The Truth About Making Money With ChatGPT
The Alluring Promise of AI-Powered Income
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or YouTube recently, you've likely encountered a very tempting promise: “Make thousands per month with ChatGPT — no experience needed.” The dream of passive income is being sold everywhere, from AI-generated coloring books to fully automated blogs. But can you actually make a substantial side income using ChatGPT? We decided to look beyond the hype, and the reality might surprise you.
Putting the Hype to the Test
The internet is filled with stories of people launching six-figure Etsy shops, selling prompt packs, or ghostwriting books with AI. While these stories aren't all fabricated, they often omit critical details, such as pre-existing audiences, significant ad spending, or countless hours of unpaid trial-and-error.
I put this to the test myself. As a power user, I asked ChatGPT a simple question: “Based on what you know about me, what are some side gigs that I could do to make extra money?” If you're new to the platform, you can achieve a similar result by providing your skills or resume.
ChatGPT suggested using AI to help outline and edit self-published children’s books, launch a Substack newsletter, and create digital products. While I have successfully made money from these gigs, it has required far more time, skill, and strategy than social media influencers would have you believe.
The Reality of AI-Assisted Work
Here’s the truth: ChatGPT is a tool that works only as hard as the person using it. It is not a magic ATM. AI can help you brainstorm faster, outline your ideas, write code for an app, and even design marketing copy. However, you are still the one who has to do the real work:
- Choose the right niche
- Understand your target audience
- Market your work effectively
- Revise AI-generated content to sound human
- Learn the algorithms of the platforms you use
For example, my Substack newsletter didn’t grow overnight. I post consistently, test headlines, engage with readers, and promote it on other channels. In this case, ChatGPT helps me show up faster, not get rich faster.
What The Gurus Don't Tell You
The world of AI side hustles has some real struggles that often get glossed over in viral videos. Here is what you need to know:
- The competition is fierce. Everyone else has access to the same tool you do, making the marketplace incredibly crowded.
- Low-effort content is everywhere. With the flood of generic AI material, it's becoming much harder to stand out and capture attention.
- Most platforms are cracking down. Amazon, for example, now flags AI-generated books. It is critical to use AI as an assistant for tasks like outlining, not as a replacement for your own writing and creativity.
- You need to build trust. People don’t just pay for words or products; they pay for an authentic voice, authority, and a genuine connection.
You cannot skip the human part. In fact, the more your personality, perspective, and passion shine through your content, the more effectively AI can work as your assistant.
Where the Real Opportunities Lie
Despite the challenges, there is good news: you can absolutely use ChatGPT to build something meaningful and profitable. My newsletter is growing steadily, and my books now earn a passive income. Every project teaches me something new about AI, writing, and what people truly value.
Here are some real opportunities that have proven to be successful:
- Teaching other people how to use ChatGPT through courses or guides.
- Writing niche content with a strong personality, such as newsletters, parenting blogs, or industry tip sheets.
- Selling customized digital products, not just generic AI-generated slop.
- Using ChatGPT to save time on administrative or creative tasks so you can focus on growing your actual business.
The Final Verdict on ChatGPT Side Hustles
Yes, you can make money with ChatGPT, but it is not the easy, instant process it's made out to be. If you are looking for a way to quit your job by next week, this probably isn’t it. However, if you are willing to show up consistently, treat your project like a real business, and learn as you go, AI can be an incredibly powerful partner in building something sustainable.
Just remember not to expect ChatGPT to do all the work—because the most valuable thing you can offer still isn’t artificial. It’s you.
