25 Business Ideas For Storytellers [2024]

Updated: September 27th, 2024

Storytellers have always been the heartbeat of culture, shaping our understanding of the world and transporting us to new realms. In 2024, the demand for original voices is booming, and there are numerous business opportunities where your narrative talent can shine. Imagine turning your passion for storytelling into a successful venture that impacts lives and inspires others.

You could start your own publishing agency, focusing on discovering and promoting fresh talent. Alternatively, launching a podcast production service could allow you to share compelling stories in audio format, reaching listeners worldwide. Perhaps developing interactive storytelling apps could be your gateway into the tech industry, offering users an immersive experience.

The market also offers possibilities in content creation for brands looking to engage their audience with meaningful narratives. You could freelance as a ghostwriter, breathing life into biographies, novels, or corporate histories. The opportunities are vast and varied, and your unique storytelling skills could be the key to unlocking them.

For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other storyteller businesses to help you see what it takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Launching a podcast can be a fantastic business opportunity for storytellers. It allows you to weave your tales, share invaluable experiences, or discuss topics you’re passionate about with a global audience. By investing in just a few key pieces of equipment and utilizing affordable hosting platforms, you could build a loyal listener base, attract sponsorships, and monetize your content.

Why start a podcast?

  • You could reach a global audience and connect with people who share your interests and passions.
  • You could monetize through ads, sponsorships, and listener donations as your audience grows.
  • As a storyteller, you have the unique ability to captivate and engage listeners, making your podcast stand out in a crowded market.

Explore more on how to get started here.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,196 founders

2. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be your next big move if you have a knack for creating compelling video content. As a storyteller, a YouTube channel offers you the opportunity to share your unique voice and expertise while potentially earning revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise. Whether your passion lies in crafting how-to guides, vlogs, educational content, or entertainment, YouTube is a versatile platform where creativity meets opportunity.

Building a successful YouTube channel requires dedication, consistency, and understanding of video SEO and social media marketing. Despite the hard work involved, the potential rewards—both financial and creative—can be significant. For more tips on starting your own YouTube channel, you can explore this guide on profitability.

Why start a YouTube channel?

  • You can monetize your creative skills through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
  • It's a versatile platform that allows you to showcase your storytelling talents in various formats.
  • Engaging with a global audience can offer immense growth and learning opportunities.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

Read by 12,318 founders

3. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog is an excellent way for storytellers to engage with a passionate online community while sharing their unique expertise on a specific topic. As a storyteller, you could leverage your narrative skills to create captivating content, such as articles, film reviews, or how-to guides, in a niche you’re passionate about. Not only does this allow you to shape a platform tailored to your interests, but it also opens up various monetization avenues, such as providing affiliate links or collaborating with relevant brands to boost your income.

By focusing on a profitable and underserved niche, like fashion, film reviews, or even storytelling itself, you could cultivate a loyal audience that values your insights and perspectives. Check out these examples of niche blog names here.

Why start a niche blog?

  • You’ll connect with a community that shares your passions, leading to more engagement and opportunities for growth.
  • You’ll have the flexibility to monetize your blog through diverse streams, like affiliate links and brand collaborations.
  • As a storyteller, your ability to captivate and inform can set your blog apart, driving consistent traffic and income.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.

Read by 78,146 founders

4. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As a storyteller, delving into the creation of an AI writing tool can be an exciting venture. Utilizing your deep understanding of narrative and language, you could develop a cutting-edge solution that accelerates content creation for various mediums. This tool, driven by Artificial Intelligence, has the potential to generate accurate and engaging content efficiently, making it an invaluable asset for businesses, bloggers, and students.

By embedding artificial intelligence at the core of content creation, you could transform how stories and articles are written—automating the process to be error-free and time-efficient. Imagine leveraging your storytelling prowess to create a tool that not only eases the workload of writers globally but also pushes the boundaries of traditional writing methods. To get a detailed understanding of its profitability, you may explore this link for additional insights.

Why embark on creating an AI writing tool?

  • You could revolutionize the writing process, making it more efficient and accessible.
  • As a storyteller, you can ensure the AI-produced content maintains a high standard of narrative quality.
  • The demand for constant, quality content is ever-growing, providing a vast market for your innovative tool.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.

Read by 6,757 founders

5. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)

As a storyteller, you could transform your narrative skills into a profitable venture by starting an online course sales business. Imagine creating and selling courses that delve into the art of storytelling, character development, or even the nuances of various genres—there's a whole world of topics to explore. Essentially, you're leveraging your existing expertise to educate and inspire others, all while generating additional income. With the e-learning market estimated to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, there’s a substantial opportunity to turn your passion into a lucrative business.

