ai-side-hustles

3 Best Side Hustles in 2025 to Make $100/Day Using AI and a Business Platform

Charles Higgins

Charles Higgins

— 12 min read
Featured
Featured

Table of Contents

Introduction

In a recent video, Andrew George walked us through three simple, repeatable AI-powered side hustles you can launch today and start earning recurring revenue. We’ve taken that walkthrough, expanded it with practical examples, step-by-step checklists, and clear pricing strategies so you can start in the next 15 minutes.

These ideas focus on services small local businesses actually need: answering missed calls, managing social media replies, and booking appointments. Each service is easy to deliver, inexpensive to run, and ideal for recurring subscription pricing. We’ll explain the exact setup, how to package each offer, how to present demos to prospects, and how to scale with minimal overhead—no heavy technical knowledge required.

Why these side hustles work right now

  • Small businesses are overwhelmed: owners are on the job and miss calls or messages that convert into revenue.
  • AI lets us automate conversations in a natural, human-like way when prompted correctly.
  • Subscription pricing creates predictable, recurring cashflow once a few customers are onboarded.
  • Most of the tech is already available in one integrated solution: phone numbers, AI agents, automations, and calendar integrations.

Quick overview of the three services

  • AI Missed-Call Answering Service (voice agent that answers calls and takes basic info).
  • AI Social Media Response Tool (automated replies to comments and direct messages).
  • AI Appointment Setter (conversational bots that book appointments into calendars).

Side Hustle #1: AI Missed-Call Answering Service

What it is

We set up an AI voice agent that answers calls when a business owner is busy and can’t pick up. The agent fields customer needs, takes call-back information, and either schedules appointments or forwards leads to the business via text/email. This is perfect for plumbers, electricians, roofers, and any on-the-go service provider.

Why it converts

  • Real calls = real customers. Missed calls often mean missed revenue.
  • Business owners value time and reduced interruptions while on jobs.
  • The agent provides immediate, consistent service and can be shown in a live demo during sales calls.

Core features we deliver

  • Phone number assigned to the business (local area code).
  • Voice AI picks up calls when the owner can’t answer.
  • Custom prompts so the AI sounds like the business (tone, service details, FAQs).
  • Call notes and lead capture sent to the owner by SMS or email.
  • Option to transfer to a human or schedule a callback.

Step-by-step setup

  1. Create a sub-account for the customer within your business software so the agent and settings are separated per client.
  2. Buy a local phone number for the client (numbers are inexpensive). Choose the area code that matches where they operate.
  3. Create a voice AI agent: either start from a template (recommended for speed) or build a custom agent with the customer’s script.
  4. Fill in the agent details (business name, service types, typical call questions, hours of operation).
  5. Connect the phone number to the voice AI as a backup or primary answering option—toggle it to answer when the business doesn’t pick up.
  6. Test several scenarios: emergency requests, scheduling, pricing questions, and silly or off-topic queries. Tweak the prompts if needed.
  7. Set up notifications: deliver call summaries to the owner’s SMS or email and log leads into the CRM.

Prompting tips (make it sound human)

  • Use short, friendly sentences and avoid robotic phrasing.
  • Include empathetic language: “We know leaks are stressful—let’s find a time that works for you.”
  • Offer clear options: “Press 1 for urgent service, press 2 to schedule, or say ‘billing’ for questions.”
  • Always confirm critical info back to the caller: name, address, best callback time.

Pricing and packaging

We recommend a simple monthly subscription model. Common price points that sell well:

  • Basic: $99/month — local phone number + voice agent answering missed calls; lead delivery via SMS.
  • Standard: $149/month — everything in Basic + direct appointment scheduling and calendar integration.
  • Premium: $199/month — everything in Standard + monthly call-reporting and one custom prompt update per month.

Offer an optional revenue-share (rev-share) where you take 30–50% of new-client revenue generated through the system for the first 1–3 months if the business owner prefers no upfront monthly fee. This is a great way to get testimonials quickly.

