You want to make money online. But the thought of being on camera makes your stomach turn.
Maybe you’re shy. Maybe you value your privacy. Or maybe you just hate how you look on video.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need to show your face to build a successful content creation business.
Some of the highest-earning content creators work completely behind the scenes. They make thousands of dollars each month without ever stepping in front of a camera.
In this guide, you’ll learn 11 proven ways to make money creating content. No cameras required. No showing your face. Just you, your skills, and the internet.
Let’s get started.
1. User-Generated Content (UGC) Creator
UGC creators create photos and videos that appear to be from regular people. Brands use this content in their ads because it feels more real than polished marketing.
You create authentic-looking content for products. But here’s the key: you don’t have to be in the content yourself.
You can film hands holding products. Take flat lay photos. Create stop-motion videos. Film products in real-life settings.
Brands pay $100 to $500 per piece of content. Some creators make $2,000 to $5,000 per month once they build relationships with brands.
Getting started is simple. Create a portfolio of sample content. Reach out to brands on Instagram or use platforms like AspireIQ and Upfluence to find paid opportunities.
- Ideal for: Creative people who understand social media trends and have a good eye for photography
- Difficulty Level: 6/10
- Pro Tip: Study successful Instagram ads to see what style of UGC performs best, then create your portfolio in that same style
2. Voiceover Work
Your voice is your product. You record commercials, audiobooks, explainer videos, and other audio content.
The voiceover industry is growing fast. More businesses need audio content for their websites, training videos, and advertisements.
You can work from home with basic equipment. All you need is a decent microphone, a quiet space, and recording software like Audacity (which is free).
New voiceover artists make $200 to $500 per project. Experienced artists can charge $1,000 or more for longer projects like audiobooks.
Start by creating a demo reel. Practice reading different types of scripts. Sign up on Voice123, Voices.com, or Fiverr to find your first clients.
- Ideal for: People with clear speaking voices who enjoy reading aloud and have a quiet home space
- Difficulty Level: 5/10
- Pro Tip: Record your demo reel in different styles (conversational, authoritative, friendly) to show your range and attract more clients
3. Print on Demand Store
You design artwork or slogans. The platform prints them on t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and other products. When someone buys your design, you get paid.
This is passive income at its best. Create a design once, earn money from it for years.
Popular platforms include Printful, Teespring, and Redbubble. You upload your designs and they handle everything else: printing, shipping, customer service.
Successful print-on-demand sellers make $500 to $2,000 per month. Top sellers can make much more, but it takes time to build a large catalog of designs.
Focus on niches with passionate fans: dog lovers, yoga enthusiasts, and specific professions. These groups buy more merchandise.
- Ideal for: Graphic designers, artists, or anyone with creative ideas who wants to build passive income
- Difficulty Level: 4/10
- Pro Tip: Use Google Trends to find rising topics in your niche, then create designs around those trends before they become oversaturated
4. Social Media Management
Businesses need help with their social media. You create posts, schedule content, respond to comments, and grow their followers.
Small businesses especially struggle with this. They know they need social media, but don’t have time to do it right.
That’s where you come in. You work behind the scenes to make their accounts look professional and engaging.
Social media managers charge $500 to $2,000 per month per client. Many manage 3-5 clients at once.
Start by managing accounts for friends or local businesses for free. Build a portfolio of results. Then use those case studies to find paying clients.
- Ideal for: Social media-savvy people who understand different platforms and can write engaging captions
- Difficulty Level: 6/10
- Pro Tip: Specialize in one platform first (like Instagram or LinkedIn) and become an expert before expanding to other platforms
5. Freelance Writing and Copywriting
Businesses need words. Blog posts, website copy, email campaigns, social media captions. If you can write clearly, you can get paid for it.
This is one of the most proven ways to make money online. According to a 2017 Copyhackers survey, 73% of freelance copywriters charge between $50 and $149 per hour. The money is real.
But experienced writers with 8+ years charge over $100 per hour. Top performers like Rebecca Lake earn around $300 per hour and make up to $250,000 annually.
Projects range from $1,000 to $7,000, depending on scope and experience level.
Start by choosing a niche: health, finance, technology, or whatever interests you. Create writing samples in that niche. Then pitch businesses directly or use platforms like Upwork and Contently.
- Ideal for: People who enjoy writing and can meet deadlines consistently
- Difficulty Level: 5/10
- Pro Tip: Instead of general writing, specialize in high-paying niches like SaaS, finance, or healthcare, where businesses have bigger budgets
6. Online Course Creation (Text and Slides Only)
Create educational courses using only text, slides, and downloadable materials. No videos of yourself required.
People pay good money to learn new skills. You can teach anything you know well: Excel formulas, photography basics, writing techniques, or business strategies.
Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Gumroad let you sell courses without showing your face. Use slide presentations, written lessons, worksheets, and templates.
