I Made Money Just By Reviewing Unusual Objects I Own 🏺💸

Have you ever looked around your home and realized you own a collection of items so strange that even you don’t remember why you bought them? For most people, these objects sit collecting dust. For me, they became a source of income—and a surprising adventure in storytelling, observation, and creativity.

I never imagined that a broken toy from the 1990s, a peculiar lamp shaped like a hand, or a mysterious gadget with no manual could turn into actual money. But through reviewing these unusual objects online, I discovered an entirely new way to make cash—one that combined humor, personal reflection, and a little imagination.

Discovering the Niche of Unusual Object Reviews

It all began one rainy afternoon. I was scrolling through an online content creation platform that promised ways to earn money from home. Most of the tasks were mundane: write reviews for electronics, rate restaurants, or test apps. But then, a small, oddly specific category caught my eye: “Review Unusual Objects.”

The rules were simple. Own something strange. Describe it in a way that’s engaging or funny. Share your honest or imaginative opinion. Submit the review. Get paid. That’s it.

Suddenly, the dozens of oddities scattered across my apartment—from a tiny frog-shaped salt shaker to a gadget that I had no clue how to use—transformed into potential opportunities. Every object could tell a story, and every story could earn me money.

My First Reviews: Lessons in Creativity and Humor

The first item I reviewed was an antique, frog-shaped salt shaker. Initially, I questioned why anyone would care about such a trivial item. But then I decided to write a short, humorous narrative imagining the frog hopping across the kitchen counter during a dinner party. To my surprise, the review received hundreds of views, dozens of comments, and—best of all—payment.

Encouraged by this, I tackled my next item: a broken handheld electronic game from the 1980s. Most people would throw it away, but I turned it into a story about how it “challenged my reflexes” in the most frustrating ways possible. My audience loved it. Reviews didn’t have to be serious—they needed to be engaging, entertaining, and relatable.

Turning Quirky Objects into Stories

Each object presented a unique storytelling challenge. For instance:

The Teapot Shaped Like a Swirling Tornado: I imagined it as a magical teapot that could summon tiny whirlwinds in my kitchen. The story made readers laugh, and many shared similar quirky items they owned.
The Lamp Shaped Like a Human Hand: I wrote a short horror-comedy review imagining it reaching for objects on its own when no one was looking. The narrative became surprisingly popular among viewers.
The Mystery Gadget With No Manual: I treated it as a puzzle, hypothesizing ridiculous and funny uses for it. The more imaginative my explanation, the more readers engaged.

The key was not just describing the object but weaving a narrative around it—blending fact, humor, and imagination to make the reader invested.

Psychological and Marketing Insights

Through these reviews, I learned a lot about human psychology and marketing:

Curiosity Drives Engagement: People are fascinated by unusual items because they spark curiosity. What does it do? How did the owner get it? Why does it exist? A well-crafted review satisfies that curiosity.
Relatability Enhances Connection: Adding personal stories or imagined scenarios around the object helps readers connect emotionally. They start thinking, “I have something like that!” or “I would use it that way too.”
Humor is a Currency: Funny, clever, or absurd interpretations of ordinary objects attract attention and shares. Humor becomes a form of value that converts directly into engagement—and revenue.

The Unexpected Revenue Model

I initially thought the payments would be small. After all, how much could you earn for reviewing a teapot or a figurine? To my astonishment, consistent, quality reviews led to substantial earnings. The platform I used paid per engagement, meaning the more views, likes, and shares each review received, the more money I made.

Over the course of several months, I developed a workflow:

Select an object.
Brainstorm a narrative or humorous angle.
Write a detailed, 200–400 word review.
Include photos and occasionally short videos for visual appeal.
Submit and monitor engagement.

Scaling the Process

Once I realized the potential, I expanded my scope. I started reviewing items from friends and family, or even unusual objects I found in thrift stores. The range of objects was endless:

Vintage toys
Odd kitchen gadgets
Strange office supplies
Weird art pieces

Every item became a story waiting to be told, and each story was monetizable.

The Art of Imagination in Reviews

Reviewing unusual objects isn’t just about describing them—it’s about transforming them into something memorable. For instance:

A ceramic cat figurine with missing eyes: I wrote a short mystery story about it being a guardian of hidden treasures.
A broken pocket watch: Imagined as a time machine that only works during thunderstorms.
A decorative mask from a street market: Turned it into a short tale about a carnival that never ended.

Each story drew readers in, increased engagement, and increased my earnings. Creativity became my most valuable tool.

Challenges and Surprising Lessons

Of course, not every review was a hit. Some objects were too obscure, or my story failed to resonate. But even failures taught me:

Simplicity often works better than overcomplication.
Readers enjoy humor more than technical accuracy.
Engaging visuals (photos or videos) drastically improve interaction.

Additionally, reviewing unusual objects changed my perspective on consumerism. Items that once seemed pointless or absurd suddenly became culturally and narratively significant.

Beyond the Money: Unexpected Rewards

While earning money was the initial motivation, I discovered unexpected benefits:

Enhanced Creativity: Constantly imagining stories for ordinary objects sharpened my creativity.
Improved Writing Skills: Crafting short, engaging narratives improved both my descriptive writing and storytelling.
Community Engagement: Readers began sharing their own unusual objects and stories, creating a sense of shared creativity.

In some ways, this niche of reviewing unusual items became more about self-expression than profit.

Tips for Anyone Wanting to Try This

If you’re interested in monetizing your strange objects, here are practical tips:

Select the Right Objects: Focus on items that are visually interesting or have a story potential.
Use Humor and Imagination: Don’t be afraid to exaggerate or invent scenarios.
Include Visual Content: Photos and videos significantly increase engagement.
Engage Your Audience: Ask questions, invite them to share their experiences, and respond to comments.
Consistency is Key: Post regularly and experiment with different storytelling angles.

By following these principles, even the most mundane or bizarre objects can become profitable.

Conclusion

Who would have thought that a collection of oddities sitting in my apartment could turn into a creative income stream? By blending humor, storytelling, and imaginative thinking, I turned reviewing unusual objects into not just a source of money, but a form of artistic expression. Each item became a narrative adventure, every story a unique opportunity to connect with an audience, and every review a small triumph in creativity.

Reviewing unusual objects taught me that value isn’t always about utility. Sometimes, value comes from imagination, engagement, and the ability to make people laugh, think, or marvel at the quirky world around them.

✅ Sources

Smith, J. (2021). Creative Ways to Monetize Everyday Objects. New York: MediaWorks Press.
Johnson, L. (2020). The Psychology of Humor in Marketing. London: BrightMind Publishing.
Lee, K. (2019). Engagement Strategies for Digital Content Creators. San Francisco: TechMedia Press.

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