14 Passive Income Ideas For Cloud Solutions Architects [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a cloud solutions architect in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a cloud solutions 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 cloud solutions architect.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could supplement your income by starting an AI-based business solution. Given your expertise in designing and implementing scalable cloud infrastructure, you are well-positioned to develop AI tools that can optimize business processes like customer service, inventory management, or data analysis. These tools could help companies automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and make well-informed decisions.
With the growing demand for AI solutions, many companies are eager to adopt technologies that give them a competitive edge. By tapping into this market, you could create a sustainable source of passive income, leveraging your existing skill set and industry knowledge. Plus, many platform providers offer user-friendly interfaces and strong support, making it easier for you to get started even if you're new to AI.
Launching an AI-based business solution could be a strategic move to innovate and boost business performance, benefiting both you and your future clients. Focusing on high-impact areas and developing a solid implementation plan will be crucial to your success. This venture not only allows you to explore new technological frontiers but also builds on your strengths in cloud architecture.
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.
2. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, developing an AI writing tool could be an exciting and practical way to earn passive income. You have the expertise to design and deploy cloud-based applications, allowing you to create a powerful, scalable platform for your AI writing tool. This tool could help bloggers, businesses, and students by automating the content creation process to produce high-quality, error-free text quickly and efficiently.
The demand for consistent, quality content is higher than ever, making your AI-driven tool both relevant and necessary. You could position yourself at the forefront of technological innovation, leveraging your cloud architecture skills to create a product that significantly enhances productivity for writers around the globe. This endeavor doesn’t just promise financial benefits but also the satisfaction of bringing an impactful, innovative solution to the digital world.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
3. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could leverage your technical skills to develop an email marketing tool, capitalizing on the growing demand in the industry. Given your background, you'd have the expertise to create a robust, scalable tool that meets the needs of various businesses—from entrepreneurs to real estate agents. The global email marketing tool market is expected to reach $2.53B by 2028, indicating a substantial opportunity for new and innovative solutions.
Starting an email marketing tool could be relatively straightforward for you, beginning with purchasing a domain and hosting account. Once operational, you could automate and optimize email campaigns for your clients, allowing you to generate passive income through subscription plans or service fees. Moreover, implementing and managing such a tool could also enhance your professional portfolio, showcasing your ability to build complex, high-utility software solutions.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 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.
4. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, creating a mobile app could be a great way to supplement your income and dive into entrepreneurship. Leveraging your technical skills, you could develop an app that addresses specific needs within your industry or offers unique solutions to common problems. Even if you're new to coding, there are plenty of resources and skilled developers available to help turn your vision into reality.
This venture involves designing an app that is not only functional but also engaging and user-friendly. Your cloud expertise might give you an edge in optimizing the backend and ensuring the app's scalability and reliability. By effectively marketing your app and capturing the interest of users, you could earn passive income through advertisements, in-app purchases, or subscription models.
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.
5. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could utilize your technical expertise to create a lead generation tool, which would address the common issue businesses face of struggling to attract the right customers. This tool could automate the often laborious process of finding new clients, freeing up companies to focus on converting leads into paying customers.
You could integrate your tool with websites, social media channels, and other digital touchpoints to collect valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and interests. Given your background, you have the skill set to develop a reliable and scalable platform that meets the high demand for efficient lead generation, making this a potentially profitable venture.
With your knowledge in cloud solutions, you could ensure that the tool is secure, highly available, and able to handle large amounts of data. This side project could not only supplement your income but also leverage your existing skills and help businesses grow their customer base more effectively.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
6. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, starting a WordPress plugin business could be a great way to supplement your income and make extra money. If you’ve encountered common issues while working on cloud solutions, you could develop a WordPress plugin to address these problems. Your technical skills in designing cloud systems can be invaluable in creating plugins that are effective, efficient, and reliable.
You could sell these plugins on popular online platforms like CodeCanyon, or even on your personal blog or a dedicated website. This venture allows you to leverage your cloud expertise in a new and rewarding way. By focusing on solving specific needs, you could transform your existing knowledge into a steady stream of passive income.
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.
7. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could leverage your expertise to create an online course that teaches others about cloud infrastructure, deployment strategies, or cost optimization. With the e-learning market projected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, there is a huge potential for earning passive income by sharing your knowledge. By creating a course, you can reach a wide audience and offer them valuable insights into complex cloud solutions that many businesses are eager to learn.
