What's one unconventional income stream that's working well for your business? How did you discover this opportunity and what advice do you have for others?

Question

In challenging economic times, businesses face tough decisions about cutting expenses. This article presents expert-backed strategies for identifying which costs to reduce without compromising growth. Discover practical insights to help navigate financial constraints and maintain business resilience.

Kirti Poonia · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked well for Caimera is offering AI-generated model templates for smaller fashion brands or independent designers. Instead of only providing full image creation services, we started selling customizable image templates that smaller businesses could adjust to fit their needs. This opportunity came to light when a small boutique reached out, asking for a cost-effective way to produce high-quality marketing images without a full photoshoot. We realized that this could be an untapped market for us, especially given the growing number of small brands entering the market. By creating a range of versatile AI-generated model templates, we opened a new revenue stream that accounted for an additional 18% in quarterly income. My advice to other business owners is to look for opportunities where you can repurpose your existing offerings into a scalable product that fills a gap in the market.

Niclas Schlopsna · Answer

At Spectup, one unconventional revenue stream that's proven surprisingly valuable is what we call "pre-fundraise market positioning services." It's essentially a pre-preparation phase where we help startups not just build their pitch decks or financial models, but shape their whole narrative in the eyes of investors and even their early market. I discovered this opportunity during my time at Civey, where I saw startups consistently underestimate the power of perception--their potential customers and investors didn't yet "get them," and it was hurting their traction. When I joined Spectup, I experimented with offering this service, diving into messaging tweaks, sector-specific PR pushes, and highly targeted digital campaigns.
One early-stage SaaS company we worked with got an unexpected bump in investor confidence simply because we guided them to release their beta as an invite-only platform--it created demand without sacrificing their positioning as exclusive and indispensable. This service has grown into a significant revenue stream, and more importantly, it often becomes the tipping point for startups seeking investor buy-in. My advice? Don't overlook how narrative influences fundraising. Sometimes the product needs less tweaking than the story behind it--the promise, the urgency, the vision. And always test narratives before going big; tweaking small at the outset can lead to confident pitches later.

Brandon Thor · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has exceeded expectations is secured lending against physical precious metals. Most view gold and silver as long-term stores of value. We've turned them into working assets. Clients use their bullion as collateral to access liquidity without selling. This generates revenue through interest, storage, and custody fees while keeping the metals under our control. It also strengthens client retention by solving a real capital access issue.
We built this by responding to a specific client need. Investors held substantial metals but needed capital for real estate, tax payments, or business moves. Traditional banks weren't interested. We created a secure, fully insured system with strict loan-to-value ratios. The model now provides a steady, lower-risk return and opens the door to long-term client relationships based on trust and performance.
If you're in a product-driven business, look at where your clients store value but lack access. Think beyond transactions. Design services that extend the lifecycle of what they already own. Don't chase trends--solve friction points inside your ecosystem. That's where the real leverage lies.

Max Shak · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has been surprisingly effective for Zapiy is the offering of personalized consulting services alongside our core SaaS product. While we are primarily a software company, we found that many of our customers wanted more than just the tool; they were looking for expert guidance on how to best implement it, optimize their workflows, or even solve unique challenges within their businesses.
We stumbled upon this opportunity through direct conversations with our customers. As we interacted with them, it became clear that they were often seeking more hands-on support, but they did not necessarily want to invest in a full-time consultant. By offering tailored, project-based consulting sessions, we were able to fill this gap, helping our customers get the most value from our product while generating additional revenue.
This consulting service became a natural extension of our offering, and it allowed us to deepen our relationships with clients. We were able to position ourselves as not just a software provider, but as a trusted advisor who genuinely cares about their success. Over time, this helped build loyalty and trust, resulting in higher customer retention and more opportunities for upselling.
The key advice I would offer to other businesses is to listen closely to your customers. Sometimes the best opportunities are not in the immediate product or service you are selling, but in the additional support and expertise your customers need. If you can identify where their pain points lie and offer them value beyond your core product, you may uncover income streams that are both lucrative and deeply enriching for your customer relationships.
This approach is not just about selling more--it is about creating an ecosystem of value that extends the reach and impact of what you already do. It is one of the most rewarding moves we have made at Zapiy, and it has strengthened both our revenue and our customer loyalty.