Sales & demo tips

  • Give live demos. While on a sales call, forward the number to the agent and let the owner call in to see how it sounds.
  • Use real-life scripts tied to the business: include typical questions (pricing, hours, emergency bookings).
  • Emphasize the no-tech-touch option: once set up, it runs automatically.
  • Show the ROI: if one converted call equals a $200 job, getting 3–4 extra calls per month pays for the service.

Side Hustle #2: AI Social Media Response Service

What it is

We automate responses to comments and direct messages on social platforms so business owners don’t miss inquiries and can engage audiences faster. This is helpful for creators, local shops, and service businesses that use social media for lead generation.

Why it matters

  • Most customers ask simple questions in comments or DMs—hours, pricing, availability.
  • Faster responses increase conversion rates and build stronger social proof.
  • Businesses can appear more active and responsive without hiring full-time social staff.

Core features we deliver

  • Auto-replies to comments on posts that use human-like wording and emojis.
  • Auto DM flows when comments indicate interest or request more info.
  • Sentiment analysis to prioritize negative or high-value leads for human follow-up.
  • Analytics showing which posts drive messages and conversions.

Step-by-step setup

  1. Connect the client’s social accounts to the platform’s social inbox or planner so comments and DMs flow into one place.
  2. Create automation workflows that trigger when a comment appears on a post. Example triggers: “Comment on post” (public) and “Message received” (DM).
  3. Add an AI text-model action that generates a reply using a prompt customized for the client’s voice and services.
  4. Set a second action: post the AI-generated reply as a public comment and, when appropriate, send a DM with more detailed info or a scheduling link.
  5. Use sentiment analysis in the workflow to flag angry/unhappy comments or high-potential leads for an immediate human follow-up step.
  6. Test with sample comments: praise, pricing inquiries, appointment requests, and complaint-like comments.

Prompting best practices

  • Include the business’s core services and pricing ranges in the prompt so the AI can reply accurately.
  • Ask the AI to use casual, friendly language and emojis where appropriate (e.g., “Thanks! 🙌 We’re open M–F, 8–5. Want a quote?”).
  • Build fallback replies when the AI doesn’t have enough info: “Great question—can we DM you to get a few quick details?”
  • Create a short list of brand voice guidelines for consistency (e.g., “friendly, professional, local-focused”).

Workflow example

  • Trigger: Comment on post.
  • Action 1: Send comment text and client profile into AI text-model with a prompt to craft a reply.
  • Action 2: Post the reply as a comment.
  • Action 3: Analyze sentiment. If intent is “interested,” follow up with a DM that asks qualifying questions and offers direct booking.
  • Action 4: If the user replies to the DM, use a “customer replied” trigger to take the conversation forward or move it to human inbox.

Pricing and packaging

Social response is ideal as a monthly SaaS-style subscription or packaged service:

  • Starter: $99/month — auto-comment replies on 1 social account, basic DM flows, weekly report.
  • Growth: $199/month — up to 3 accounts, sentiment tagging, priority human escalation, monthly strategy call.
  • Enterprise: $399/month — unlimited accounts, custom response scripts, daily reports, dedicated onboarding.

How to sell it

  • Show before/after examples: a post with many unanswered comments vs. the same post with branded replies and DMs that convert.
  • Highlight time savings for owners: “We’ll handle messages so you can focus on jobs.”
  • Offer a 14–30 day trial or a pay-per-conversion initial offer to reduce risk.

Side Hustle #3: AI Appointment Setting Done Right

What it is

This is a conversational appointment booking bot that interacts with customers via SMS, email, and social DMs and books directly into the business owner’s calendar. It’s more advanced than simple rule-based autoresponders because it’s designed to sound natural and handle follow-up questions.

Why it works

  • Human-like conversation increases trust and lowers friction to book.
  • Direct calendar integration eliminates double-booking and reduces back-and-forth.
  • Pre-built conversation flows mean rapid deployment and predictable outcomes.

Core features we deliver

  • One-on-one conversational AI for scheduling.
  • Pre-built appointment booking flow (qualification, availability, booking, confirmation).
  • Calendar integration so booked times appear on the owner’s calendar instantly.
  • Channel flexibility: SMS, email, Facebook/Instagram DMs.

