How I make $3k/month clipping YouTube videos (lost my job 4 months ago)

Got laid off 4 months ago. Panicked. Started looking for any way to make money.

Found a guru on YouTube who posts long podcast/lifestyle videos. DM'd him on twitter offering to clip his videos into shorts. He said yes.

Here's what I do:

Download his videos using a dowloader. Some i use include cobalt.tools (sometimes doesnt work) and ytloader.net but research yourself. Open the vsaved video in capcut or whatever software u want. Watch through and find the best 15-30 second moments. Add simple captions. Post them.

But here's where it gets good:

I also add affiliate links in the comments of every short. Products he talks about in the videos - courses, softwares, etc. I get a 60% commission per sale. This is why yt shorts are goated compared to instagram or tiktok - you can add links directly. they dont have to click on your profile to find links.

Download. Edit. Post.
Simple 3 step process.

Between the clipping fee ($500/month) and affiliate commissions, I'm averaging $3k/month from ONE client. I have 3 clients atm and am about to sign 2 more.

The whole thing takes me maybe 10-15 hours per week. Might even hire someone to edit for me eventually.