Passive Income Ideas For Technical Assistants [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a technical assistant in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a technical assistant 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 technical assistant.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could supplement your income by starting an online course business, sharing your expertise in areas like productivity software, technical troubleshooting, or even specific tools you use daily. By identifying a skill you're passionate about and experienced in, you could create an online course and sell it on e-learning platforms. This allows you to make money passively as people purchase your course while you continue your regular job.
You could choose a target audience such as other technical assistants or office professionals looking to enhance their skills. The e-learning market is growing rapidly, and by 2024, it's projected to be worth over $645 billion, presenting a lucrative opportunity. With the right approach, your knowledge could become a valuable resource for others and a steady stream of extra income for you.
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.
2. Make passive income with a web scraping API ($34.2K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could create a web scraping API to supplement your income by automating the process of collecting data from websites for businesses. This service would save companies time and effort on activities like market research, competitor analysis, and content aggregation, making your offering very valuable.
Building and operating a web scraping API would allow you to leverage your technical skills in new and profitable ways, serving multiple industries that rely heavily on data analytics. Starting with a niche focus and gradually expanding your services could make this a versatile and lucrative side hustle, ideal for someone familiar with coding and web protocols.
How much you can make: $50 — $125,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.
3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could explore the growing field of AI-based business solutions to supplement your income. This involves using artificial intelligence to optimize business processes like customer service, data analysis, and inventory management. By offering AI tools, you could help businesses automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions, all of which are in high demand.
Starting this type of side hustle doesn’t require deep technical expertise because many AI platforms have user-friendly interfaces and strong support systems. By leveraging your existing skills and knowledge, you could provide valuable services that enhance business operations. This entrepreneurial venture allows you to tap into a rapidly expanding market, presenting an opportunity to significantly boost your income while offering innovative solutions to businesses.
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.
4. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could leverage your skills to start a WordPress plugin business and earn passive income. Many websites rely on plugins for functionality, making them essential tools. If you identify a common issue and develop a plugin to solve it, you could create a steady revenue stream.
You have the option to sell your plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon, on your own blog, or through a dedicated website. This business model allows you to monetize your technical expertise while addressing real needs in the WordPress community. By focusing on useful solutions, you could build a sustainable and profitable side hustle.
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.
5. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could consider creating and marketing an AI writing tool as a way to earn passive income. Given your familiarity with technology, you are well-positioned to understand and leverage the advancements in artificial intelligence to develop a tool that automates content creation. This tool could cater to a wide variety of users including businesses, bloggers, and students by providing them with accurate, engaging, and error-free content quickly.
By embedding AI into the writing process, you could offer significant benefits over traditional writing methods, such as saving time and increasing productivity. This innovative idea caters to the growing need for constant, high-quality content in today's digital world. Imagine not just easing the workload for writers around the globe, but also revolutionizing the way content is created, positioning you at the forefront of this exciting and essential technological advancement.
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.
6. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could leverage your tech skills to create a lead generation tool, which helps businesses find new customer leads. This tool would automate the tedious task of identifying potential clients, freeing up companies to focus on converting these leads into actual sales.
You could integrate your tool with websites, social media channels, and other digital points to collect essential data like email addresses and phone numbers. Since the demand for efficient lead generation is high, your tool could be highly sought after, providing a steady stream of passive income. If you have a knack for both technology and marketing, this could be an exciting and profitable side project for you.
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.
7. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could start a social media automation business to supplement your income and leverage your existing skills. This type of business involves creating tools and services that help manage social media activities like scheduling posts, automating interactions, and analyzing engagement data across different platforms.
You could offer these solutions to small businesses and influencers who need help maintaining an active and strategic online presence. This would not only save them time but also enhance their social media growth. Given the growing demand for consistent social media engagement, your technical know-how and familiarity with software solutions could make this a lucrative and fulfilling side hustle.
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.
8. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could consider starting an affiliate marketing business as a way to supplement your income. By leveraging your technical skills, you could create engaging content that promotes various products and services online. For instance, you might choose to become an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store or partner with a manufacturer to market their products and earn a commission for each sale.
Getting started would involve finding the right products and brands that align with your interests and expertise. With some effort in promoting these products through blogs, social media, or other online platforms, you could generate a steady stream of passive income. Over time, your affiliate marketing efforts might pay off well, providing you with extra financial stability.
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.
9. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way for you to supplement your income as a technical assistant. Given your organizational skills and experience in managing schedules and communication, you might find it relatively easy to plan and produce podcast episodes. You could choose a niche related to your expertise, such as sharing tips and tricks for technical assistants, offering career advice, or interviewing professionals in the tech industry.
To get started, you would need a microphone, headphones, and an affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes. You could then promote your podcast through social media and online communities where technical assistants gather. Over time, as your audience grows, you could attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your podcast into a steady stream of passive income.
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.
10. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a fantastic way for a technical assistant to share your specialized knowledge and passion with like-minded individuals online. First, you would need to identify a subject you are passionate about, such as technology tips, software tutorials, or industry news. Creating unique and informative content like how-to guides, product reviews, and expert commentaries can draw in readers who trust your expertise.
Monetizing your blog could be a gradual process. As your blog gains visibility, you could provide affiliate links, partner with tech brands, or even start a YouTube channel to reach a broader audience. Speaking at events or offering guest posts can further establish your authority and grow your following. This way, your niche blog not only supplements your income but also positions you as a thought leader in your field.
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 an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As a technical assistant, you could leverage your skills to create an online survey tool, offering businesses an easy way to collect valuable customer feedback. Due to your background in technology, setting up and managing a survey platform would be within your wheelhouse. You’d be able to create a seamless experience with features like a survey builder, data collection, and reporting system.
The growing demand for data collection means that businesses are willing to pay for reliable tools that help them understand their customers better. Platforms like Typeform have shown the market potential, with annual recurring revenue surpassing $70 million in 2021. Starting your own survey tool could eventually bring a steady stream of passive income as more businesses seek out cost-effective ways to gather customer feedback.
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.
12. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business could be a great way to supplement your income as a technical assistant. By investing in a good camera and learning the basics of photography, you could create high-quality images that businesses need for marketing and advertising. Whether it’s for websites, blogs, or social media, there is always a demand for professional-looking stock photos.
You could build an impressive portfolio of your work by focusing on subjects that are in demand. Once you upload your photos to stock photography websites, you could earn passive income with each download or purchase. An effective online presence could also help you sell your photos faster and more frequently, making this a viable side hustle.
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.
13. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As a technical assistant, starting a YouTube channel could allow you to share your skills and knowledge in a way that reaches a wide audience. You could create how-to guides, tutorials, and educational content that showcases your proficiency with various software, tools, or processes relevant to your field. This can help others while positioning you as an expert in your niche.
Running a YouTube channel isn't just about making videos; it's an avenue where your passion for tech and helping others can translate into extra income. By consistently uploading quality content, you might earn money through ads, sponsorships, and even selling related merchandise. It requires dedication and time, but the potential rewards make this a valuable side hustle for anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset.
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.
14. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an eCommerce reselling business could make sense if you’re a technical assistant looking to supplement your income. As an eCommerce reseller, you would purchase products or services to resell them online, meaning you wouldn’t have to worry about manufacturing anything yourself. This makes it a manageable side hustle to start with minimal upfront costs.
You could begin by selling through social media platforms, reaching customers where they already are. Once your reseller business grows, you could consider creating a website to expand further. This approach allows you to start small and scale up gradually, making it a practical option for technical assistants seeking additional income streams.
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.
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.
