Make more Money by Teaching | 7 Passive Income Ideas for Teachers

If you are a teacher looking for more ways to boost your income without sacrificing your time, then passive income sources might just be what you need. 

This article will explore multiple passive income streams that can become a game changer in your teaching career. Passive income sources will allow you to earn money even when you are not actively working, giving you the freedom to focus on your personal life and professional development. 

Create and sell courses

Number one is to create and sell courses. It is one of the most popular and working ways for teachers to generate passive income. 

To get started, you need to follow these steps: 

• Choose the right platform. Select a user-friendly course hosting platform like Uteach.   
  
• Plan your course structure. Create an outline for each of your courses. Make sure to clearly define the topics, objectives, and modules of the course. Also, ensure that the content flows logically. 
• Create the content. Use tools like Canva to design slides, Loom to record videos, and video editing software to put the videos together. 
• Market your course. Use social media, email marketing, and webinars to promote your course. Platforms like Instagram or YouTube are excellent for showcasing sneak peeks or testimonials.

Tips on choosing topics that sell

Creating courses and choosing the right platform is not enough in the current competitive marketplace. To actually make sales, you need to incorporate a few expert recommendations when it comes to selecting topics that generate sales: 

• Identify your expertise and choose a subject you are truly passionate about. 
• Research market demand using tools like Google Trends to find popular topics in your niche. 
• Conduct competitor research and identify topics of courses that are most popular. 
• Solve specific problems and focus on creating a course that solves a particular problem for your audience. For instance, “how to improve site traffic” for business owners. 
• Validate your topic idea by conducting surveys and polls before investing time in the course creation process. 

For instance, Angela Watson created multiple popular courses that concisely generated her passive income. 

She is a creator who focuses on the niche of teaching, providing educators with useful courses ranging from the incorporation of AI tools to the incorporation of best teaching practices for instructional coaches, teachers, and administrators. 

One of the most popular courses she offers is the “40-hour Worksheet for Teachers, Administrator, and Instructional Coaches.” The course was already purchased by over 60,000+ educators. All of them used practices shared within the program to create a sustainable approach to their work. 

Similarly, you can find a niche you are excited about and create valuable courses for that niche. 

Sell eBooks 

Another excellent way for teachers to generate passive income for teachers is to sell eBooks. Ebooks allow you to pack your expertise in one and create resources that benefit others while generating income. 

Tools & platforms for creating and publishing eBooks 

In order to create high-quality courses that sell, you need to use the right tools to ensure the aesthetic of the eBook, high levels of readability, and visual hierarchy. 

So, here are some of our top picks in terms of tools you can use to create eBooks: 

• Canva: Ideal for designing visually appealing eBooks with easy-to-use templates.
• Google Docs/Microsoft Word: Great for drafting and formatting content before exporting to PDF.
• Scrivener: A powerful tool for organizing and writing longer, structured eBooks.

For instance, Ana, the founder of the She Approach, offers a variety of eBooks, which allows her to generate additional revenue. 

Ana has authored and sold multiple eBooks, sharing her expertise in blogging, marketing, and digital product creation. This combination of online courses and eBooks has enabled her to generate passive income and establish herself as an authority in her niche. 

Best practices for marketing and pricing

As far as marketing goes, here is what you need to do: 

• Build an audience. You can use social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to connect with your target audience. Use these platforms to share tips and sneak peeks from your eBooks to generate interest. 
• Create a landing page. Make sure to highlight the features, objectives, and main benefits of the eBook. If you have testimonials from clients, also display those. 
• Leverage email marketing tools. Build a mailing list and offer exclusive discounts or free chapters to subscribers as a preview. 
• Collaborate with influencers. Partner with educators or niche influencers who can promote your eBook to their followers.

Marketing is not enough. Your price point must be good as well. So, here are a few tips when it comes to pricing your eBook. 

First, you must know your audience to set a price that aligns with them. A good eBook generally tends to be anywhere from $10 up to $30. This depends on the niche, audience, length, and value it offers. 

When you decide on the approximate price, you can test it. Start with an introductory offer to encourage early buyers, then gradually increase the price as demand grows. 

Also, you can bundle your eBook with other products, such as worksheets, templates, or video tutorials, to create more value and justify a higher price. 

Related: How to Self-Publish a Book and Make Money: 7 Insider Secrets

Sell your teaching resources 

Another way to make passive income as a teacher is to start selling your teaching resources. From lesson plans to worksheets and creative activities, you can monetize the materials you have already developed. 

For instance, you can use marketplaces such as Teachers Pay Teachers, Etsy, Made By Teachers, and several others. TPT is the most popular on this list, as it allows the sale of lesson plans, activities, assessments, and more. It offers a vast audience of teachers actively seeking resources. 

