2 Ways I Made Money with AI in 2024

Over the past year, I've been using AI tools to help grow my solo business.

Honestly, it's been a game changer.

For example, with the help of AI, I was able to double my income last year without putting in extra hours.

I didn't change my business model. I didn't hire anyone. The only difference was how I used AI to work more productively and efficiently.

So, I thought I'd share some of the ways I've been making money with AI in 2023.

1. YouTube

I've been running faceless YouTube channels for a few years now.

At this point, I've got dozens of channels covering all sorts of "boring" niches. But combined, they pull in a solid monthly income from YouTube AdSense and affiliate products.

Most of the videos I create are evergreen, meaning the content stays relevant for years.

I also make videos around products I can promote with affiliate links. So even if a channel doesn't make money from AdSense, the videos start earning right away.

However, coming up with video topics, titles, and scripts can be really time-consuming, especially when you’re juggling a dozen projects solo.

Last year, I started using Jasper, an AI writing assistant, to speed up the process.

Jasper helps brainstorm video topic ideas, SEO-optimized titles, script outlines, hooks, and intros.

Once I have an outline, I can use Jasper's "Compose" feature to fill in each section of the script.

Here’s a basic example of what this looks like for me:

2. Digital Products

I’ve been creating simple digital products like eBooks, workbooks, and audiobooks for over a decade now.

Man, I’m getting old.

Each product is a tiny asset that adds to my business's income.

And let me tell you; they really add up over time!

Making and selling digital products has always been pretty straightforward, but with AI tools like Jasper, the content creation process is even easier and faster.

Here’s an example -
Let’s say I have an idea for a digital “workbook” to help freelancers manage their money better.

First off, it’s a topic I know a bit about since I’ve been self-employed for a long time. Note, I don’t rely entirely on Jasper or, heaven forbid, ChatGPT, for accurate info.

Pro tip: Don’t use AI to create digital products on topics you’re not familiar with.

However, to speed up the idea generation/outline process, I’d use Jasper’s “Chat” feature to come up with an outline for my workbook.

I’d use a prompt like: Write an outline for a workbook called “Money Management for Freelancers.”

Here’s what I’d get:

I usually don’t use Jasper’s output as-is, but it’s often a great starting point.

Most importantly, it takes just 30 seconds, whereas coming up with something similar on my own might take 10-30 minutes.

From here, I can have Jasper generate content for each section, which I then tweak and edit to my liking.

I also add my own ideas, examples, chapter titles, and paragraphs.

Then I format this content into a PDF workbook using Canva.

From there, I upload it to ConvertKit—one of my favorite platforms for selling digital products—and run low-cost Pinterest ads ($0.10 to $0.15 CPC) to drive sales.

Of course, you don’t have to use ConvertKit.

I’ve also sold digital products through Teachable, Etsy, Gumroad, and my own website.

And if you have a YouTube channel wink, wink, you can promote your digital products there too, to maximize your efforts.