Passive Income Ideas For It Support Specialists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a IT support specialist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a IT support specialist 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 IT support specialist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a fantastic way for you, as an IT support specialist, to share your expertise and connect with a broader audience. You could create content that covers common tech issues, new software updates, and practical tips, which many people find valuable. This would allow you to establish yourself as an authority in your field while helping others solve their tech problems.
To get started, you just need a few basics like a good microphone and some recording software. Pick a topic that excites you and has a dedicated audience—perhaps troubleshooting tips or tech news. As your podcast grows, you could attract sponsors or advertising, turning your hobby into potential passive income.
Promote your episodes through social media, online forums, and by asking satisfied customers to tune in. With some effort in promoting your podcast, you could create an additional revenue stream while enhancing your professional reputation.
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 online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could leverage your expertise and start earning passive income by creating and selling online courses. With your in-depth knowledge of topics like troubleshooting, network administration, and customer support tools, you could teach others aiming to enter or advance in the IT field. This is an excellent way to turn your day-to-day experiences and skills into a source of extra income.
The process involves identifying a target audience, such as beginners looking to break into IT or professionals seeking to enhance their skills. Once you’ve created your course content, you could choose a platform to host and sell your course. Given that the e-learning market is projected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, it's a lucrative opportunity to earn passive income while sharing what you know best.
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.
3. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
If you’re an IT support specialist looking for a side hustle that pays passive income, affiliate marketing could be a great fit. As an affiliate marketer, you could earn money by promoting tech products and services you already know and trust. Imagine recommending software, hardware, or even online courses to your network and being paid a commission for each sale.
To get started, you could find the right products and brands that align with your expertise in IT. This could mean partnering with an eCommerce store that sells tech gadgets, or a manufacturer with high-quality computer parts. With the knowledge you already have, you could easily create content or reviews that help guide potential customers to make informed choices while earning extra income for yourself.
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.
4. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
If you're an IT support specialist, starting a YouTube channel could be a great way to earn passive income. You could create videos that provide step-by-step solutions to common technical problems, share tips and tricks for various software, or review useful tools and programs. By sharing your knowledge, you could attract a large audience of people seeking help with their tech issues.
Over time, as your channel grows, you might earn money through ads, sponsorships, and even selling your own branded merchandise. The flexibility of a YouTube channel allows you to work on videos in your spare time, making it a perfect side hustle. If you're consistent and produce high-quality content, this could become a significant source of supplemental 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.
5. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could start a niche blog focused on specific areas of technology that you are passionate about, such as cybersecurity tips, the latest in tech gadgets, or troubleshooting common IT problems. Sharing your expertise on a specialized topic could attract a dedicated audience looking for your insights and practical advice, benefiting from your in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience.
To find your niche, consider areas that are underserved or have a growing interest, such as the rise of home office tech setups or step-by-step guides for solving common IT issues. Creating unique content like how-to guides, product reviews, and commentary on the latest tech trends would keep your readers coming back for more.
Monetizing your blog could involve placing affiliate links to tech products you review, collaborating with tech brands, or even creating a YouTube channel with engaging video tutorials. With regular, high-quality content and interaction with your audience, your niche blog could become a valuable source of passive income, leveraging your current skill set and interests.
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.
6. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
As an IT support specialist, starting a dropshipping business could be a great way to supplement your income. With your technical skills, you could easily set up an online store on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. You don’t need to worry about maintaining inventory—just pick a niche, list products from suppliers on your store, and let the suppliers handle the shipping when a customer makes a purchase.
This business model allows you to focus on important aspects like marketing and customer service, using your problem-solving skills to enhance customer experience. You could monitor your expenses and profit margins efficiently, ensuring your dropshipping venture is profitable. Additionally, you could take advantage of your IT skills to automate repetitive tasks, improving overall efficiency and making this a viable source of passive income.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
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.
7. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Starting a mobile app could be a natural fit for you as an IT support specialist. Your existing technical skills and understanding of user needs can be invaluable in creating a software application that runs on smartphones and tablets. Whether your app idea revolves around productivity, entertainment, or any other field, your grasp of technology gives you a head start in planning, designing, and troubleshooting the app.
You could either use your basic coding knowledge to build the app yourself or hire a developer to bring your vision to life. Key tasks involve planning the user experience, creating engaging interfaces, and ensuring the app functions without bugs. Successfully marketing your app will attract users and lead to more downloads, which can generate substantial passive income.
Given the integral role mobile apps play in people's daily lives, there's immense potential for your app to gain significant traction. By addressing common problems or offering entertainment, your app could reach a broad audience. With dedication and a good strategy, this venture could turn your idea into a profitable reality.