Austin Benton · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked surprisingly well for SpeakerDrive is offering "event intelligence reports" to companies who aren't speakers at all — they're vendors, tech providers, or sponsors trying to get in front of the same audiences.
We discovered this by accident. A sponsor reached out asking if we had data on which events were worth attending. It turned out that our speaker research — audience size, organizer credibility, event history — was exactly what they needed, just repackaged. So we turned it into a paid add-on: a curated list of high-fit events tailored to their goals, not ours.
Now it's a small but steady income stream, and it adds zero overhead because we're already doing the research for our core users.
My advice? Look sideways. Who else could benefit from your existing data or process — even if they're not your main customer? Sometimes your "byproduct" is someone else's missing puzzle piece.

Georgi Petrov · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked surprisingly well for us is selling curated templates and swipe files from past campaigns. These are real assets we built for internal use--email sequences, ad scripts, funnel templates--that we cleaned up, bundled, and listed on our blog and Gumroad.
I stumbled upon the idea after being asked the same question by freelancers and small business owners: "Do you have an example I can look at?" At first, I gave them away for free. But once I packaged them up and added a low price tag, they started selling weekly without any paid traffic.
My advice? Look at what's already sitting in your Google Drive. If it saves someone time or teaches them something faster than starting from scratch, it has value. You don't need to create from zero--just productize what you've already done. The bonus? It builds trust and generates leads while bringing in passive revenue.

Dan Grigin · Answer

Reclaimed flooring brokerage has become surprisingly profitable. We connected with local contractors to acquire salvaged hardwood from demolition projects, then created a certification process ensuring these materials meet quality standards before connecting them with eco-conscious homeowners seeking character-rich flooring. Instead of charging traditional retail markups, we operate on a finder's fee model, generating revenue while remaining outside the typical supply chain complexities. This approach reduced our warehouse requirements while establishing us as sustainability leaders in the community. What began as a small environmental initiative now accounts for nearly 15% of annual profit with virtually no marketing investment—all growth has come through word-of-mouth from contractors and homeowners appreciating this unconventional restoration cycle.

Daniel Lynch · Answer

One unconventional income stream that's working well for us is digital asset creation — specifically building highly niche SEO-optimized websites around underserved healthcare search queries. These micro-sites generate inbound leads, which we then refer to aligned medical providers for a fee or partnership cut. We discovered this after noticing high search demand but almost no competition around specific cash-pay health services. My advice: follow digital breadcrumbs others ignore. Where there's unmet demand, there's always an opportunity.

Kristin Marquet · Answer

One unconventional income stream that's working surprisingly well for my business is selling ultra-specific digital toolkits and frameworks--like The Instant Pricing Fix™ and PR templates--designed for founder-moms and early-stage entrepreneurs. These aren't broad courses or traditional downloads--they're quick-win, high-impact resources built from the systems I've used in my work.
I discovered this opportunity by paying close attention to what clients kept asking for: clarity, confidence, and something immediately useful without a considerable time investment. Instead of upselling into services, I productized my expertise into bite-sized solutions.
My advice? Look at the parts of your process you repeat over and over--the frameworks, scripts, and templates you already use--and ask, "Would this solve a real problem for someone else in 30 minutes or less?" Package that, price it smartly, and let it work for you. Small, strategic products can quietly bring in consistent income and build trust for higher-ticket offers.

