Over time, I came to realize I was wrong – you don’t need to be a tech expert to start and run a successful automated business. No matter your expertise, there are plenty of opportunities to create passive income with minimal effort. That’s the beauty of automation.
Are you feeling burned out from your demanding job, which takes up all your time and leaves little room for family? Or maybe you’re just looking for a side business that requires little maintenance? This article shares some top automated business ideas that you can start this year.
From earning money through affiliate marketing to selling digital products, automation allows you to use technology to increase your income with minimal hands-on involvement. Imagine making money even while you sleep.
1. Selling Printables
Creating and selling printables is a great option for an automated business. You only need to invest time in designing them once, and after that, you can sell them repeatedly. Popular printables include planners, wall art, budgeting sheets, and fitness trackers. Platforms like Etsy make it easy to get started.
Selling printables can be a great automated business because, after the initial design effort, you can sell the same product over and over. This includes anything from planners and budget sheets to wall art and worksheets.
Success Stories:
- Sarah Titus earns over six figures annually selling printables on her website. She started by creating budgeting templates and planners and now has a full-fledged business.
- Michelle Rohr from The Secret O.W.L. Society makes a significant income selling personal development printables on Etsy.
How to Get Started:
- Create your designs: Use platforms like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to create high-quality printables.
- Choose a platform: Etsy is the most popular platform for selling printables. Other options include your own website, Creative Market, or Gumroad.
- Market your designs: Use social media (Pinterest is especially popular for printables), blogs, or email marketing to drive traffic.
Resources:
- Canva (free design tool): Ideal for creating printables without advanced design skills.
- Etsy: The most popular marketplace for printables.
- Creative Market: Another platform where you can sell digital products.
2. Real Estate Crowdfunding
Real estate has long been a reliable way to earn passive income, but traditional investing requires significant capital. Crowdfunding platforms like Fundrise allow you to start with as little as $10. These platforms pool money from investors, purchase properties, and distribute profits based on your contribution.
Real estate is a lucrative source of passive income, and crowdfunding platforms allow you to get involved without large capital investments.
Success Stories:
- Fundrise, a leading real estate crowdfunding platform, has allowed small investors to own shares in multi-million dollar properties. Many users report earning 8-12% annual returns on their investments.
- Arrived Homes lets investors buy shares in rental properties. Some investors earn dividends every quarter without having to manage tenants or property upkeep.
How to Get Started:
- Select a crowdfunding platform: Fundrise and Arrived Homes are popular options with low entry points (starting from $10).
- Sign up and set your investment goals: Answer questions about your financial goals and risk tolerance, and the platform will help you create a diversified portfolio.
- Start investing: Deposit your funds, and the platform manages the properties for you. You’ll receive dividends based on your share in the investment.
Resources:
- Fundrise: Minimum investment of $10, making it accessible to beginners.
- Arrived Homes: Real estate investments start at $100.
3. Selling Your Unused Internet
You can even make money by selling unused internet bandwidth. Apps like Honeygain allow you to share unused data, and you can earn about $30 a month on average. While it doesn’t generate as much income as other methods, selling unused internet bandwidth is a simple and automated way to earn passive income.
Success Stories:
- Users of the Honeygain app earn between $20 to $50 monthly for sharing their unused internet. One user reported earning $35 a month passively by leaving the app running on their computer.
How to Get Started:
- Download the app: Install Honeygain or Peer2Profit on your phone or computer.
- Set it up: After installation, allow the app to run in the background while you use your device as usual.
- Accumulate earnings: You’ll earn around $0.20 per GB of data shared, and you can withdraw your earnings through PayPal or cryptocurrency.
Resources:
- Honeygain: Available for iOS, Android, and desktop.
- Peer2Profit: Another platform for selling unused bandwidth.
4. Print-On-Demand (POD)
With print-on-demand, you can sell products like T-shirts, mugs, and hoodies without worrying about unsold inventory. You create designs, and when a customer orders, the supplier handles production and shipping. This way, you can focus on marketing. Print-on-demand is a great business model because you only produce products when a customer orders, eliminating inventory risks.
Success Stories:
- Rachel Rofe made $1,500 in a single day with her POD business by creating and selling T-shirts, mugs, and posters.
- Printful users report earning several thousand dollars monthly by designing niche products and selling them through platforms like Shopify.
How to Get Started:
- Design products: Create designs that can be printed on various products (e.g., T-shirts, mugs, tote bags) using Photoshop or Canva.
- Choose a POD supplier: Printify, Printful, or Teespring are popular platforms that print and ship products for you.
- Market your products: Promote your designs on social media, Pinterest, or through paid ads. You don’t need to hold any inventory as the supplier handles fulfillment.
