Passive Income Ideas For Content Strategists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a content strategist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a content strategist 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 content strategist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a content strategist, you could leverage your expertise in creating engaging content to develop and sell online courses. This side hustle plays to your strengths because you are already skilled at understanding what audiences need and how to deliver that information effectively. By identifying a target audience and a niche topic you're passionate about, such as content marketing or SEO, you could create valuable educational content that people are willing to pay for.
The process involves choosing a topic, creating the course, and selecting the right platform to host and sell your content. Given that the e-learning market is expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, there's significant potential for income. This can become a source of passive income as once the course is created and uploaded, it requires minimal ongoing maintenance while continuously generating revenue.
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 lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a content strategist, starting a lead generation tool could be a smart move to supplement your income. You already have experience in attracting and engaging audiences, so why not leverage that to help businesses find potential customers? A lead generation tool automates the time-consuming process of finding new clients, so companies can focus more on converting those leads into sales.
You could create a software application that integrates with websites, social media channels, and other digital touchpoints to gather valuable data like email addresses, phone numbers, and customer interests. Since businesses of all sizes are eager to streamline their marketing efforts and grow their customer base, there's a high demand for efficient lead generation solutions. Developing such a tool could be your next profitable venture, especially if you're tech-savvy and have a knack for understanding market needs.
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.
3. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($148K/month)
As a content strategist, you could leverage your skills to start a social media automation business and supplement your income. By creating tools and services to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, you help businesses and influencers maintain a consistent social media presence effortlessly.
With the high demand for strategic social media engagement, there’s a significant market for automation solutions that save time and boost growth. This venture would involve developing or integrating software, staying updated on social media trends, and tailoring services to client needs, making it a promising path for someone with your background in content strategy 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.
4. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
As a content strategist, you could leverage your knack for crafting compelling narratives to start a cold email service business. This side hustle involves helping companies reach out directly to potential clients through personalized email campaigns. By using your skills in writing and audience research, you could create highly effective emails that grab attention and drive engagement.
You could start by targeting small businesses that need help generating leads, gradually building a portfolio of success stories. Familiarity with email marketing tools will help you track metrics like open rates and conversions, allowing you to fine-tune your strategies. With a strategic mindset and the ability to scale, this could be a rewarding way to supplement your income while using your expertise in content creation.
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.
5. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a content strategist, you could harness your expertise and familiarity with WordPress to start a plugin business. Given your understanding of website management, you probably already know how essential plugins are for running a successful WordPress site. By identifying a common issue or need that many content strategists face, you could develop a plugin to address it, creating a tool that others in your field will find invaluable.
You could sell these plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon or even through your own blog or website. This way, you could create a steady stream of passive income while helping other content strategists optimize their websites more effectively. This venture would not just supplement your income but also position you as a go-to resource within your professional community.
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.
6. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a content strategist, starting a niche website could be a great way to supplement your income while utilizing your content creation skills. By focusing on a specialized topic you're both passionate about and knowledgeable in, you could attract a dedicated audience seeking valuable, targeted content. Your expertise in research, content development, and SEO would be crucial in driving traffic to your site.
Monetizing a niche website offers various opportunities, such as affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products. Over time, your well-curated, engaging content could turn into a reliable source of passive income. With your background in content strategy, diving into a niche website could be an exciting and rewarding 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.
7. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a content strategist, starting a niche blog allows you to leverage your skills in creating engaging and strategic content on a specific topic. You could focus on an underserved niche, such as fashion, film reviews, or cooking, and share unique and informative content like how-to guides, top product lists, and video interviews. This focus allows you to attract a passionate online community interested in your expertise.
To monetize your blog, you could gain visibility through consistent, high-quality content and grow your following. By providing affiliate links, collaborating with relevant brands, and even starting a YouTube channel, you can generate a steady stream of passive income. Over time, you might even have opportunities to speak at events, further establishing your niche authority and increasing your income potential.
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.
8. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As a content strategist, starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income while leveraging your skills in content creation and strategy. You could produce educational videos that offer tips and advice on content marketing, how-to guides for creating compelling content, or even behind-the-scenes looks at campaign strategies. This not only helps you share your expertise but also opens doors to earning revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
Creating a YouTube channel requires consistency and quality in your videos, along with effective SEO and social media marketing to drive traffic. By focusing on a niche audience and engaging them regularly with valuable content, your channel could grow over time and become a reliable source of passive income. It’s a platform where your creative ideas can flourish, and your hard work can translate into both financial rewards and professional growth.
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.
9. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a content strategist, you already have a knack for crafting compelling narratives and understanding what resonates with audiences. Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a natural extension of your skills. You could use your expertise to create engaging content that promotes other companies' products and services, earning you a commission for each sale made through your referral.
Imagine writing blog posts, social media updates, or email newsletters geared towards products that align with your audience's interests. By choosing the right brand and product to partner with, you could supplement your income as you continue to develop your content strategy career. Over time, these efforts could become a steady source of passive income.
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 podcast ($97.9K/month)
As a content strategist, starting a podcast could be a natural extension of your expertise in creating and curating engaging content. You could choose a niche or topic that resonates with your professional interests and skills, ensuring you stay passionate and knowledgeable about your podcast's subject matter. This can help establish you as an authority in your field, building trust with your audience.
By sharing insightful discussions and interviews, you could attract a dedicated listener base, which opens up opportunities for monetization through sponsorships and advertisements. Additionally, promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could further grow your audience. With relatively low startup costs for recording equipment and hosting, a podcast is an accessible way to supplement your 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.
11. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a content strategist, you could supplement your income by starting a stock photography business. This side hustle makes sense because you’re already deeply involved in creating and curating visual content. Businesses often use stock photos for marketing purposes, which means you're familiar with the types of images that resonate well with different audiences.
You could earn extra money by building an impressive portfolio of high-quality stock photos and licensing them for various specific uses. Investing in good photography gear and enhancing your online presence can help you sell your photos faster and at profitable margins. It’s also a great way to utilize your existing skills while diversifying your income streams.
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.
12. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business could be a smart move for a content strategist looking to supplement their income. You could create captivating designs for products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without worrying about inventory or upfront costs. Utilizing dropshipping services means that you only produce items as they get ordered, making it low-risk and financially manageable.
As a content strategist, your skills in understanding market trends and audience preferences can be invaluable in creating popular and niche designs. You could utilize platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to showcase your products to a global audience, all while working from the comfort of your home. This venture could help you turn your creativity into a source of passive income, scaling the business at your own pace.
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.
13. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
As a content strategist, starting a dropshipping business could be a smart way to supplement your income while leveraging the skills you already have. By selecting a specific niche and setting up an online store with platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, you could create targeted, compelling content to attract and convert customers. Your expertise in understanding and engaging audiences could give you an edge in marketing the products effectively.
Finding reliable suppliers on platforms like AliExpress and listing their products on your store would mean you don't need to worry about inventory or shipping logistics. This allows you more time to focus on crafting persuasive content and optimizing the customer experience. Carefully managing your expenses and profit margins would be key to ensuring your dropshipping venture remains profitable and rewarding.
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.
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.