Dhari Alabdulhadi · Answer

I stumbled upon a unique income stream by selling digital guides based on my small business expertise. It started when I shared tips online about managing a local cafe. People loved it and asked for more. I saw potential, so I created downloadable resources on budgeting and marketing for small ventures. The discovery came organically through community engagement. Listening to what users needed was the key to success. Now, these guides bring steady revenue alongside my main business.
My advice here is to look at what you already know well. Your everyday skills can be someone's solution. Test ideas on social platforms to gauge interest before diving in. Keep it simple, authentic, and tied to what your community values. Price fairly, and don't underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. This side hustle thrives because it's built on genuine connections, solving real problems for people just like me.

Bowen He · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has significantly benefited my business is developing and selling digital products, such as online courses and downloadable templates. Initially, I created these resources to support my clients' needs, but I soon realized their broader appeal. By leveraging platforms like Shopify and Etsy, I was able to reach a wider audience without substantial additional effort. This approach not only generated passive income but also enhanced my brand's visibility and authority in the industry. For others considering this strategy, I recommend identifying areas where your expertise can be transformed into valuable digital products. Start by addressing common questions or challenges your clients face, and develop resources that provide clear solutions. This method allows you to monetize your knowledge while offering tangible value to your audience.

Wayne Lowry · Answer

I once treated a side project like a well-kept secret garden—full of gems, but nobody knew they could pay admission. Selling link insertions on your hobby page works much the same way: you've got valuable real estate, you just need to invite the right tenants. Start by auditing your content to identify posts that already attract steady, relevant traffic—those are your digital storefronts. Then package your offering as a "featured resource" spot rather than a blunt backlink sale; position it as a way for brands to add value to your readers.
I stumbled upon this when a small gear manufacturer reached out asking if they could "guest-plant" a link in my most popular post about weekend trails. I realized they saw my page as an authority hub, not just a niche blog. I created a simple rate card—with tiers based on page views and placement prominence—and shared it in my newsletter. Within days, I had three sponsors lined up, and it felt less like hustling and more like curating a mini-Marketplace of Ideas.
My biggest tip: vet every insertion for genuine relevance. Google's always watching, so an off-topic link is like inviting a Chihuahua into a Great Dane convention—it stands out for all the wrong reasons. Use an AI-powered tool or a lightweight script to track performance metrics (CTR, time on page) and rotate out underperformers quarterly. That keeps your page fresh, avoids stale partnerships, and gives you the data to justify future price increases. In short, treat link insertions not as a one-off grab, but as a subscription to your expertise.

Kritika Kanodia · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked well for us at Kalam Kagaz is personalized speech and letter writing, for weddings, corporate events, farewells, and even emotional family messages.
We initially discovered the opportunity when a few clients asked us to write heartfelt content beyond books or SOPs. We tested it quietly, and word-of-mouth referrals did the rest.
People deeply value words that feel personal but are professionally written, and that niche demand turned into a surprisingly strong revenue stream.
My advice is to listen closely to your audience. The unconventional opportunities often come from their offhand requests or unique pain points. Try a soft launch and let the market validate it organically.

Brenton Thomas · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked well for my business is licensing original content to industry publications and training platforms. In addition to earning passive revenue, it has expanded brand visibility and authority. I discovered this opportunity by repurposing blog posts into white-labeled resources and offering them to niche education sites. Furthermore, I approached outlets that were already featuring similar content and proposed co-branded partnerships. My advice is to audit your existing assets for repurposing potential and explore platforms that need fresh, credible material. Content you've already created can become a surprising and scalable revenue source with minimal extra effort.

Dhari Alabdulhadi · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked well for our business is offering behind-the-scenes workshops on how we operate. Customers were curious about our process, so we created paid sessions showing everything from sourcing to packaging. It started as a one-time event but quickly gained traction. We discovered the opportunity by listening to repeated customer questions and realizing there was genuine interest in learning. My advice: pay attention to what your audience is already curious about. Sometimes, your everyday operations become a valuable, teachable experience that others are willing to pay for.

