If you haven’t heard about the Google Translate side hustle yet, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to make money online this year! Imagine making $283 a day from home without needing followers, a website, paid ads, or any upfront costs. With just a few free tools and a bit of guidance, you can tap into this opportunity.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the steps, tools, and strategies you need to get started.
Why Translating YouTube Videos is a Great Side Hustle
The demand for translated content is growing. Currently, only 10% of the world’s population speaks English, which means a vast majority of people miss out on English YouTube content.
Translating videos opens up a massive new audience for YouTubers, allowing them to connect with viewers who speak other languages and significantly increase their reach and income.
One YouTuber, Mr. Ree, reportedly made over $8,500 in a single month with this side hustle, and other translators like Nando earn between $50 and $150 per project.
Even top YouTubers like Mr. Beast have realized the benefits, translating their content to reach millions more viewers.
Tools You’ll Need to Get Started
To start this side hustle, you’ll need three key tools, all of which are free or offer free trials:
- Google Translate: Go to google.com/translate and use it to translate text between languages.
- Eleven Labs: This AI tool generates human-sounding speech from text. Sign up for a free account and you’ll be able to produce realistic audio voice-overs in multiple languages.
- ChatGPT: ChatGPT can transcribe and summarize YouTube videos for free, saving you time on creating accurate transcripts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Translating YouTube Videos
Now that you have your tools, let’s go through the process of translating a YouTube video and creating a foreign-language version.
1. Get a Transcript with ChatGPT
Start by selecting a YouTube video you’d like to translate. For this example, we’ll use a Mr. Beast video.

Copy the URL and use ChatGPT’s “Video Summarizer” feature to get a full transcript of the video.

2. Translate the Transcript with Google Translate
Copy the transcript from ChatGPT and paste it into Google Translate. Choose the target language (e.g., Spanish), and Google Translate will create the translation for you.
3. Generate a Voice-over with Eleven Labs
Take the translated text and paste it into Eleven Labs’ text-to-speech tool. Eleven Labs will create a natural-sounding audio file of the translation. Depending on the length of the transcript, you may need to break it into smaller parts for ease of use.
4. Combine the Translated Audio with the Original Video
Using free editing software like CapCut, combine the new voice-over with the original video. Simply align the audio with the video to make sure everything matches up. Once it’s synced, you’ll have a fully translated video ready for your client!
A Shortcut with Rask AI: Translate Entire Videos in Minutes
If you want an even simpler method, consider using Rask AI. Rask automates the translation of entire videos with just a few clicks. Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for Rask AI’s free trial.
- Upload the video, choose the language you want, and let Rask AI handle the translation.
- Download the translated video with synchronized audio and video.
This tool can make the process of creating translated videos much faster, especially for longer content.
Finding Clients: Target the Right YouTube Channels
When starting out, focus on reaching smaller YouTube channels that are eager to grow but may not have considered the potential of a multilingual audience. Here’s how to identify ideal clients:
- Use Channel Crawler: This tool lets you search for channels with low subscriber counts (around 2,000 subscribers). Smaller channels are often more open to new opportunities and may be interested in hiring you.
- Personalize Your Outreach: Explain the benefits of translating their channel, emphasizing that non-English speakers represent a large audience they’re missing out on.
Proven Success Stories to Mention When Pitching
Sharing examples of successful YouTubers who’ve expanded into other languages can be a powerful selling point for clients:
- Mr. Beast: His Spanish-language channel has over 26 million subscribers and generates up to $80,000 per month.
- Bright Side: With over 44 million subscribers on their English channel, they’ve gained an additional 31 million subscribers on their Spanish channel, earning between $50,000 to $100,000 per month.
- AnimalWised: This English channel has around 596,000 subscribers, but their Italian channel has 296,000 subscribers, adding $46,000 in revenue over seven years.
By translating their content, these creators reach new audiences and increase their revenue without creating new content.
A Residual Income Alternative for the Long Term
One downside to this business model is that you’ll need a steady stream of new clients to maintain income.
If you’re interested in a side hustle that generates residual income without constant client work, consider setting up a system that brings in income automatically.
Final Thoughts
The Google Translate side hustle is a straightforward way to earn money online. By translating YouTube videos for creators, you help them reach new audiences and expand their income, all while building a flexible, online side hustle for yourself.
If you’re ready to give it a try, use Rask AI for a faster workflow, send sample translations to prospective clients, and start building your business.