Explore more about online course sales businesses

Why start an online course sales business?

  • You could monetize your expertise. Creating online courses allows you to turn your storytelling skills into a profitable educational product.
  • You could reach a global audience. Online platforms enable you to expand your reach beyond geographical limitations.
  • You could achieve passive income. Once your course is created, it can continuously generate income with minimal effort.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read by 12,028 founders

6. Start a niche website ($107K/month)

If you're a storyteller looking for a business idea that merges your creative flair with potential revenue, consider starting a niche website. A niche website focuses on a specialized topic, allowing you to serve a dedicated audience with targeted content. This venture involves diving deep into a subject you're passionate about, creating compelling content, and driving traffic to your site. With various monetization options like affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products, this could become a reliable source of income. Once established, a niche website can offer you both creative freedom and passive income opportunities. Read more about successful niche websites here.

Why starting a niche website?

  • You could attract a loyal audience by focusing on a specific topic you're passionate about.
  • Monetize through diverse channels like ads, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products.
  • Benefit from passive income once your site gains traction and maintains steady traffic.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

Read by 3,617 founders

7. Start an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)

Starting an ecommerce reselling business could be an excellent opportunity for storytellers looking to supplement their income, make extra money, or even start a new venture. By purchasing goods for resale rather than consumption, you can launch an online business without worrying about production costs. As a storyteller, you could leverage your narrative skills to create compelling product descriptions and marketing stories, making your items more appealing to potential customers.

You don't need a website immediately to start; you could begin with a social media-based reseller business, expanding to a website as your business grows. For more insights, check out these success stories from other ecommerce resellers.

Why consider an ecommerce reselling business?

  • You could use your storytelling skills to craft engaging product descriptions that captivate customers.
  • You could start with minimal upfront costs since production is not involved.
  • You could grow your business organically, starting on social media and expanding as you gain traction.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

My Side Hustle Makes $1.2M/Year Selling Car Accessories

Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.

Read by 7,379 founders

8. Start a web scraping API ($34.2K/month)

If you're a storyteller looking to diversify your income streams, developing a web scraping API could be a compelling business venture. This business idea harnesses the power of automated data collection, enabling businesses to gather insights effortlessly from web sources. By leveraging your analytical mindset and possibly weaving narratives around the data you collect, you could provide value to multiple industries, enhancing market research, competitor analysis, and content curation efforts for your clients. For more detailed insights on startup costs and marketing ideas, explore these resources on Starter Story.

Why consider starting a web scraping API?

  • It leverages your analytical storytelling skills to turn data into actionable business insights.
  • It offers a scalable business model with high demand across diverse industries.
  • It can provide a flexible side income or grow into a full-time business.

How much you can make: $50 — $125,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)

How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)

On Building A Travel Recommendations Platform

PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.

Read by 4,681 founders

9. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)

Considering a side business or an entire business based on AI technology as a storyteller? An AI-based business solution can greatly streamline operations, improve decision-making, and provide personalized experiences, aligning perfectly with your narrative skills. Leveraging AI, you could offer services like automated content generation, intelligent customer interactions, and personalized storytelling experiences, adding a unique touch to your enterprise. Even without a tech background, many AI platforms offer user-friendly interfaces that make this venture accessible and highly profitable.

Why start an AI-based business solution?

  • The demand for AI solutions is growing rapidly, offering you a chance to tap into expanding markets.
  • AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, giving you more time to focus on creative storytelling and strategy.
  • You can easily integrate AI to provide personalized, engaging experiences for customers, setting your business apart from competitors.

Explore more about the profitability and startup costs of AI-based business solutions on Starter Story here.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)

How We Launched A $120K/Month Audiobook Publishing Course

Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.

Read by 21,993 founders

10. Develop an online survey tool ($304K/month)

As a storyteller, you thrive on understanding your audience and engaging them with compelling narratives. An online survey tool allows you to dive deeper into your audience's preferences, gather insightful feedback, and tailor your stories to resonate more effectively. By leveraging data collection through surveys, you can identify opportunities to enhance your storytelling craft while also helping businesses gain valuable customer insights.

Check out how successful entrepreneurs have grown their own survey tools here.

Why create an online survey tool?

  • You could harness storytelling techniques to design engaging surveys that capture respondents' interest and yield higher response rates.
  • Facilitating businesses in understanding their customers could lead to collaborations and more storytelling opportunities.
  • The demand for data collection is high, making it a lucrative venture with a broad market.