Resources:
- Printify: Free to use, integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce.
- Printful: Offers POD services with a wide range of products.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting other people’s products. By sharing affiliate links on your social media or website, you get paid when someone makes a purchase through your link. It’s a great way to earn passive income. Affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission when someone buys through your referral link.
Success Stories:
- Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income made over $2 million in affiliate commissions by recommending software, courses, and products to his audience.
- Michelle Schroeder-Gardner from Making Sense of Cents earns $50,000 monthly through affiliate marketing, largely from financial products and tools.
How to Get Started:
- Join affiliate programs: Sign up for affiliate networks like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate.
- Promote products: Write blog posts, create YouTube videos, or use social media to recommend products related to your niche.
- Earn commissions: You’ll receive a commission each time someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link.
Resources:
- Amazon Associates: Popular affiliate program with millions of products.
- ShareASale: A wide variety of brands and products to promote.
6. Dropshipping
With dropshipping, you can sell products online without holding inventory. A supplier manages the logistics, leaving you free to focus on marketing and customer service. This allows you to run an online store without holding inventory. Your supplier handles all the logistics, including shipping.
Success Stories:
- Irwin Dominguez generated $1 million in revenue in just eight months using dropshipping by selling unique products on Shopify.
- Oberlo reports many users making thousands of dollars monthly, selling products like fashion accessories and gadgets.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a niche: Focus on a specific product category (e.g., fashion, electronics).
- Set up a store: Use platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to create an online store.
- Find suppliers: Use platforms like AliExpress or Oberlo to find products to sell without needing to hold inventory.
- Market your store: Drive traffic using social media marketing, SEO, or paid ads.
Resources:
- Shopify: The most popular platform for dropshipping.
- Oberlo: A Shopify app that simplifies finding and importing products.
7. Subscription-Based Business
Offering subscription services for exclusive content (videos, articles, etc.) through platforms like Patreon or Substack is another option. Customers pay a recurring fee, providing you with steady income. Subscription-based businesses allow you to earn recurring revenue by offering ongoing value, whether through products, services, or content.
Success Stories:
- Dollar Shave Club revolutionized the subscription box industry by offering monthly razor blade deliveries. The company was sold to Unilever for $1 billion.
- Pura Vida Bracelets has a subscription service where customers receive exclusive, handmade bracelets each month.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a product or service: Identify something that provides ongoing value, such as physical goods (e.g., beauty products) or digital content (e.g., exclusive videos or articles).
- Set up a subscription model: Platforms like Cratejoy or Patreon help you manage subscription orders and payments.
- Market your service: Use email marketing, social media, and partnerships with influencers to grow your subscriber base.
Resources:
- Cratejoy: Platform for creating and managing subscription boxes.
- Patreon: Ideal for content creators offering exclusive content.
8. Creating and Selling Online Courses
If you have expertise in any subject, you can create an online course. Once the course is made, it can be sold multiple times without needing updates. Online courses are in high demand as people seek new skills and knowledge. The great thing about selling courses is once you’ve created the content for the courses and it is live, it takes very little maintenance other than answering questions of students and updates of the course.
Success Stories:
- Graham Cochrane earns $120,000 annually from his online music production courses.
- Sarah Cordiner, an education consultant, earns six figures from courses on entrepreneurship and teaching methods.
How to Get Started:
- Pick a topic: Choose something you’re knowledgeable about that others are eager to learn.
- Create the course: Use platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Udemy to host and sell your course.
- Market your course: Use SEO, email marketing, and social media to attract students.
Resources:
- Teachable: User-friendly platform for creating and selling courses.
- Udemy: A marketplace with millions of users searching for online courses.
9. Email Marketing
Automating email marketing campaigns allows you to generate income by setting up sequences that reach your audience without needing constant management. Email marketing is a powerful way to build relationships and sell products through automated campaigns.
Success Stories:
- Noah Kagan of AppSumo built a 7-figure business using email marketing to offer deals and promotions to his subscribers.
- Ryan Deiss, founder of DigitalMarketer, turned his email list into a multi-million dollar business through strategic email campaigns.
How to Get Started:
- Build an email list: Use lead magnets like free ebooks or guides to attract subscribers. You can promote using social media or even paid ads on Facebook or Instagram.
- Choose a platform: Tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and HubSpot help you automate email marketing.
- Create automated sequences: Set up automated email campaigns that send content, product recommendations, or promotions based on subscriber actions.
Resources:
- ConvertKit: Email marketing tool designed for bloggers and creators.
- Mailchimp: All-in-one marketing platform with email automation.
