How to make $10k a month: 26 ways to grow your income

Now more than ever, people are pursuing the dream of financial freedom. It may seem impossible to attain, but what if we told you this dream is well within your reach? For many, the idea of making $10,000 a month is appealing but unrealistic. Guess what—if you’re willing to explore various income streams, dedicate yourself in every way, and implement the right strategies, this goal is entirely achievable. 

In this article, we will share some tips on how to make $10,000 a month and how to choose the right business model for your income goals. Whether you’re looking to supplement your current income or completely transform your financial situation, these ideas offer a variety of paths to reaching your $10,000 monthly target.

Main takeaways from this article:

• Making $10,000 a month is possible through diverse online strategies, including freelancing, digital products, ecommerce, and passive income streams.
• Selecting the right business model depends on a thorough evaluation of your available time, existing skills, startup budget, income potential, long-term scalability, personal interests, target audience, marketing strengths, and the possibility of multiple income streams.
• Strategic use of the right tools is essential for simplifying operations and scaling income-generating activities across various online business models.
• Monetizing website traffic is a key component of growing online income, and platforms like GetResponse offer integrated tools for email marketing, landing pages, and automation to facilitate this process.

Is it realistic to make $10k a month?

Earning $10,000 a month is realistic with a clear plan and a willingness to work. Many entrepreneurs achieve this income level by leveraging their skills and resources to start freelancing, online businesses, and investments. It takes unwavering commitment, continuous learning, and a degree of risk, but the key is to choose a method that aligns with your skills and interests and then dedicate yourself to building it.

Top 26 ways to make $10,000 a month: How to earn passive income

There are many different paths you can take to reach your financial goal of generating $10K a month in income. To help you on your way, we’ve put together a list of 26 effective methods. 

1. Freelance writing

Freelance writing is a booming industry. Some freelancers generate six-figure incomes with their writing skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 4% growth in employment opportunities for writers and authors between 2021 and 2031, signaling a positive trend for the industry.

While most freelancers charge by the project, you can charge by the project, the word count, or the hour, depending on the scope of work. According to Jasper, freelance writers charge between $50 and $1500 per long-form article, and copywriters quote between $1000 and $7000 per project.

Source: ashleyrcummings.com

2. Graphic design

Graphic designers create visual concepts that inspire and captivate audiences. If you have an eye for design, consider offering your graphic design skills. Data indicates that the graphic design industry can generate substantial income. According to recent research, the graphic design market is booming and is expected to reach a whopping $78.25 billion by 2030.

Source: Next Move Strategy Consulting

3. Video editing or content production

With the explosion of video content in the last decade, expertise in video editing is highly sought after. Content creators are willing to make big investments in top-notch editing services, recognizing the value it adds to their work and engagement with their audiences.

4. Virtual assistant services

Many entrepreneurs and businesses seek virtual assistants for administrative support. This role can involve everything from scheduling and email management to social media engagement, providing a flexible income stream. On average, virtual assistants in the United States earn between $15 and $30 per hour. 

5. Sell digital products

Selling digital products involves creating and distributing items such as eBooks, printables, software, or stock photos. Once developed, these products can be sold multiple times with minimal additional effort. 

Platforms like Etsy and Gumroad facilitate selling, allowing creators to generate passive income while reaching a global audience without the need for inventory management.

6. Sell online courses

Fueled by a global valuation of $227.34 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $740.46 billion by 2032, the expanding e-learning market offers a powerful dual opportunity: working professionals can enhance their skills through online courses, while those with expertise can tap into this demand by creating and selling their own educational content.

Professional instructors and those interested in sharing their knowledge can create and market valuable video and textual lessons or educational content using popular platforms like Udemy or Teachable.

7. Start a subscription-based newsletter

A subscription-based newsletter offers exclusive content to subscribers for a recurring fee. This model allows creators to provide in-depth insights, industry analysis, or specialized knowledge while building a loyal audience. Platforms like Substack make it easy to manage subscriptions and payments, enabling consistent income and engaging reader communities over time.

8. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves helping sell products or services from other companies. When someone buys something via a shared special link, the marketer earns a commission. As Hostinger reported, the global affiliate marketing industry is valued at $18.5 billion and is projected to grow to $31.7 billion by 2031.

Source: Hostinger

Marketers can write blog posts or create and run social media campaigns to highlight these products. This income stream requires minimal investment, making it an attractive option for individuals seeking to monetize their online presence.

9. Run a print-on-demand store

A print-on-demand store allows you to create and sell custom-designed merchandise without holding inventory. The rising demand for personalized products is a key factor in the growth of the POD market. As reported by Printful, 81% of consumers say they prefer to buy from companies that provide personalized experiences.

Source: Printful

Here’s how this business model works: When a customer purchases an item, the POD store owner sends it to their partner third-party service to print and ship it directly. This model minimizes startup costs and risks associated with unsold stock, enabling artists and small business owners to capitalize on their designs while focusing on marketing and brand development.

10. Launch an ecommerce business

Launching an ecommerce business involves selling products directly to consumers via an online platform. Entrepreneurs can choose to sell physical goods, digital products, or a mix of both, utilizing platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. This income stream offers great potential for scalability, with options for dropshipping, handling inventory, or establishing a subscription model for recurring revenue.

11. Start an Etsy shop

In the world of online shopping, Etsy has emerged as a key ecommerce player in recent years! Did you know that 97% of Etsy sellers operate their shops from home? This means that you can run your shop from the comfort of your couch!

Source: Statista

Starting an Etsy shop will allow you to sell handmade, vintage, or unique items to a global audience. This platform caters to art and craft enthusiasts, providing an easy way to showcase and market creations while connecting with like-minded buyers who appreciate artisan goods.

12. Start an Amazon FBA business

Ever thought about starting your own ecommerce business? Amazon is the best place to sell products if you don’t have the time to take care of things like shipping and customer service. If you use their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, you don’t even have to worry about storage. Amazon can handle it all for you!

Source: Amazon

The FBA process is simple: You source products, send them to Amazon’s warehouses, and receive a portion of the sales, allowing for greater scalability and exposure.

13. Launch a coaching or consulting business

A coaching or consulting business leverages your expertise to provide personalized guidance to individuals or organizations. By offering your knowledge in areas like business, health, or career development, you can charge clients hourly rates or package services, creating a lucrative income stream with flexible working arrangements.

14. Run a paid membership site

Paid membership sites provide members with access to exclusive content, resources, or communities for a recurring fee. This model works well because members pay in advance, creating a steady source of income. It also allows you to build a loyal user base as members will get something in return for their money.

15. Create and sell Canva templates

Creating Canva templates makes designing customizable graphics simple for your customers and they can be used for social media visuals, work presentations, marketing materials, and more. Since its launch in 2013, Canva has seen more than 30 billion designs created by users, highlighting its popularity as a tool for graphics, presentations, and videos, thanks to its extensive range of built-in templates.

Source: Canva

Once created, you can sell your templates on platforms like Etsy or Creative Market. This is a massive opportunity for design professionals and enthusiasts to earn passive income while helping others enhance their visual content.

16. Build a niche blog with monetization

Creating a niche blog focuses on a specific topic or industry and drives traffic through valuable content that delivers value unmatched by other generic content floating on the Internet. By implementing monetization strategies such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or ads and using analytics tools, bloggers can create multiple income streams and monitor the revenue generated through each one. This model requires consistent effort but can lead to substantial financial rewards over time.

Source: Semrush

17. Offer search engine optimization (SEO) or digital marketing services

If you have a knack for getting businesses noticed online, offering SEO or digital marketing services can be a lucrative income stream.

Source: Created using ChatGPT with info sourced from Digital Marketing Institute

By optimizing websites, creating engaging content, and managing ad campaigns, you can help clients increase their online visibility and drive traffic, all while building long-lasting professional relationships.

18. Host paid webinars or workshops

Hosting paid webinars or workshops is a fantastic way to share your expertise and generate income. Webinars often get confused with webcasts; here are the key differences.  

Source: Meeting Tomorrow

By creating valuable, engaging content in your webinar, you attract participants eager to learn. This format allows for interactive discussions and the opportunity to network, making it a rewarding experience for both you and your audience.

