23+ Best Ways To Make Money While You Sleep (2024)

I think we can all agree that the idea of making money while you're nestled comfortably in your bed, lost in dreamland, sounds like a distant fantasy. It's the ultimate goal, isn't it?

To wake up a little richer every morning, not because you traded hours for dollars the previous day, but because you've set up streams of income that flow in, even as you snooze.

I promise this isn't just a pipe dream.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20% of American families make about $4,200 a year from things like stocks, savings account interest, or money from renting out property. [1]

In this article, I'll walk you through practical, tried-and-tested ways to make money while you sleep.

Let's dive in and start working smarter, not harder.

27 Best Ways To Make Money While You Sleep

1. Start an AI Blogging

Starting an AI blogging side hustle can be a game-changer for making passive income.

How? Well, affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to start. You can recommend products you trust and use, and when your readers purchase through your links, you get a commission.

It's a win-win; you provide valuable information, and you earn for doing so.

But it doesn't stop there. As your blog gains traction, you can build an email list. This list becomes your direct line to your audience, allowing you to share content, updates, and promotions.

It's a powerful tool for building relationships and trust, which, in turn, can lead to more affiliate sales.

And let's not forget about ads. Once your blog has steady visitors, you can monetize your site with ads with networks like Mediavine or Ezoic.

Companies will pay to have their products and services displayed to your audience.

It's a straightforward way to earn money, as your blog does the heavy lifting, attracting and engaging your readers while you focus on creating great content.

You can kick off with tools like ChatGPT. It's as simple as feeding it a prompt, and you have a draft.

I've put together a detailed guide that walks you through writing a blog post with ChatGPT step by step.

But if you're pressed for time and looking for something even quicker, there's an option like SEOwriting AI.

It's a one-click blog post generator that can draft articles for you in a snap.

Just remember, while these tools are incredibly helpful, it's crucial to add your personal touch.

Take a moment to edit and infuse your voice into the content to make it uniquely yours. This way, you maintain authenticity while leveraging the efficiency of AI.

2. Create an Online Course

Creating an online course might sound daunting, but it's actually a fantastic way to share your expertise and could earn you a steady income.

Let's say you're skilled in a particular area—photography, baking, or even mindfulness.

You can take that knowledge and craft a course that teaches others your tricks of the trade.

The beauty of an online course is that you create it once, and it has the potential to generate income over and over again each time someone new signs up.

Now, you might be wondering about the technical side of things.

Don't worry; you don't need to be a computer genius to get your course up and running. AI course generators like Coursebox.ai (My review here) are here to help.

These tools assist you in breaking down your knowledge into clear, engaging lessons.

They can even help you with quizzes and interactive content to keep your students hooked. All you need to do is provide valuable content, and the AI course generator handles the formatting and structure.

Once your course is polished and ready, it's all about making it available to your audience, starting to market it, and earning money.

3. Write and Sell eBooks

Have you ever thought about sharing your stories or expertise in a book? Writing and selling eBooks could be your ticket to making money passively.

You write an eBook about something you're passionate about or know a lot about. It could be a guide on how to start a garden, a collection of your favorite recipes, or even a novel you've been dreaming up.

Once your eBook is written, you put it up for sale online on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or Barnes & Noble Press.

Now, every time someone is looking for information or a good read, and they make a purchase, you earn money.

The best part is that you don't have to be there to make the sale. Whether you're out for a walk, catching up on sleep, or busy with other projects, your eBook is out there, available to anyone anytime.

This means you could earn money passively, even when you're not actively working on it.

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a straightforward way to start earning money with a minimum investment, and you don't even need a blog to get started.

You find products you love and would recommend anyway, and you get a special link for them—these are your affiliate links.

Now, take those links and share them where people are always on the lookout for recommendations—like Pinterest.

Here's how it works: you create attractive pins that catch the eye, add your affiliate links to them, and when someone clicks through and buys something, you earn a commission.

It's that simple. You don't have to spend a dime on inventory or worry about customer service.

All you need is a good eye for what people want and a knack for creating resonating pins. Start pinning, start earning—it's a low-risk way to dip your toes into online income.