Step-by-step setup

  1. Use an appointment booking bot template that asks the right qualifying questions—service type, urgency, preferred date/time, and basic contact info.
  2. Input the business name, website, and tone of voice so replies match the brand.
  3. Choose which channels will be active (SMS, email, social). For budget-conscious clients, start with one channel and add more as needed.
  4. Connect the client’s calendar (Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.) so bookings are synchronized.
  5. Enable autopilot and test the end-to-end flow: a lead messages, the bot qualifies, the bot offers available slots, the lead confirms, and the calendar gets booked.

Prompting and flow design tips

  • Keep qualifying questions to three or fewer initially—too many questions cause drop-off.
  • Use confirmations and quick summaries: “You’re booked for Tuesday at 10 AM. We’ll send a reminder 24 hours before.”
  • Offer rescheduling and cancellation options from the confirmation message to reduce no-shows.
  • Create escalation paths for complex or high-value leads so a human can step in.

Pricing and business models

Appointment bots can be priced in multiple ways:

  • Flat monthly fee: $99–$399 depending on channels and complexity.
  • Per-booking fee: $5–$20 per confirmed appointment (works well for high-ticket niches).
  • Revenue share: take a small percentage of booked-job revenue for a limited period.

Building a High-Converting Landing Page Fast

Why a landing page matters

A clean, focused landing page does three things: explains the offer clearly, shows pricing, and converts visitors into trials or booked calls. We want a simple page that answers top buyer questions quickly and instills confidence.

What to include on the page

  • Clear headline stating the offer: e.g., “AI-Powered Call Answering, Social Replies, and Booking—One Simple Monthly Plan.”
  • Three short sections describing each service with benefits (time saved, more leads, fewer missed jobs).
  • Pricing table with transparent tiers and what’s included—no hidden fees.
  • Social proof: a few short testimonials or client results (e.g., “Booked 10 new clients in first month—local plumber”).
  • FAQ that addresses common objections: privacy, accuracy, cancelation, refunds.
  • Strong CTA: “Get Started” or “Book a Demo.”
  • Contact form that feeds into the same platform so leads automatically route to your inbox and workflows.

Speed tips—get a page live in minutes

  • Use a landing page builder with AI templates and fill in your service details.
  • Choose a simple layout—headline, 3 columns for services, pricing table, FAQ, contact form.
  • Use images of local workers, phones, or screenshots of the agent demo to build trust.
  • Embed payment options from your business software so customers can pay directly and start onboarding.

Pricing structure suggestions for the page

Keep pricing predictable, transparent, and easy to compare. Example three-tier pricing:

  • Starter — $99/month: basic missed-call agent or single-channel social replies.
  • Growth — $199/month: voice agent + social replies + basic appointment booking (one channel).
  • Pro — $349/month: full suite, priority support, multi-channel bots, custom prompts.

How to Sell This Offer Locally and Online

Where to find clients

  • Local service businesses: plumbing, HVAC, roofing, landscaping, locksmiths.
  • Medical/dental practices that need fast appointment booking.
  • Beauty salons and spas that get many DMs and bookings via social platforms.
  • Local restaurants and caterers who receive many reservation inquiries.

Outreach strategies that work

  • Cold calling with a demo on the call: forward the number to the agent and let the owner call it live.
  • Door-to-door or local networking events: offer a free 7–14 day trial to get testimonials.
  • Social proof posts: share short videos of the agent handling calls or messages (with client permission).
  • Local Facebook groups and community forums: share case studies and invite owners to a free strategy call.

Sales pitch script (short)

“We help local businesses answer every call and message quickly using an AI assistant that sounds natural. You’ll get fewer missed jobs and more booked appointments without hiring staff. Do you have 2 minutes to see how it works?”

Objection handling

  • “Will it sound like a robot?” — We craft natural, friendly prompts and can show a live demo so they hear the agent in action.
  • “What about accuracy?” — The agent is set to gather basic qualifying info and escalate complex cases to a human. We also monitor and update prompts monthly.
  • “How do we pay?” — Transparent monthly billing via embedded payments or a simple invoice—no surprise fees.

