In 2025, more people than ever are focused on building wealth and creating streams of passive income. If you’ve been thinking about making money online, there are plenty of beginner-friendly opportunities to explore that don’t demand much ongoing effort once they’re up and running. Whether you’re looking to grow your savings or just want a side hustle that works with your busy schedule, passive income could be the perfect fit.
What is Passive Income?
Passive income is money earned with minimal active involvement. Unlike a traditional job, where you need to work for each paycheck, passive income allows you to generate money with little effort after the initial setup. Essentially, passive income works for you while you sleep, and with the right strategies, it can continue to generate income long after you’ve put in the hard work.
Building passive income is one of the smartest financial moves you can make, especially if you’re looking to create a side hustle or establish a full-time income online. The beauty of passive income is that it allows you to earn without having to constantly trade time for money. With the rise of digital platforms, it’s easier than ever to earn money online. Below, we’ve rounded up 30 passive income ideas to help you build wealth and start making money online.
Passive Income Ideas
1. Create and Sell Online Courses
If you have a skill or knowledge in any business model. Whether it’s fitness, personal finance, or marketing—create an online course. Once your course is developed, it can generate a cash flow with little maintenance. Platforms like Kartra make it easy to set up automated systems to deliver your courses.
Example: A realtor could create a course for beginners wanting to learn more about rental properties and how to make money from flipping houses.
2. Self-Publish an eBook
Write and self-publish an eBook. Once your book is published, it can create passive income opportunities for years with minimal effort.
Example: A food blogger could publish an eBook titled “Quick and Healthy Meals for Busy Professionals,” catering to those looking for easy, nutritious recipes.
3. Start a Membership Site
Offer exclusive high-quality content, tools, or community access through a membership site. This model is based on recurring monthly or annual payments.
Example: A parenting coach could diversify their membership site by offering exclusive webinars, step-by-step worksheets, and community support for parents navigating different stages of child-rearing.
4. Create Digital Products to Sell
Design digital products like printables, templates, planners, or educational guides. Once created, these products can make you extra money repeatedly with minimal effort on platforms like Etsy, eBay, Shopify, or your own website. Discover the 20 most popular digital products to sell in 2025 and find inspiration for your next big idea.
Example: A graphic designer could make extra cash by creating a set of Instagram templates for business owners who do not want to create their own from scratch.
5. Start a Blog and Monetize It
Blogging is one of the best beginner-friendly ways to build passive income. Once you create quality content and attract an audience, monetization is possible through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products.
Example: A financial advisor could create a blog about the stock market to keep beginner traders educated on the current trends.
6. Monetize a YouTube Channel
Start a YouTube channel to create and share videos. You can earn passive income through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or through the monetization of your own products.
Example: A beauty influencer could make extra cash by creating makeup tutorials and partner with beauty brands for sponsored content and affiliate commissions.
7. Sell Stock Photos or Videos
If you’re a photographer or videographer, you can sell your work on stock websites like Shutterstock, iStock, and Adobe Stock. Every time someone purchases your stock photo or video, you earn a royalty.
Example: A landscape photographer could create a passive income source by upload stunning nature shots and earn a lot of money from people purchasing the images for websites, advertisements, or books.
8. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a simple way to earn money by promoting products from other companies. You can make some extra cash when someone makes a purchase through your unique affiliate link. If you’re looking for affiliate management software, check out platforms like Kartra.
Example: A tech reviewer could start a side hustle by sharing reviews of gadgets on their social media and earn commissions through affiliate links to their referrals.
9. Develop a Mobile App
If you have technical skills, creating a mobile app can be a great source of passive income. Apps can earn a lot of money through in-app purchases, ads, or subscriptions.
Example: A fitness expert could develop a mobile app that offers high-quality workout challenges or diet plans, and users pay a monthly subscription fee for premium access.
10. Sell Your Art or Designs
Artists can upload their designs to print-on-demand platforms like Redbubble or Teespring, where they’re printed on products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters. You earn royalties from every sale without worrying about production or shipping.
Example: An illustrator could create fun designs and sell them as stickers or phone cases.
11. Rent Out Your Space
Example: Someone with a vacation home could list it on Airbnb and earn money from tourists visiting the area.
If you have extra space in your home, you can rent it out on platforms like Airbnb. Whether it’s a spare room or an entire house, renting it out can provide a reliable stream of passive income.
12. Create a Podcast
Podcasting allows you to share your knowledge or passion. Monetization is possible through sponsorships, ads, or listener donations. Once your podcast episodes are recorded, they continue to generate revenue every time they are downloaded.
Example: A business coach could create a podcast offering tips and strategies for entrepreneurs, then monetize it with sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
13. Create and Sell Software Tools
If you have programming skills, consider creating a software tool that solves a problem for businesses or individuals. Once developed, you can automate your sales, creating a passive income opportunity.
Example: A marketer could create a social media scheduling tool and offer it as a subscription service to small business owners.
14. Sell Your Expertise
If you have a skill, you can list it on freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. While these platforms are typically used for active work, you can create templates or services that generate passive income over time.
Example: A web designer could sell pre-designed website templates to clients
15. License Your Music
Musicians can license their tracks for use in commercials, films, and video games, making extra cash each time their music is used.
Example: An independent artist could license a song for a commercial campaign and earn royalties whenever the commercial airs.
16. Write and Sell an Audiobook
The audiobook market is growing rapidly, and once your audiobook is recorded, it can generate income for years. Platforms like Audible allow authors to earn royalties from audiobook sales.
