Passive Income Ideas For Sales Engineers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a sales engineer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a sales engineer 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 sales engineer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a sales engineer, you often find yourself navigating the complexities of attracting and retaining customers. One way you could supplement your income is by creating a lead generation tool. This tool helps businesses identify and capture potential customer leads, automating the laborious process of finding new clients.
With a bit of technical know-how, you could develop a software application that integrates with websites, social media, and other digital channels to collect valuable data like email addresses and interests. Businesses are always looking to streamline their marketing efforts, making this an in-demand service. Developing a lead generation tool could not only provide extra income but also allow you to leverage your existing skills and knowledge in sales and technology.
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.
2. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a sales engineer, you could leverage your existing industry knowledge and customer insights to start an AI-based business solution that optimizes business operations. By incorporating AI, you can help companies streamline processes like customer service, inventory management, and data analysis. This not only makes businesses more efficient and cost-effective but also empowers them to make smarter, data-driven decisions.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. Many AI platform providers offer user-friendly tools and strong support systems, making it easier to set up and manage the solution. The growing demand for AI-driven efficiencies means that with a solid plan, you could tap into a rapidly expanding market and significantly impact the way businesses operate, all while generating passive income.
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.
3. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
As a sales engineer, you could leverage your technical knowhow and strategic mindset to start a cold email service business. This venture involves crafting and sending targeted email campaigns to help companies reach new clients directly. You already understand client needs and market demands, so adding email marketing to your skill set could be a natural fit.
Starting with small businesses needing lead generation, you could scale your service as your success stories grow. Familiarity with email marketing tools and the ability to write compelling emails will be essential. By analyzing metrics like open rates and conversions, you can continually improve your campaigns, making this a rewarding side hustle with real potential for expansion.
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.
4. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
If you're a sales engineer, starting an email marketing tool could be an excellent way to supplement your income and explore passive earnings. As someone with a technical background, you could leverage your skills in creating a simple, efficient tool that allows businesses to manage and automate their email campaigns. The demand for email marketing solutions is growing, with the market expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, showing great potential for profitability.
You could build a tool that addresses common pain points for small businesses and entrepreneurs, like simplifying lead generation or improving customer engagement. Given your experience in sales engineering, you could design a tool that's intuitive yet powerful, making it easier for non-tech-savvy users to adopt. Starting with a basic domain and hosting account, you could scale and refine the tool as it gains traction, potentially turning it into a steady stream of passive income.
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.
5. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Starting a social media automation business could be a great way for you as a sales engineer to supplement your income. The business involves managing social media accounts by using tools that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, helping clients save time and improve their online presence.
Given your technical skills, you could develop or integrate software solutions that meet the unique needs of different clients, from small businesses to influencers. With social media being crucial for business growth, there’s a strong demand for these services, and your expertise could make you a valuable resource in this growing field.
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.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a sales engineer, you could leverage your technical and problem-solving skills to develop a mobile app. Think about the common challenges your customers face or gaps in the market that an app could address. Your deep understanding of technology and user needs places you in an excellent position to create something truly useful.
Developing a mobile app would initially require some basic coding knowledge or collaborating with a skilled developer. Your main responsibilities would involve planning a seamless user experience, designing an intuitive interface, and thoroughly testing the app. By effectively marketing your app, you could attract a broad user base, leading to significant downloads and passive income opportunities.
Given the high demand for innovative mobile solutions, your app idea could potentially solve real-world problems or provide entertainment to millions. With dedication and the right approach, this venture might not only supplement your income but also open up new career avenues in the tech space.
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 wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a sales engineer, you have a knack for understanding customer needs and offering technical solutions. This skill set could be incredibly useful if you decide to start a WordPress plugin business. You could identify common problems that sales engineers or other professionals encounter with their websites and create plugins that address those specific needs.
For instance, you could develop a plugin that integrates customer relationship management (CRM) systems more seamlessly into WordPress, providing a streamlined solution for managing sales leads and client interactions. Once your plugin is developed, you could sell it on platforms like CodeCanyon or even on your own blog or dedicated website.
By focusing on a particular need and leveraging your technical and industry knowledge, you could build a successful passive income stream through plugin sales. Plus, the initial effort of developing a plugin could pay off long-term, as you continue to earn income with each sale without needing to put in constant work.
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.
8. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a sales engineer, you could supplement your income by capitalizing on the growing e-learning market, which could be worth over $645 billion soon. Using your experience and skills, you could create an online course tailored to your niche, such as technical sales strategies, product demonstrations, or customer relationship management.
All you need to do is pick a target audience, create engaging content, and choose an online platform to sell your course. This venture could not only provide a steady stream of passive income but also enhance your professional reputation and potentially lead to new opportunities in your field.
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.
9. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great way for you to earn passive income as a sales engineer. Because you have deep knowledge of technical products and solutions, you could partner with companies whose products you already believe in and understand well. By sharing your expertise and insights through blogs, social media, or even video content, you could drive sales and earn commissions from each sale generated through your affiliate links.
Imagine partnering with an eCommerce store or a manufacturer, aligning with brands that fit into your professional realm. This alignment could make your promotional efforts more authentic and trustworthy, which can lead to greater sales. Earning from each successful sale allows you to use your existing skills in a lucrative new way, adding a steady stream of passive income to your financial portfolio.
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 blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog as a sales engineer could be a fantastic way to combine your technical expertise with entrepreneurship. For example, you could focus on a specific area within your industry that you're passionate about, like software integration, AI applications, or sales strategies. By creating informative content such as how-to guides, product reviews, and industry news, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in these topics.
To monetize the blog, you could use affiliate links to recommend tools and software relevant to your readers. Additionally, by growing your online presence, you could collaborate with brands, get invited to speak at industry events, and even expand into a YouTube channel for more visibility and passive income opportunities. With consistent and engaging content, your blog could become a valuable resource, providing you with a steady stream of extra 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 (?)
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.
11. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a sales engineer, starting a niche website could be a smart way to supplement your income. You could create a site focused on specialized topics or products related to your industry experience. For instance, you might share insights on the latest engineering tools, best sales strategies, or review cutting-edge technologies.
This project would involve selecting a niche you are passionate about, creating engaging content, and attracting visitors through SEO and social media. Once your site gains traction, you could earn money through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products like e-books or online courses. Over time, this niche website could provide a steady stream of passive income, leveraging your professional knowledge for financial gain.
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.
12. Make passive income with a locksmith
As a sales engineer, you could consider starting a locksmith business to supplement your income due to your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Locksmithing is a trade that doesn't require advanced technical knowledge beyond what you already possess, and with some training and certification, you could start taking on jobs during your off-hours.
The initial investment in locksmith tools and training is relatively low, and once you've established a client base, you could even hire others to handle the hands-on work, allowing you to earn passive income. Additionally, offering locksmith services through an online booking system could help you streamline the business and make it easier to manage alongside your full-time job.
13. Make passive income with a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
As a sales engineer with strong analytical skills and a knack for problem-solving, starting a real estate investment firm could be a smart way to supplement your income. This business involves buying, managing, and selling properties to make a profit. The core tasks include finding good deals, negotiating prices, overseeing renovations, and managing rentals or sales.
The real estate market offers significant profit potential, with properties often appreciating over time. By investing in homes, commercial buildings, or even vacant land, you could see substantial returns on your investment. Additionally, rental properties offer a steady stream of income, which could act as a reliable financial cushion.
With your skills in market analysis and strategic planning, you could excel in identifying valuable properties and negotiating successful deals. Real estate investment requires diligence and a keen eye for detail, but your efforts could lead to impressive financial rewards.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
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.
