Welcome to my article “New Platforms to Make Money Online (Beyond Amazon eBay and YouTube)”.
In the world of online income, we have all heard the usual suspects—Amazon, eBay, YouTube—they’ve been around longer than your favorite meme format. And while they’re still powerful platforms, let’s be honest: breaking into those spaces in 2025 feels like trying to enter a packed concert without a ticket. Between saturated markets, complex algorithms, and the constant need to one-up every other creator on the internet, many people are left wondering, “Is there any new way to make money online without becoming a full-time content machine?” Good news: yes, there is.
In this blog, we are diving into less-talked-about, underrated, and up-and-coming platforms where everyday people are making real money—no massive following or viral dance skills required. From selling simple digital products to turning your late-night rants into paid newsletters, there are platforms out there designed for creators, freelancers, and side hustlers who want results without burnout. These aren’t get-rich-quick schemes or shady loopholes. These are legit income streams that are still in their early stages, meaning less competition and more opportunity for you. Ready to move beyond the Big 3 and explore what’s next in the world of online income? Let’s get into the good stuff.
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Ko-fi & Buy Me a Coffee – Monetize Your Supporters Without a Big Audience
Let’s face it—building a massive online following takes time, luck, and possibly a viral video involving a cat and a kazoo. But what if you could start earning even with a tiny but loyal audience? That’s where platforms like Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee come in. Think of them as virtual tip jars… but smarter. These platforms let your audience support you financially for the content, value, or sheer entertainment you provide—whether you’re writing blogs, designing art, recording music, or just sharing really good advice on the internet.
The beauty? You don’t need thousands of followers. If even 10 people value your work and want to buy you a metaphorical latte, that’s income. You can accept one-time donations, offer monthly memberships, or even sell digital products directly—without the hassle of setting up a complicated website or shopping cart. It’s fast, clean, and feels far less salesy than shouting “Link in bio!” every two hours.
Want to level up? Add exclusive perks for supporters—behind-the-scenes content, shoutouts, custom requests, or early access to your creations. This not only increases your earnings but also builds a stronger connection with your audience. Both Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee take minimal fees, and you can link them to your socials or website in just a few clicks.
So, if you’ve been waiting to “grow your audience first” before monetizing—don’t. Start small, start now, and let your real fans fuel your online hustle—one coffee at a time.
Gumroad – Sell Digital Products With Zero Overhead
If you have ever thought, “I wish I could sell something online without worrying about inventory, shipping, or tech headaches,” then say hello to Gumroad—your new best friend in the world of digital products. Whether you’re a designer with templates, a coach with PDF guides, or just someone who made a spreadsheet so good it deserves its own fanbase, Gumroad makes it ridiculously easy to package and sell your genius.
What makes it stand out? For starters, no monthly fees unless you’re scaling big. You can upload your product, set a price (or let buyers pay what they want), and start selling in under an hour. There’s no need to code, design a fancy website, or even have a logo. Gumroad handles the storefront, payments, downloads, and even email updates to customers. You just focus on creating stuff people want.
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And yes, people do want digital products—especially in niches like productivity, personal finance, self-development, design assets, and online learning. There are creators making consistent monthly income by selling things as simple as Notion templates or niche eBooks. It’s passive income with training wheels: you build once, and it sells over and over again, even while you’re binge-watching crime documentaries.
Pro tip: Gumroad also lets you offer discount codes, bundles, affiliate programs, and even free products to build your email list. That’s a full sales funnel without paying for seven different tools. So if you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start selling your ideas online, here’s your permission slip. No warehouse, no inventory, no excuses. Just digital hustle done right.
Substack – Turn Your Knowledge Into a Paid Newsletter
You have probably heard the saying, “Your email list is your biggest asset.” Well, Substack took that idea and said, “Cool, let’s help you make money from it too.” If you’re someone who loves to write, share opinions, explain complex topics, or even just rant in an organized way—Substack is your stage. It’s a platform that lets you publish free or paid newsletters, build an audience, and earn recurring income—all without needing a website or technical skills.
Here’s how it works: You create a newsletter (think blog posts delivered straight to inboxes), and people subscribe. You can keep it free, charge a monthly or annual fee, or do a mix of both with free content + paid premium posts. It’s like Patreon, but for your brain. And the best part? You own your email list. That means if you ever want to move, pivot, or launch something new, your audience goes with you—not stuck in an algorithm’s basement.
Substack is a goldmine for creators in niches like personal growth, finance, career tips, tech insights, pop culture analysis, and storytelling. You don’t need to be a professional journalist—just someone who’s passionate about a topic and consistent in showing up. Even if you have 100 loyal readers, a handful of them might be willing to pay for more in-depth, no-fluff content.
