101 Passive Income Ideas To Start Now

There are no limit to passive income ideas out in the world. Earning passive income is a worthwhile pursuit as it allows you to exponentially grow your income while reducing or limiting your daily output. In this article we will talk through specific passive income ideas you can start today.

Here are 101 Passive income ideas with a practical first step included.

1. Rent Out Your Car: Services like Turo or Getaround allow you to rent out your car when you’re not using it. You get to choose when your car is available and can set your own rates. First step: Create an account on one of these services, list your car, and set your availability and price.
2. Rent Out Your Parking Space: If you live in a busy area, you can rent out your parking space. Apps like JustPark and SpotHero make it easy. First step: List your parking spot on one of these apps, set the rental hours and rate.
3. Rent Out Spare Room on Airbnb: If you have an extra room in your house, consider listing it on Airbnb. First step: Create an Airbnb account, make a listing for your room, and set your own rates and rules.
4. Rent Out Your Storage Space: Unused garage, attic or basement can be turned into storage space and rented out on sites like Neighbor. First step: Clean and organize the space, take photos, and list it on a storage space rental site.
5. Peer-to-Peer Lending: Sites like Prosper and Lending Club let you lend money to individuals in return for interest payments. First step: Create an account on one of these sites, decide how much you want to lend, and select your risk level.
6. Invest in Real Estate Crowdfunding: Platforms like Fundrise and RealtyMogul allow you to invest in real estate without having to buy property yourself. First step: Sign up on a real estate crowdfunding platform and decide how much you want to invest.
7. Invest in REITs: REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate. They can be bought and sold like stocks. First step: Open a brokerage account and research which REITs to invest in.
8. Buy a Rental Property: If you have the money, buying a rental property can provide regular rental income. First step: Do research on properties in your budget, then contact a real estate agent to start the buying process.
9. Invest in Stocks and Bonds: Buying stocks and bonds can provide dividends and interest income. First step: Open a brokerage account, do your research on which stocks or bonds to buy, and make your first investment.
10. Start a Blog: If you have a passion or expertise in a particular area, consider starting a blog. You can earn money through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing. First step: Choose a blogging platform, decide on your niche, and start writing and posting content.
11. Create an Online Course: If you’re skilled in a certain field, create an online course and sell it on platforms like Udemy or Coursera. This is one of the best passive income ideas. First step: Plan your course content, film your lectures, and post them on an online course platform.
12. Write an eBook: Writing an eBook about a topic you’re knowledgeable in can generate income. First step: Choose your topic, create an outline, and start writing.
13. Self-Publish a Book: Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing allow you to self-publish and sell your own books. When it comes to passive income ideas, books do really well once published. First step: decide the topic, and just get an ugly first draft out there. Don’t limit your ideas, design a cover, and upload it to a self-publishing platform.
14. Affiliate Marketing: This involves earning commissions by promoting other people’s products. First step: Sign up for an affiliate marketing program like Amazon Associates, and start promoting products on your blog or website. Over time, as the blog evolves and grows, so will your income. This is one of the better passive income ideas.
15. Start a YouTube Channel: Create and upload videos on YouTube. You can earn through ad revenue and sponsorships. If your considering building a brand, youtube is one of the better passive income ideas. First step: Set up your YouTube channel, decide on content, and start filming and uploading immediately. Don’t let paralysis by analysis stunt your growth.
16. Sell Handmade Products on Etsy: If you’re crafty, you can sell handmade items on Etsy. First step: Create your product, take high-quality photos, and list them on Etsy.
17. Sell Stock Photos: If you enjoy photography, sell your photos on stock photo websites. First step: Take high-quality photos, edit them, and upload them to stock photo websites.
18. Become an Amazon Seller: Sell products on Amazon. You can sell items you’ve made or source items to resell. First step: Set up an Amazon Seller account, find products to sell, and list them on Amazon.
19. Create a Mobile App: If you know how to code, create an app and sell it on the App Store or Google Play. First step: Come up with an app idea, create a prototype, and start coding.
20. Start a Podcast: Create a podcast about a topic you’re passionate about. Earn through sponsorships and listener donations. First step: Decide on a topic, buy recording equipment, record your first episode, and upload it to a podcast platform.
21. License Your Ideas: If you have innovative ideas or inventions, you can license them to companies for a royalty fee. First step: Develop your idea, patent it, and pitch it to companies in the relevant industry.
22. Sell Digital Products: These can be anything from templates, presets, or software. First step: Choose the type of digital product you want to create, develop it, and sell it on platforms like Etsy or your own website.
23. Sell Print-on-Demand Products: With print-on-demand, you create the design, and a third-party company prints your design on their products. First step: Create your designs, choose a print-on-demand service, and list your products for sale.
24. Run a Dropshipping Business: In this business model, you sell products directly from suppliers to customers without holding any inventory. First step: Decide on a niche, find a supplier, and build an eCommerce website.