10. Stock Trading with Robo-Advisors
Platforms like SoFi allow beginners to invest in the stock market with the help of AI-driven robo-advisors. These tools manage your portfolio, making stock trading accessible to those without financial expertise.Robo-advisors use algorithms to automatically manage your investment portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance.
Success Stories:
- Betterment and Wealthfront users report consistently earning returns higher than traditional savings accounts. Some investors see annual returns of 6-10%.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a platform: Betterment, Wealthfront, and SoFi are popular robo-advisors with low fees.
- Set up your account: Input your financial goals and risk preferences, and the robo-advisor will create and manage your investment portfolio.
- Automate your contributions: Set up automatic transfers to your account to continue growing your investments passively.
Resources:
- Betterment: User-friendly robo-advisor with a focus on long-term growth.
- Wealthfront: Automated investment platform for diversified portfolios.
11. Creating a Niche Blog or Website
Niche blogging is a great way to build a steady stream of passive income. After building an audience, you can monetize your blog through ads, affiliate marketing, or digital product sales. Check out our in depth guide on how to start your own blog.
Success Stories:
- Adam Enfroy, who started a blog in 2019, grew his site to make over $200,000 per month through a combination of affiliate marketing and selling digital products.
- Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income began his blog to share his journey of making passive income and now earns seven figures annually from a combination of sponsorships, courses, and affiliate commissions.
How to Get Started:
- Pick a niche: Focus on a specific area where you have expertise or passion, such as personal finance, travel, or fitness.
- Create quality content: Start by creating well-researched blog posts and valuable resources that cater to your audience’s needs. Focus on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to get organic traffic.
- Monetize your blog: Once you have a steady flow of visitors, apply for Google AdSense, partner with affiliate programs, or create and sell your own products.
Resources:
- WordPress: The most popular platform for building blogs.
- Ahrefs: A great tool for SEO research to optimize your content.
- Google AdSense: An advertising platform for placing ads on your website.
12. Building an App with No-Code Platforms
You might be thinking building an app is difficult especially if you have no experience with coding. Not to worry! App development is more accessible than ever with no-code platforms that allow you to create fully functional mobile apps or web apps without any coding knowledge. Once launched, apps can generate revenue through ads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions.
Success Stories:
- Gwynnie Bee, a fashion rental service app, was developed with a no-code platform and later acquired by CaaStle.
- David Nebinski created a community platform using Bubble and turned it into a profitable membership business.
How to Get Started:
- Identify a problem: The most successful apps solve specific problems. Focus on a niche and think about how your app can provide value.
- Choose a no-code platform: Use Bubble, Glide, or Adalo to build your app. These platforms allow you to drag and drop elements to create mobile or web applications.
- Monetize your app: Consider offering a freemium model, in-app purchases, or ads to generate revenue.
Resources:
- Bubble: A no-code platform that allows you to build complex web apps.
- Glide: A platform for creating mobile apps from Google Sheets.
- Adalo: A no-code platform for building mobile apps.
13. Licensing Photos or Videos
If you’re a photographer or videographer, you can license your content to stock photo and video platforms for passive income. Companies, websites, and bloggers often need high-quality visuals and are willing to pay for them. You can easily automate this as you would just be taking the pictures once and then platforms like Shutterstock would be helping you sell them.
Success Stories:
- Jacob Lund, a stock photographer, earns a significant income by licensing his photos on platforms like Shutterstock and iStock.
- Dustin Stout, a graphic designer, regularly sells his visuals and photos on Adobe Stock, generating a steady stream of income.
How to Get Started:
- Build a portfolio: Start by creating high-quality images or videos in areas that are in demand (e.g., business, nature, technology).
- Sign up for stock platforms: Upload your content to platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock.
- Earn royalties: Each time someone licenses or downloads your photo, you’ll earn a percentage of the sale.
Resources:
- Shutterstock: One of the largest marketplaces for stock photos.
- Adobe Stock: Another top platform for photographers to sell their work.
14. Vending Machines
Vending machines are a highly passive business model once you’ve set them up and found good locations. You can generate income by stocking the machines with snacks, beverages, or even health-conscious options. Used vending machines are available on eBay for as little as $600 and you can stock your machine up with from wholesalers or places like Costco.
Success Stories:
- Quincy Miller, a young entrepreneur, built a vending machine empire that earns him over $300,000 per year by placing machines in high-traffic areas.
- Marcus Graham, founder of Brothers Snacks, turned a $500 investment in vending machines into a six-figure business in just a few years.
How to Get Started:
- Buy vending machines: Purchase new or used vending machines from platforms like eBay or Craigslist. Some companies also offer financing options.