Finally, do not forget that you can sell your teaching resources on your teaching website by creating a dedicated page for it and promoting it via Google Ads and on different forums. 

License your content 

Make sure to license your content before publishing it. Licensing your content allows you to retain ownership of your work while granting others the right to use it under specific conditions.  

Essentially, it is a legal agreement where you, as a content creator, specify how others can use your resources. This includes permissions for modifying content, personal and commercial use, and content distribution to others. 

So, at the end of the day, licensing will help you protect individual property. 

Besides, individual property protection licensing is also a strategic way of monetizing your work. 

With licensed material, you maintain ownership of your content, yet you can allow others to use, modify, and distribute it under your specific conditions. Typically, it happens in exchange for a certain fee. So, by providing this option, you can create an additional revenue stream. 

Sell audio lessons 

Creating and selling audio lessons is another excellent bet to monetizing your knowledge through passive income. Audio content is very accessible as users can leverage it while doing almost anything, whether driving, washing dishes, or walking. 

Physical tools that you need to create sealable audio lessons include: 

Microphones: Invest in a good-quality microphone like the Blue Yeti or Rode NT-USB to ensure clear and professional audio.

• Pop Filters: Use a pop filter to eliminate harsh plosive sounds (like “p” or “b”) for smoother recordings.
• Headphones: Choose closed-back headphones (e.g., Audio-Technica ATH-M50x) to monitor your audio during recording.

When it comes to editing software, you need a high-quality tool to handle the lessons. In fact, good software can eliminate the need to get pop filters and very advanced technology as it may allow for the efficient elimination of background noise and other sounds. 

Some good tools are: 

• Audacity. A free, beginner-friendly tool for recording and editing audio with features like noise reduction and equalization.
• Adobe Audition. A premium tool for advanced users, offering features like multitrack editing and audio restoration.
• Descript. Combines audio editing with transcription, making it easy to refine and edit your lessons.

As a bonus, here are a few content ideas for you: 

• Instagram Growth Hacks for Small Businesses
• How to Write the Perfect Online Dating Profile
• Decoding Body Language on a First Date
• Building Confidence for Dating Success
• Daily Affirmations to Boost Self-Esteem
• Overcoming Negative Self-Talk in 7 Steps
• Journaling for Self-Discovery and Growth. 

Make sure it is easy to be consumed as audio content and does not really require note-taking. 

Become an affiliate partner  

Affiliate marketing allows you to warm commissions by promoting products or services.  It is a great way for you to generate passive income by using your influence and expertise. 

You as an affiliate partner 

You can partner up with other creators or relevant businesses in your niche that offer affiliate programs. 

For instance, if you are offering a course, “How to Become a YouTube Creator,” you can offer links to relevant cameras, microphones, and editing software students can purchase or download. These links can also be affiliate links that can bring you income with each purchase a person makes following your link. 

The products can be linked via Amazon (join their affiliate program first). For the software you offer, research those that offer affiliate partnerships or reach out to the relevant partners asking for affiliate links. 

Your own affiliate program 

Besides becoming an affiliate partner yourself, also offer an affiliate program. In a similar way, others can recommend your digital products and courses on their platforms, gaining percentages from sales. 

Start a membership website

Creating a membership website can be a great way for you to build a dedicated community around their content. A membership website will help you generate recurring revenue and share exclusive resources and insights with members.

Examples of exclusive content you can share include: 

• Monthly Webinars and Q&A Sessions
• Resource Library 
• Video tutorials 
• Exclusive discounts and offers 
• Live discussion hours 
• Private discussion groups for the members
• Access to exclusive content 
• And more. 

You can start a membership site by choosing a good platform for course creators, such as Uteach. It provides a drag-and-drop course builder, making it easy to organize lessons, upload videos, add quizzes, and manage content flow. 

With Uteach, you can offer multiple membership tiers to provide different levels of access to content. 

An example of a successful course creator who has built a thriving membership site is Ali Abdaal. Ali is a former doctor turned productivity expert and educator who offers courses on various topics, including productivity, video editing, and business. His membership site currently features over 230k+ subscribers. 

This membership model allows Ali to consistently generate recurring revenue via the membership site. 

Related: How To Build Memberships to Support Your Course Business

Make an extra $1000 your first month with Uteach

If you are looking for the perfect way to start making passive income as a course curator, then you are in the right place. Uteach is a robust all-in-one solution for teachers, coaches, and course creators that offers every necessary feature to monetize your skills. 

Whether it is creating and selling online courses, running live sessions, or selling digital products on your own website, Uteach has you covered. 

So, if you are ready to make an extra $1000 and even more a month, we will help you achieve your goals. Schedule a free demo with us to find out more about our offerings.