Passive Income Ideas For Technical Program Managers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a technical program manager in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a technical program manager 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 program manager.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your expertise in project management and technology to create an AI writing tool. This tool would use artificial intelligence to help businesses, bloggers, and students produce accurate and engaging content quickly. By automating the writing process, you could provide a solution that saves users time and reduces errors in their writing projects.
This innovative venture not only meets the growing demand for high-quality content but also capitalizes on your technical know-how. It presents an opportunity to ease the workload of writers worldwide and improve their productivity. Developing an AI writing tool could be a smart way to supplement your income while contributing to the future of content creation.
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.
2. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
If you're a technical program manager, considering starting an AI-based business solution could be a strategic way to supplement your income. AI can streamline various business operations like customer service, inventory management, and data analysis, which you are likely already familiar with overseeing. This makes it a natural fit for someone with your background.
By integrating AI into business processes, companies can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and make smarter, data-driven decisions. You could leverage your technical know-how to identify key areas where AI can have the most impact, or simply use user-friendly platforms that require minimal technical setup. With the growing demand for AI solutions, this venture has the potential to be both profitable and aligned with your existing expertise.
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 an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your organizational and project management skills to develop a highly efficient email marketing tool. This type of software helps businesses manage and automate their email campaigns, reaching customers more effectively. With your ability to oversee complex projects and coordinate various teams, you could create a user-friendly email tool that meets the needs of a wide range of users, from startups to established companies.
Entering the booming email marketing industry, expected to reach $2.53B in market size by 2028, could be a lucrative venture. You could start by securing a domain and hosting account, and then use your technical expertise to build a tool that stands out for its reliability and effectiveness. By providing solutions that drive lead generation, increase sales, and enhance SEO rankings, your tool could attract a broad clientele, making it a promising source 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.
4. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your skills in project management and technical knowledge to start a social media automation business. This business would involve creating tools to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data on social media platforms. By doing so, you'd help small businesses and influencers maintain their online presence without the constant manual effort.
With your understanding of technology, you could develop or integrate existing software solutions to meet your clients' needs. Your experience in managing projects and staying up-to-date with industry trends would be valuable as you navigate the evolving landscape of social media. Ultimately, this venture could provide a steady stream of passive income while allowing you to use your skills in a new, exciting way.
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.
5. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your skills in project management and technology to develop a lead generation tool. This tool would automate the tedious task of identifying potential customer leads, making it easier for businesses to focus on converting them into actual clients. By capturing essential data such as email addresses, phone numbers, and interests from websites, social media, and other digital channels, your tool could provide significant value to companies looking to expand their customer base.
Your background in managing technical projects means you likely have the experience needed to oversee the development and integration of such a tool. Additionally, your understanding of business processes and technology could help you make a lead generation tool that meets market needs and stands out from competitors. If you're looking for a way to earn passive income, this could be a promising and profitable 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.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking to create a mobile app. Maybe you have an innovative idea that addresses a common issue or provides a unique form of entertainment. This is a chance to turn that idea into a useful software tool that people can use on their phones and tablets.
With your familiarity in planning and managing projects, you could oversee the app development process, from the initial concept to testing and launching. You don't need to code everything yourself; you could hire a skilled developer to bring your vision to life. Once developed, effective marketing will be key to attracting downloads and generating income. The growing reliance on mobile apps means there's a lot of potential for your project to find its audience and succeed.
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 Technical Program Manager, you likely have a deep understanding of software development and project management. This positions you well to venture into starting a WordPress plugin business. WordPress plugins are crucial for running successful websites, and your technical skills could help you identify problems and build solutions that many website owners need.
By developing and selling WordPress plugins that address specific issues, you could tap into a lucrative market. You could sell these plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon, on your own blog, or even through a dedicated website. This can be an effective way to generate extra income while leveraging skills you already possess.