- Find a location: Look for high-traffic places such as gyms, schools, office buildings, or hospitals. You may need to reach out to the business owner or manager of the location and pitch them your vending machine business . They may want profit sharing on the goods sold about 10%-20% or even a monthly fee.
- Stock your machines: Regularly restock the machines with popular snacks, drinks, or other items, and monitor their performance.
Resources:
- VendSoft: A software to help manage your vending machine business.
- Craigslist: A platform to buy used vending machines.
15. Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)
Amazon FBA allows you to sell products on Amazon, and the platform handles storage, packing, and shipping for you. It’s a relatively hands-off business once you’ve sourced products and sent them to Amazon’s warehouses.
In essence what you do is get your own branded physical products and ship them to Amazon. Amazon will then deal with everything else from packing and posting orders that are received from customers on the Amazon website.
Success Stories:
- Jessica Larrew of The Selling Family makes six figures annually by sourcing and selling products through Amazon FBA. She started with an initial investment of just $100.
- Ryan Grant transitioned from his corporate job to making over $1 million per year by flipping products using Amazon FBA.
How to Get Started:
- Source products: You can either create your own product (private label) or resell existing products (retail arbitrage). Use tools like Jungle Scout to find profitable items.
- Set up your Amazon account: Open an Amazon Seller account and send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
- Promote your products: Optimize your product listings and use Amazon’s PPC (pay-per-click) advertising to drive traffic.
Resources:
- Jungle Scout: A tool to help you find profitable products to sell on Amazon.
- Amazon Seller Central: The platform where you manage your FBA business.
16. Selling Ebooks
Creating and selling ebooks can generate a stream of passive income once the book is published. You can sell ebooks on a variety of platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and your own website.
Success Stories:
- Steve Scott earns six figures annually by publishing niche nonfiction ebooks on Amazon Kindle, focusing on topics like habits and productivity.
- Mark Dawson, author of the John Milton series, became a successful self-published author, making over $450,000 in a year by selling his ebooks on Amazon.
How to Get Started:
- Write your ebook: Choose a topic that you’re knowledgeable about and create a detailed ebook. You can outsource writing if needed.
- Publish your ebook: Upload your book to platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Smashwords for distribution.
- Market your ebook: Promote your ebook through social media, email marketing, and Amazon’s advertising platform to reach more readers.
Resources:
- Amazon KDP: A platform to publish and sell your ebook to millions of Amazon users.
- Scrivener: Software for writing and organizing ebooks.
17. Building and Selling WordPress Themes or Plugins
If you have some coding or design skills, creating and selling WordPress themes or plugins can be a highly scalable and automated business model. Once developed, themes and plugins can be sold repeatedly to new customers without extra work.
Success Stories:
- Envato’s ThemeForest has helped theme developers like Kriesi earn millions by selling WordPress themes.
- Pippin Williamson built a successful business selling premium WordPress plugins, including Easy Digital Downloads, which brings in over $2 million per year.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a niche: Develop a theme or plugin that solves a specific problem or serves a particular audience, like bloggers, e-commerce businesses, or photographers.
- Design and develop: Use platforms like WordPress or Elementor to design the themes, or learn to code plugins with PHP and JavaScript.
- Sell on marketplaces: You can sell your themes or plugins on ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, or on your own website.
Resources:
- WordPress.org: A free platform for building and customizing websites.
- ThemeForest: A marketplace for selling WordPress themes.
- CodeCanyon: A platform for selling WordPress plugins and scripts.
18. Creating YouTube Channels
YouTube channels can generate revenue through ads, sponsorships, and product sales. Once your channel gains subscribers and views, it becomes a passive income source as your videos continue to generate ad revenue over time.
Success Stories:
- Graham Stephan earns over $150,000 per month from his personal finance YouTube channel through ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
- Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, has built a multimillion-dollar brand reviewing tech products, earning from both YouTube ads and brand deals.
How to Get Started:
- Choose a niche: Pick a topic you’re passionate about and have knowledge of. Popular niches include tech, personal finance, beauty, gaming, and education.
- Create and upload content: Use basic equipment (smartphone and microphone) to record videos. Consistency is key, so upload regularly.
- Monetize: Once your channel hits 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, apply for YouTube’s Partner Program to start earning ad revenue. You can also promote affiliate products or create sponsored content.
Resources:
- YouTube Creator Academy: Free resource to learn how to grow your YouTube channel.
- TubeBuddy: A tool to help optimize your videos for SEO and grow your audience.
Final Thoughts
Automated businesses are increasingly popular due to their efficiency, scalability, and low-maintenance nature. Whether you’re looking to stack a side hustle with your current job or create multiple streams of income, there are numerous ways to automate your business ventures. Just be sure to research your target audience, tailor your offerings to meet their needs, and keep up with market trends.