How I Make Money with AI: 3 Revenue Streams You Can Start Today

By Tech4SSD

I used to spend hours trying to make content that converts. Now AI handles 80% of the work — and it pays. If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or just someone looking to diversify your income, you’ve probably heard the buzz about AI. But beyond the hype, how can you actually leverage it to generate real revenue? This article will break down three beginner-friendly income paths I’ve personally used, showing you exactly how AI can become your most powerful business partner.

Revenue Stream 1: Faceless Video Creation

Faceless video creation is exploding on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Think about those satisfying compilation videos, educational explainers, or relaxing ambient soundscapes – many are created without a single face on screen. This is where AI truly shines, automating the most time-consuming parts of video production.

How AI Helps:

• Scripting: ChatGPT can generate compelling video scripts, outlines, and even entire narratives in minutes. Just feed it your topic and desired tone, and it will deliver a ready-to-use script.

• Voiceover: Tools like ElevenLabs provide incredibly realistic AI voices that can narrate your scripts with various accents and emotions. This eliminates the need for expensive voice actors or spending hours recording your own voice.

• Video Generation: Platforms like Pictory and InVideo can take your script and voiceover, then automatically generate video clips, add stock footage, background music, and even captions. This transforms a text document into a full-fledged video with minimal effort.

Tools Used:

• ChatGPT: For scriptwriting, brainstorming, and content outlines.

• ElevenLabs: For high-quality, realistic AI voiceovers.

• Pictory/InVideo: For automated video generation from text and audio.

Platforms for Distribution:

• YouTube: Ideal for longer-form educational content, compilations, or niche topics. Monetize through YouTube Partner Program (ads), sponsored content, and affiliate links.

• TikTok: Perfect for short, engaging clips, quick tutorials, or viral trends. Monetize through TikTok Creator Fund, brand partnerships, and driving traffic to affiliate offers.

Monetization Paths:

• Ad Revenue: Earn directly from ads displayed on your videos (YouTube Partner Program, TikTok Creator Fund).

• Sponsored Tools/Products: Partner with companies whose tools or products you use in your videos (e.g., AI software, video editing tools).

• Affiliate Links: Include affiliate links in your video descriptions to products or services you recommend. When viewers purchase through your link, you earn a commission.

Why it Works: The demand for video content is insatiable, but traditional video production is resource-intensive. AI removes these barriers, allowing anyone to produce high-quality, engaging videos at scale, without ever showing their face. This makes it a perfect entry point for beginners or those looking for a low-overhead side hustle.

Revenue Stream 2: Affiliate Content Creation

Affiliate marketing remains one of the most accessible ways to earn online, and AI has supercharged its potential. Instead of creating your own products, you promote other companies’ products or services and earn a commission on every sale made through your unique affiliate link. AI makes the entire process, from content creation to promotion, incredibly efficient.

How AI Helps:

• Scripting Reviews: ChatGPT can generate detailed, persuasive reviews for any product or service. You can ask it to highlight specific features, address pain points, and craft compelling calls to action.

• Content Outlines: Need a blog post, Instagram caption, or newsletter for your affiliate product? AI can provide structured outlines, ensuring your content is comprehensive and flows well.

• Promotional Material: AI can help you brainstorm and even draft social media posts, email sequences, and ad copy tailored to your target audience and the affiliate product.

• Niche Research: Tools like Perplexity can quickly summarize complex topics or research niche software, helping you identify profitable affiliate opportunities and understand your audience’s needs.

Tools Used:

• ChatGPT: For scripting reviews, generating content outlines, and drafting promotional copy.

• Notion AI: For organizing research, summarizing articles, and creating structured content databases.

• Perplexity AI: For quick research, understanding complex topics, and finding relevant information on niche software.

Platforms for Distribution:

• Instagram: Use engaging carousels, Reels, and Stories to showcase products and drive traffic to your bio link (where your affiliate links are housed).

• Blog/Website: Create in-depth reviews, comparison articles, and tutorials that naturally integrate affiliate links. This builds authority and provides long-term passive income potential.

• Newsletters: Build an email list and send regular newsletters featuring recommended products, exclusive deals, and valuable content that includes your affiliate links.

Why it Works: Affiliate marketing requires consistent, high-quality content to build trust and drive sales. AI significantly reduces the time and effort needed to produce this content, allowing you to scale your efforts and promote multiple products across various platforms. It’s a low-risk, high-reward model when leveraged effectively with AI.

Revenue Stream 3: Selling AI-Generated Products

The digital product market is booming, and AI has opened up entirely new avenues for creators to generate passive income. From templates to art, you can now create and sell high-quality digital assets with minimal effort, even if you have no design or coding experience.

How AI Helps:

• Content Generation: ChatGPT can generate outlines, content, and even entire drafts for ebooks, guides, or prompt packs. It can also help brainstorm ideas for Notion templates or digital art concepts.

• Design & Visuals: Tools like Canva (with its AI features) and Midjourney can help you design stunning visuals, create unique digital art, or format your ebooks and templates professionally, even if you’re not a designer.

• Product Creation: AI can directly generate elements for your products, such as unique prompts for a prompt pack, or variations of digital art pieces.