You could target beginners who are looking to enter the field or even experienced professionals wanting to deepen their understanding. Platforms like Udemy or Coursera make it easy to host and sell your course, allowing you to focus on creating high-quality content. By doing so, you can supplement your income and build a steady stream of passive revenue while helping others develop their skills.
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.
8. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could leverage your technical expertise to start a social media automation business. This involves developing or integrating tools to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data for clients like small businesses and influencers. These clients would pay you to streamline their social media engagement, saving them time and enhancing their online presence.
Given your familiarity with cloud services, you could host these automation tools on scalable cloud platforms, ensuring reliability and performance. By staying updated on social media trends and maintaining strong client relationships, you could create tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of your clients. This side hustle not only taps into your existing skills but also opens up opportunities to earn passive income.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 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.
9. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could start an affiliate marketing business to supplement your income by promoting products and services related to your field. Given your expertise, you could recommend cloud services, software, and tools that you already trust and use in your profession. Each sale made through your referral links could earn you a commission, adding up to a steady stream of passive income over time.
To get started, look for products and brands that align with your professional knowledge and experience. For instance, partnering with cloud service providers or software companies could resonate well with your audience. By leveraging your expertise and network, you could build a reputation as a reliable source of recommendations, making it easier to earn commissions on the products you endorse.
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.
10. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
If you’re a cloud solutions architect, starting a niche website could be a savvy way to supplement your income and share your expertise. You could focus on specialized topics in cloud computing, like best practices for hybrid cloud setups, optimizing multicloud environments, or even in-depth reviews of cloud services. This allows you to turn your day-to-day experiences and knowledge into valuable content that attracts a dedicated audience.
Creating compelling, focused content will be crucial, and you’ll need to invest some time in research, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO) to build your audience. Once your site gains traction, various monetization options open up, such as affiliate marketing for cloud tools, ad placements, or even selling your own digital products like e-books and online courses.
In essence, a niche website could become a reliable source of passive income over time, utilizing the specialized knowledge you already possess in your field. If you have a specific interest and a passion for cloud solutions, this project could not only boost your income but also establish you as an authority in your niche.
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 a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, starting a niche blog could be a fruitful way to share your specialized knowledge and insights in cloud computing. You could focus on specific areas like cloud security, migration strategies, cost management, or new technology reviews. By creating unique and informative content such as how-to guides, product reviews, and news commentary, you could build a passionate online community interested in these topics.
Monetizing your blog could involve affiliate marketing, sponsored content from relevant brands, and even speaking at industry events. Additionally, leveraging platforms like YouTube for video tutorials and interviews could help grow your audience even more. This approach not only supplements your income but also establishes you as an expert in your field, opening doors for more opportunities.
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.
12. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an exciting way for a cloud solutions architect to supplement their income. You could create content that explains complex cloud concepts in simple terms, offers tutorials on popular cloud platforms, or shares insights on best practices. This not only helps others in the field but also opens up opportunities for ad revenue, sponsorships, and possibly selling your own educational materials.
Imagine making detailed guides on deploying and managing cloud solutions or providing tips on cloud architecture best practices. By consistently sharing valuable content, you could grow an audience and establish yourself as an expert in the field. Over time, as your channel builds traction, you could turn this project into a steady stream of passive income.
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.
13. Make passive income with an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could leverage your technical skills to create and manage an online survey tool. Many businesses need to gather customer feedback efficiently, and you could build a user-friendly platform that offers features like a survey builder, data collection, and reporting systems. This market is growing, and the demand for reliable data collection is increasing, making it a promising passive income stream.
Your background in cloud environments would be particularly useful in ensuring the tool is scalable and secure, which are key selling points for businesses. With the knowledge of integrating various cloud services, you could even offer customized solutions that fit specific business needs, setting your service apart from existing platforms like Typeform. By automating much of the management processes, this side project could generate ongoing revenue while requiring minimal daily oversight from you.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
14. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, starting a cold email service business could be a smart way to supplement your income. With your strategic thinking and technical skills, you could help businesses reach new clients directly through targeted email campaigns. This involves crafting compelling emails, analyzing client needs, and using email marketing tools to track metrics like open rates and conversions.
Given your knack for solving complex problems and understanding client requirements, you could effectively research target audiences and tailor email messages to engage them. Furthermore, the demand for lead generation services is high, offering you ample opportunities to grow your clientele. By starting with smaller businesses and scaling up as you build success stories, you could establish a rewarding side business that leverages both your marketing know-how and technical expertise.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)
GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.
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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.
