How to Make 6 Figures As A Chief Information Officer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a chief information officer? Good for you! Being a chief information officer is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a chief information officer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
As a Chief Information Officer, supplementing your income with an ecommerce store offers the potential to leverage your technical expertise towards a prosperous side venture. The rise of online shopping, driven by the convenience and efficiency it offers consumers, means that you could tap into a growing market with lower overheads, increased flexibility, and the capability to reach a global audience right from the start.
Starting an ecommerce store involves setting up a website, integrating payment and inventory tracking software, and managing digital platforms, all areas where your existing skill set would be highly valuable. Whether you focus on niche products or services that align with your interests, an ecommerce business has the potential to grow into a lucrative income stream, potentially reaching six figures in annual revenue while allowing you to maintain your full-time CIO role.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
2. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could provide an excellent opportunity for you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a Chief Information Officer. By sharing your expertise on topics such as IT strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, you could attract a substantial audience of professionals and businesses seeking your insights.
With YouTube's established monetization system, you could generate revenue through ad placements, sponsored content, and memberships once you achieve the required minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. This not only positions you as an industry thought leader but also opens doors to other lucrative opportunities such as speaking engagements, consulting gigs, and the sale of digital products or courses.
By dedicating time to content creation and leveraging effective promotional strategies, you could build a successful and profitable YouTube channel, turning your professional knowledge into a significant supplemental income stream.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
3. Digital products ($242K/month)
As a Chief Information Officer, you could diversify your income by creating and selling digital products. These products, such as software applications, educational courses, or membership sites, are highly rated for their simplicity in creation and distribution. Given your extensive knowledge in information technology, the development of these products could align seamlessly with your skill set and professional experience.
By leveraging digital products, you could potentially build a lucrative side business that complements your primary role. The absence of physical inventory means you could sell directly through your website, minimizing operational complexities and maximizing profit margins. This entrepreneurial venture could significantly contribute to achieving a six-figure income and provide financial security beyond your CIO salary.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
4. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could provide an excellent opportunity to supplement your income as a Chief Information Officer (CIO). By leveraging your expertise and industry insights, you could create content that resonates with a specialized audience interested in technology, business leadership, and information management. This targeted approach could not only build a loyal listener base but also attract sponsors and advertisers, opening up additional revenue streams.
Moreover, launching a podcast involves manageable startup costs, such as obtaining basic recording equipment and securing an affordable hosting platform. Promoting your podcast through social media and online communities would further increase your reach and engagement. As your audience grows, you could explore monetization options like premium content, consultancy services, or even live events, each contributing towards achieving a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
5. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating and selling an online course could allow you to leverage your deep knowledge and experience as a Chief Information Officer to generate significant supplemental income. By identifying educational gaps in areas such as cybersecurity, digital transformation, or IT strategy, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials to meet the needs of lifelong learners seeking specialized skills.
With flexible course structures, either self-paced or cohort-based, you could attract a diverse student base, delivering value while also generating passive income. Launching an online course platform is a cost-effective and scalable way to monetize your expertise, providing convenience and accessibility to professionals eager to advance their careers. By sharing your insights and knowledge, you could build a profitable side business, significantly boosting your overall earnings and potentially reaching six-figure revenues.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
6. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a powerful way for you to supplement your income as a Chief Information Officer while sharing your expertise with a broader audience. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and blogs are trusted as a highly credible source of information, your insights and thought leadership could attract significant traffic and engagement. By focusing on topics within your domain expertise, such as cybersecurity, data management, or technological innovations, you could quickly build a loyal following.
Monetizing your blog through avenues such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, or online courses could further enhance your earning potential. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, the opportunity to generate substantial income is considerable. This entrepreneurial endeavor not only allows you to work flexibly but also positions you as a thought leader in your field, potentially opening more doors for career advancement and networking opportunities.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
7. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could provide a lucrative side income while you continue your role as a Chief Information Officer. By leveraging your existing marketing and analytical skills, you could promote other companies' products or services and earn commissions for each sale generated through your efforts. This low-cost venture doesn't require you to create or own any products, making it an accessible option to diversify your income streams without significant upfront investment.
You could sign up for affiliate programs related to industries you're passionate about or have expertise in, and upon approval, you'll receive unique tracking links to monitor your referrals and earnings. With dedication and strategic effort, affiliate marketing has the potential to grow into a substantial income source, possibly even reaching six figures, thereby boosting your overall financial standing while maintaining your primary career.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
8. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly boost your income potential as a Chief Information Officer. With a solid social media marketing strategy and an efficient use of automation tools, you could manage your agency with minimal time commitment, allowing you to clear utility bills, finance college education, or save for a vacation.
By creating an impressive agency portfolio, you'll appeal to a broad range of target customers who seek effective social media services. This entrepreneurial venture not only complements your existing expertise but also diversifies your revenue streams, making it possible to achieve six-figure earnings.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
9. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Launching a career coaching business could be a lucrative endeavor for a chief information officer striving to make six figures. By leveraging your extensive professional experience and insight, you could offer personalized guidance to clients navigating their career paths, whether they are looking to advance within their current industry or transition to new opportunities. As a CIO, your deep understanding of organizational dynamics and technology leadership could be invaluable in crafting tailored advice for aspiring professionals.
This business venture allows you to set your own schedule and conduct sessions either in-person or virtually, providing flexibility to balance your coaching efforts with your primary job. Additionally, your natural aptitude for motivational speaking and strategic thinking could attract a steady stream of clients seeking resume building, interview preparation, and career advancement strategies. The ability to empower individuals through specialized advice and accountability could not only supplement your income but also establish you as a respected mentor and industry thought leader.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
10. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative side venture that leverages your expertise as a Chief Information Officer. With strong writing skills and deep industry knowledge, you could write compelling articles, white papers, and technical guides. This allows you to establish yourself as a thought leader while supplementing your income.
Freelancing offers the flexibility to work around your primary job, enabling you to set your schedule and work from home. By meeting deadlines and staying updated on the latest writing tools and trends, you could tap into high-paying niches that value insightful and detailed content. This entrepreneurial move not only diversifies your income but could also potentially lead to six-figure earnings.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
11. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could provide you with lucrative opportunities to supplement your income beyond your CIO salary. By leveraging your expertise in information technology, you could build a unique personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, or Twitter, sharing insights on cybersecurity, emerging tech trends, or digital transformation. This could attract a vast audience interested in your specialized knowledge and open avenues for brand partnerships and sponsored content.
Additionally, as a social media influencer, you could engage in speaking engagements or product endorsements, which can provide substantial financial rewards. Over time, with a growing follower base and consistent content strategy, you could establish yourself as a thought leader in your field, leading to additional consulting opportunities and even passive income streams.
By capitalizing on the symbiotic relationship between your main role as a CIO and your influencer persona, you could effectively diversify your income streams, making achieving a six-figure income more attainable.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
