If Kevin O'Leary were to awake tomorrow with no money at all, his reaction would not involve panic or futile attempts like lottery ticket purchases, but a methodical approach to earning income. He would leverage what many individuals already have at their disposal: a smartphone. In the current landscape where countless people strive to become content creators, monetize social media pages, or decipher engagement metrics, O'Leary advocates for a more direct and efficient way to earn money quickly.
In a social media post dated December 30, the noted investor, widely recognized from Shark Tank, articulated his plan plainly: if he found himself without funds and needed to generate $10,000 within a month, his strategy would be to offer customer acquisition services through social media. Complementing the post was a brief video in which he broke down the concept further. O'Leary explained that simply by using a phone and possessing skills in video editing and social media posting, one could attract customers for local businesses. His suggestion involved approaching businesses with a proposal to receive $100 for each new customer brought in through these platforms, then creating engaging video content to entice potential clients.
The premise rests on a fundamental observation: many business owners remain unfamiliar with how to effectively harness social media for attracting customers, creating an opportunity for those adept at using smartphones and digital content to fill this gap. O'Leary labels this method as perhaps the most viable side hustle available, citing low upfront costs combined with high demand.
He remarked, "You'd be amazed at how many business owners have no idea how to use social media," emphasizing that this is a skill set commonly possessed by individuals accustomed to using phones since youth. His message highlights a marketable talent centered on executing customer acquisition, sidestepping the often elusive pursuit of gaining social media followers or becoming influencers.
For those who find producing content intimidating or unsuitable, O'Leary's insights segue into other viable avenues for monthly income, bypassing the need for creative presentation or viral internet trends. These include fractional real estate investments, where one can buy shares in rental properties to earn rental income passively without the responsibility of property management.
Another path is startup investing, where small capital investments in early-stage companies have the potential for significant returns if chosen judiciously. This approach capitalizes on entering enterprises during their infancy, hoping for future appreciation.
Creating and selling digital products, such as budgeting aids, workout guides, resume templates, or planners, also emerges as an accessible source of recurring earnings. This model involves designing a digital good once and selling it repeatedly, highlighting scalability with minimal ongoing costs.
Print-on-demand merchandise enables entrepreneurs to market humorous or catchy designs on items like mugs, apparel, and tote bags without maintaining inventory. Fulfillment is handled by third-party services, allowing sellers to earn profit margins without initial inventory investment.
Freelance services offer avenues to monetize skills such as resume editing, graphic design, or writing product descriptions, with payment structured per project. Lastly, utilizing AI-powered tools to create content, ebooks, or websites presents an opportunity to leverage technology for productivity without requiring coding skills.
The core takeaway of O'Leary's advice is that in the contemporary economic environment, a smartphone transcends its role as a mere device for leisure, becoming a powerful tool for earning money. Successful side hustles are less about spectacle and more about addressing concrete business needs that clients are prepared to pay for.
For individuals uncertain about their particular marketable skill, he recommends beginning with an assessment of services or assistance they already provide to others and formalizing those into paid offerings.
This approach aligns with a practical mindset of turning existing competencies into reliable income streams rather than chasing fleeting online fame.