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 a niche website ($107K/month)
As a technical program manager, starting a niche website could be an excellent way to supplement your income while leveraging your expertise. Focus on a specialized topic that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in, such as project management techniques, software development practices, or technology trends. By creating compelling content and driving traffic to your site, you could engage an audience interested in your niche.
Monetizing your website provides various opportunities. You could earn through affiliate marketing, placing ads, or selling digital products like e-books and online courses. With time and effort invested in research and SEO, your niche website could become a reliable source of passive income, turning your professional interests into a rewarding side project.
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.
9. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your expertise and connections to start an affiliate marketing business. Considering your familiarity with various tools, software, and tech products, you could promote relevant products and services that you genuinely believe in. This way, you could earn a commission for every sale made through your referral links, creating a steady stream of passive income over time.
To begin, you could focus on finding the right products and brands that align with your industry knowledge and professional interests. For instance, partnering with an eCommerce store that sells software or tech gadgets and using your network to market these products could be a fruitful path. By sharing insightful recommendations based on your technical expertise, you could build trust and boost your affiliate marketing success.
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 an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could leverage your expertise to create and sell online courses in areas like project management, software development, or agile methodologies. By packaging your knowledge into an online course, you could reach a broad audience eager to learn these in-demand skills, turning your experience into a revenue stream. Given the surge in e-learning, with the market projected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, this could be a lucrative venture.
You could start by identifying a target audience, for instance, aspiring project managers or software developers, and creating a course tailored to their needs. With the wide array of online learning platforms available, distributing and selling your course has never been easier. This way, you could not only supplement your income but also make a lasting impact by sharing your knowledge with others.
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.
11. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print on demand business could be an excellent way for a technical program manager to generate passive income. With no need for upfront inventory costs, you could create custom apparel, home goods, phone cases, and other merchandise that reflects your personal or professional interests. Utilizing dropshipping services, you'll only need to design your products and let the production and fulfillment be handled by third-party companies, saving you a significant amount of time and effort.
You could easily set up virtual storefronts on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to reach a global audience without leaving your home. This business model offers minimal startup costs and allows you to monetize your creativity while maintaining your full-time job. As you gain traction, you could scale at your own pace, turning a simple side hustle into a significant source of extra income.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
12. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
As a technical program manager, starting a dropshipping business could be a feasible way to earn passive income using your project management skills. Dropshipping lets you sell products online without the hassle of managing inventory. When a customer purchases an item from your online store, you simply order it from a third-party supplier, who ships it directly to the customer.
Given your experience in managing projects and coordinating various activities, you could efficiently handle the operational aspects of a dropshipping business. You'll need to choose a niche, set up an online store on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, and find reliable suppliers through sites like AliExpress. By focusing on marketing and customer service, you could gradually build a steady stream of passive income while keeping a close eye on your expenses and profit margins.
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.
13. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a technical program manager, you likely have an eye for detail and are used to managing projects with precision. Applying these skills, you could start a stock photography business to supplement your income. By investing in some quality photography gear and learning the basics of stock photography, you have the potential to create a steady stream of passive income.
Stock photography is in high demand for marketing and advertising. If you enjoy or have a knack for photography, you could build an impressive portfolio and upload your high-quality images to stock photography websites. This can be a flexible side hustle, allowing you to leverage your technical and organizational skills to maximize your earnings.
With a strong online presence, your photos could sell faster and at profitable margins. This side business could integrate well into your busy schedule, providing an opportunity to monetize a new or existing hobby while still focusing on your primary career.
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.
14. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a technical program manager, you could start a niche blog to share your expertise and engage with like-minded professionals. You might choose an underserved topic within your field, such as project management techniques, software deployment strategies, or insights into emerging technologies. By offering unique and informative content, such as how-to guides, top product lists, or industry news, you could attract a dedicated audience.
Once you have a steady following, you could monetize your blog through affiliate links, collaborations with relevant brands, and even speaking engagements. This not only provides an additional stream of income but also helps you build your personal brand and establish yourself as a thought leader in your niche. Passion and regular engagement with your readers are key to making your blog successful and sustainable.
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.
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.
