33 Passive Income Ideas for Writers [2024]
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I know you’re busy. I’m busy too. So, what’s the best way to make money as a writer without doing anything? Passive income!
But don’t be mistaken. You have to work hard to achieve this passive income.
In this blog post, I will share some ideas for how writers can make passive income. Stay tuned for tips on how to get started!
1. Start an ecommerce store
Launching an ecommerce store selling niche products can be a great way for writers to earn passive income. By sourcing and curating products related to a specific topic, writers can create a profitable online business that requires minimal effort to maintain.
An eCommerce business is a company that sells products or services online. Ecommerce businesses have many advantages over brick-and-mortar businesses, including lower overhead costs, increased flexibility and reach, and the ability to reach a wider audience.
eCommerce is booming right now because of the convenience and efficiency it offers consumers. Consumers can buy products from their favorite brands on a platform that makes the whole process easier than ever. They don't have to leave their homes or go out in public, they can just sit down at their computer, tablet or smartphone and browse through all of the options available to them.
To start an ecommerce business, you'll need to set up a website where customers can browse your inventory and purchase items, as well as payment processing software that allows you to accept credit card payments. You'll also need to choose a shopping cart software and manage inventory tracking software.
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 CPG company
Starting a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company that aligns with a writer's expertise can be a lucrative source of passive income. Writers can leverage their knowledge of a particular industry to create and sell their own products, such as food, beverages, or beauty items.
A CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) company is a company that sells packaged items that are purchased by consumers for daily use. These products are usually sold in retail stores, but they can also be sold online or in other ways.
CPG companies make products that are generally easy to use and accessible to any consumer. These include household items such as cleaning supplies and toothpaste as well as food and beverages like juice or beer.
Starting a CPG business requires finding an idea for a product, researching the market to determine if there is room for your product in the marketplace, getting a manufacturer or distributor to produce and distribute the product, and coming up with enough capital to get started.
How much you can make: $150 — $11,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 245 days (?)
American men's grooming company Beardbrand has grown from a $30 investment to seven figures and bootstrapped its expansion, thanks to a focus on content creation that allows the firm to control its audience and own its email database. The company originated after founder Eric Bandholz attended a beard enthusiasts' gathering and coined the term "urban beardsman" to describe traditional men who "didn't fit the typical stereotypes," and has benefited from coverage including a New York Times piece and TV appearance on Shark Tank.
3. Start a marketing agency
Providing marketing services to businesses can be a great source of passive income for writers. By offering services such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, or social media marketing, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee while outsourcing most of the work to a team of employees.
Marketing agencies can be a great option for businesses looking to advertise in different ways. For businesses, hiring a marketing company can help them achieve success as they don't have to spend money on employees or needed equipment. Marketing agencies are not inexpensive and there are many different variables that come into play when deciding which one is the best fit for your business.
You want to start a marketing agency, but don't know where to begin. You're not alone, there are thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe that have the same ambition. Luckily for you, compiled a list of how other agencies were able to grow their agency and scale effectively.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $8,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
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.
4. Create an online course
Creating and selling an online course that teaches a specific skill or provides valuable information can be a great source of passive income for writers. Once the course is created and set up, writers can earn money from course sales without any ongoing effort.
An online course business involves creating and selling digital classes teaching specialized skills or knowledge to subscribed students.
As an entrepreneurial course creator, you identify educational gaps around topics you have expertise in and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials.
With flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base provides passive income potential.
For founders who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform presents a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with small startup costs by serving eager lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects.
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.
5. Start a digital marketing business
Similar to a marketing agency, writers can start a digital marketing business that offers services such as website design, social media management, and content creation to businesses. This can be a great source of passive income as the writer can outsource most of the work to a team of employees.
Digital marketing businesses serve local and international companies to expand their reach and grow revenue. A top reason digital marketing is so exciting is that the field is constantly evolving and is easy to learn.
If you plan to start a digital marketing business, educate yourself and understand how digital marketing agencies work. Then, focus on building your digital skills and advancing your career through online digital marketing courses.
To stand out, find a digital marketing niche and focus on the audience interested in your services.
How much you can make: $100 — $1,250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
6. Start an etsy shop
Similar to an Etsy shop, writers can create a business selling handmade or vintage items on the platform. By sourcing and curating unique products, writers can generate passive income through sales without much ongoing effort.
Etsy is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell all kinds of handmade goods, vintage items, and art supplies.
