How to Make 6 Figures As A It Operations Manager? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a IT operations manager? Good for you! Being a IT operations manager 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 IT operations manager - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income as an IT Operations Manager. Given your strong analytical skills and technological expertise, you could create authoritative content in various niches such as tech reviews, IT best practices, and software management guides. This side business can offer the flexibility to work on projects during your free time, allowing you to set your schedule and work from home.
Being a freelance writer requires strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines—traits you likely already possess. Additionally, staying updated with current writing tools and trends will ensure you remain competitive. If you're a self-starter with proper communication skills, diving into freelance writing can open up new income streams, bringing you closer to your goal of making six figures.
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.
2. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative side business for IT operations managers aiming to boost their income and potentially make six figures. By sharing your expertise, such as tutorials on IT management, system troubleshooting, or insights on industry trends, you could attract a dedicated audience. With YouTube's established monetization system, once you reach the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you could start earning ad revenue.
Moreover, collaborating with tech brands for sponsored content or offering online courses through your channel could become additional income streams. Given YouTube's incredible popularity, your channel could become a hub for IT professionals seeking advice, bolstering your reputation and creating more career opportunities. While it requires time and effort to build your audience, the entrepreneurial-minded IT operations manager could turn their passion for content creation into a significant source of extra income.
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. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Starting an online course could significantly boost your income as an IT operations manager by allowing you to monetize your specialized knowledge and skills. By identifying educational gaps in areas such as network management, cybersecurity, or cloud infrastructure, you could develop and sell engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
This entrepreneurial venture could not only provide a steady stream of passive income through a self-paced or cohort-based structure but also establish your authority in the field. With small startup costs and the growing demand for convenient, high-quality education, an online course platform could turn your passion for information-sharing into a lucrative business opportunity.
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.
4. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side business for an IT operations manager, particularly if you focus on topics that resonate with tech enthusiasts and professionals in the IT industry. By creating valuable content that addresses common challenges, industry trends, and best practices, you could attract a dedicated audience, which might eventually lead to monetization opportunities through sponsorships, advertisements, or even premium content.
Additionally, a podcast could enhance your personal brand, establishing you as an authority in the IT field. Over time, this increased visibility and credibility could open up further income streams, such as speaking engagements, consulting projects, or even job offers with higher compensation, helping you on your path to making six figures.
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. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be an excellent way for an IT operations manager to supplement their income and work towards making six figures. Blogging offers a creative outlet to share your expertise in IT operations, project management, and industry trends with a broader audience. With 77% of internet users reading blogs and approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages every month, the potential audience reach is substantial.
As blogs are considered one of the most trustworthy sources of online information, you could build a loyal following by providing valuable insights and practical tips. This engagement could open up multiple revenue streams such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even consultation services. By dedicating some time to develop a content strategy, create a mailing list, and maintain a consistent posting schedule, you could turn a blog into a significant side income or even a full-time business.
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.
6. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could significantly supplement your income as an IT operations manager, helping you reach a six-figure salary. Given the booming nature of the eCommerce industry due to its convenience and efficiency, you could leverage your technical skills to create a seamless online shopping experience. With your expertise in managing complex systems, setting up a website, and integrating payment processing software and inventory management systems could be tasks well within your grasp.
The lower overhead costs and increased reach of an eCommerce business compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores present a lucrative side business opportunity. You could sell products or services online, reaching a wider audience without the limitations of geography. If managed effectively, the flexibility and scalability of an eCommerce store could provide a significant additional revenue stream, aiding you in achieving your financial goals.
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.
7. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Tap into Social Media Marketing for Additional Income
As an IT operations manager, you could diversify your income streams by starting a social media marketing agency. The advantage is that it doesn't require a significant time commitment, thanks to automated social media marketing tools. By developing an efficient marketing strategy and creating a solid agency portfolio, you could attract clients and provide streamlined services.
This venture could allow you to finance other goals, such as clearing utility bills, covering college education costs, or saving for vacations. With your technical skillset, the process of creating and managing automated campaigns would be more seamless, making it a smart side business or potentially a full-time endeavor.
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.
8. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating and selling digital products could offer an excellent way for you to make six figures as an IT operations manager. Given your technical background, you could develop software-based products like apps, tools, or automation scripts that solve common industry problems. Alternatively, you might consider sharing your expertise through information-based products such as ebooks, online courses, or webinars.
One of the significant advantages of digital products is that they are relatively easy to create and distribute. Your existing skills in IT operations could be leveraged to build these products yourself without needing to hire additional help. With no physical inventory to manage, you can sell these products directly from your website, allowing you to focus on marketing and customer engagement to scale your earnings effectively.
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.
9. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing venture could be a strategic way for an IT Operations Manager to supplement income and possibly even reach the coveted six-figure mark. By leveraging your existing skills in digital platforms and data analytics, you could effectively drive traffic and sales to products or services within a niche that you're passionate about, without the necessity of creating or owning those products yourself.
Minimal upfront investment is required, which makes it an attractive and low-risk entrepreneurial endeavor. By signing up for affiliate programs related to your interests or expertise and utilizing unique tracking links provided by these programs, you could earn commissions on successful referrals, creating a steady stream of passive income.
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.
10. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as an IT Operations Manager, potentially leading you toward six-figure earnings. By leveraging your expertise in technology and management, you could provide personalized guidance, support, and strategy services to professionals looking to navigate their career transitions and growth opportunities. This could include custom sessions on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement goals tailored to each client’s aspirations.
With the flexibility to offer in-person or virtual coaching sessions, you could build a diverse client base while setting your own schedule. Utilizing your speaking talents and human resources expertise, you could monetize your natural motivational abilities and empower clients through specialized advice and accountability. Launching a career coaching practice not only adds a revenue stream but also allows you to create a fulfilling business that makes a tangible impact in others' professional lives.
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.
11. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As an IT Operations Manager, leveraging your expertise to become a social media influencer could open a lucrative income stream. Given your established credibility in the IT sector, you could create valuable content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, sharing insights on IT management, operational best practices, and technological advancements. This could attract a significant following and position you as a thought leader.
Brands are eager to collaborate with influencers who have substantial audiences in niche sectors, and your specialized knowledge could make you an attractive partner for tech companies, software providers, and other IT-related businesses. Sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and exclusive partnerships are just a few of the monetization strategies that could help you achieve six-figure earnings. By consistently engaging and growing your audience with high-quality content, you could supplement your income significantly or even transition into a full-time social media business.
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.