Onboarding process (keep it simple)

  1. Sign agreement and collect basic business info (hours, services, pricing ranges).
  2. Buy or assign a phone number in the business software.
  3. Configure and test the voice agent, social workflows, and appointment bot as agreed.
  4. Demonstrate the system to the owner and provide a short how-to doc (or one 20-minute walkthrough call).
  5. Monitor first 30 days and adjust prompts as needed. Deliver a monthly summary report.

Day 1 Checklist: Launch in Under 15 Minutes

Use this checklist to get momentum on day one. We recommend starting with one service, then layering on others.

  • Create one client sub-account in your business software.
  • Purchase a local phone number for $1–$5 (depending on provider).
  • Deploy a voice agent template and link the phone number as backup answering.
  • Connect one social account to the social inbox and enable a comment-reply automation template.
  • Spin up an appointment bot template and link the client’s calendar.
  • Use a landing page builder to create a simple page with three service blurbs and a pricing table; publish it.
  • Schedule 3–5 outreach activities: 2 calls, 2 DMs, and 1 local post in a community group.

Sample Testimonials We Hear

“We had been missing calls all week. After a demo, we turned on the voice agent and booked two emergency jobs in the first 24 hours. Worth every penny.” — Local Plumber
“The social reply automation handled dozens of comment inquiries and put them into DMs where the bot booked five appointments—no extra staffing.” — Salon Owner

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do we need advanced technical skills to run these services?

A: No. The goal is to use templates and simple configuration to get started. Most of the work is gathering the client’s business details and testing the prompts. We handle complex setups for clients who want customization, but basic setups are drag-and-drop simple.

Q: How do these AI bots handle privacy and sensitive information?

A: We limit data capture to essential booking and contact details. When required, we add disclaimers and restrict the bot from asking for payment or sensitive personal data. All call notes and messages are delivered to the business securely and can be reviewed or deleted per privacy needs.

Q: What happens if the AI gets something wrong?

A: Create escalation paths: the bot can say, “I’m connecting you to our team now” or flag the conversation as “needs human review.” We monitor early conversations and tweak prompts to reduce mistakes quickly.

Q: Can these services integrate with calendars and payment processors?

A: Yes. Appointment bots connect to calendars so bookings show up instantly. Payment can be embedded on your landing page or linked during the booking process if desired. Keep billing transparent: list monthly fees and any per-booking charges on the pricing table.

Q: How do we price for small vs. large businesses?

A: Use tiered pricing. Small businesses often respond well to simple, low-cost tiers (e.g., $99/month). Larger businesses that need multi-channel support and advanced reporting can be charged $299+ per month. We always emphasize value and ROI (e.g., the cost is small compared to one converted job).

Q: What support should we offer clients?

A: At minimum, provide a 20–30 minute onboarding call, one month of monitoring and prompt adjustments, and a simple guide. For higher-priced plans, include monthly strategy calls and faster response times for changes.

Q: Are there any recurring costs we should tell clients about?

A: Be transparent. Typical recurring costs include the monthly subscription for the platform, phone numbers (small monthly fee), and your service fee. We recommend putting all recurring fees in the pricing table so clients see the full cost upfront—no hidden fees.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

These three AI side hustles are built around the same principle: automate repetitive conversations so business owners can focus on their core work. Each product—voice agents for missed calls, automated social replies, and appointment-setting bots—solves a clear business pain point and is easy to show in a live demo. Packaging them together on a single landing page and offering transparent, simple pricing will make your offer easy to sell.

Next steps we recommend:

  1. Pick one service to launch in a week and get one paying client—use a rev-share model if needed to remove friction.
  2. Use templates and starter prompts to reduce setup time.
  3. Focus on quick, convincing demos and local outreach: demos convert faster than explanations.
  4. Monitor early interactions, tweak prompts, and capture testimonials—social proof accelerates sales.

We’re excited about the potential here. With a small upfront time investment and clear, predictable pricing, these services can create consistent monthly income and scale into a full-time business over time. If you follow the checklists and keep your offers simple and honest, you’ll find local businesses are eager for solutions that save time and get them more customers.

Read more