It's a great way to make some extra cash, and you can use it as an opportunity to build your brand and find new clients.
To get started on Etsy, you'll need these four things:
- An Etsy account
- A PayPal account
- A product idea (or at least a product category)
- A visually appealing storefront with photos of your products
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
7. Start a SEO agency
Providing SEO services to businesses can be a great source of passive income for writers. By helping businesses to improve their search engine rankings, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee while outsourcing most of the work to a team of employees.
An SEO agency is a company that provides search engine optimization services to businesses. The function of an SEO agency is to help businesses rank higher in search engines through organic or paid means.
SEO is a rapidly growing industry, with experts across all aspects of the field already making six-figure incomes and expecting to see these earnings grow dramatically over the next few years. Getting into SEO today, before it gets too saturated, will allow you to establish a strong base in a new career, with an excellent chance for success.
It’s easier than ever to start your SEO agency. The tools are there, and the competition isn’t as stiff as it used to be. If you’re considering starting an SEO or digital marketing agency, it might be a good idea to learn how other digital agencies succeed.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Rankings.io is a hyper-focused SEO agency that helps elite personal injury law firms dominate first page rankings and was ranked #858 in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for 2018, with a current revenue just under $300,000 per month, with plans for a record-breaking year.
8. Start a blog
Creating and monetizing a blog can be a great source of passive income for writers. By producing high-quality content on a particular topic, writers can earn money from advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships.
In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster’s list of blogging statistics and facts:
- Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
- 77% of internet users read blogs.
- Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.
Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.
If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.
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.
9. Become a fashion designer
Writers with a passion for fashion can create and sell their own clothing designs, either through their own website or through third-party platforms. Once the designs are created and set up for sale, writers can generate passive income through product sales.
Fashion designers are creative people who come up with new designs for clothes, footwear, accessories, and other items that people wear. They figure out what materials to use, what colors will look best together, and how to make sure that each piece looks good on a variety of body types.
As a fashion designer, you have the opportunity to create something new and exciting.
Tips on how to become successful:
- Understand the fashion industry
- Develop and master the needed skills
- Start with a vision for your brand and know your brand inside-out
- Create a plan for how that vision will be executed
- Don't skimp on marketing or promotions
How much you can make: $100 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,850 (?)
How long does it take to build: 82 days (?)
A primary school teacher found his passion for jewelry-making, turning it into a successful business generating $2500-3000 per month through sales at the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market, online, and through stockists, with plans to expand and eventually make it his full-time profession.
10. Start a women's clothing line
Similar to fashion design, writers can create their own women's clothing line and sell the designs through their own website or through third-party platforms. Once the products are created and set up for sale, writers can generate passive income through product sales.
Starting a women’s clothing brand is a great way to enter entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have millions of dollars or vast experience to start your clothing line—just the drive and determination to be your own boss.
Women’s fashion has come a long way over the last decade, and there are many growth opportunities! New trends are constantly emerging, and old ones are returning, too, so there will always be an audience for your new designs if you keep up with the times (and stay on top of them).
How much you can make: $500 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
11. Start a digital agency
Similar to a marketing agency or digital marketing business, writers can start a digital agency that offers a variety of services to businesses. This can be a great source of passive income as the writer can outsource most of the work to a team of employees.
A digital agency’s task is to make a business reach its advertising, marketing, or technology-related goals. Anyone with enough knowledge and passion for digital marketing can start and run a profitable digital marketing agency. With the proper skill set, the right tools, and the right mindset, you can start a successful digital agency.
The global digital agency market reached a value of nearly $305B in 2020. The future growth prospects of the digital agency market are projected to be high due to the rising population of people consuming and creating content through digital channels.
How much you can make: $100 — $3,699,632/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
How this founder started a $100K/month guaranteed transcription service for medical, legal, law enforcement, financial, academic and general business industries, winning the NASPO ValuePoint transcription services contract over 26 other companies and learning valuable lessons about getting a coach and getting as much PR as possible.
12. Start a facebook group
Creating and managing a Facebook group related to a specific topic can be a great source of passive income for writers. By building a community around a particular interest, writers can monetize the group through advertising or sponsorships.
Facebook is one of the oldest and largest social networking sites out there. Facebook offers its users a Group feature where one can join a community of people with similar interests. As per statistics, around 1.8 billion people use Facebook Groups each month.