How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

On Starting A $160K/Month CRM & Automations Company After A US Air Force Career

GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.

Read by 12,017 founders

11. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)

Starting a health and wellness app offers a unique opportunity to weave engaging narratives that motivate users to achieve their fitness and mental well-being goals. As a storyteller, you could create inspiring content that personalizes the user's journey with tailored fitness routines, nutrition plans, and mental well-being exercises. With the rise of digital health platforms, building a comprehensive app could allow you to turn your narrative skills into a thriving business while making a positive impact on people's lives.

Why starting a health and wellness app?

  • You could create immersive stories that inspire and guide users toward healthier lifestyle choices.
  • Building an app allows you to tap into a growing market of health-conscious individuals seeking personalized wellness solutions.
  • As a storyteller, you could use your skills to craft compelling content that keeps users engaged and motivated to reach their goals.

For more detailed steps and startup costs, check out this page.

How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

I Created A $2.7M/Year Software That Extends People's Lives By Analyzing Their DNA

Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.

Read by 8,608 founders

12. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

Starting a mobile app as a storyteller provides a unique opportunity to bring your narratives to life through an engaging, interactive platform. Whether it's through interactive fiction, immersive storytelling apps, or educational tools, your creativity can reach a wider audience leveraging mobile technology's accessibility. You could also incorporate multimedia elements like audio, visuals, and animations to enhance user experience and make your stories more compelling.

For those with a storyteller's knack, this venture is quite actionable with a clear vision, basic coding knowledge, or the ability to hire a skilled developer. This allows for planning memorable user experiences, designing visually striking interfaces, and performing thorough testing to ensure smooth functionality. Effective marketing, through various channels, will be crucial to attracting and retaining users, helping your app gain significant traction and generate revenue. For more inspiration, check out some success stories from other creators.

Why create a mobile app?

  • Reach a wider audience: Mobile apps can be downloaded by users worldwide, amplifying the reach of your stories far beyond traditional boundaries.
  • Innovative storytelling: Mobile apps allow for integrating multimedia elements, making your storytelling more immersive and interactive.
  • Monetization opportunities: You could generate income through app purchases, subscriptions, or ads, turning your storytelling passion into a profitable venture.

How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.

Read by 11,007 founders

13. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)

As a storyteller, leveraging an email marketing tool provides an excellent opportunity to supplement your income or start a side business. The global email marketing tool market is set to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, highlighting its lucrative potential. By creating and managing email campaigns, you could engage your audience more effectively, generate leads, and deliver compelling narratives straight to their inboxes.

Explore more about email marketing tools

Why start an email marketing tool?

  • You could monetize your storytelling skills by crafting engaging email campaigns that businesses will pay for.
  • You can build a platform that helps other entrepreneurs and artists, aligning perfectly with a storyteller’s ability to connect and inspire.
  • With email marketing, you could reach a broader audience than a blog or website, allowing your stories and messages to travel further.

How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.

Read by 14,133 founders

14. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)

Starting a social media automation business would make sense as a storyteller because it allows you to blend your creative storytelling skills with strategic marketing and technology. By automating social media tasks, you can help clients maintain a consistent presence and engage their audience with compelling narratives, all while streamlining their workflow. This business taps into the growing demand for efficient social media management, allowing you to use your storytelling prowess to narrate brand stories that resonate with audiences.

Why start a social media automation business?

  • Storytelling expertise adds value: Your storytelling skills can create engaging, automated posts that captivate audiences.
  • Time-efficiency for clients: Automating social media tasks saves clients significant time, making your service highly valuable.
  • High market demand: With more brands seeking streamlined social media solutions, there's a growing opportunity for a lucrative business.

For more insights, you can explore further here: Social Media Automation Business Profitability.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A Social Media Automation Tool To $2MM/Year

MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.

Read by 15,243 founders

15. Start a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)

Navigating the world of stock investing can be a lucrative venture if you’ve got a knack for storytelling. Just as you weave narratives to captivate an audience, you could analyze markets and craft compelling investment strategies to generate profit. Turning your talent for observation and analysis into a stock investing business can be an exciting side hustle or full-time entrepreneurial venture.

Why consider a stock investing business?

  • Your analytical skills as a storyteller can help you interpret market trends effectively.
  • Crafting investment strategies can be akin to writing a successful plot, with rewarding outcomes.
  • The financial freedom from profitable trades can allow you to focus more on your storytelling passions.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

I Launched A $54K/Year Newsletter That Finds Trending Stocks

Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.

