With the rise of the gig economy and remote work, more and more people are looking for ways to generate passive income to supplement their primary source of income.

But what exactly is passive income, and how can you achieve it?

In this article, we will examine this concept in a bit more detail, as well as highlight five popular ways to generate passive income to achieve your financial goals.

So, let’s get into it!

What is a passive income?

Passive income is a type of income that is earned without active ongoing involvement in the process.

Essentially, it is money earned through investments or other ventures that require minimal effort to maintain once they have been set up. 

The idea behind passive income is to build a stream of revenue that continues to generate earnings over time without requiring constant work or effort. Effectively, it allows you to make money while you sleep.

Over time, passive income can be an effective way to supplement or replace a traditional job income and provide yourself with financial security and independence.

However, it is important to remember that creating passive income streams often requires significant initial effort and investment.

5 Passive Income Streams

Having a profitable passive income stream to give you more disposable income sounds good, doesn’t it?

But how can you make it happen? Well, there are many ways to do it. However, here are five of the most popular methods people use.

1. Rental Properties

Investing in rental properties is a popular way to generate passive income. It involves purchasing a property and renting it out to tenants who pay rent each month. The income you earn from rent can provide a steady source of passive income if it exceeds the running costs associated with its ownership.

However, before you invest in rental properties, it’s important to do your research and understand the market. You’ll need to calculate the potential income you can earn from the property, as well as 

the expenses involved in maintaining it.

You’ll also need to hire a property manager or real estate agency to run it for you and find reliable tenants to stay in it.

2. Dividend Stocks

Dividend stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that pay regular dividends to their shareholders.

Essentially, dividends are a portion of the company’s earnings that are distributed to shareholders. So, investing in dividend stocks can provide a reliable source of passive income, as you earn income from them without having to sell your shares.

When choosing dividend stocks to invest in, it’s important to research the company’s financial health and dividend history. Look for companies with a track record of consistently paying dividends and a strong financial position.

You can invest in individual dividend stocks or through dividend-focused mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

While dividend stocks can provide a reliable source of passive income, it’s important to remember that the stock market can be volatile.

Thus, to maximize its profitability, you will need to monitor your investments and make regular adjustments, as required, to ensure your portfolio remains balanced and aligned with your financial goals.

3. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is another popular way to generate passive income.

Typically, it involves promoting products or services on behalf of a company and earning a commission on any sales made through your unique affiliate link.

To get started with affiliate marketing and make a passive income, you will need to select a niche that you’re passionate about. This can be anything from fitness to technology, just as long as it has a market for products or services that you can promote as an affiliate.

Having identified your niche, you will then need to look for relevant affiliate programs to join. Some of the most popular include Amazon Associates, Booking.com, Shopify, and eBay.

Once you have signed up for the affiliate program you then need to create valuable content on a website, blog, or social media channels that promote the products or services you’re affiliated with. This can be in the form of reviews, tutorials, or comparison articles.

To increase your chances of generating a passive income you will need to use SEO, social media, and other marketing channels to drive traffic to your content and affiliate links. The more traffic you can generate, the higher your chances of making sales and earning commissions.

Although affiliate marketing can be a lucrative source of passive income, it does require effort and persistence to build a successful affiliate business. It is also worth monitoring and optimizing your content and marketing efforts to further maximize your earnings.

4. Allow advertising on your car

Advertising on your car is a unique and innovative way to generate passive income. By placing ads on your car, you can earn money for simply driving around as you normally would. 

If you like driving, and in particular, going on road trips, advertising on the outside of your car can be a fun and easy way to earn passive income. It is also relatively straightforward to get started.

First, find a reputable car advertising company that offers campaigns that fit your preferences and needs. (One of the most popular in New Zealand is CarAds). Then, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, such as having a car that meets certain criteria and a good driving record.

Once you’ve applied and been accepted, the company will install the ads on your car and you can start driving as usual. You may be required to drive a certain number of miles or park in a specific location to maximize exposure, but there are typically no other requirements. 

Generally, car advertising companies pay a set rate per mile driven or a monthly fee, depending on the specific campaign. While the amount you can earn varies, it can be quite a good way to make extra money.

5. Buy a local business

Buying an existing business is another way to generate passive income.

By acquiring a business that is already established, you can start earning income right away without having to build it from scratch.

This method of passive income requires more upfront investment and effort compared to some of the other options, but it can also offer higher returns.

To buy an existing business, you’ll need to do your research to find one that fits your budget, skills, and interests.

Once you’ve found a suitable business, you’ll need to negotiate a purchase price, conduct due diligence to ensure the business is financially stable and has growth potential, and secure financing if necessary. 

After acquiring the business, you can hire a manager to run the day-to-day operations or work with the existing staff to manage the business. You can also introduce cost-saving measures and new technologies such as Smartpay that will improve efficiency and potentially increase sales too.

While owning a business can require some effort and involvement, it can also provide a significant source of passive income over time. Overall, the income you generate will depend on the size and profitability of the business. But it can be a great way to build long-term wealth and financial security.