Groups allow the members to have organic discussions, post content, and share their valuable experiences & knowledge with each other. The shared knowledge helped startups, business owners, freelancers, and professionals with their social media growth, lead generation, and customer acquisition.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 272 days (?)
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.
13. Start a content writing company
Starting a content writing company can be a great source of passive income for writers. By hiring a team of writers to produce content for businesses, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee without doing any of the writing themselves.
Content writing involves writing, editing, and publishing content in a digital format. Examples of content include a blog post, product description, and podcast script—eBooks, press releases, or landing page content.
Becoming a content writer allows you to work as your boss. Therefore, you choose whatever working schedule suits you and take a manageable workload. Moreover, content writing helps you develop essential skills you may not obtain from regular writing.
Content writing is a highly-on-demand service, as companies compete for the online audience who often begin their shopping journey by searching for relevant and educative content online. Therefore, a content writing company is an excellent source of passive income.
To start a content writing company, research the market and choose a suitable niche. Sketch a proper business plan and create a website. Hire a pool of talented writers and leverage modern technology to streamline operations.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $550,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.
14. Start a saas product developer business
Developing and selling software as a service (SaaS) products can be a great source of passive income for writers. By identifying a problem that can be solved with a software product, writers can hire a team of developers to create and maintain the product while earning a percentage of the revenue.
SaaS product is online software that uses a license to access. With cloud computing omnipresent, starting a SaaS company is a low barrier to entry idea with exponential growth potential.
Modern users recognize the SaaS cost-saving benefits and the ability to offer project collaboration. Besides, there are multiple technologies you can use to build SaaS platforms.
To build a successful SaaS product, you need database management skills, programming language, cloud computing, design & development skills.
If you decide to build a SaaS solution, start by conducting market research and competition analysis.
Before starting the development, you must choose a good app monetization model and select an appropriate technology stack.
How much you can make: $40 — $4,160,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
15. Start a productized service
Creating a productized service, such as a website audit or social media management, can be a great source of passive income for writers. By packaging a specific service and selling it to businesses, writers can earn a percentage of the revenue while outsourcing most of the work to a team of employees.
Productized services are created when a larger service is broken down into smaller services that can be sold separately.
This makes it easier to sell the same service to multiple clients and creates an easily-marketable product. For example, a marketing agency that usually charges by the hour, instead, charges a flat monthly fee.
This business strategy works well in B2B markets, as you can sell the same value proposition to multiple clients, and give them a great return on investment.
The reason why you should start a productized service business is simple: making recurring revenue from your expertise can be very useful if you want to build a business based on passive income.
How much you can make: $200 — $1,750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
EasySongLicensing.com grew from a mobile recording business to a bootstrapped music licensing agent, with a user base of over 60,000 clients and a gross profit of $2.5M in 2018, seeing a 30% increase in 2019, through investment in online marketing, customer service, and forming new partnerships.
16. Become a business coach
Providing business coaching services can be a great source of passive income for writers. By sharing their expertise and offering advice to entrepreneurs, writers can earn a percentage of the coaching fee while outsourcing most of the work to a team of employees.
Are you thinking of starting a career as a business coach?
Becoming a business coach can be a great way to help aspiring entrepreneurs while earning a healthy income. You may want to consider becoming a coach if you have skills in specialized business fields such as marketing, e-commerce, stress management, or leadership.
Many small-business owners are finding it hard to get started, grow, and succeed. As a business coach, your job will be to help entrepreneurs identify new opportunities and take advantage of the ones they already have.
How much you can make: $3,500 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,749 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
17. Start a copywriting business
Starting a copywriting business can be a great source of passive income for writers. By hiring a team of writers to produce copy for businesses, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee without doing any of the writing themselves.
A copywriter creates clear, compelling copy to sell products and/or educate and engage consumers.
To become a copywriter, focus on covering the basics, plan your copywriting business and choose the services you intend to offer.
To develop your brand, establish a marketing strategy, and offer quality services to your audience. Email marketing, newsletters, and other digital marketing tools can help you create a successful copywriting business.
How much you can make: $700 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 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.
18. Start a saas company
Creating and selling SaaS products can be a great source of passive income for writers. By identifying a problem that can be solved with a software product, writers can hire a team of developers to create and maintain the product while earning a percentage of the revenue.
SaaS (Software as a Service) is software that allows users to access and use it over the internet. It is a subscription-based service that provides users with access to software that they can use for their business. It offers a variety of features, including a project management tool, an automation engine, and a workflow designer.