Not sure how to create a webinar? Follow this eight-step guide:

Source: Zoho Webinar

19. Monetize a YouTube channel or podcast

If you enjoy creating video or audio content, platforms like YouTube and podcast directories may be a great fit.. Monetizing a YouTube channel or podcast can help you generate income through engaging content that attracts an audience. This includes running ads, securing sponsorships, selling merchandise, or offering premium content to your dedicated viewers or listeners. 

20. Develop and sell a SaaS or no-code tool

If you have an idea for a useful software-as-a-service (SaaS) product or can build an innovative solution using no-code tools to solve a specific problem for people or businesses, you could generate recurring revenue by offering it as a paid subscription. It’s a fantastic way to leverage technology while offering real value to your customers!

21. License your stock photography or footage

Licensing your stock photography or footage is a smart way to earn passive income from your visual creations. By uploading high-quality images or videos to platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, you allow businesses and creators to use your work while you receive royalties. This income stream can grow as your portfolio expands and gains visibility.

22. Offer resume writing or LinkedIn optimization

A strong professional presence is crucial in such an impacted job market. If you have a talent for creating compelling narratives, offering resume writing or LinkedIn optimization services can be a rewarding avenue.

Source: LinkedIn

Many job seekers struggle to showcase their skills effectively, and your expertise can help them stand out. You could write crisp resumes that highlight their skills and experience, and help them optimize their LinkedIn profiles to enhance their visibility to potential employers.

23. Launch an online store for digital downloads

Similar to selling individual digital products, create a dedicated online store to offer a variety of downloadable items. This could include templates, guides, printables, software, or creative assets. Having your own storefront allows for more control over branding and customer experience.

24. Run Facebook or Google Ads for clients

Businesses are always looking for effective ways to reach their target customers online. According to Statista, the global digital advertising spend will be $513 billion this year and reach $600 billion by 2027.

If you have expertise in managing paid advertising campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Google, you can offer your services to help them achieve their marketing goals, from increasing website traffic to generating leads and sales.

25. Sell products via email marketing

Email marketing has an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent, and selling products via email marketing is a powerful way to generate sales by directly reaching your customers’ inboxes.

By building a targeted email list and creating compelling, personalized content, you can engage your audience and drive conversions. This approach fosters customer loyalty while providing measurable results that can enhance your overall marketing strategy.

26. Offer social media management services

Social media is a must-have for marketing for many businesses, creating a consistent demand for skilled social media managers. You could manage a business’s online presence, create content, interact with its audience, and implement strategies to grow its brand and achieve its marketing objectives across various social media platforms.

How to choose the right business model for your income goals

The right business model can help you achieve your income goals. Here are some essential factors to consider when making a selection:

1. Assess your available time

Everyone has a different amount of time they can dedicate to a new venture. It’s wise to take a good look at your current schedule and commitments.

Are you looking for something you can do in your spare time, or are you aiming for a full-time pursuit? Understanding your time constraints will significantly narrow down which business models are actually feasible for you to manage effectively.

2. Start with your existing skills

Think about what you’re already good at. What kind of knowledge, talents, or experiences do you have? Leveraging your skillset can give you a head start. It not only reduces the learning curve but also allows you to offer value from day one.

Exploring business models that align with your strengths can often lead to quicker progress and a higher likelihood of success.

3. Consider your startup budget

Money matters, right? Some business models require a huge financial investment upfront, while others can be started with very little capital. It’s important to be honest about how much you’re willing and able to invest.

Your assessment should include not just money for tools and resources, but you also need a reserve for unexpected initial losses. Choosing a model that aligns with your current financial situation will prevent unnecessary stress down the line.

4. Evaluate income potential vs. effort

This is where you weigh the potential rewards against the scope of work involved in the new venture. Some models might offer high earning potential but demand a substantial amount of effort, especially in the initial stages.

Others might be less demanding in terms of time and energy but have a more gradual income growth. You need to strike a balance between the number of hours you want to work and the money you want to make.

5. Think about long-term scalability

Where do you see yourself and your business in the future? Some business models have inherent limitations in terms of how much they can grow, while others have the potential for significant expansion.

