Join Spencer Haws, the brain behind NichePursuits.com, as he reveals the most promising side hustle trends for 2025. Discover why traditional monetization methods are evolving in an AI-driven landscape and how nostalgia is driving content engagement. Learn about the booming potential of email newsletters and the revival of low-tech ventures. Spencer also discusses innovative approaches to monetize social media, emphasizing community building through cohort-based learning. Tune in for fresh insights to future-proof your hustle!
The podcast emphasizes the importance of unique, compelling content in the face of AI-generated competition impacting traditional traffic and ad revenue.
A shift towards social-first audience building on platforms like Instagram and TikTok is recommended for creators seeking deeper engagement with their audiences.
There's a growing preference for higher-priced, high-touch online education offerings that prioritize personalized coaching and community involvement over traditional courses.
Deep dives
The Shrinking SEO Landscape
The podcast discusses the evolving SEO landscape characterized by the prevalence of AI-generated content and user behavior changes. With the rise of zero-click publishing, many traditional publishers face challenges as their content is overshadowed by AI snippets and featured answers, reducing click-through rates despite high rankings. Content creators find themselves in a difficult position where the traffic they once relied on is now diluted by AI overviews, making it harder to maintain ad revenue. As such, the importance of providing unique, compelling content is emphasized, encouraging creators to build deeper connections with their audiences.
Social-First Audience Building
In response to the shrinking organic reach from search engines, the podcast highlights a shift towards social-first audience building strategies. Content creators are increasingly leveraging platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to establish authority and engage with their audience directly. These channels offer more immediate interaction compared to traditional blogging, allowing for deeper connections with followers. Creators are advised to focus on one social platform at a time, mastering it before diversifying, while still aiming to guide their audience back to a personal website or email list.
The Rise of Video Content
Video-first content emerges as a critical trend that provides a competitive edge over text-based content due to its engagement potential. As algorithms favor captivating video content, creators who can confidently present in front of the camera may find it easier to build audiences and trust. The discussion underlines the significance of individual personality and storytelling in video, as opposed to the often faceless nature of written content. This shift towards video content further suggests that creators who embrace it can potentially foster stronger relationships and loyalty with their viewers.
The Shift to High-Touch Offers
The podcast identifies a transformation in online education towards higher-priced, high-touch offerings, moving away from traditional lower-cost courses. This trend involves a desire for more engagement, such as personalized coaching and community support, indicating a shift in consumer preference towards immersive learning experiences. Audience members are seeking less generic content and more tailored interactions, which can command higher prices. As online course fatigue sets in, the need for emotional connection and direct guidance is increasingly recognized in the marketplace.
Exploring Local and Physical Businesses
As technology expands, there is a concurrent trend of entrepreneurs returning to local, service-based businesses and physical products. This exploration of reselling items, such as through eBay or Amazon return pallets, illustrates the enduring demand for tangible goods and services. The podcast highlights how local services, from window cleaning to mobile detailing, offer stable opportunities that automation and AI cannot easily displace. This trend suggests a deeper appreciation for hands-on, community-oriented businesses as viable side hustles in an increasingly digital world.
He’s been covering online side hustles even longer than I have.
Almost all our content starts from the question of, "How do I make extra money?" To answer that, it’s important to know where the market’s been, where it is, and where it’s potentially going.
Tune in to Episode 667 of the Side Hustle Show to learn:
what side hustles are thriving right now and which ones are fading
why email, AI, and even eBay are making big comebacks
how to future-proof your hustle in a rapidly changing digital world