To start a SaaS company you should be familiar with the SaaS business model and have a good understanding of how to build and market a SaaS product. You should also have strong technical skills and be able to develop a high-quality software product.
Salesforce is one of the best SaaS companies in the world. Salesforce provides an integrated CRM platform that brings companies and customers together. The company is one of the most innovative cloud software solutions providers on the market, generating nearly all its annual recurring revenue from SaaS tools. According to Salesforce's latest financial reports, the company's current revenue (TTM) is $26.49 B.
Starting a SaaS company is a great way to enter the tech industry. This type of company is growing in popularity as more businesses are looking for ways to save money and reduce their IT costs. SaaS companies typically have high margins and offer a lot of flexibility for entrepreneurs.
How much you can make: $20 — $20,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
AI-powered web application, Excelformulabot.com, generates Excel formulas within seconds for a subscription fee of $6.99/month or free for five formula requests per month, resulting in $14k/month in recurring revenue since its launch in September 2022, accruing millions of visitors through word of mouth, influencer marketing, SEO, and PPC, implemented through no-code web application Bubble.io, while preparing to penetrate a B2B market and focus on B2B outreach in the future.
19. Start a skin care product line
Starting a skin care product line can be a great source of passive income for writers. By creating and selling their own line of skin care products, writers can generate revenue from product sales without much ongoing effort.
The skincare business is a multi-billion dollar one, and it shows no sign of slowing down. New anti-aging products are entering the market at a nearly exponential rate, and the competition for consumers' money is growing more and more.
The industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and will expand at an annual growth rate of 4.6% up to 2030. This is surely a type of business that you should not miss. You'll need to build your creativity on your products and make sure that it is all safe and useful in improving the skin of your customers.
How much you can make: $300 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.
20. Start an affiliate marketing business
Building an affiliate marketing business can be a great source of passive income for writers. By promoting other people's products and earning a commission on sales, writers can generate revenue without creating any products themselves.
Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.
To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 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.
21. Start a graphic design business
Starting a graphic design business can be a great source of passive income for writers. By hiring a team of designers to produce graphics for businesses, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee without doing any of the design work themselves.
Graphic designers create logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for companies and organizations. They also design websites and other digital content, including social media graphics.
Graphic designers may specialize in one type of design (such as print or web design), or they can be generalists who do everything from logo design to social media graphics.
Starting a graphic design business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate about design and want to make a living, starting your own graphic design business is a great way to go.
Consider a suitable pricing structure when starting a graphic design business. You may charge the customers per hour or fixed pricing based on the project’s nature.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)
Learn how two friends bootstrapped a SaaS business to $55k monthly recurring revenue (MRR) by creating a simple graphic design tool for non-designers and focusing on content marketing for customer acquisition.
22. Start an online food business
Creating an online food business, such as a meal delivery service or a recipe website, can be a great source of passive income for writers. By creating and selling food-related content, writers can generate revenue from advertising and sponsorships.
Gone are the days when food lovers needed to leave their homes for delectable delights. Insert: online food business. This venture allows individuals or groups to offer ready-to-eat meals or pre-packaged ingredients for home preparation, straight to customers' doorsteps.
In simple terms, the business centers on creating and selling meals through an online platform. In a world perpetually pursuing convenience and variety, this idea caters to a diverse audience—busy professionals seeking nutritious meals, cooking novices craving guidance, or adventurous eaters exploring global cuisines.
As an owner of an online food business, you'll be involved in menu planning, sourcing ingredients, preparation, packaging, and delivering—while constantly innovating and adapting to the ever-changing food trends and dietary preferences. With the right blend of business acumen and culinary passion, the online food business can offer a unique opportunity to merge profit with satisfaction—giving people the gift of good food while filling a fundamental market gap.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.
23. Start a beauty business
Starting a beauty business, such as a makeup line or a beauty blog, can be a great source of passive income for writers. By creating and selling their own beauty products or producing high-quality content on the topic, writers can generate revenue through product sales, advertising, and sponsorships.
The beauty industry is growing at a rapid pace - valued at $511B in 2021, with an annual compounded growth rate of 4.75% worldwide. The beauty industry is predicted to exceed $716B by 2025.
If you are thinking of starting your own beauty business, there are many opportunities in this space to succeed. The most profitable branches in this industry include makeup, skincare, and hair products.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.
