Best Passive Income Ideas for Coaches and Creators
When I first became a coach and content creator, I was always trading my time for money. I thought the only way to earn more was to work more hours. But the truth is, that approach leads straight to burnout.
The solution? Building passive income streams that generate money even when you’re not actively working. Passive income isn’t “set it and forget it,” but once you build the right systems, you can create consistent revenue that gives you freedom and scalability.
Here are the best passive income ideas for coaches and creators that I’ve personally used or seen work for others.
Table of Contents
1. Build a Paid Community
One of the most powerful ways I’ve created recurring income is by building a paid online community. Instead of selling one-off products, you create a space where people pay monthly for access to you, your expertise, and the community itself.
I use Skool to host mine. It’s an all-in-one platform that gives me a community feed, classroom for lessons, calendar for live events, and Stripe payments all in one clean interface.
This single idea changed everything for me because it created predictable recurring income without me launching constantly.
2. Sell Evergreen Digital Products
As a coach or creator, you likely have knowledge that others would pay for. Package it into evergreen digital products like eBooks, workbooks, or templates.
The key is to create products that solve a specific problem. Once the product is done, you can sell it 24/7 through your website or platforms like Gumroad.
I started with simple templates and grew from there. It’s one of the easiest ways to earn passive income.
3. Offer Pre-Recorded Courses
Live courses can be exhausting, but pre-recorded online courses can sell on autopilot. Record once, then offer access anytime.
I host my courses directly inside Skool’s classroom feature, so I don’t need an external course platform. Students can access all my training and engage with the community in one place, which increases completion rates and retention.
4. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you promote products you use and trust, and you earn a commission when someone buys through your link.
I do this with Skool and other tools I recommend to my audience. If you’re already talking about the software or resources you use, why not earn extra income from it?
The best part? Once your content is live, affiliate links can generate income passively for years.
5. Membership Sites
Memberships work well for creators because they let you drip content each month and keep members engaged. This model pairs perfectly with coaching programs or exclusive communities.
I run my membership site using Skool because I can host the entire experience — from lessons to live Q&As — without needing 5 different tools.
6. Automated Workshops or Challenges
If you’ve ever hosted a successful workshop or challenge, you can turn it into an evergreen automated version.
Pre-record the sessions, set up an automated delivery system, and charge a small fee for access. This works great as a way to introduce new people to your larger offers.
7. Create a Resource Library
Bundle your best trainings, checklists, and templates into a digital resource library that people can subscribe to monthly.
I’ve seen coaches grow a steady income this way because the library becomes more valuable as it grows. Using Skool, you can house everything neatly in the classroom and community space.
8. Launch a Paid Newsletter
If you enjoy writing, a paid newsletter is a great passive income idea. You can use platforms like Substack or Beehiiv to manage subscriptions and publish exclusive content your audience will pay for.
Combine this with affiliate links and you’ll see the income grow even faster.
Why Passive Income Matters for Coaches and Creators
If you’re always in 1:1 sessions or live calls, your income is capped by your time. But with passive income streams, you build assets that work for you even when you’re not online.
The secret is starting small. I started with just one Skool community, then added a few evergreen products, then affiliate links. Over time, these layers built a sustainable income that didn’t depend on me working all the time.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to implement all of these at once. Pick one or two passive income ideas, set them up, and let them grow.
For me, building a paid community was the game-changer. Skool made it simple, and it’s still my #1 recommendation for coaches and creators who want to start generating recurring revenue.
If you want freedom, scalability, and a business that doesn’t depend solely on your time, passive income is the way forward.
One of the biggest mistakes I made in the beginning was trying to build multiple passive income streams at once. I spread myself too thin and didn’t see results. My advice is to start with one idea, master it, and then add more. For me, that first idea was building a paid community.
If you want to build a paid community, you’ll need a platform that’s designed for it. That’s why I use Skool. It handles everything in one place: your community feed, classroom for lessons, live events, and Stripe payments. You don’t need a website or any complicated tech.
Here’s what I recommend you do: go to Skool and sign up here. Set up your group name, upload a welcome message, and add a simple piece of content. Don’t overthink it. Just get it started.
Once your group is live, invite your warmest leads first — friends, followers, or past clients. Offer them a founding member price, even if it’s just $29/month. Those first 10–20 members will give you the feedback and testimonials you need to grow.
As your group grows, you can layer in other passive income ideas like affiliate marketing or evergreen digital products. The beauty of a community is that it gives you a built-in audience that’s already interested in your solutions.
Another tip: don’t undervalue your expertise. Coaches and creators often undercharge because they’re used to giving away content for free. Remember, people aren’t just paying for information — they’re paying for access, clarity, and transformation.
If you’re worried about engagement, Skool makes it simple. The leaderboard system encourages friendly competition, and the integrated calendar makes sure members never miss a live call or training. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — the platform does the work for you.
Here’s exactly what to do next: go to Skool’s sign-up page here, create your account, and launch your first paid group. Even if you only get a handful of members at the start, you’ll already be on your way to recurring revenue.
Once you have a steady base, expand into evergreen courses or digital products. Record a training or template pack once, and sell it forever. And remember — you can host all of this inside your Skool community, so everything is under one roof.
The reason I’m pushing you to start today is because I wasted years overthinking. If I had just launched my first group when I had the idea, I’d be years ahead. Don’t make that mistake. Start now, refine later.
Your business doesn’t have to be dependent on endless client sessions or daily social media. With passive income, you can build a business that works even when you’re not online.
So here’s the challenge: sign up for Skool here, launch your first paid community this week, and start building your passive income. This one step could change your entire business model — just like it did for me.