I Got Paid $3 to Create Fake Product Names 🏷️💵 — The Weirdest Gig Ever

Imagine this: you’re sitting at your desk, sipping coffee, staring at a blank screen, and someone just paid you three dollars… to invent a product that doesn’t even exist. No prototype, no manufacturing, no market research — just a name. Sounds absurd, right? But this is exactly what happened when I stumbled upon an unusual micro-task platform that pays people for creating fake product names.

At first, I thought it was a joke. Who would pay for a few seconds of creativity? But then, as I dove deeper into the world of fake product naming, I discovered a surprisingly fun, lucrative, and oddly satisfying side hustle that challenged my imagination in ways I never expected.

How I Found This Strange Job

I was scrolling through an online gig forum late one night when I saw a post titled:

“Get Paid to Invent Product Names — $3 per submission.”

Curious, I clicked. The task seemed simple: companies were testing new branding ideas and needed creative, catchy names for fictional products. My job? Just brainstorm. That’s it. No pressure, no deadlines, and no actual products involved.

I signed up, not expecting much. But within minutes, I was staring at my first “assignment”: a new energy drink.

My First Fake Product

I remember it clearly: the brief simply said “New energy drink, target audience: millennials.”

I thought for a second. Then typed:

“BuzzBolt”

And hit submit. Just like that, I earned $3. No prototypes. No surveys. Just a name. I laughed, thinking: This is ridiculously easy.

And that was just the beginning.

The Psychology of Naming

Creating product names isn’t just about random words. There’s a subtle science behind it:

• Memorability: The name must stick.
• Emotional appeal: It should trigger excitement or curiosity.
• Brand alignment: Even for fake products, it should “feel” like a real brand.

I began researching existing brands to see what made names like Red Bull or Oreo so memorable. Then I applied those lessons to my fake products. Suddenly, I was taking the task seriously — and having fun.

Weirdest Requests I Got

Not all product names were simple energy drinks. Some of the assignments were bizarre:

1. Toothpaste for Pets – I named it “Pearly Paws”.
2. Invisible Sunglasses – Yep, literally no lenses. I called them “Shade-less”.
3. Edible Socks – I laughed out loud and submitted “Sock-a-licious”.

Each submission paid $3. At first, it seemed trivial, but soon I realized how quickly it could add up.

How Much I Really Made

Over one week, I completed 25 assignments. That’s $75 for a few hours of brainstorming — not bad for a weekend “job” that required nothing but creativity.

By the end of the month, I had earned nearly $300, just by typing funny, catchy, or weird product names. Some names were serious, some silly, but all were accepted.

Challenges and Funny Moments

Despite being easy, the work had challenges:

• Creativity Block: Sometimes I’d stare at the screen for 10 minutes, waiting for inspiration.
• Ridiculous Guidelines: One client wanted a name that sounded “luxurious but edible” for a candy bar. I submitted “Gilded Bites”. They approved it.
• Overthinking: Occasionally, I overanalyzed a name. A “simple soap” became “LatherLux Supreme”.

The fun part? Some clients left funny feedback: “This name makes me hungry… and slightly confused. Approved!”

The Unexpected Lessons

Creating fake product names taught me more than just naming skills:

1. Thinking Outside the Box: Some briefs were impossible, which forced me to stretch my imagination.
2. Quick Decision Making: I learned to make instant creative choices under minimal pressure.
3. Understanding Branding: Even fake products require logical, appealing names.

And the best part? I realized creativity could be monetized in surprisingly small ways.

The Broader Perspective: Why Companies Pay

Why would companies pay for fake product names?

• Market Testing: Names can gauge audience reaction without creating a real product.
• Brainstorming Efficiency: Outsourcing creativity saves internal teams time.
• Innovation: Fresh perspectives often produce unexpected hits.

Even if the product never reaches a shelf, these micro-tasks are valuable exercises in branding.

Tips for Anyone Who Wants to Try

If you want to get paid for creating fake product names:

• Be playful: Weird or funny names are often more memorable.
• Research brands: Look at patterns in successful products.
• Quantity matters: The more names you submit, the more you earn.
• Avoid overcomplicating: Keep it simple; clarity sells.

With these strategies, anyone can turn short creative bursts into real cash.

✅ Sources

1. Forbes – The Psychology of Brand Naming
2. Entrepreneur – How Creativity Can Be Monetized in Microtasks
3. Psychology Today – Cognitive Tricks Behind Memorable Product Names
4. Micro-task Platforms: Fiverr, Upwork, and specialized creative naming sites

Written by the author, Fatima Al-Hajri 👩🏻‍💻