is one of the smartest (and laziest) ways to start.

3. Faceless YouTube Channel

Yes, it’s 100% possible to run a YouTube channel without ever showing your face—or even using your real voice. These types of channels are blowing up right now, and they’re easier to start than you might think.

Here’s how to do it:

• Pick a niche you’re genuinely interested in (even a little passion goes a long way)
  
• Post consistently—aim for 3 or more videos per week
  
• Monetize with YouTube AdSense, affiliate links, or your own digital products
  

With tools like InVideo AI, you can:

• Generate full videos, complete with voiceovers
  
• Edit and produce content with just a few clicks
  
• Use ChatGPT or DeepSeek to help with research and scripting
  

Before you know it, you’ve got a fully functioning channel—without ever stepping in front of the camera.

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4. Selling Low-Ticket Digital Products

Digital products are hot right now—and when they’re priced under $50, they tend to sell faster and more often.

Here’s a simple way to get started:

• Use Gamma.app to create a presentation-style digital product
  
• Add extra value with voiceovers, bonus content, or custom-designed slides
  
• Use 11Labs to generate high-quality voiceovers if you don’t want to record your own
  

You can sell your product on:

• Your own website (using tools like Hostinger or Shopify)
  
• Marketplaces like Teachable (great for educational products and courses)
  

It’s lazy in the best way: build it once, and it can keep generating income forever.

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5. Affiliate Blogging with AI

This one’s a personal favorite. Affiliate blogging can become a serious passive income stream—and AI makes the process 10x easier.

Here’s how it works:

• Choose a tool or product you want to promote (like VidIQ, which I personally use for YouTube growth)
  
• Write helpful blog posts that include your affiliate links
  
• Drive traffic, and when someone signs up through your link—you earn a commission
  

Over time, as your blogs rank on Google, they start bringing in consistent traffic—and income—on autopilot.

I currently make thousands each month from affiliate programs tied to 50+ tools I promote across my blogs. It takes time to build up, but once it’s rolling, it’s beautifully low maintenance.

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6. AI-Generated Short Form Content

Short-form content is everywhere—Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts—and now, you can automate most of it.

With the right tools, you can:

• Use AI to generate engaging video clips (no manual editing needed)
  
• Grow pages on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube
  
• Monetize with digital products, affiliate links, or brand deals
  

All you really need is a phone, some creativity, and a few smart tools. If you stay consistent, it can turn into a daily income source—and it’s surprisingly beginner-friendly.