Examples of AI-Generated Products:

• Notion Templates: Create highly functional and aesthetically pleasing Notion templates for productivity, content planning, habit tracking, or business management. AI can help with the structure and content within the templates.

• Prompt Packs: Curate and sell collections of high-quality prompts for various AI tools (ChatGPT, Midjourney, etc.). These are valuable for users who want to get better results from their AI.

• Ebooks/Guides: Write and design short, informative ebooks or guides on niche topics. AI can help with research, writing, and even cover design.

• Digital Art: Generate unique digital art pieces using AI image generators and sell them as prints, digital downloads, or even NFTs.

Tools Used:

• ChatGPT: For content generation, brainstorming, and structuring digital products.

• Canva: For designing templates, ebook covers, and promotional graphics.

• Midjourney: For generating unique digital art and visual elements.

• Gumroad/Payhip: For easily setting up an online store and selling your digital products.

Why it Works: The demand for digital products is consistently high, and AI significantly lowers the barrier to entry for creation. You can produce a wide range of products quickly and efficiently, allowing you to test different niches and scale your offerings. Once created, these products can generate passive income for years to come.

Bonus: My Favorite Prompt Templates

Here are 3 powerful prompt templates, one for each revenue stream, to help you get started:

For Faceless Video Creation (Scripting with ChatGPT)

Prompt:

Act as a YouTube scriptwriter specializing in [Niche, e.g., 'personal finance tips' or 'ancient history facts']. I need a script for a [Video Type, e.g., '5-minute explainer video' or 'short TikTok compilation'] about [Specific Topic, e.g., 'the power of compound interest' or 'the mysteries of the pyramids']. The script should be engaging, informative, and include a clear call to action to [Call to Action, e.g., 'subscribe and hit the notification bell' or 'check out the link in bio']. Ensure the tone is [Tone, e.g., 'upbeat and inspiring' or 'mysterious and intriguing'].

Example Use:

Act as a YouTube scriptwriter specializing in 'personal finance tips'. I need a script for a '5-minute explainer video' about 'the power of compound interest'. The script should be engaging, informative, and include a clear call to action to 'subscribe and hit the notification bell'. Ensure the tone is 'upbeat and inspiring'.

For Affiliate Content Creation (Product Review with ChatGPT)

Prompt:

Write a [Content Type, e.g., 'blog post review' or 'Instagram carousel caption'] for [Product Name, e.g., 'Notion AI' or 'a specific project management software']. Focus on [Key Benefit 1] and [Key Benefit 2]. Address the common pain point of [Common Pain Point]. Include a persuasive call to action to [Call to Action, e.g., 'try it free for 7 days' or 'purchase now through my affiliate link']. The tone should be [Tone, e.g., 'authoritative and helpful' or 'enthusiastic and relatable'].

Example Use:

Write a 'blog post review' for 'Notion AI'. Focus on 'how it streamlines content creation' and 'its seamless integration with existing Notion workflows'. Address the common pain point of 'writer's block and inefficient content planning'. Include a persuasive call to action to 'try it free for 7 days'. The tone should be 'authoritative and helpful'.

For Selling AI-Generated Products (Digital Product Idea Generation with ChatGPT)

Prompt:

Brainstorm 5 unique digital product ideas that can be created primarily using [AI Tool 1, e.g., 'ChatGPT'] and [AI Tool 2, e.g., 'Canva']. The products should target [Target Audience, e.g., 'small business owners' or 'aspiring content creators'] and solve the problem of [Specific Problem, e.g., 'lack of engaging social media content' or 'difficulty organizing daily tasks']. For each idea, provide a brief description and suggest a potential selling price.

Example Use:

Brainstorm 5 unique digital product ideas that can be created primarily using 'ChatGPT' and 'Canva'. The products should target 'small business owners' and solve the problem of 'lack of engaging social media content'. For each idea, provide a brief description and suggest a potential selling price.

What I’d Do First If Starting From Zero

If I were starting from scratch today with zero audience, zero tech skills, and zero budget, here’s my exact roadmap to making money with AI:

1. Pick ONE Revenue Stream: Don’t try to do everything at once. Choose the revenue stream that excites you most and aligns with your interests. For me, it would be Faceless Video Creation because of its low barrier to entry and high demand.

2. Master ONE AI Tool: You don’t need to be an AI expert. Start with ChatGPT. Learn its nuances, experiment with different prompts, and understand how to get the best output for your chosen revenue stream. This is your foundation.

3. Create Your First 5 Pieces of Content: Don’t aim for perfection, aim for completion. For faceless videos, create 5 short, engaging videos on a niche topic. For affiliate content, write 5 reviews. For digital products, create 5 simple templates or prompt packs. The goal is to build momentum and learn by doing.

4. Publish and Promote Consistently: Choose one platform (e.g., YouTube for videos, Instagram for affiliate content, Gumroad for digital products) and commit to consistent publishing. Use AI to help you generate captions, hashtags, and even ideas for promotion. Consistency is key to growth.

5. Analyze and Adapt: Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Which videos get the most views? Which affiliate links convert? Which digital products sell? Use this data to refine your strategy and improve your content. AI can even help you analyze performance data.

This focused approach prevents overwhelm and allows you to build a solid foundation before expanding. Remember, the goal isn’t to replace yourself with AI, but to empower yourself to create more, earn more, and work smarter.