Passive Income Ideas For It Infrastructure Managers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a IT infrastructure manager in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a IT infrastructure 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 IT infrastructure manager.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($235K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could leverage your technical expertise to develop an email marketing tool, which could serve as a lucrative side hustle. Building such a tool allows you to create, manage, and automate email campaigns for other businesses. Given your background, you already have a solid grasp of the technical requirements needed to manage servers, ensure uptime, and handle large datasets, making it easier for you to build a reliable and robust email marketing solution.
The email marketing industry is growing rapidly, with the global market expected to reach $2.53 billion in 2028. The simplicity of starting this venture—buying a domain and setting up hosting—makes it an accessible project. As more entrepreneurs and businesses look for effective ways to reach their audiences, your tool could fulfill this need, providing a steady stream of passive income as subscriptions and user bases grow.
In addition, the work you do to set up and optimize your own email tool could also improve your skill set, making you even more valuable in your current role. By creating a tool that focuses on user needs like segmentation, automation, and analytics, you also keep yourself updated on trends and innovations in IT and marketing technology.
How much you can make: $120 — $2,083,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 170 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.
2. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($148K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could leverage your technical skills and understanding of systems to start a social media automation business. This would involve creating tools and services that help small businesses and influencers manage their social media accounts effortlessly, such as scheduling posts, automating interactions, and analyzing engagement data. Essentially, your background in managing complex systems could make it easier for you to develop or integrate software solutions tailored to the needs of various clients.
Given the growing importance of a consistent and strategic social media presence, there's a high demand for automation services. Your ability to stay updated on social media trends and maintain strong client relationships could enhance the value you provide, driving growth and engagement for your clients while earning you a steady passive income. This venture could be both lucrative and fulfilling, especially if you enjoy blending technology with 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.
3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, starting an AI-based business solution could be a practical way to supplement your income by utilizing your existing skills in technology and system management. AI can streamline and optimize various business operations, including customer service, inventory management, and data analysis. This means you could provide AI tools that automate repetitive tasks, give valuable customer insights, and predict market trends, making businesses more efficient and cost-effective.
There is a growing demand for AI solutions as companies look to gain a competitive advantage. By leveraging your expertise in IT infrastructure, you could create an AI-based service that helps businesses make better data-driven decisions. And, even without a deep background in AI, many platforms are user-friendly and offer robust support, making it accessible for you to start this kind of venture. This approach could open doors to new opportunities and revenue streams while enhancing business performance.
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 lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could develop a lead generation tool to automate the tedious process of finding new clients for businesses. This type of software could integrate seamlessly with websites, social media channels, and other digital touchpoints to collect valuable customer data such as email addresses, phone numbers, and interests.
Given your tech-savvy skills and eye for optimizing systems, building a lead generation tool could be a natural extension of your expertise. With high demand for efficient lead generation solutions, this could be a profitable venture that supplements your income while providing businesses with a way to streamline their marketing efforts and grow their customer base.
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.
5. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could leverage your technical skills and experience to start a WordPress plugin business as a source of passive income. Since you've likely encountered various issues and inefficiencies with website management, you could develop plugins that address these specific needs and challenges. By offering practical solutions through plugins, you could solve common problems for web administrators and bloggers.
Once you've developed a plugin, you could sell it on platforms like CodeCanyon, or even create your own website for distribution. This means you could continue earning money from each sale without putting in constant effort, making it a potential source of passive income that aligns well with your current expertise in managing IT infrastructure.
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 mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, considering creating a mobile app could be a practical way to supplement your income. You likely possess technical skills and a unique perspective on solving tech-related problems, which can be crucial in identifying a mobile app that addresses real user needs. Whether it’s a productivity tool for IT professionals or a niche app that caters to a specific industry issue, the possibilities are vast.
Developing a mobile app requires a clear vision and some basic coding knowledge. If coding isn't your strong suit, you could hire a skilled developer to bring your idea to life. The journey involves planning the user experience, designing engaging interfaces, and thoroughly testing for functionality. By leveraging your IT expertise, you could create an app that not only helps others but also generates a passive income stream.
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 an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, starting an AI writing tool could align well with your existing technical skills and industry insight. Given your background, you likely understand the intricacies of system architecture and software deployment, making the technical aspects of developing and managing an AI tool easier to grasp. This venture could potentially supplement your income by providing businesses, bloggers, and students with an efficient solution for generating accurate and engaging content.