Example: A personal finance expert could narrate their book on money management, making it available to a global audience.
17. Invest in Dividend Stocks
Investing in dividend-paying stocks is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth. With minimal effort, you can earn passive income from dividends paid by the companies in which you invest. It’s a long-term wealth-building strategy that works well as a side hustle.
Example: A retiree could invest in blue-chip stocks known for paying consistent dividends, creating a reliable source of passive income to supplement their retirement.
18. Hosting Webinars
If you have expertise in a specific field, consider hosting a webinar. This allows you to share valuable knowledge with an audience while generating income. By using platforms like Zoom or Kartra, you can host a live or recorded session and monetize your insights.
Example: A baker could host a webinar on “Sourdough Baking for Beginners” and charge for access, offering an online workshop for beginner bakers while earning on repeat.
19. Start a Subscription-Based Service
A subscription-based service offers ongoing access to a product or service in exchange for a monthly fee. This passive income idea is perfect for building wealth, as you can continue earning money from subscribers while you grow your business.
Example: A meal planner could offer a subscription service for weekly recipe plans and grocery lists.
20. Develop a SaaS Business
Building a software-as-a-service (SaaS) business allows you to create a subscription-based model for your software. With minimal effort once the platform is developed, this idea helps you build wealth and generate passive income as users pay for access.
Example: A project management expert could create a software tool that helps teams track tasks and collaborate effectively, then charge businesses a monthly subscription fee.
21. Sell Virtual Products for Video Games
If you’re into gaming, consider selling virtual items for in-game purchases. This can include skins, accessories, or tools. It’s a fun way to make money online while engaging with your favorite games.
Example: Sell custom skins for popular games like Fortnite or League of Legends, or rare items in RPGs to other players looking to enhance their gaming experience.
22. Earn from Peer-to-Peer Lending
With peer-to-peer lending, you lend money to borrowers through online platforms and earn interest over time. This is a low-effort way to generate passive income and build wealth while helping others.
Example: Use platforms like LendingClub or Prosper to lend small amounts of money to individuals or businesses and earn interest on your investment.
23. Build and Rent Websites
Building niche websites and renting them out is a solid passive income strategy. By optimizing your site for traffic and placing ads, you can generate income with minimal involvement, making it a great side hustle for building wealth.
Example: Create a website around a popular topic like fitness or home improvement, and rent the site to businesses or advertisers looking for traffic.
24. Create an Email List and Monetize It
An email list is one of the most valuable assets you can build for your side hustle. Once you’ve grown your list, you can monetize it by promoting affiliate products, your own offerings, or sponsored content, generating passive income while you focus on other things.
Example: If you’re in the wellness space, create a list of subscribers interested in health tips and promote related products like vitamins, workout gear, or meal plans.
25. Sell Online Courses on Third-Party Platforms
Instead of building your own course platform, you can sell courses on third-party platforms. The platforms handle marketing and hosting, allowing you to earn passive income with little effort. With Kartra you can create your first online course in just 7 easy steps.
Example: Use platforms like Kartra to host and sell your course on a niche subject like photography or coding, allowing you to focus on creating content.
26. Create a Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping allows you to sell physical products online without keeping any inventory. By partnering with a supplier, your customers can buy products directly from the supplier, creating a passive income stream for your small business.
Example: Set up an online store selling eco-friendly products or fitness gear, and partner with a supplier to fulfill orders, minimizing the need to manage inventory.
27. Rent Out Your Car
If you own a car, consider renting it out on platforms like Turo. This is a beginner-friendly way to make money online and start building wealth with minimal effort.
Example: Rent out your car on Turo when you’re not using it. If you own a luxury car or an SUV, you could earn a significant amount by renting it out to others.
28. Start a Social Media Page
Social media is a powerful tool for making money online. By growing your following and monetizing your social media pages through affiliate marketing or sponsored content, you can build wealth while working on your side hustle.
Example: Start an Instagram page focused on beauty tips or fitness motivation and monetize it by partnering with brands for sponsored posts or promoting affiliate products.
29. Start a Subscription Box Service
A subscription box service allows you to curate products and send them to subscribers on a regular basis. This is a great way to earn passive income and build wealth with a side hustle that requires minimal ongoing work.
Example: Curate a subscription box for coffee lovers or pet owners, and send out monthly boxes filled with products related to their interests.
30. Build Wealth Through Real Estate
Real estate can be a fantastic way to build wealth. By investing in rental properties or using platforms like Fundrise, you can generate passive income through rent or property appreciation.
Example: Invest in rental properties or use a platform like Fundrise to invest in real estate without having to manage the properties yourself, generating income over time
Tips for Success in Building Passive Income
Earning passive income requires initial effort and smart planning. To ensure success:
- Start Small: Begin with one or two passive income streams and expand as you become more comfortable.
- Automate Processes: Use tools and platforms that simplify tasks like delivery, payments, and marketing.
- Focus on Your Strengths: Choose strategies that align with your skills and interests.
- Stay Consistent: While passive income requires less ongoing effort, consistency is key to sustaining and growing your earnings.
Ready to Start Making Money Online?
Passive income is your key to taking control of your financial future and creating long-term success. With the right tools and strategies in place, you can streamline your efforts and focus on growing your wealth without constantly trading time for money. Platforms like Kartra simplify the process by automating and managing your income streams, so you can spend less time on logistics and more time enjoying the freedom you’ve earned. Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Kartra today!