Pro tip: Start with free posts to build trust, then roll out paid content once you’ve built momentum. Substack also has built-in tools for growth—comments, podcast hosting, and even recommendations from other writers. So if you’re sitting on a mountain of knowledge and love hitting “send,” it’s time to make your words work for you. Your inbox could be your next income stream.
Teachable & Payhip – Launch Your Own Online Course Without Tech Hassle
If the idea of launching an online course makes you instantly picture coding nightmares, camera gear you can’t afford, and an endless loop of “coming soon” landing pages—breathe. Platforms like Teachable and Payhip are here to prove that you don’t need to be a tech wizard or marketing guru to start earning from what you know.
Let’s break it down. Teachable is great if you want a polished course platform with structure—modules, quizzes, progress tracking, and all that jazz. On the other hand, Payhip is the simpler cousin. It’s fast to set up, user-friendly, and perfect for mini-courses, digital downloads, and even coaching sessions. Both platforms handle payments, email delivery, student access, and updates—so you can focus on the content, not the coding.
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The best part? You don’t need a huge audience or fancy studio setup. People are out here selling bite-sized courses on topics like productivity hacks, Excel shortcuts, self-publishing tips, and even how to use Notion for planning their week. If you’ve ever solved a problem for someone—yes, even your cousin asking “How do I make a resume?”—you’ve got potential course material.
You can record your lessons using free tools like Loom or Zoom, upload them to your course platform, and start sharing the link. That’s it. No webinars, no complex funnels (unless you want to add them later). Just a straightforward way to turn your expertise into a scalable, repeatable income stream.
So, if you’ve been putting off creating a course because “it feels too complicated,” guess what? It’s not. In 2025, platforms like Teachable and Payhip have removed the excuses. All that’s left is your knowledge—and the people waiting to pay you for it.
Lemon8 & Clapper – Rising Social Apps That Pay Creators
Everyone’s talking about Instagram and TikTok like they’re the only parties in town, but meanwhile, Lemon8 and Clapper are quietly serving snacks, playing good music, and paying creators to show up. If you’ve been feeling stuck in the big-platform algorithm maze, these up-and-coming apps might just be your chance to get noticed—and paid—without needing a million followers or a viral dance move.
Lemon8, backed by the same folks behind TikTok, is like the love child of Pinterest and Instagram. It’s visual, aesthetic, and perfect for creators who love curating content—whether it’s lifestyle tips, beauty routines, productivity hacks, or outfit ideas. The algorithm actually favors helpful, well-designed posts instead of whoever’s yelling the loudest. And yes, creators are already getting brand deals, sponsorships, and growing fast on it—while bigger platforms are busy shadow-banning your best post.
Then there’s Clapper—a platform that’s proudly “for the rest of us.” No blue check drama, no obsession with perfection. Just raw, unfiltered content that feels more real and less rehearsed. It’s a space where you can build a niche audience and monetize through creator funds, livestream gifts, or even direct support from your community. Think TikTok’s chill cousin who actually listens when you talk.
The real opportunity? Early adoption. These platforms aren’t saturated yet, which means more visibility, faster growth, and way less competition. Plus, they’re actively supporting creators—so you’re not fighting for scraps while mega influencers take the whole cake.
So if you’ve been waiting for a “less crowded” space to grow as a content creator, this is your cue. Lemon8 and Clapper might not be household names yet, but for the smart ones who show up early, they’re looking like the next big thing.
Conclusion
Let’s be real—making money online isn’t just for influencers with ring lights and viral dance moves anymore. The digital world has evolved, and so have the platforms that support creators, freelancers, and side hustlers. Whether you’re selling a Notion template on Gumroad, teaching Excel tricks on Teachable, or getting paid to send out a weekly newsletter on Substack, the opportunities are real, and they’re wide open—especially on these newer, lesser-known platforms.
And here’s the kicker: most of these platforms don’t require a huge audience, fancy equipment, or a full-blown marketing team. What they do need is you—your ideas, your skills, your unique perspective. The internet has made it possible to turn almost any passion into income… and if you’re still waiting for the perfect moment to start, this is it. The big players like Amazon and YouTube will always be there—but sometimes, the real growth happens when you bet on what’s next, not what’s already crowded.
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So pick one platform that resonated with you today. Give yourself 30 days. Test, post, launch, sell—whatever action fits. You don’t need to master everything overnight. Just start where you are, with what you know, and let the digital dominoes fall in your favor.
Now go build that income stream. The internet’s waiting.
Thank you for reading my article “New Platforms to Make Money Online (Beyond Amazon eBay and YouTube)” till the end. Hope it helped you. See you with another article.
