12 Passive Income Ideas For Architects [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a architect in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a architect today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a architect.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast can be a great way for you as an architect to supplement your income and share your expertise. You could dive into topics like design trends, sustainable architecture, or interviews with fellow architects and industry experts. This not only establishes you as a thought leader but also attracts an audience interested in architecture, which could lead to sponsorship opportunities and advertising revenue.
To begin, you would need to choose a specific topic that you are passionate about and that can captivate an audience. With basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and a hosting platform to publish your episodes, you could create engaging content. Promoting your podcast through social media and architectural communities could help you build a loyal following, opening the door to potential earnings from sponsors or advertisers.
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.
2. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
As an architect, starting an ecommerce reselling business could be a fantastic way to supplement your income. By leveraging your keen eye for design and aesthetics, you could identify and resell high-quality, stylish décor and architectural accessories that appeal to homeowners and design enthusiasts. This would allow you to tap into your existing knowledge and passion, making your foray into ecommerce both enjoyable and profitable.
An added benefit is that you do not need to worry about production costs. Instead, you can purchase ready-made goods for resale, significantly simplifying the launch process. Additionally, you do not need to invest in a website immediately; you could start selling through social media platforms and scale up as your business grows.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
3. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As an architect, you could leverage your eye for design and attention to detail to start a stock photography business. Your architectural background gives you a unique perspective on capturing the aesthetics of buildings, interiors, and landscapes, making your photos ideal for marketing purposes. By investing in some good photography gear and developing your skills in taking high-quality stock photos, you could create an impressive portfolio that attracts buyers.
You could upload your photos to various stock photography websites, where businesses and bloggers might purchase them for their own marketing and advertising needs. Over time, this could provide you with a steady stream of passive income. An excellent online presence and a portfolio that showcases your architectural expertise would help sell your stock photos faster and at more profitable margins, making this a viable and lucrative side hustle for any architect.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
4. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an architect, you could tap into your skills and knowledge by creating and selling online courses. Many aspiring architects would love to learn design principles, software tips, or how to manage projects more effectively. By teaching what you already know, you could create a new stream of passive income.
All you need is to pick a target audience, develop a course outline, and select a platform to host your course. With the e-learning market on track to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, now could be a great time to share your expertise and boost your income.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
5. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As an architect with a keen eye for design and efficiency, you could leverage AI-based business solutions to streamline your projects and enhance client satisfaction. For instance, AI can help automate tedious tasks like drafting initial designs or generating project cost estimates, allowing you more time to focus on creative aspects. Moreover, AI tools can analyze vast amounts of data to predict construction trends and optimize resource allocation, ensuring that your projects are both timely and cost-effective.
By incorporating AI in your practice, you could offer clients data-driven insights, such as optimal energy usage, sustainability measures, and predictive maintenance for buildings. Additionally, AI can assist in personalized marketing efforts by understanding client preferences through data analysis, helping you target your services more effectively. This venture not only opens up new revenue streams but also sets you apart in a rapidly evolving industry.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As an architect, you could leverage your unique skills and knowledge to create a mobile app that supplements your income. Imagine developing an app that helps other architects with project management, 3D modeling, or even a tool for quickly sketching designs on-the-go. You might also consider an app that offers educational content, such as tutorials or guides on architectural techniques and software.
Starting a mobile app business involves having a clear vision for your idea and a basic understanding of coding. If coding isn’t your strength, you could hire a skilled developer to bring your idea to life. The key steps would include planning the user experience, designing intuitive interfaces, and rigorously testing the app for any bugs or usability issues.
The market for mobile apps is vast, and with effective marketing, your app could attract a substantial number of users. This venture could not only provide a steady stream of passive income but also offer the satisfaction of helping your peers in the architecture community. With the right strategy and dedication, your app could become an essential tool for many architects worldwide.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
7. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be an excellent way for you as an architect to share your unique insights and experiences in the field. You could focus on specific areas such as sustainable building practices, innovative design techniques, or the latest trends in architecture. By creating informative content—such as how-to guides, product reviews, and commentary on industry news—you could attract a dedicated audience interested in these topics.
Monetizing your blog could be achieved in several ways, such as incorporating affiliate links for architectural products or tools you recommend, collaborating with relevant brands, and even speaking at industry events. Over time, as your blog gains visibility and followers, you could supplement your income and potentially establish a significant revenue stream.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
8. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As an architect, you likely encounter various design and project management challenges that could be streamlined with technology. If you have ever used WordPress for a portfolio or project website, you know plugins are essential for enhancing functionality. You could develop WordPress plugins that solve specific problems architects face—like tools for project management, client collaboration, or showcasing 3D models.
Once developed, you could sell these plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon or on your own website. This could supplement your income without requiring much ongoing effort. Just ensure that your plugins offer valuable solutions to real needs in your field to make them highly appealing to other architects.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
9. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As an architect, starting a YouTube channel could open up a world of possibilities to supplement your income. You could create content that shares your expertise, like how-to guides on architectural design, vlogs about your projects, or educational videos about the principles of architecture. This would not only provide value to your audience but also establish you as an authority in your niche.
Moreover, a YouTube channel could generate revenue through ads, sponsorships, and potentially even merchandise related to your brand. While building a successful channel requires consistent and high-quality content, the effort could be worth it in the long run. If you have a knack for creating engaging video content and are prepared to invest the time, starting a YouTube channel could be a practical and rewarding way to earn extra money.
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.
10. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As an architect, you could start a niche website focused on architectural topics, such as sustainable design, home renovation tips, or the latest trends in building materials. By sharing your expertise and passion, you could build a dedicated audience interested in your insights and advice. This not only allows you to express your creativity but also positions you as a knowledgeable resource in your field.
You could monetize your niche site through various methods like affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling your own digital products, such as e-books or design templates. Although it requires an initial effort in creating content and optimizing for search engines, once established, your site could generate passive income and supplement your current earnings.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
11. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
If you are an architect looking for a way to supplement your income and earn passive money, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a good fit. You could partner with companies that sell architectural software, tools, or building materials and earn a commission for every sale made through your recommendations. Your knowledge and experience in the field could help you effectively promote products that you genuinely believe in, adding value to your audience.
You could also create content such as blogs, videos, or social media posts about these products, leveraging your expertise to build trust with potential buyers. Over time, as more people follow your recommendations and make purchases, you'll earn ongoing commissions without having to continually put in a lot of work. This is a practical way to turn your architectural expertise into a steady stream of passive income.
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.
12. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As an architect, you could leverage your design skills to start a print-on-demand business. By creating custom designs for products like apparel, home goods, and phone cases, you could use your architectural eye for aesthetics to develop trendy and unique items. This business model involves dropshipping, so you wouldn't need to worry about inventory or upfront costs; products are printed and shipped directly to customers as orders come in.
You could set up virtual storefronts on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to reach a global audience and run the business from home, allowing for a low-overhead side hustle. With the freedom to work at your own pace, you could gradually build a scalable income stream that complements your primary profession. This approach would offer you a way to monetize your creativity and design expertise while minimizing financial risk.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
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.