24. Start an ecommerce retailing business
Launching an ecommerce business selling a variety of products can be a great source of passive income for writers. By sourcing and curating products related to a specific topic, writers can create a profitable online business that requires minimal effort to maintain
Starting an ecommerce retailing business can be your gateway to the vast online market. At its core, this business involves selling products directly to consumers through an online store.
Combine your passion for products with a user-friendly e-commerce platform like Shopify or WooCommerce, and you’re well on your way. The beauty of ecommerce is its flexibility—you can choose products that align with your interests or tap into trending consumer demands.
From setting up a professional website to managing inventory and handling marketing strategies, expect to wear many hats. Yet, the rewards are compelling: a global customer base, potential for scaling, and control over your brand.
If you’re eager to blend creativity with commerce, ecommerce retailing offers a promising avenue to explore. Dive in to create your own online retail empire.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Tower Electric Bikes is a direct-to-consumer eBike brand co-founded by Stephan Aarstol and Mark Cuban, which has done over $36 million in sales since its $150,000 investment in 2012, and produced and sold everything from paddleboards to electric bikes for half the retail price, with the aim of creating the world's first famous eBike brand.
25. Start an online jewelry store
Creating an online jewelry store can be a great source of passive income for writers. By sourcing and selling unique and high-quality jewelry products, writers can generate revenue from product sales without much ongoing effort.
The online jewelry store industry has been growing rapidly. More and more people are buying cheaper jewelry online because it is easier and has a much more extensive selection.
The United States jewelry market was valued at about $76B in 2020, and diamond is considered to be the most valuable and lucrative among all forms of jewelry.
If you’re considering starting an online jewelry store to tap into this market, it’s crucial to choose the right e-commerce platform that can support your business needs and enable seamless transactions with your customers.
A great platform can help you showcase your products, manage your inventory, process payments securely, and provide an enjoyable shopping experience to your customers.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Taylor & Hart CEO Nikolay Piriankov tells the story of the company's journey from a diamond trading business to an award-winning, disruptive e-tailer of custom-designed, ethical engagement rings and fine jewelry, offering a bespoke design service through specifically developed technology online and instore, and growing to £4-6M in annual revenue.
26. Start a life coaching business
Providing life coaching services can be a great source of passive income for writers. By sharing their expertise and offering advice on personal development, writers can earn a percentage of the coaching fee while outsourcing most of the work to a team of employees.
Life coach helps people in various areas of their lives using a combination of emotional intelligence, professional knowledge, and experience.
Life coaching is a popular industry worth over $2.85 billion, and the number of life coaches has increased by 33% between 2015-2019.
This is a very profitable business and can be started at virtually no cost. You’ll need a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, and a LinkedIn account to start. Then, you can begin coaching part-time in your spare time until you build up your clientele.
How much you can make: $100 — $120,000/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
GrowthMentor, a platform connecting vetted growth mentors for one-on-one calls, founded by Fotis Panagiotakopoulos, has had over 2,500 mentorship calls booked to date and has seen success in using word of mouth, content marketing, and leveraging other people's networks as the primary drivers of customer acquisition.
27. Start a web development business
Starting a web development business can be a great source of passive income for writers. By hiring a team of developers to build websites for businesses, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee without doing any of the development work themselves.
A web development business is a company that builds and takes care of websites. They typically use coding and design skills to create online spaces that meet the needs of individuals or businesses.
These businesses help ensure websites work well and look good, playing a key role in the online presence of their clients.
How much you can make: $3,000 — $700,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Vuetify is a popular open-source user interface library, built with the Vue.js framework, that generates revenue through digital content and services such as paid digital content in the Vuetify store, direct support through consulting, ad revenue from Carbon ads on the documentation pages, and donations/sponsorships via GitHub and Patreon, generating an average income of $6,500 per month.
28. Start a newsletter
Creating a paid newsletter can be a great source of passive income for writers. By producing high-quality and exclusive content on a specific topic, writers can generate revenue from subscriptions without much ongoing effort.
Did you know that in the past five years, there has been more than a 50% increase in the number of people who read newsletters?
Newsletters are one of the few things you can use to market yourself as a trusted expert. A well-written newsletter can educate your subscribers and build connections with them.
Email newsletters are a great way to connect with customers and potential customers. It’s a newsletter’s job to inform, persuade, and sell to your audience.