Read by 23,790 founders

16. Start a dropshipping business ($414K/month)

Starting a dropshipping business as a storyteller makes sense because it allows you to leverage your narrative skills to create a compelling brand story and engage customers effectively. With your talent for weaving engaging stories, you could create a unique shopping experience that differentiates your store from competitors. This business model is low-risk and scalable, providing an excellent opportunity for supplemental income or even a full-time venture. For more insights, check out detailed success stories in dropshipping.

Why starting a dropshipping business?

  • You could harness your storytelling skills to build brand loyalty and connect emotionally with customers.
  • Low startup costs and no inventory management mean you can focus on marketing and customer engagement.
  • The flexibility of dropshipping enables you to run your business from anywhere, leaving room for your creative endeavors.

How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week

How I Started A $100K/Month Business Mentoring Dropshipping Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.

Read by 25,765 founders

17. Start a niche investment platform ($167K/month)

Starting a niche investment platform could be a revolutionary way for storytellers to transform their narrative skills into rewarding entrepreneurial ventures. By leveraging modern technology, you can create transparent trading ecosystems tailored to specialized investors, whether they're passionate about collectibles, cryptocurrencies, real estate, or even athletic prospects. Such platforms offer diversified asset classes and a unique investment experience, generating income through transaction fees and premium subscriptions.

Building an exclusive user base is achievable by offering flexibility around portfolio combinations, thereby attracting a niche audience seeking alternatives amid volatile stock markets. For more insights on launching a niche investment platform, check out Starter Story's success stories for inspiration and strategic tips.

Why consider launching a niche investment platform?

  • You could resonate deeply with your audience by telling compelling stories around alternative assets, sparking investor interest and trust.
  • Offering unique investment opportunities can build a loyal community, providing a consistent and recurring revenue stream.
  • Your storytelling skills can enhance the platform's appeal, making complex investment concepts accessible and engaging to a broader audience.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $600,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How We Started A $40M Real Estate Investment Fund

Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.

Read by 13,320 founders

18. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)

Starting a subscription box business could be a unique and profitable venture for a storyteller. By curating themed boxes filled with books, storytelling tools, and other narrative-driven items, you could create a recurring revenue stream while indulging your passion for stories. Subscription boxes are in high demand as they offer exclusive, niche products and enhance customer value by delivering surprises and delights right to their doors.

Why start a subscription box business?

  • You could connect more deeply with your audience by offering them personalized storytelling experiences.
  • A subscription box business can generate steady, predictable income every month with loyal subscribers.
  • It allows you to leverage your storytelling skills to craft captivating themes and boxes, making each delivery a unique adventure for your customers.

For more information, you can explore successful subscription box business ideas and tips here.

How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A Gift Box Business For Non Traditional Brides

Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.

Read by 31,440 founders

19. Start a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)

As a storyteller, starting a WordPress plugin business allows you to harness your creativity in a tech-savvy way. By developing plugins that solve specific problems, you can create tools that help other storytellers, bloggers, or businesses enhance their online presence. This venture not only offers the potential for a lucrative side income but also allows you to build products that resonate with your community. For more in-depth guidance, check out this comprehensive breakdown on how to start a WordPress plugin business.

Why start a WordPress plugin business?

  • You could address common pain points that content creators face, turning your tech skills and storytelling insight into a marketable solution.
  • You could reach a broad audience quickly by listing your plugins on popular platforms like CodeCanyon or even your own blog.
  • By responding to the needs of fellow storytellers, you could build valuable, scalable products that help shape the digital landscape.

How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Coded A Website Plugin Making $600 Per Month

Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.

Read by 18,981 founders

20. Start a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)

Starting a stock photography business could be a compelling venture for storytellers seeking to supplement their income. As a storyteller, your unique perspective and eye for captivating details can translate beautifully into high-quality stock photos, which are in constant demand for marketing purposes. This business allows you to create a passive income stream by licensing photos to websites, bloggers, and businesses, all while building an impressive portfolio.

To get started, invest in good photography gear and learn how to capture compelling stock photos. An excellent online presence can help you sell your stock photos faster and at profitable margins. For more insights and ideas, check this page on stock photography business profitability.

Why starting a stock photography business?

  • You could monetize your storytelling skills by capturing images that evoke emotions and narratives.
  • Stock photography offers a passive income opportunity, allowing you to earn while focusing on other storytelling projects.
  • Your unique perspective as a storyteller can set your portfolio apart, making your photos highly desirable for marketing and advertising.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A Commercial Product Photography Business

Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.