25. Sell Ad Space on a Website: If you own a website with good traffic, you can sell ad space. First step: Sign up for an ad network like Google AdSense, and add the ad code to your website.
26. Sell Your Own Brand Merchandise: If you have a strong personal brand or a popular blog, YouTube channel, or podcast, you could create and sell your own merchandise. First step: Design your merchandise, find a manufacturer or print-on-demand service, and list your merchandise for sale.
27. Become a Silent Business Partner: One of the more ambitious passive income ideas is investing in a business as a silent partner where you contribute capital but are not involved in day-to-day operations. First step: Identify potential investment opportunities, conduct thorough due diligence, and negotiate your involvement and return.
28. Open a High-Yield Savings Account: A simple and low-effort way to earn passive income is by earning interest on your savings. First step: Research banks offering high-yield savings accounts, one of the more safe and secure passive income ideas, open an account, and start saving.
29. Earn Cash Back on Credit Cards: Some credit cards offer cash back on your purchases. First step: Find a credit card with a good cash back program or sign up bonus, sign up for the card, and use it for your regular spending.
30. Invest in Mutual Funds: Among passive income ideas, mutual funds allow you to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets. First step: Research various mutual funds, choose one that fits your investment goals and risk tolerance, and invest.
31. Start a Vending Machine Business: When exploring passive income ideas, owning and operating vending machines can be a great source of income. First step: Identify a good location, buy a vending machine, stock it with in-demand items, and install it.
32. Invest in Index Funds: Index funds track specific financial market indexes and are a great way to diversify your portfolio. First step: Open a brokerage account and start investing in index funds that match your investment strategy.
33. Buy a Cash Flowing Websites: Websites with high traffic can generate income through ads, product sales, or subscriptions. This is one of the internet-based passive income ideas. First step: Find a profitable website for sale on platforms like Flippa, buy it, and continue its operations.
34. Peer-to-Peer Car Rental: Rent out your car when you’re not using it. First step: Sign up for a service like Turo or Getaround, list your vehicle, and start renting it out.
35. Design T-Shirts: Among creative passive income ideas, online platforms allow you to design and sell T-shirts without dealing with inventory or shipping. First step: Come up with unique T-shirt designs, upload them on a platform like Teespring or Redbubble, and start promoting your products.
36. Sell Crafts Online: If you’re crafty, sell handmade goods online. First step: Create unique crafts, set up an online shop on Etsy or Amazon Handmade, and start selling.
37. Self-Publish Audiobooks: Narrate and sell your own audiobooks. First step: Write a book, narrate it, and upload it to a platform like Audible.
38. Create a Membership Site: If you have a skill or knowledge others are willing to pay for, create a membership site. First step: Choose your niche, create valuable content, and set up a website with a membership system.
39. Rent Out Your Tools: If you have tools sitting idle, rent them out. First step: List your tools on a peer-to-peer rental platform like Fat Llama.
40. Invest in a Start-Up: As a riskier venture among passive income ideas, investing in a startup company as an angel investor can have big payoffs. First step: Find promising startups looking for funding, perform due diligence, and invest.
41. Launch a Print on Demand Store: With print on demand, you create the design, and a third-party company prints your design on their products. First step: Sign up on a platform like Printful or Printify, create your designs, and list your products.
42. Become a Social Media Influencer: If you have a large social media following, you can earn money through sponsored posts. First step: Focus on building a sizable and engaged following on social media, then reach out to brands for sponsorship deals.
43. Become a Virtual Assistant: You can provide various services to businesses from a remote location. First step: Identify your skills, create a profile on sites like Upwork or Fiverr, and start offering your services.
44. Sell Your Designs Online: If you’re skilled at graphic design, you can sell your designs online. This is one of the more creative passive income ideas. First step: Create your designs and upload them on platforms like Zazzle or CafePress.
45. Offer a Service on Fiverr: On Fiverr, you can offer a wide variety of services. First step: Identify a skill you can sell, create a profile on Fiverr, and start offering your service.
46. Start a Subscription Box Service: People love receiving surprises in the mail, and a subscription box service could provide that. First step: Identify a niche, source products, and set up a website to take orders.
47. Use a Robo-Advisor for Investing: Robo-advisors automate your investing, which could earn you income passively. First step: Research robo-advisors like Betterment or Wealthfront, choose one that fits your needs, and start investing.
48. Invest in Commodities: Commodities like gold, silver, or oil can be profitable investments. First step: Open a brokerage account that offers commodities and start investing.
49. Participate in Online Surveys: Some companies pay for consumer opinions, and you can earn a little cash on the side by participating. First step: Sign up for online survey sites like Swagbucks or Vindale Research and start taking surveys.