How much you can make: $160 — $4,100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Financial media company MarketBeat, founded by Matt Paulson, provides objective financial information and real-time market data to empower individual stock investors to make better trading decisions, generating approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and ending the year with over 1.3 million unique email subscribers due to a freemium model with 75% of revenue from advertising and 25% from subscriptions.
29. Start an etsy shop
Starting an Etsy business selling handmade or vintage products can be a great source of passive income for writers. By sourcing or creating unique products, writers can generate revenue from product sales without much ongoing effort.
Etsy is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell all kinds of handmade goods, vintage items, and art supplies.
It's a great way to make some extra cash, and you can use it as an opportunity to build your brand and find new clients.
To get started on Etsy, you'll need these four things:
- An Etsy account
- A PayPal account
- A product idea (or at least a product category)
- A visually appealing storefront with photos of your products
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
30. Start an ecommerce platform
Creating and launching an eCommerce platform can be a great source of passive income for writers. By creating a marketplace for other businesses to sell their products, writers can earn a percentage of the revenue generated on the platform.
Over the past decade, eCommerce has become an indispensable part of the global retail framework. According to statistics, over 2 billion people prefer shopping online.
While brick-and-mortar stores are still making more sales compared to online sales, the adoption of eCommerce is still rising, mainly because of the increased speed and convenience of online shopping.
Therefore, starting an eCommerce platform could set you on the right path to building a futuristic business.
How much you can make: $100 — $2,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.
31. Start a YouTube channel
Starting a Youtube channel can be a great source of passive income for writers. By creating engaging video content on a specific topic, writers can generate revenue from advertising, sponsorships, and product placements.
Have a knack for creating compelling video content? Starting a YouTube channel might be your next big move.
A YouTube channel offers you the opportunity to share your expertise, passions, or hobbies while potentially earning revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise. Your channel can focus on anything from how-to guides and vlogs to educational content and entertainment. It's a versatile platform where creativity meets opportunity.
Building a successful YouTube channel requires consistency and quality. You'll need to plan your content, shoot and edit videos, and engage with your audience regularly. A good understanding of SEO for videos and social media marketing can also drive traction.
Despite the hard work involved, the payoff can be significant. From the flexibility to share your unique voice to the potential for financial reward, a YouTube channel can be a fulfilling venture. If you're ready to dedicate the time and effort, this could be a worthwhile endeavor.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
32. Start a business growth service
Offering business growth services, such as search engine optimization (SEO) or social media marketing, can be a great source of passive income for writers. By outsourcing the work to a team of employees, writers can earn a percentage of the project fee without doing any of the work themselves.
A business growth service helps companies scale efficiently and strategically. Essentially, it involves providing expertise and tailored support to businesses aiming to expand their market presence, streamline operations, and boost revenue. You assist clients by analyzing their current performance, crafting growth strategies, and implementing marketing, sales, and operational improvements.
Considering the increasing complexities of today’s business environment, firms are eager to invest in specialized growth services. Whether it’s through enhancing digital marketing efforts, optimizing customer acquisition, or refining business models, your role is to guide businesses through transformative change. This venture is compelling for those with a knack for strategic thinking and a passion for helping companies succeed. If you possess the expertise and ambition, starting a business growth service could be a fulfilling and lucrative endeavor.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
GrowthMentor, a platform connecting vetted growth mentors for one-on-one calls, founded by Fotis Panagiotakopoulos, has had over 2,500 mentorship calls booked to date and has seen success in using word of mouth, content marketing, and leveraging other people's networks as the primary drivers of customer acquisition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you build passive income as a writer?
Yes, it is possible to build passive income as a writer. Some ways to do this include writing and self-publishing books, creating online courses or digital products, and generating revenue through affiliate marketing or blog advertising.
How to make passive income as a writer?
To make passive income as a writer, consider self-publishing books on platforms such as Amazon, creating and selling online courses or digital products, and earning revenue through affiliate marketing or advertising on a blog or website. It's important to create high-quality content that resonates with your target audience and to use effective marketing strategies to increase your reach and income potential.
Is passive income for a writer truly passive?
While passive income for a writer can require some initial effort to create and promote content, once established, it can become a mostly passive source of income. However, some ongoing maintenance may still be required, such as updating and promoting content, to continue generating income.
Conclusion
Online passive income is an excellent option if you are a writer looking for ways to make some extra money. Several options are available; many can be started with little to no investment.
Do your research, find something that interests you, and get started! You may be surprised at how quickly those extra dollars start adding up. What have you got to lose?
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.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