Jitudan Gadhavi · Answer

One unconventional income stream that is working very well for Brand Whitelabel is offering premium "white label onboarding systems" to our agency partners.
We discovered this opportunity by closely observing our clients' pain points. Many of our agency partners were excellent at delivering SEO, PPC, or Web Design services but struggled significantly with onboarding new clients efficiently. This operational weakness led to higher client churn rates, delayed projects, and misaligned expectations, even when the service quality itself was strong. Initially, we provided basic onboarding templates as a courtesy, but as more agencies requested deeper customization and system setup, it became clear there was a real demand for a full onboarding solution.
We formalized this into a paid offering that includes white-labeled kickoff call scripts, customized onboarding forms, and automated email workflows built into popular CRMs like HubSpot or HighLevel. This service not only created an additional revenue stream but also strengthened our client relationships by helping them scale more smoothly.
For others looking to create unconventional income streams, my advice is to listen carefully to the "small complaints" your clients make. These often point to much larger operational gaps you can fill. Focus on solving process or operational pains rather than only delivering your core service, because improving how your clients run their business can be even more valuable to them. Additionally, pilot any new service quietly before investing heavily. If the demand proves consistent, then formalize and scale the offering.

Yancy Forsythe · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked well for our business is earning referral fees from deals we pass on but connect to another investor or agent. If a lead isn't a fit for our buy box—perhaps the numbers don't work, or it's in a market we don't serve—we don't simply walk away. Instead, we refer it to a trusted partner and earn a referral fee when the deal closes.
We discovered this opportunity simply by tracking how many leads we were disqualifying and realizing there was still value in them. After building a small network of reliable partners, it became a consistent source of low-effort income.
My advice: don't discard leads—redirect them. If you're generating volume, there's often money in what you can't personally fulfill. Build a network, track referrals, and treat it like a mini revenue stream, not an afterthought.

Rizala Carrington · Answer

One unconventional income stream that has worked well for us is monetizing our educational content through affiliate partnerships. We began by creating in-depth comparison posts and tutorials for tools we already used, without expecting anything in return. As the content started ranking and receiving consistent traffic, we added affiliate links for relevant software and platforms.
This approach has evolved into a solid passive revenue stream that now supports our main business. The key was that the content was genuinely helpful first. We didn't force the affiliate angle; we added it only where it made sense.
My advice: examine what you're already teaching or recommending to your audience. If you're providing value, there's often a win-win opportunity to turn that into revenue without sacrificing trust.

Dave Lavinsky · Answer

One unconventional income stream that's working well for my business is licensing content. Instead of just creating content for our own use, we've licensed it to other businesses in our industry. I discovered this opportunity through conversations with peers who needed high-quality content but lacked the time or resources to produce it themselves.
The key here is that you can monetize your existing assets—in this case, content—without having to create something entirely new. By licensing, we gain recurring revenue while others benefit from using our materials to elevate their own businesses.
My advice to others is to look at what you already have—whether it's content, intellectual property, or a unique service—and consider how it can be repurposed or licensed.

19 Strategies for Deciding Which Business Expenses to Cut During Tough Times

19 Strategies for Deciding Which Business Expenses to Cut During Tough Times

Sell AI-Generated Model Templates

Shape Startup Narratives for Investors

Turn Precious Metals into Working Assets

Offer Personalized Consulting with SaaS

Provide Event Intelligence to Non-Speakers

Monetize Internal Assets as Templates

Broker Reclaimed Flooring for Eco-Conscious Buyers

Create Niche Healthcare Websites for Leads

Develop Ultra-Specific Digital Toolkits

Craft Digital Guides for Small Businesses

Create and Sell Digital Products

Monetize Blog Posts with Link Insertions

Offer Personalized Speech Writing Services

License Original Content to Industry Publications

Host Behind-the-Scenes Business Workshops

Provide White Label Onboarding Systems

Earn Fees from Redirected Leads

Monetize Educational Content via Affiliates

License Existing Content to Industry Peers