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.
8. Make passive income with an online english tutor
As an IT support specialist, diving into online English tutoring could be an excellent way to supplement your income. If you are fluent in English and have a knack for teaching, this venture allows you to leverage your communication skills. By offering personalized language lessons through platforms like Zoom or educational apps, you could help students worldwide improve their English, all from the comfort of your home.
This opportunity offers the flexibility to manage your own schedule and select your clients, whether they are business professionals, students, or casual learners. With a genuine interest in helping others achieve their language goals and a bit of dedication to crafting engaging lessons, you could find the process highly rewarding. Starting with platforms such as iTalki or Preply can help you build your initial clientele and see your students' progress firsthand.
How much you can make: $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 602 days (?)
Live Lingua, an online language learning platform, built a 7-figure business on a bootstrap budget using SEO and launched thanks to the Mexican swine flu, with the company now growing at around 20% a year every year since then.
9. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could leverage your technical skills to create an AI-based business solution that streamlines operations for other businesses. For instance, you could develop AI tools to automate repetitive tasks, provide valuable customer insights, and predict market trends. This not only helps companies enhance their efficiency but also provides them with data-driven insights to make better decisions.
The best part is, many platform providers now offer user-friendly interfaces and robust support systems, so you don’t need to be an AI expert to get started. Given the increasing demand for AI solutions across various industries, this could be a great way to supplement your income while staying relevant in your field. With a solid implementation plan and a focus on high-impact areas, you could tap into this expanding market and create a new revenue stream for yourself.
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.
10. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could leverage your tech skills to create or manage a social media automation business, which involves developing tools to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze performance data across different platforms. This offers small businesses and influencers a way to enhance their social media presence while saving them valuable time.
Given the growing importance of consistent social media engagement, there's a strong demand for such services. By integrating your knowledge of software solutions and staying updated on social media trends, you could build a business that not only brings in extra income but also taps into your interest in tech and marketing.
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.
11. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could leverage your skills to develop a lead generation tool that helps businesses attract and capture potential customers. Imagine creating a software application that automates the laborious process of finding new clients, allowing companies to focus more on converting leads into sales. Your tool could integrate with websites, social media channels, and other digital platforms to collect valuable data like email addresses and interests.
The demand for efficient lead generation is high, making this a lucrative opportunity. With your tech-savvy background, you could tailor the tool to meet the specific needs of various businesses, helping them streamline their marketing efforts and grow their customer base. This could not only supplement your income but also pave the way for a new and profitable entrepreneurial venture.
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.
12. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could start a cold email service business to supplement your income by leveraging your technical know-how and problem-solving skills. This business involves helping companies reach new clients directly by crafting and sending targeted email campaigns on their behalf.
Your familiarity with various software tools will come in handy when using email marketing platforms to track open rates and conversions. Additionally, your ability to think strategically and analyze client needs aligns well with researching target audiences and writing compelling emails. Starting with small businesses needing lead generation could pave the way for scaling up as your success stories accumulate. This venture combines your existing expertise with a new, valuable service always in demand.
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.
13. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could leverage your technical skills to develop an AI writing tool, helping create a new stream of passive income. With the growing demand for automated, accurate, and engaging content, your knowledge of software and systems could be the key to building a tool that assists bloggers, businesses, and students in generating high-quality material quickly and efficiently.
Imagine creating a tool that not only cuts down the time needed for content creation but also eliminates common errors, making the writing process smoother for users. This could allow you to monetize through subscriptions or one-time purchases, providing you with a consistent revenue stream. Additionally, managing the backend and updates of the AI writing tool fits seamlessly into your skill set, making it a lucrative and practical side hustle.
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.
14. Make passive income with an iPhone app ($238K/month)
As an IT support specialist, you could leverage your technical skills to create an iPhone app as a source of passive income. The iPhone is immensely popular, and it’s a platform that's always in demand for new, innovative apps. Given your expertise in technology, you're well-positioned to identify common user problems and develop solutions that could attract a wide audience.
You could create an app that addresses issues people face with their devices, perhaps something as practical as a troubleshooting guide or a tool that helps optimize mobile performance. With your background, you understand the technicalities and can ensure your app not only functions well but also stands out by addressing real needs.
Developing an iPhone app involves some initial investment of time and effort, but once it’s published, it could provide a continuous stream of income with minimal ongoing maintenance. This could be a profitable side hustle that complements your day job while providing value to users.
How much you can make: $150 — $2,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 190 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Payment.co, an app built on top of the Stripe payment gateway for creating card-present charges, has grown to process over $70M in volume annually since launching in 2015, with the app collecting a 1% service fee on every single charge.
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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.
