Making money online has never been easier, but some entrepreneurs have taken it to bizarre new heights—turning offbeat ideas into six-figure businesses. From selling cursed objects to flipping invisible sculptures, these unusual side hustles prove that creativity and the internet can be a goldmine.
If you’re looking for unique or weird ways to make money online, get inspired by these 10 profitable online businesses.
1. Selling Virtual Real Estate in the Metaverse
With the rise of virtual worlds like Decentraland and The Sandbox, some people are making real money by buying and selling digital real estate. Investors purchase virtual plots of land, resell them at a higher price, or rent them out to brands looking for a metaverse presence.
One company, Republic Realm, spent $4.3 million on a virtual property, proving that even pixels can be profitable.
2. ASMR Eating & Whispering Videos
ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) content has exploded on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where creators make money whispering, tapping, or eating crunchy foods.
Top ASMR YouTubers, like Gibi ASMR, reportedly earn over $500,000 per year. Meanwhile, ASMR mukbang (eating) creators like Zach Choi generate millions of views and dollars just by munching on snacks!
For advice on starting a YouTube channel, check out this article.
3. Selling Pet Rocks (Again!)
You’d think the Pet Rock craze of the 1970s was long over—but thanks to the internet, it’s making a comeback. Entrepreneurs have revived the idea, marketing plain old rocks as adorable, low-maintenance pets with clever branding and packaging.
Some sellers on Etsy and eBay are making thousands of dollars per month selling decorated stones, complete with custom names, “adoption certificates,” and tiny accessories.
It proves that with the right marketing, even a literal rock can become a viral product!
4. Writing and Selling Digital Love Letters
It turns out that people are willing to pay for personalized love letters, even if they are completely fictional.
Writer Jasmin Paris started selling customized digital love letters and poetry for $10–$50 per letter on platforms like Etsy and Fiverr. Some customers buy them as romantic gifts, while others seek them for self-motivation or nostalgia.
The demand is surprisingly high, proving that love (or at least love letters) is a profitable business.
5. Making Money from Virtual Pets
While most people play video games for fun, others are making serious money breeding and selling virtual pets.
In the NFT-based game Axie Infinity, players raise, train, and battle digital creatures. At its peak, some players were making more money from the game than their real-world jobs, with rare pets selling for over $100,000 in cryptocurrency!
Other games, like Neopets, have also created a market for valuable digital creatures.
6. Selling “Haunted” and Cursed Items
The internet is full of paranormal believers, and some sellers are cashing in on this niche by offering “haunted” dolls, cursed objects, and possessed relics.
Platforms like eBay and Etsy have entire categories dedicated to paranormal goods, where items like cursed jewelry and ghost-infested mirrors can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Some sellers even claim their items have caused mysterious accidents or eerie occurrences, adding to the mystique—and their profits.
7. Creating and Selling Niche Sound Effects
From the sound of crunching leaves to the hum of a spaceship, sound designers are making passive income selling niche sound effects.
Platforms like AudioJungle, Pond5, and Soundsnap allow creators to upload, license, and sell unique sounds, earning money every time someone downloads their work.
One sound designer, Mike Koenig, has reportedly made six figures a year selling custom sound effects. Even the simplest sounds can turn into a highly profitable side hustle!
8. Flipping Domain Names
Buying and reselling premium domain names (website URLs) has been a highly lucrative business for years.
Some domain flippers have made millions of dollars by predicting trends and securing catchy domain names before they become valuable.
For example:
- Voice.com sold for $30 million
- Cars.com was valued at $872 million
If you have an eye for trendy keywords and a knack for branding, domain flipping could be a weird but profitable online business.
9. Playing Video Games for a Living
Gaming is no longer just a hobby—it’s a multi-billion-dollar industry where streamers, esports pros, and “play-to-earn” gamers are making serious money.
Top gaming influencers like Ninja and PewDiePie have earned millions through Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and sponsorships.
Even casual players can make money with play-to-earn games, where virtual rewards can be sold for real cash. Whether it’s streaming, competing, or flipping in-game assets, gaming has become a legitimate career path.
10. Selling Nothing (Literally!)
Perhaps the weirdest way someone has made money online is by selling… nothing at all.
Pakistani influencer Ali Abdaal once conducted an experiment selling a “Nothing Box” for $10, which contained absolutely nothing—and people actually bought it!
Similarly, artist Salvatore Garau sold an “invisible sculpture” for $18,000, proving that in the world of online business, creativity and confidence can turn even the strangest ideas into a fortune.
Final Thoughts: Weird but Profitable
The internet has created endless unconventional money-making opportunities. From selling pet rocks and haunted dolls to flipping virtual real estate and invisible sculptures, these examples prove that thinking outside the box can lead to financial success.
If you’re looking for an unusual side hustle or a unique passive income stream, take inspiration from these bizarre success stories. With the right niche, a little creativity, and a solid marketing strategy, you could be the next viral millionaire—no matter how strange your business idea may be!
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