So there I was, scrolling through Twitter (or X, whatever we’re calling it now), when I saw a tweet from Shayne Coplan, CEO of Polymarket. He said, “Should’ve started a sex podcast instead”—right after noticing “Call Her Daddy” trending with over 170K posts, completely overshadowing Polymarket’s 49.9K mentions.
It hit me: we live in a world where you can bet on presidential elections or start a raunchy podcast and make millions. Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to dig into some of the weirdest and most unusual ways people are cashing in online—from betting on real-world events with Polymarket to launching podcasts that talk about everything under the sun (yes, including sex). And trust me, the numbers are wild.
The Evolution of Unconventional Money-Making Methods
People have been coming up with strange ways to make money for centuries. Back in the day, you had snake oil salesmen convincing people they had miracle cures, circus sideshow acts like sword swallowers, and even Victorian-era “sin-eaters,” who would get paid to literally eat a meal placed on a dead body to absorb their sins! Fast forward to the digital age, and these odd jobs have taken on new life in the online world. From virtual gold farming in video games to the booming market of ASMR videos where people make money by whispering into a microphone, the internet has only amplified our knack for turning the bizarre into business.
Polymarket: Betting on the Future
Let’s start with Polymarket, the blockchain-based prediction market that allows people to bet on real-world events, from politics to pop culture. The idea of betting on outcomes isn’t new, but Polymarket blends it with decentralized finance. You can bet on anything, from “Will Taylor Swift’s new album debut at #1?” to serious political events like the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. And yes, over $1.6 billion is wagered on the Trump vs. Harris election.
Recent Examples of Popular Polymarket Bets
- 2024 U.S. Election: A massive $1.6 billion wagered on whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will win.
- Highest-grossing movie in 2024?
- Hollywood strike resolution: Betting on when the actors’ strike would end.
- Met Gala fashion predictions.
Polymarket Financial Growth
Polymarket’s growth has been mind-blowing. As of 2024, the platform’s total wagered volume exceeded $3 billion, with monthly active users doubling in the last year. According to Dune Analytics volume per month in USD has crossed $700 million
Polymarket Controversies:
Polymarket hasn’t escaped controversy. There have been rumors of market manipulation, where wealthy bettors could sway outcomes with huge bets, and concerns about insider trading. In one instance, bets on a political outcome drastically shifted after leaks from insiders, sparking debate about the ethics of insider betting. Plus, in early 2024, the CFTC started cracking down on political betting markets, leading Polymarket to shift operations offshore
Podcasts Like “Call Her Daddy”: Sex Sells… And So Does Honesty
Podcasts about sex, relationships, and taboo topics have exploded in popularity, and they’re doing more than just entertaining listeners—they’re turning their hosts into millionaires. “Call Her Daddy” was one of the pioneers of this genre, but it’s far from the only one.
“Call Her Daddy”: Alexandra Cooper’s irreverent sex and relationship podcast earned her a $60 million deal with Spotify in 2021. The podcast has millions of listeners and has grown far beyond its original “barstool talk” vibe.
“Guys We F****d”: Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson’s hit podcast focuses on destigmatizing sex and dating, with a huge fanbase and six-figure earnings from ads and Patreon subscriptions.
“The Sex Ed”: Blending personal stories with expert interviews, this podcast explores sexual health, relationships, and empowerment.
Podcast Creator Earnings:
- Alexandra Cooper of “Call Her Daddy” reportedly makes around $20 million per year after her Spotify deal.
- Smaller shows like “Guys We F****d” earn between $500,000 to $1 million annually from a mix of ads, Patreon, and live shows.
The podcast industry as a whole is worth over $1.4 billion, and sex-related shows are cashing in on advertisers eager to reach their engaged dedicated audiences
OnlyFans: From Adult Content to Full-Time Careers
OnlyFans has become the go-to platform for anyone who wants to sell subscription-based content directly to their followers. While it’s widely known for its use in the adult industry, OnlyFans also caters to fitness influencers, musicians, and artists who want to offer exclusive content.
Notable Creators:
- Blac Chyna reportedly pulls in $20 million per month(Home).
- Bella Thorne infamously made $1 million in a single day when she joined OnlyFans(Home).
The platform itself raked in $6.6 billion in revenue in 2023
Feet Pics, Farts, and the Extreme Ends of Niche Markets
Let’s talk about some of the weirdest and most niche online money-making trends. In recent years, selling things like feet pics and even jarred farts has become a lucrative business for some.
- FeetFinder: A platform where people can sell pictures of their feet. Some users reportedly make $10,000+ per month.
- Stephanie Matto: A former reality star, she made over $200,000 selling jars of her farts before moving into selling “fart NFTs”
While these markets are niche, they’ve shown that almost anything can be monetized online if there’s a community for it. And the internet has made it easier than ever for people to find and profit from these niche communities.
The Craze and Financial Potential
The rise of these platforms underscores the massive earning potential within the creator economy, whether through prediction markets like Polymarket, sex-positive podcasts, or platforms like OnlyFans. Combined, these industries are generating billions in revenue. Podcasts alone are worth over $1.4 billion, and OnlyFans took in $6.6 billion in 2023. From betting on future events to selling unconventional content, the internet has transformed how we view money-making, blurring the lines between entertainment and entrepreneurship.
In this wild new world, the question isn’t what can be monetized—it’s what can’t?
Mortuza is a certified Digital marketer with a Master’s degree in International Economic Relations (Spec. International Business).
An entrepreneurial professional, crypto native, and deeply involved in web3, i.e., blockchain, NFT & metaverse community. The author spends hours researching all the exciting new trends in the broader business world.