5. Build a Membership Website
Membership sites that offer premium, gated content for a monthly or yearly fee can earn passive revenue from subscriber signups. Determine a niche like fitness, investing, spirituality, or productivity that people will pay to get insider expertise on. Build a WordPress site with compelling free blog content and resources to attract your target demographic.
Promote it through guest posts, influencers, and social media using opt-in lead magnets like free courses to build an email list. Send regular value-packed emails to build trust and credibility. At strategic points, promote your paid membership tier with exclusive in-depth training programs, downloads, forums, and more.
Pro Tip: Incorporate community by allowing members to interact through a private forum. Building connections and camaraderie increases membership renewals.
6. Start a Podcast
Podcasting aligns well with the on-the-go listening habits of modern audiences. Choose a niche you’re passionate about to host in-depth audio conversations around. Equipment needs are minimal – a good microphone and editing software to start. Record on platforms like Buzzsprout or Libsyn which will distribute your podcast widely. Promote new episodes through social media, email lists, and guest appearances on complementary shows. Build intrigue and personality around your brand. As you gain downloads, monetize through sponsorships, affiliate links, or premium content for ardent supporters. Leveraging your expertise into an evergreen audio show can steadily pay off.
Pro Tip: Transcribe podcast episodes into shareable blog posts for extra search engine visibility and income diversification.
7. Start a YouTube channel
With over 2 billion monthly logged-in users, YouTube offers massive reach for dedicated creators. Identify topics you can make interesting videos around consistently – gaming, music, food and comedy are popular. Use catchy thumbnails and titles to get clicks. Promote videos socially and embed on relevant sites. Provide background music and clean editing for a professional feel. Getting monetized with ads requires hitting 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours yearly. Further income via sponsorships, affiliate links and crowdfunding kick in at higher follower bases. Persistently producing quality content allows channels earning five to six figures.
Pro Tip: Engage viewers by responding to all comments, running contests and crowdsourcing video ideas to boost engagement.
8. Test websites and apps
Companies constantly need to test and improve the user experience (UX) across their platforms. Sign up for websites like UserTesting, TryMyUI, or Validately to get paid testing gigs. Provide candid feedback on website flows, prototypes and live apps by thinking aloud as you navigate sites, highlighting any points of confusion.
Testing takes just 10-20 minutes per test site paying ~$10 each. Over time, build rating and get access to broader opportunities through valid tester profile. This flexible commitment-free work cumulatively provides decent side income that keeps growing alongside platform/volume testing demand.
Pro Tip: To get your profile prioritized for tests, maintain above-average star ratings by submitting timely, thoughtful responses with excellent audio quality.
9. Print on Demand
Print-on-demand allows you to design creative products like t-shirts, phone cases or wall art centered around popular themes, quotes or graphics without needing to hold physical inventory. As a customizable product goes through production only when someone purchases it, minimal upfront investment is required while testing ideas. Once designed, upload products to platforms like CafePress, Redbubble or Zazzle which produce and directly ship final orders to customers. Promote designed merchandise across appropriate online communities and through targeted influencer collabs. Trending memes and pop culture art tend to sell best leveraging this instantly scalable no-inventory model.
Pro Tip: Analyze market gaps around newly released movies, songs or viral personalities that enthusiasts would purchase themed merchandise around.