You could leverage your expertise to create a reliable and scalable AI-driven platform that eases the workload of writers by automating content creation. The demand for quality content is continuously rising, and offering a tool that streamlines this process could position you at the forefront of a growing market. This not only opens up new revenue streams but also allows you to innovate within your field, marrying your IT knowledge with entrepreneurial spirit.
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.
8. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could leverage your technical skills and strategic mindset to start a cold email service business. This involves crafting and sending targeted email campaigns to businesses looking to reach new clients. You'll need to write compelling emails and use email marketing tools to track metrics like open rates and conversions, areas where your analytical skills can really shine.
Since you already have experience managing complex IT systems, setting up and optimizing email marketing software should be a breeze for you. The potential for scaling is significant: you could begin by assisting small businesses with their lead generation efforts and expand your operations as you accumulate successful case studies. This business offers the chance to combine your technical knowhow with marketing, providing a valuable service that's always in demand.
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.
9. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you possess a unique eye for detail and an analytical mindset, which could transition seamlessly into a stock photography business. With an investment in quality photography gear and some basic training, you could start capturing high-quality images that businesses and website owners would pay to use for their marketing needs. This side venture allows you to earn passive income by uploading your photos to stock photography websites, where they can be purchased repeatedly with minimal effort on your end.
Moreover, your technical background gives you an edge in optimizing and managing your online portfolio effectively, ensuring your stock photos reach a broader audience quickly. An excellent online presence could increase your sales and profitability. This new venture could not only supplement your income but also offer a creative outlet and diversify your skillset beyond your current role in IT infrastructure management.
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.
10. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could leverage your expertise to start a niche website focused on topics like network security, cloud management, or IT system optimization. By sharing your insights and experiences, you could attract a dedicated audience of fellow IT professionals looking for expert advice and solutions.
This venture involves selecting a niche you are passionate about and knowledgeable in, creating engaging content, and driving traffic to your site through effective SEO. Once your website gains traction, you could monetize it through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products like eBooks or online courses.
If you’re willing to invest the time in research and content creation, a niche website could evolve into a reliable source of passive income. It’s a great way to utilize your existing skills while exploring entrepreneurial opportunities.
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.
11. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could use your specialized knowledge to start a niche blog focused on topics such as network optimization, cybersecurity tips, or the latest trends in IT infrastructure. This could engage a passionate online community eager to learn from your expertise. By creating unique and informative content, such as how-to guides, top product lists, or industry news, you could attract a dedicated audience.
Monetizing your blog could involve offering affiliate links to relevant products, gaining sponsorships, or even launching a YouTube channel to expand your reach. You could also collaborate with brands and speak at industry events, further solidifying your authority in the field. With consistent effort and a passion for your subject, your blog could become a reliable source of passive 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.
12. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As an IT infrastructure manager, you could leverage your technical skills and industry knowledge to create a successful YouTube channel. Imagine producing how-to guides on network setup, or breakdowns of troubleshooting common IT issues. Your insights could help both beginners and seasoned professionals navigate their tech challenges, making your content highly valuable.
Additionally, you could explore sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the daily life of an IT infrastructure manager, or review the latest tools and technologies in your field. This type of content could attract a wide audience and increase your channel's engagement. With consistent effort, proper planning, and quality video production, you could start earning passive income through ad revenue, sponsorships, or even selling branded merchandise.
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.
13. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As an IT Infrastructure Manager, you could leverage your technical expertise to start an affiliate marketing business that aligns with your knowledge and interests. By promoting software, hardware, or IT-related services, you could earn commissions for every sale made through your referral links. This method lets you capitalize on your professional insights and recommendations, making it easier to gain trust and drive sales.
To begin, research products or brands that resonate with your professional experience. For instance, you might choose to partner with manufacturers of servers, networking tools, or cybersecurity software. This way, you can provide valuable recommendations to your audience while earning passive income on the side.
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.
14. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an IT Infrastructure Manager, you could supplement your income by creating and selling online courses. With your deep understanding of network systems, cybersecurity, and data management, you could create courses that teach these complex subjects to beginners or even other professionals looking to expand their skill set.
The e-learning market is growing fast, expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, making it a prime opportunity for you to share your expertise. All you need to do is choose a target audience, develop your course, and select an online platform to sell it. This could turn into a steady stream of passive income while leveraging the knowledge and skills you already possess in your current job.
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.
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.
