How to Make 6 Figures As A Cloud Solutions Architect? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a cloud solutions architect? Good for you! Being a cloud solutions architect is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a cloud solutions architect - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could provide you with a lucrative side income or even develop into a full-time business as a cloud solutions architect. Given that blogs are now highly trusted sources of information, you could leverage your expertise to create content that attracts a diverse, engaged audience eager to learn from your insights and solutions in the cloud computing space. With around 77% of internet users reading blogs, your potential reach is vast.
By offering valuable and trustworthy guidance through your blog, you could also tap into monetization avenues like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and selling digital products or consulting services. Being consistent with your content strategy and engaging your audience through a mailing list could significantly enhance your visibility and revenue, potentially helping you achieve a six-figure income. Imagine reaching millions of viewers each month and turning your blog into a powerhouse of knowledge and income.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
2. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could help you make six figures as a cloud solutions architect by allowing you to leverage your specialized knowledge in cloud services to create high-quality content for technology blogs, whitepapers, and industry publications. You could work from home at any time, giving you the flexibility to balance your current job responsibilities while earning additional income.
With strong writing skills and the ability to stay on the cutting edge of cloud technologies, you could establish yourself as a trusted expert in the tech writing niche. This not only enhances your personal brand but also opens the door to lucrative opportunities that can supplement your primary income.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
3. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing side business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a cloud solutions architect, paving the way towards reaching six figures. By leveraging your existing technical expertise and industry knowledge, you have the potential to promote cloud-based products and services that you are already familiar with.
This low-cost business model allows you to earn commissions by driving traffic and sales to other companies' offerings without the need to create or own the products yourself. Your marketing skills and credibility in the field make it easier to build trust with your audience, increasing the likelihood of successful referrals.
Furthermore, the minimal upfront investment required to start affiliate marketing means you can explore this entrepreneurial endeavor without a significant financial risk. By signing up for relevant affiliate programs and strategically utilizing your unique tracking links, you could generate a steady stream of additional income, moving you closer to your financial goals.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 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. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel as a Cloud Solutions Architect could significantly supplement your income and help you make six figures. By sharing your expertise in cloud solutions through tutorials, case studies, and industry insights, you could attract a substantial following of tech enthusiasts and professionals eager to learn from your experience.
Once you meet the minimum requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the past 12 months, you would be eligible to join the YouTube Partner Program, allowing you to earn revenue through ads. Additionally, you could explore sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even paid courses or consulting services promoted through your channel, creating multiple income streams that capitalize on your cloud architecture knowledge.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
5. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could leverage your expertise to become a social media influencer, tapping into multiple revenue streams. Social media platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram are ideal for sharing valuable industry insights, tutorials, and thought leadership content. By doing this, you could attract sponsorship deals, paid partnerships, and ad revenue, significantly supplementing your income.
Influencers with a strong following can command high fees for promoting products and services relevant to their audience. You could also build a personal brand that opens doors to consulting gigs, online courses, or even speaking engagements. Establishing credibility and engaging with a vast audience allows you to monetize your skills and potentially reach six-figure earnings in addition to your primary job.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
6. Digital products ($261K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, supplementing your income through digital products could be a highly rewarding venture. Given your expertise, you could create software-based products like cloud management tools or develop informational products such as eBooks and online courses focused on cloud architecture best practices. These digital products are top-rated and relatively easy to produce, enabling you to tap into a global market of both individuals and businesses seeking cloud solutions.
Moreover, the nature of digital products allows for low overhead costs—no inventory means you won't have to worry about storage or shipping logistics. This business model offers you the flexibility to sell directly from your website, providing a convenient and scalable way to generate additional revenue. Whether you choose to create a membership site, a community forum, or standalone digital offerings, the entrepreneurial possibilities are endless.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
7. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
As a cloud solutions architect, you could supplement your income by starting a social media marketing agency. This entrepreneurial venture allows you to leverage your existing skills in technology while also delving into the lucrative digital marketing space. With the flexibility of social media marketing tools, you won't need to commit an overwhelming amount of time, making it feasible to manage alongside your primary job.
Developing an effective social media marketing strategy will enable you to serve customers efficiently, allowing you to cater to more clients and increase your earning potential. Additionally, by creating a solid agency portfolio, you could attract a diverse clientele eager to optimize their social media presence. This side business could significantly boost your overall income, bringing you closer to the coveted six-figure mark.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
8. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Starting an online course could be a powerful way to supplement your income as a cloud solutions architect. By identifying educational gaps and creating engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could share your specialized knowledge with a wider audience. This not only helps others in their career growth but also provides a steady stream of passive income.
The flexibility of offering self-paced or cohort-based structures allows you to cater to different learning preferences, further broadening your student base. For those with an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for information-sharing, launching an online course platform involves minimal startup costs yet offers significant earning potential. This makes it an excellent avenue to explore for anyone looking to reach six figures by leveraging their existing expertise and teaching talents.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
9. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could be a profitable way to supplement your income as a cloud solutions architect. Given your technical skills and experience, launching an online business allows you to leverage your expertise in cloud technologies to build a scalable and efficient ecommerce platform. The reduced overhead costs and increased flexibility of ecommerce compared to traditional retail allow you the freedom to operate your store alongside your primary job.
Furthermore, with the booming ecommerce market, you have the potential to reach a wide audience and tap into the growing demand for online shopping. Setting up an ecommerce site involves creating a user-friendly website, integrating payment processing, and managing inventory—all areas where your cloud solutions skills could provide a significant advantage. By strategically managing your time and resources, you could potentially grow your ecommerce store into a lucrative side business, contributing substantially towards achieving a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
10. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative side venture for cloud solutions architects looking to make six figures by leveraging their unique industry expertise. As a career coach, you could provide personalized guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, tailored specifically to technology professionals aspiring to enter or advance in the cloud computing field.
Conducting these sessions virtually or in person, and tapping into your network, allows you to offer specialized advice and cultivate a dedicated client base. By monetizing your motivational abilities and human resources knowledge, you could set your own schedule and significantly supplement your income, while helping others achieve their professional goals.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
11. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could help you make six figures as a cloud solutions architect by allowing you to share your expertise and insights with a wider audience. By choosing a niche related to cloud architecture and producing high-quality, informative content, you could attract listeners who are eager to learn from your experience. This, in turn, could lead to sponsorship opportunities and advertising revenue as your audience grows.
Additionally, a podcast could help you establish yourself as a thought leader in the industry, opening doors to speaking engagements, consulting gigs, and even new job offers that come with higher pay. By promoting your podcast through social media and online communities, you could increase your visibility and build a loyal following that further enhances your career and income prospects.
Starting a podcast doesn't require a significant upfront investment; basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform are sufficient. With consistent effort and strategic promotion, your podcast could become a valuable income stream and a stepping stone to making six figures.
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.
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.