50. Start a Niche Website: A niche website focuses on a particular topic and generates income through advertising, affiliate marketing, or selling products. First step: Choose a niche you’re interested in, build a website, and start creating content.
51. Build a SAAS (Software as a Service): If you have programming skills, building a SAAS product can earn you recurring income. First step: Identify a problem you can solve with software, then start building your solution.
52. Create and Sell an Online Workout Plan: Fitness enthusiasts can create and sell personalized workout plans. First step: Use your expertise to create a comprehensive workout plan and sell it on platforms like Trainiac or Trainerize.
53. Invest in a Laundromat: Buying a laundromat can be a source of regular income. First step: Research available laundromats for sale in your area on bizbuysell, and work with a broker to make a purchase.
54. Buy and Rent Out Expensive Equipment, Tools, or Gadgets: Many people need expensive equipment temporarily and are willing to rent rather than buy. First step: Identify an in-demand product you can afford to invest in, purchase it, and list it on a rental platform like Fat Llama.
55. Sell Software: If you’re a skilled programmer, you can create and sell your own software. First step: Identify a need you can meet with your software, develop the program, and market it online.
56. Sell Products on Shopify: Shopify is a platform that allows you to create your own online store. First step: Identify a product you want to sell, set up a Shopify store, and start selling.
57. Invest in a Food Truck: Food trucks are a popular alternative to traditional restaurants. First step: Do some market research, buy a food truck, and start selling food in high-traffic areas.
58. Build a Chatbot for Businesses: Many businesses use chatbots for customer service, and you can make money by building them. First step: Learn how to build chatbots, then start offering your services to businesses.
59. Buy Dividend Stocks: Dividend stocks pay you a portion of the company’s profits periodically. First step: Open a brokerage account, research dividend stocks, and start investing.
60. Rent Out Your Closet: If you have designer clothes or accessories, you can rent them out. First step: Sign up for a platform like Style Lend or Rent My Wardrobe, list your items, and start renting them out.
61. Rent Out Your Backyard: You can earn money by renting out your backyard for events or as a garden plot. First step: List your space on platforms like Peerspace or SharedEarth.
62. Create an App: If you have a unique app idea, you can create and sell it on the app store. First step: Learn or brush up on your coding skills, then start developing your app.
63. Start an Online Newsletters or Magazine: You can earn money through subscriptions or ads. First step: Choose a niche, create compelling content, and promote your newsletter or magazine online.
64. Create a Paid Private Facebook Group: If you have expertise in a specific area, people may pay for access to a private group. First step: Create a group, establish a monthly fee, and invite people to join.
65. Build an E-commerce Site: An e-commerce site can generate income through product sales. First step: Choose what you want to sell, create a website, and start promoting your products.
66. Become an Online Tutor: If you’re an expert in a subject, you can make money tutoring. First step: Sign up for a tutoring platform like Chegg Tutors or Tutor.com, or start your own website to offer your services.
67. Sell Your Old Books: If you have old books collecting dust, you can make money by selling them. First step: Sign up for a platform like BookScouter or Amazon, list your books, and start selling.
68. Rent Out Your RV: If your RV is often idle, rent it out. First step: List it on a platform like Outdoorsy or RVshare.
69. Build Sales Funnels for Clients: Businesses need sales funnels and will pay for someone to build and manage them. First step: Learn how to build effective sales funnels, then start offering your services.
70. Invest in Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency can be a high-risk, high-reward investment. First step: Open a cryptocurrency wallet like metamask, research different cryptocurrencies, and start investing.
71. Rent Out Your Bike, Surfboard, or Snowboard: If you have sporting equipment lying around, you can rent it out to interested parties. First step: Use platforms like Spinlister to list your items for rent.
72. Write and Sell Your Songs: If you’re musically inclined, consider writing and selling your own songs. First step: Write your songs, record them and sell them on platforms like SoundCloud or TuneCore.
73. Design Logos for Companies: If you’re good at graphic design, businesses may pay you to create their logos. First step: Build a portfolio and start showcasing your work on design websites like Behance or Dribbble.
74. Make YouTube Video Tutorials: If you’re skilled in a specific area, consider making tutorial videos. First step: Start a YouTube channel, record and upload your tutorials, and monetize your channel.
75. Participate in Affiliate Marketing: You can earn a commission by promoting other people’s or companies’ products. First step: Join an affiliate program like Amazon Affiliates, create content, and share your affiliate links.
76. Sell Products on Amazon FBA: You can sell your products through Amazon’s “Fulfillment by Amazon” program. First step: Find a product to sell, set up an Amazon seller account, and list your products.
77. Become a Ghostwriter: You can earn money by writing content for others without getting credit. First step: Join a freelance platform like Upwork or Freelancer and offer your ghostwriting services.
78. Become a Website Developer: If you know how to code, you can earn money by building websites. First step: Create a portfolio website to showcase your work and start reaching out to potential clients.
