Passive Income Ideas For Cloud Systems Administrators [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in earning passive income as a cloud systems administrator in 2024?

We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a cloud systems administrator 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 systems administrator.

Here's the full list:

1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, you could leverage your technical skills to create an email marketing tool. With your expertise in managing servers and cloud infrastructure, you could develop a robust software application that automates email campaigns and manages subscriber lists efficiently. This tool could appeal to a wide range of users, from entrepreneurs to real estate agents.

The email marketing industry is on the rise, with market size projections reaching $2.53 billion by 2028. By entering this growing market, you could generate supplementary income while providing a valuable service to businesses looking to expand their reach. Starting this side project might be as simple as acquiring a domain and hosting account, leveraging your existing knowledge to get started.

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 (?)

I Built A SEO Tool That's Completely Free For Users [From Lebanon]

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.

Read by 14,150 founders

2. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, you could explore the possibility of developing an AI writing tool to supplement your income. By leveraging your technical expertise, you could create a tool that helps businesses, bloggers, and students generate engaging and accurate content effortlessly. This venture could allow you to tap into the growing demand for quality content without the need to write manually.

Furthermore, your background in cloud systems administration gives you the skills to host and maintain the AI writing tool efficiently. The automated nature of AI writing means the tool can work 24/7, potentially earning passive income even when you're off the clock. This entrepreneurial endeavor could not only diversify your income streams but also put you at the forefront of technological innovation in content creation.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

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.

Read by 6,767 founders

3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, you could leverage your technical background to start an AI-based business solution that streamlines business operations. For example, you might develop an AI tool that automates repetitive tasks, enhances customer service, or provides valuable insights through data analysis. This kind of solution could help companies optimize their processes and reduce costs, making it highly attractive to a wide range of businesses.

You don't need to be an expert in AI to get started; many platform providers offer user-friendly tools and extensive support. By focusing on high-impact areas like personalized marketing or inventory management, you could create solutions that provide significant value to your clients. As demand for AI solutions continues to grow, this could be a meaningful way to generate passive income and establish a strong foothold in an expanding market.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month

How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)

How We Launched A $120K/Month Audiobook Publishing Course

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.

Read by 21,998 founders

4. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, you could leverage your technical skills to create a lead generation tool. This software would help businesses identify and capture potential customer leads, automating the time-consuming task of finding new clients. You could integrate the tool with websites, social media channels, and other digital platforms to collect valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and customer interests.

Given the high demand for efficient lead generation, your tool could become an essential asset for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts. By working on this during your spare time or collaborating with a marketing expert, you could build a product that significantly supplements your income. This venture allows you to utilize your existing cloud skills in a new, profitable way.

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 (?)

How I Created A $5M/Year LinkedIn Marketing Automation Tool

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.

Read by 8,923 founders

5. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, creating a mobile app could be a practical way to earn extra income while leveraging your technical skills. You likely already have a solid foundation in understanding software architecture, which will be helpful in planning and developing a mobile app. Basic coding knowledge or the ability to hire a skilled developer will allow you to build an app that could cater to various user needs, such as productivity tools or even entertainment.

The key tasks you'll need to focus on include planning the user experience, designing engaging interfaces, and ensuring the app functions properly by testing for bugs. Once the app is developed, effective marketing is crucial to attract users and achieve downloads, converting your efforts into revenue. Given the widespread use of mobile apps in daily life, even a small but innovative solution could become a significant source of passive income.

How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

We Started A $6M/Year Bachelorette Party App

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.

Read by 11,017 founders

6. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, starting a social media automation business could be a great way to make extra money by leveraging your technical skills. In this business, you would create tools and services that help clients schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data on social media platforms. This means small businesses and influencers could pay you to save them time and improve their social media presence.

Given your expertise in managing cloud-based systems, you could develop or integrate software solutions that handle these tasks efficiently. This could involve staying updated on social media trends and building strong relationships with clients to tailor services to their needs. With a growing demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement, your technical know-how could position you well to capitalize on this opportunity.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month

How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)

How I Bootstrapped A Social Media Automation Tool To $2MM/Year

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.