Successful course creators make $1,000 to $10,000+ per course. Some create multiple courses and build six-figure businesses.
The key is solving a specific problem for a specific group of people. “How to write better emails” is better than “How to be a better writer.”
Start by outlining what you’ll teach. Create your first course with 5-10 lessons. Price it between $50-200 to start.
- Ideal for: People with expertise in any field who enjoy teaching and organizing information clearly
- Difficulty Level: 6/10
- Pro Tip: Survey your target audience before creating the course to find out exactly what they struggle with, then build your course around those specific pain points
7. Faceless YouTube Channel
YouTube channels don’t require showing your face. You can use animations, voiceovers, stock footage, screen recordings, or slideshows.
Popular faceless channel types include:
- Tutorial channels using screen recordings
- Top 10 list videos with stock footage
- Animation storytelling
- Compilation channels
Successful faceless channels make $1,000 to $10,000 per month from ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
The key is picking a profitable niche and posting consistently. Educational content and entertainment both work well.
Start by studying successful faceless channels in your chosen niche. Copy their format, but make your content better.
- Ideal for: People comfortable with video editing who can research topics and write engaging scripts
- Difficulty Level: 8/10
- Pro Tip: Use TubeBuddy or VidIQ to research keywords and find video topics that are trending but not oversaturated
8. Graphic Design
Businesses always need visual content. Logos, social media graphics, website banners, business cards, digital art.
You can work with clients directly or sell pre-made designs on platforms like Etsy or Creative Market.
Freelance graphic designers charge $25-100 per hour, depending on experience. Logo projects typically range from $300-2,000.
If you prefer passive income, create design templates and sell them repeatedly. Successful template sellers on Etsy make $1,000-5,000 per month.
Learn design software like Canva Pro, Adobe Illustrator, or Figma. Build a portfolio showcasing different design styles.
- Ideal for: Visually creative people who enjoy working with colors, fonts, and layout design
- Difficulty Level: 6/10
- Pro Tip: Create design templates for specific industries (restaurants, real estate, fitness) rather than generic designs to command higher prices
9. Video Editing
Content creators and businesses produce tons of raw footage. They need editors to make it look professional.
Video editing is in high demand but requires skill. Good editors are hard to find, so they get paid well.
Freelance video editors charge $30-100 per hour. Project rates range from $200-2,000, depending on video length and complexity.
You can work with YouTubers, course creators, marketing agencies, or small businesses that create video content.
Learn editing software like DaVinci Resolve (free), Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro. Create a demo reel showing different editing styles.
- Ideal for: Detail-oriented people who enjoy working with technology and have patience for technical work
- Difficulty Level: 8/10
- Pro Tip: Specialize in one type of video editing (like YouTube videos or wedding films) to become known as the go-to expert in that area
10. Transcription and Translation
Convert audio or video content into text, or translate content between languages. This work is purely text-based.
Transcription pays $15-25 per audio hour for general content. Legal and medical transcription pays $25-40 per audio hour but requires special training.
Translation work pays $0.10-0.50 per word depending on language pair and complexity.
Companies like Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript hire transcriptionists. For translation work, try Gengo, OneHour Translation, or Upwork.
The work can be repetitive, but it’s a steady income. You can often work flexible hours from anywhere.
- Ideal for: Detail-oriented people with strong typing skills and native-level language abilities
- Difficulty Level: 4/10
- Pro Tip: Get certified in specialized transcription (legal or medical) to access higher-paying jobs that most general transcriptionists can’t do
11. Affiliate Marketing Blog
Create a blog about topics you know well. Write helpful content and include affiliate links to products you recommend. When readers buy through your links, you earn commissions.
This takes time to build, but can create significant passive income. Successful affiliate bloggers make $1,000-20,000+ per month.
Choose a niche with products that pay good commissions: technology, finance, health, or online courses often work well.
Focus on creating genuinely helpful content. Write product reviews, comparison guides, and tutorials. Build trust with your readers.
Start with WordPress and learn basic SEO to help your content rank in search engines.
- Ideal for: People who enjoy writing and researching products, with the patience to build long-term passive income
- Difficulty Level: 7/10
- Pro Tip: Join affiliate programs for high-ticket items ($500+) rather than low-priced products to maximize earnings per sale
How to Choose the Right Side Hustle for You?
Look at this list and ask yourself three questions:
What skills do you already have? If you’re good with words, start with writing. If you’re visual, try graphic design or UGC creation.
How much time can you invest? Some side hustles, like print on demand, take time to build but then run themselves. Others, like social media management, need daily attention.
What’s your income goal? If you need money fast, choose service-based work like writing or design. If you want passive income, focus on content creation or affiliate marketing.
Don’t try to do everything. Pick one method that matches your skills and situation. Get good at it. Then expand if you want.