79. Create a Paid Mastermind Group: If you have expertise in a specific area, people may pay for access to a group where you share insights and advice. First step: Start a mastermind group, establish a monthly fee, and invite people to join.
80. Sell Your Recipes to Blogs or Magazines: If you’re good at cooking and creating unique recipes, consider selling them. First step: Create your unique recipes, take quality pictures, and approach blogs or magazines.
81. Sell Handmade Jewelry Online: If you’re skilled in making unique jewelry, consider selling it online. First step: Create a store on Etsy or eBay and list your jewelry for sale.
82. License Your Photos: If you’re a photographer, consider licensing your photos for use by businesses or individuals. First step: Upload your photos to stock photo websites like Shutterstock or Getty Images.
83. Write a Travel Guide eBook and Sell It on Amazon: If you’re well-traveled, consider writing a travel guide eBook. First step: Choose a unique destination, write about it, and publish it as an eBook on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
84. Create a Paid Webinar: If you have expertise in a particular area, consider hosting a webinar. First step: Choose a topic, create a presentation, and host your webinar using platforms like Zoom or GoToWebinar.
85. Run a Paid Forum or Slack Channel: Consider starting a paid forum or Slack channel on a topic you’re knowledgeable about. First step: Set up the platform, decide on the subscription fee, and invite people to join.
86. Create a Crowdfunded Product: If you have a unique product idea, consider crowdfunding to bring it to life. First step: Create a prototype, create a campaign on Kickstarter or Indiegogo, and start fundraising.
87. Develop a WordPress Plugin or Theme: If you’re a coder, consider developing WordPress plugins or themes for sale. First step: Identify a need, code the plugin or theme, and sell it on WordPress.org or ThemeForest.
88. Sell Your Services on Niche Sites Like 99Designs, CloudPeeps, or TopTal: If you have skills in design, marketing, or development, consider selling your services on niche sites. First step: Create a profile, upload your portfolio, and start bidding on projects.
89. Sell Your Crafting Patterns on Etsy: If you design unique crafting patterns, consider selling them. First step: Create a store on Etsy, upload your patterns, and list them for sale.
90. Create a Stock Video Footage for Sale: If you’re good with a camera, consider creating stock video footage for sale. First step: Record high-quality videos, upload them to stock footage websites like Adobe Stock or Pond5.
91. Develop an Online Job Board and Charge for Listings: If you have a knack for web development, consider creating an online job board. First step: Develop the job board, set listing prices, and invite companies to post their vacancies.
92. Build an Online Community and Charge Membership: If you can bring people together around a common interest, consider building an online community. First step: Set up the platform, decide on the membership fee, and invite people to join.
93. Buy and Hold Domain Names: If you have a keen sense of what could be a hot domain name in the future, consider buying and holding domain names for sale. First step: Identify potential popular domain names, purchase them through a registrar like GoDaddy, and list them for sale.
94. Write Software Reviews: If you’re tech-savvy, consider writing software reviews for money. First step: Use a software, write a detailed review, and submit it to tech blogs that pay for content.
95. Become a Personal Chef: If you love cooking and are good at it, consider becoming a personal chef. First step: Create a menu, advertise your services locally or online, and start booking clients.
96. Design and Sell Infographics: If you have a knack for design and data visualization, consider designing infographics for sale. First step: Design some sample infographics, create a portfolio, and start pitching your services to businesses.
97. Develop a Directory Website and Charge for Listings: If you’re good atweb development, consider creating a directory website. First step: Build a site around a specific niche, set your prices for listings, and invite businesses to list their services.
98. Develop and Sell WordPress Plugins: If you have coding skills, consider developing and selling WordPress plugins. First step: Identify a need, code the plugin, and sell it on WordPress.org or CodeCanyon.
99. Create and Sell Web-Based Courses or Workshops: If you’re an expert in a field, consider creating and selling courses or workshops. First step: Develop an outline, record the course, and list it on platforms like Udemy or Coursera.
100. Create an Online Store with Drop Shipping: Consider setting up an online store and use drop shipping to handle inventory. First step: Identify a product niche, set up an online store on Shopify, and find a company to dropship.
101. Create a Voice-over Service: If you have a clear, articulate voice and possibly some acting talent, you can offer voice-over services. This can become passive income when you produce evergreen content, like audiobooks or educational videos, that continue to earn royalties. First Step: Start by practicing reading various types of scripts and recording your voice using quality recording equipment. You can start simple with a good microphone and quiet space. Then, upload your voice samples to voice-over service websites like Voices.com or Fiverr, and start marketing your services. Over time, you can focus on creating evergreen content that will provide a steady stream of passive income.

These are merely examples and it is crucial to conduct thorough research before investing time and money. It’s also worth noting that passive income often requires upfront work and maintenance over time. So be sure to choose something you’re interested in and passionate about.