As a business owner, you’re probably no stranger to long hours, constant hustle, and the never-ending pursuit of new opportunities. But what if you could earn money without working around the clock?

Enter passive income. It’s the ultimate dream—creating streams of revenue that continue to bring in cash with little ongoing effort.

Now, let’s be honest: passive income doesn’t mean “no work” at all. It usually involves some upfront time and effort to get things rolling. But once you’ve set it up, you can reap the benefits without trading hours for dollars.

Whether you’re looking to supplement your existing business or diversify your income streams, here are 10 passive income ideas perfect for entrepreneurs.

Sell Digital Products

Creating and selling digital products is one of the most scalable forms of passive income. Think of things like e-books, templates, printables, or online courses.

The beauty of digital products is that you only have to make them once, but you can sell them repeatedly with little to no additional effort.

For example, if you’re a graphic designer, you could create design templates. If you’re a consultant, you could package your expertise into an e-book or course.

It’s a one-time effort that keeps paying off.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a simple way to earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products. If someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a percentage of the sale.

The great part is you don’t have to worry about inventory or customer service—it’s all handled by the company you’re promoting.

To get started, you can sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or ShareASale, and promote products related to your niche.

For example, if you have a blog about productivity, you could recommend tools like planners or apps and earn a commission from each sale.

Create an Online Course

Online learning is booming, and it’s a fantastic way to generate passive income. If you’re an expert in your field, why not turn that knowledge into a course? You can create lessons, videos, and assignments that people can purchase and complete at their own pace.

Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare make it easy to create and sell courses without the need to build a website. Once the course is live, it can continue to bring in revenue as new students enroll.

Sell Stock Photos or Videos

If you’re a photographer or videographer, selling stock photos or videos is a great passive income stream. Websites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and iStock allow you to upload your work, and each time someone downloads it, you earn a royalty.

This is a great option if you already have a collection of photos or videos that you can repurpose and sell without too much extra effort.

Whether it’s nature shots, lifestyle images, or product photography, there’s always a demand for fresh content.

License Your Creative Work

If you’re a designer, artist, or musician, you can earn passive income by licensing your work. For example, if you create artwork, you can license it to companies for use on products like T-shirts, mugs, or stationery.

Every time your design is used or sold, you earn a royalty.

Similarly, musicians can license their music for use in videos, commercials, or films. Platforms like Artlist, AudioJungle, and Redbubble are great for getting your creative work out there and generating income without ongoing effort.

Start a YouTube Channel

While it might not seem like passive income at first, once your YouTube channel gains traction, it can be a great source of ongoing revenue.

By creating videos around topics you’re passionate about, you can monetize your channel through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

The key here is to focus on creating evergreen content—videos that remain relevant over time. Whether it’s tutorials, product reviews, or vlogs, once a video is live, it can continue to generate views and ad revenue long after you’ve posted it.

Invest in Real Estate

Real estate investing is one of the more traditional ways to generate passive income.

You can buy a property, rent it out, and collect monthly rental income. While being a landlord may require some work, property management companies can handle the day-to-day, making it more hands-off.

If owning physical property seems like too much, you can also invest in real estate through platforms like Fundrise or RealtyMogul, which allow you to invest in real estate projects without buying the properties yourself.

Start a Membership or Subscription Service

Creating a membership or subscription service is a powerful way to generate recurring passive income. You can offer exclusive content, products, or services that people pay for every month. This could be anything from premium blog content, coaching sessions, or access to a private community.

Platforms like Patreon, Substack, or even Kajabi allow you to build a membership model that works for your business.

Once set up, it’s a great way to create consistent income without having to constantly chase new customers.

Invest in Dividend-Paying Stocks

Another classic passive income stream is investing in dividend-paying stocks. These are stocks that pay out a portion of the company’s earnings to shareholders on a regular basis, usually quarterly.

By building a portfolio of dividend-paying stocks, you can receive regular income without having to actively manage the investment.

Of course, investing involves risk, so it’s important to do your research or consult with a financial advisor to create a solid, long-term strategy.

Rent Out Your Equipment

If you have equipment that you’re not using full-time, consider renting it out. This could be anything from photography gear, power tools, or even a spare car.

Platforms like Fat Llama, Turo, or even local rental groups make it easy to rent out your gear and earn passive income without much effort.

For example, if you own a DSLR camera that you only use occasionally, you could rent it out to other photographers or videographers when you don’t need it.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to passive income, but the great thing is that there are so many options available.

The key is to get started—choose one or two ideas that fit your strengths, invest the initial time and effort, and watch your passive income grow over time.

So, what passive income idea are you most excited to try?