Thinking about a model’s scalability is important if your goal is to build something substantial and increase your income over time. Consider whether the model allows you to reach a larger audience, automate processes, or diversify your offerings.

6. Align with your personal interests and values

You’re more likely to stick with something and put in the effort if you actually enjoy it. Choosing a business model in line with your personal interests and values can make the journey much more fulfilling and sustainable.

If you’re passionate about photography, exploring opportunities to license your stock photography work might feel more natural and engaging than managing Facebook ads for a product you don’t connect with. When your work aligns with what you care about, it often translates to more authentic engagement and better results.

7. Understand your target audience

Knowing your target customer or client is absolutely essential, no matter what business model you choose. If you decide to sell online courses, you should have a clear understanding of who would be interested in learning from you, what their needs and pain points are, and where they spend their time online.

If you’re offering virtual assistant services, you need to identify the types of professionals or businesses that would benefit from your support and tailor your services to their specific requirements. Understanding your audience informs everything from your offerings to your marketing efforts.

8. Match the model to your marketing strengths

How do you connect with people or promote things? Are you a whiz at social media operations, do you enjoy writing, or are you comfortable with customer outreach? Different business models lend themselves better to certain marketing approaches.

If you’re a natural writer, starting a subscription-based newsletter or building a niche blog and monetizing it might play to your strengths. If you’re visually creative, running a print-on-demand store could be a better fit. Choosing a model that aligns with your existing marketing skills can make it easier to attract customers and grow your income.

9. Choose a model that supports multiple income streams

Opting for a business model that allows you to layer in different ways to earn can provide more stability and increase your overall income potential.

For example, if you build a niche blog with monetization, you could earn through advertising, affiliate marketing, selling your own digital products, or even offering coaching services related to your blog’s topic. If you have a YouTube channel or podcast, you could supplement ad revenue with sponsorships, merchandise sales, or membership tiers. Having multiple income streams cushions you against fluctuations in any single source.

10. Use the right tools to simplify and scale

There’s a wealth of tools available to streamline workflows and expand your reach. Whether you’re looking to manage your ecommerce business with platforms like Shopify, automate your email marketing using online services like GetResponse, or organize your freelance projects, leveraging the right tech tools can save you time, help you scale your operations more efficiently, and free you up to focus on higher-level tasks.

Monetize website traffic and grow your income with GetResponse

If you’re serious about boosting your income and reaching that $10k a month mark, there are multiple avenues you can explore—from flexing your freelance skills to creating digital products and building online businesses. The trick is to find what aligns with your skills and interests, and then put in the work to make it happen.

Once your venture takes off, you will need to establish and eventually grow your online presence. That’s where GetResponse comes in handy. Our all-in-one marketing automation platform is designed to help you establish a solid online presence and efficiently monetize your website traffic.

With a full suite of powerful tools, you can create stunning websites and landing pages that capture your audience’s attention and interest. The platform’s robust email marketing capabilities allow you to easily design email campaigns to engage your audience, drive web traffic, and convert leads into paying customers. The platform also offers tools for hosting webinars, providing a streamlined approach to grow your subscriber base and build lasting relationships with potential customers.

We don’t just offer tools to help you connect with your audience and generate and nurture leads, but also advanced analytics that give you insightful data and enable you to fine-tune your strategies to boost your revenue. 

Try GetResponse’s tools for free—sign up today!

FAQs

How to make 10k a month in 2025?

From freelancing, marketing, and graphic design to online coaching, social media, and webinars, there’s ample opportunity to make $10,000 a month in passive income. It’s important to stay up-to-date on technological advances and market trends and adapt your business ideas and strategies accordingly.

Which side hustle brings in the most money?

Freelancing, particularly in high-demand skills like software development, digital marketing, or specialized consulting, holds great potential in helping you make money online. The key is to identify sectors where your strengths align with market needs.

How much should I invest to generate $10,000 in monthly income?

The investment requirements will depend on your chosen income stream. Some options, like freelancing, require minimal financial investment but a significant time commitment. Others, like ecommerce, may require a larger upfront investment in inventory and marketing.