Read by 15,472 founders

21. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a smart move for storytellers looking to supplement their income, make extra money, or launch a side business. As a storyteller, you have an innate ability to captivate audiences, and this skill translates perfectly into the world of affiliate marketing. By weaving compelling narratives around products and services, you could effectively drive sales and earn commissions.

To get started, you'll need to learn how to select the right products and brands to partner with. For instance, becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store or partnering with a manufacturer could be lucrative paths. If you're interested in understanding the potential of such a business, check out the success stories of affiliate marketers on Starter Story.

Why start an affiliate marketing business?

  • You could leverage your storytelling skills to create captivating content that drives sales.
  • Affiliate marketing offers a passive income potential, allowing you to earn money even while you sleep.
  • It requires relatively low startup costs, making it an accessible side hustle or full-time business option.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,623 founders

22. Start a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)

Starting a real estate investment firm aligns seamlessly with a storyteller's creative and analytical mindset. You could craft compelling narratives around properties to attract investors and buyers, transforming simple listings into engaging stories that highlight the unique value and potential of each investment. By utilizing your storytelling skills, you could differentiate your properties in a competitive market, drawing in clients through the power of a well-told story.

Why consider starting a real estate investment firm?

  • You could utilize your storytelling abilities to market properties effectively, making them more appealing to potential buyers or renters.
  • The narrative you create around a property could enhance its perceived value, thereby increasing profitability.
  • You could leverage your creativity to identify and showcase the true potential of undervalued properties, creating unique investment opportunities.

Explore more about the possibilities of a real estate investment firm here.

How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)

How We Started A $40M Real Estate Investment Fund

Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.

Read by 13,320 founders

23. Start a SEO & lead generation service ($60K/month)

Starting a SEO & lead generation service could be a perfect match for your storytelling prowess. As a storyteller, you have a natural aptitude for creating engaging narratives that can capture attention and resonate deeply with audiences. This skill translates effortlessly into creating compelling content and strategies that attract, nurture, and convert leads into loyal customers for businesses. Dive into the fundamentals of lead generation and digital marketing to harness your storytelling talents in a lucrative new way.

Check out more on starting this business here.

Why start a SEO & lead generation service?

  • Storytelling is at the heart of captivating marketing, and your ability to craft impactful stories will set you apart.
  • This field allows you to leverage your creativity to create engaging content that drives traffic and generates leads.
  • It’s a high-demand service as businesses always need experts to help grow their client base and improve their digital presence.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Started A $35K/Month Agency Specialized On Link Building

A link building company co-founded by Justas Markus has grown to make an average of $35k per month in recurring revenue with a focus on delivering high-quality services through manual processes and focusing on fewer markets.

Read by 14,475 founders

24. Develop a lead generation tool ($108K/month)

Starting a lead generation tool business makes sense for storytellers as it involves creating a platform that automates the process of identifying and capturing potential customer leads for businesses. You could leverage your storytelling skills to craft compelling marketing narratives that attract and engage target audiences. Imagine integrating with websites and social media channels to collect valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and interests, enabling businesses to focus on converting leads rather than finding them.

By addressing the high demand for efficient lead generation, you could help businesses of all sizes streamline their marketing efforts and grow their customer base. If you're tech-savvy and have an eye for marketing, this venture could combine your strengths in storytelling with a profitable business model. For more details on the startup costs and pros and cons of starting a lead generation tool business, explore this Starter Story page.

Why start a lead generation tool business?

  • You could transform the mundane task of finding leads into an automated and efficient process.
  • Your storytelling prowess could create engaging and persuasive marketing strategies that attract high-quality leads.
  • Businesses are constantly looking for ways to streamline and optimize their marketing efforts, making lead generation tools in high demand.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

How I Created A $5M/Year LinkedIn Marketing Automation Tool

Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.

Read by 8,918 founders

25. Print on demand business ($411K/month)

Starting a print-on-demand business as a storyteller opens up exciting avenues for monetizing your creativity and reaching a global audience. By leveraging platforms like Etsy and Amazon, you could design and sell customized products such as apparel, home goods, and phone cases without any upfront inventory costs. This business model allows you to focus on what you do best—telling compelling stories through your designs—while automated fulfillment handles the heavy lifting.

Why start a print-on-demand business?

  • You could transform your unique stories into tangible products, allowing fans to connect with your narratives in everyday life.
  • With minimal startup costs, you can quickly launch your business and scale at your own pace.
  • The flexibility to operate from anywhere gives you the freedom to continue crafting your stories while earning an income.

For more information, check out print-on-demand business success stories.

How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $330K/Month Ecommerce Specialized In 3D Printing

Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.

Read by 29,965 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.