Read by 15,250 founders

7. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, starting a WordPress plugin business could be a practical way to supplement your income. Given your expertise in managing cloud environments, you likely have a good understanding of system optimization and solving technical issues, which can translate well into developing plugins that solve specific problems for website administrators. If you’ve ever come across a common issue that could be resolved with a plugin, you could develop that solution and make it available to others, earning passive income as people purchase and use your plugin.

This side hustle is not just about coding; it’s also about addressing real-world needs, something you’re already accustomed to in your current job. You could sell your plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon or even create a dedicated website to market and distribute your products. By focusing on providing solutions, you can carve out a niche in the WordPress ecosystem and create 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

How I Coded A Website Plugin Making $600 Per Month

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.

Read by 18,985 founders

8. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you, as a cloud systems administrator, to supplement your income. You could create engaging videos sharing your expertise and insights about cloud platforms, offering tutorials, tips, and solutions to common challenges. By doing so, you not only help others but also position yourself as a thought leader in your field.

With the right approach, your channel could generate revenue through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise related to cloud computing. Although creating a successful channel requires consistent effort in planning, shooting, and editing content, the potential rewards—both financial and professional—make it a promising endeavor.

Additionally, understanding SEO for videos and leveraging social media marketing can help grow your audience, further increasing your earning potential. If you’re dedicated and enjoy sharing knowledge, a YouTube channel might just be a perfect side hustle for you.

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 (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

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.

Read by 12,323 founders

9. Make passive income with a helicopter transportation service

As a cloud systems administrator, you could leverage your technical skills to start a helicopter transportation service. Using your knowledge in managing systems and networks, you could implement a seamless booking and management system, enhancing the efficiency and user experience of your service. Additionally, you could utilize cloud-based software to monitor and manage your fleet, ensuring safety and reliability for your clients.

Starting a helicopter transportation service also offers the possibility of creating passive income streams through strategic partnerships and contracts with local businesses or tourism companies. With your background in tech, you could automate many of the operational processes, freeing up your time while still reaping the benefits of your side hustle. The unique combination of your technical expertise and the high-demand nature of helicopter transport could make this a lucrative venture.

10. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog could be a great way for a cloud systems administrator to supplement your income by sharing your knowledge and expertise with a specific audience. You could focus on topics you are passionate about, such as cloud security best practices, tutorials on optimizing cloud performance, or reviews of cloud management tools. By targeting an underserved niche, you could attract readers who value your insights and practical advice.

Creating unique content such as how-to guides, tutorial videos, and industry news updates could help establish you as an authority in the cloud computing community. To monetize your blog, you could include affiliate links to cloud-related products, partner with relevant brands, or even speak at tech events. With consistent effort and engagement with your readers, your niche blog could become a reliable source of passive income.

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 (?)

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

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.

Read by 78,270 founders

11. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, you could start a niche website focused on topics you're passionate about and knowledgeable in, such as cloud computing, security best practices, or emerging technologies. Creating engaging and informative content that addresses common challenges and offers solutions could attract a dedicated audience of like-minded professionals.

To generate income, you could explore monetization options like affiliate marketing for cloud services, ad placements, or even selling your own digital products like eBooks or online courses. While initially requiring an investment of time in research, content creation, and SEO, a well-established niche website could eventually become a steady source of passive income. By leveraging your expertise and interests, a niche website could provide both creative fulfillment and financial rewards.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

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.

Read by 3,620 founders

12. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

As a cloud systems administrator, you could start earning passive income through affiliate marketing by leveraging your technical know-how and industry connections. For instance, you could partner with software companies or cloud service providers, promoting their products and services via online content like blogs, tutorials, or social media.

By sharing valuable insights and recommendations based on your expertise, you could attract a niche audience interested in cloud solutions. Each time someone makes a purchase through your referral links, you'd earn a commission, creating a consistent 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 (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

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.

Read by 24,636 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls