Who doesn’t want to earn money while enjoying a good night’s sleep?!
Despite what many people think, there are many legitimate and proven passive income ideas to achieve exactly that!
Whether you’re looking to build a side hustle or create a fully fledged business, here are 27 of the best ways to make money while you snooze, with minimal upfront investment!
27 Most Profitable Ways to Make Money While You Sleep
1) Create an Online Course
Have a hard skill that could be taught?
Whilst the course market is more saturated than before, there’s still loads of room for people with hard skills and talents to share their expertise!
Platforms like Udemy or Teachable allow you to host your course and earn money whenever students enroll.
Once the course is created, it can sell indefinitely, generating passive income.
Profit Potential: $200 – $5,000/month, depending on the course’s popularity.
Related: 12 Digital Products With The Highest Profit Margin (Launch Your 6 Figure Business!)
2) Write an E-book
Have a story to tell or knowledge to share?
Writing an e-book can be a great way to earn passive income.
Self-publish on Amazon Kindle or your website and earn royalties on each sale.
Once it’s out there, you can earn money while you sleep!
Profit Potential: $50 – $1,500/month.
Related: 15 Niche eBooks That Practically Write Themselves and Sell Like Hotcakes
3) Invest in Dividend Stocks
Investing in stocks that pay dividends can provide you with regular income without selling your shares.
Research companies with a solid dividend history and create a diversified portfolio for steady returns.
Profit Potential: $100 – $2,000/month, depending on your investment amount.
Related: How to Invest With Just $100 [A Complete Beginner’s Guide]
4) Create a Print-on-Demand Store
With print-on-demand services like Printful or Redbubble, you can design custom merchandise without upfront costs.
Each time someone buys your design, you earn a profit.
It’s a fantastic way to make money with creative designs!
Profit Potential: $50 – $1,000/month.
Related: Top 23 Unsaturated Print-On-Demand Products to Make 6 Figures a Year [Even in 2025 and Beyond]
5) Build a Dropshipping Store
Start an online store without worrying about inventory or shipping.
With dropshipping, you sell products through your website, and suppliers handle the rest.
Once set up, it can generate sales around the clock!
Profit Potential: $200 – $5,000/month.
6) Create a YouTube Channel
If you have a passion for a particular topic, consider starting a YouTube channel.
With engaging content and ad revenue, you can earn money even while you’re asleep.
Monetization through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing can lead to substantial earnings.
Profit Potential: $100 – $10,000/month, depending on views and niche.
Related: How to Start a YouTube Channel to Replace Your Full Time Income
7) Affiliate Marketing
Promote products or services through affiliate marketing on your blog or social media.
Earn commissions on sales generated through your unique referral links.
This is a great way to monetize content you’re already creating!
Profit Potential: $50 – $5,000/month.
Related: 100 Highest Paying Affiliate Companies to Easily Make 6 Figures Plus a Year!
8) Sell Stock Photos
If you have a knack for photography, consider selling your images as stock photos on platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.
Every time someone downloads your photo, you earn a commission.
It’s a great way to make use of your creative talents!
Profit Potential: $100 – $1,000/month.
Related: 15 Lucrative Photography Side Hustles To Turn Your Passion Into Profit!
9) Rent Out a Room on Airbnb
If you have extra space, consider renting it out on Airbnb.
This can turn a dormant room into a source of passive income.
Guests check in and out, while you sit back and relax.
Profit Potential: $500 – $2,000/month, depending on your location and availability.
10) Create a Membership Site
Share exclusive content, resources, or community access through a membership site.
Charge members a recurring fee for access, providing them with value while generating consistent income.
Profit Potential: $200 – $5,000/month.
11) Invest in Real Estate Crowdfunding
Real estate crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest in property projects without the hassle of traditional real estate investing.
You can earn dividends or a share of profits from rental income.
Profit Potential: $100 – $1,500/month.
12) Start a Blog
If you enjoy writing, consider starting a blog.
Monetize through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.
Once you build an audience, your blog can generate income continuously.
Profit Potential: $50 – $10,000/month.
Related: 13 Most In Demand Digital Products for Bloggers to Monetize Their Content Effortlessly
13) License Your Music
Musicians can license their tracks for use in commercials, films, or online videos.
Once licensed, you can earn royalties each time your music is used, creating a recurring income stream.
Profit Potential: $100 – $2,000/month.
14) Create Digital Products
Sell digital products like templates, planners, or printables.
Once created, they can be sold repeatedly without any additional effort.
Etsy and your website are great platforms for this!
Profit Potential: $50 – $3,000/month.
Related: 17 Digital Products that Sell Like Crazy on Etsy
15) Automate an Online Business
Use tools to automate tasks in your online business, such as email marketing or social media management.
This allows you to earn income without constant oversight.
Profit Potential: Varies widely based on the business model.
16) Sell Handmade Crafts on Etsy
If you enjoy crafting, sell your handmade goods on Etsy.
Once you set up your shop, you can earn while you sleep as customers discover your unique creations.
Profit Potential: $100 – $3,000/month.
Related: Best things to sell on Etsy to make money
17) Create and Sell Online Workshops
Conduct workshops in your area of expertise.
Record them and sell the recordings as on-demand courses.
This way, you can earn money from your knowledge even after the workshop is over.
Profit Potential: $200 – $4,000/month.
18) Develop an App
If you have programming skills, consider developing an app.
Once launched, it can generate revenue through ads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions.
With the right idea, an app can be a goldmine!
Profit Potential: $100 – $10,000/month.
19) Sell Your Crafts at Local Markets
Setting up a booth at local craft fairs can help you sell your products while you sleep.
This method of income generation can become passive when you leverage your best-selling items!
Profit Potential: $200 – $2,000/month.
Related: 21 Ridiculously Easy Crafts to Make and Sell to Make $20,000/Month
20) Create a YouTube Subscription Channel
If you have a dedicated audience, consider creating a subscription-based channel on YouTube.
Subscribers pay a monthly fee for exclusive content, providing you with steady income.
Profit Potential: $100 – $5,000/month.
Related: How to Make Serious Money on YouTube: 7+ Income Streams
21) Rent Out Your Stuff
Rent out items you own but don’t use all the time, like tools, camping gear, or cameras, through platforms like Fat Llama.
This is a great way to monetize your possessions without any effort.
Profit Potential: $50 – $500/month.
22) Start a Niche Podcast
Podcasts are growing in popularity.
Once you establish a loyal listener base, you can earn money through sponsorships, ads, and listener donations, all while you catch some Z’s.
Profit Potential: $100 – $5,000/month.
Related: 25 Hobbies That Make Money: Build Your 6 Figure Business!
23) Sell Online Subscriptions
Create subscription boxes or digital content that customers receive monthly.
This recurring revenue model ensures that you’re making money each month, even while you sleep.
Profit Potential: $200 – $10,000/month.
Related: 25 In Demand Subscription Box Ideas to Make $8,000+ a Month From Home
24) Create and Sell Music Licenses
If you create original music, consider licensing it for use in commercials, videos, or podcasts.
This can create a steady income stream without ongoing work.
Profit Potential: $100 – $3,000/month.
25) Invest in Peer-to-Peer Lending
Platforms like LendingClub allow you to lend money to individuals or small businesses.
You earn interest on the money you lend, creating passive income without much effort.
Profit Potential: $50 – $1,500/month.
26) Utilize Cashback Apps
While not traditional passive income, using cashback apps can turn your everyday purchases into savings.
Over time, these savings can add up, providing extra cash flow.
Profit Potential: $50 – $500/month.
27) Create a Personal Finance App
If you have coding skills, consider developing a personal finance app that helps users manage their money.
With the right features, you can charge a subscription fee, creating ongoing income.
Profit Potential: $100 – $5,000/month.
Related: Top 10 Free Courses to Help You Make More Money Online & in Your Career