My recommended Pinterest tools for marketing pins on Pinterest are:

• Pin Inspector (My review here): for doing keyword research
• Canva: for designing click-worthy pins
• Tailwind: for scheduling your pins

5. Invest in Dividend-Paying Stocks

Dividend-paying stocks are stocks from companies that pay out a portion of their earnings to shareholders, and that's where you come in.

When you own these stocks, you get paid regularly, and these payments often continue to come in even if the stock market dips because they're not solely based on the stock's price but on the company's performance.

Now, you might be thinking about the interest rate you get from a savings account, and here's the deal: dividend yields from stocks can be much higher.

This means your potential to earn from dividends could be more significant than what you'd get from interest in a bank.

Of course, there's risk involved, as with any investment, but if you do your homework and invest wisely, those dividend payments can become a reliable source of income.

It's a way to potentially grow your wealth over time and earn money while you focus on other things in life.

6. Real Estate Crowdfunding

Real estate crowdfunding is a pretty neat way to get into the property game without buying a whole building yourself.

Think of it as joining a group of friends to buy a big, fancy gift, but in this case, the gift is a piece of real estate, and your friends are investors from all over the internet.

You chip in a bit of money alongside others and invest in properties that none of you could afford alone.

Here's the cool part: You get a slice of the pie when those properties earn money, maybe from rent or when they're sold for a profit. You don't have to deal with tenants, fix leaky faucets, or even visit the property.

You're basically letting your money own a piece of the real estate market. And as the property value grows or generates income, so does your investment.

It's a hands-off approach to real estate that can add a new layer to your income strategy.

7. Rental Properties

Rental properties are a classic way to build passive income. It's all about finding a place that people want to live in, buying it, and then renting it out.

When you invest your money in a rental property, you're setting up a system where every month, like clockwork, your tenants pay you rent.

That rent can cover your mortgage, property taxes, and maybe leave a little extra for you as profit.

Sure, being a landlord comes with responsibilities—you'll need to maintain the property and be there for your tenants when they need you. But the financial rewards can be significant.

Over time, as you pay down the mortgage, you build equity in the property, and your income can increase. Plus, if the property's value goes up, so does your investment.

It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but with some smart choices and a bit of effort, rental properties can be a solid step towards financial freedom.

8. Develop a Mobile App

Developing a mobile app is a great way to earn money, especially if your app helps people solve problems or offers them entertainment they can't resist.

The key is to design an app that people will want to use and then monetize through purchases or ads.

Once your app hits the market and users start to download it, you have the potential to make money overnight.

While you're tucked in bed, someone on the other side of the world could interact with your app, and if they decide to make a purchase or click on an ad, you're earning.

It's a powerful feeling to wake up and see that your app has generated income while you are dreaming away.

Sure, it takes effort to get there, but the reward of creating an app that both provides value and generates income can be well worth it.

9. Automated YouTube Channel

Starting an automated YouTube channel can be a smart move if you're looking to earn passive income.

Here's the deal: you use AI to help generate content for your channel. This could be anything from creating scripts for videos to helping edit footage or even coming up with new ideas for content.

Once your videos are up and running, they can make money for you through ads.

Every time someone watches your videos and sees those ads, you could earn some cash. And the more people watch, the more you earn.

The beauty of an automated YouTube channel is that once your videos are live, they can keep making money without you having to do much more.

Your channel works for you day and night, and all those views add up to a steady income stream. It's not instant, and it'll take some work to set up, but once it's going, it can be a pretty sweet way to make money while you focus on other things.

10. License Your Photos

If you've got a knack for taking great photos, licensing your images is a simple way to earn some extra cash.

Here's how it works: you upload your photos to a stock photo website where people can pay to use them. This could be businesses, bloggers, or even publishers looking for the perfect image for their next project. You get paid a fee every time someone chooses one of your pictures.

You don't have to be a professional photographer, either. Maybe you have some amazing travel shots or cool nature photos.

As long as your images are high-quality and appealing, there's a chance someone out there will want to use them.

The best part is, that once your photos are uploaded and available for licensing, they can be sold over and over again, making you money without any extra effort on your part.

It's a great way to turn your hobby into a passive income stream.

11. Create a Podcast

Starting a podcast can be a fun and rewarding way to share your passions or expertise with the world. And you can also make money from it.

Once your podcast is up and running, you can bring in cash through sponsorships, ads, and even selling your own branded merchandise.

As your audience grows, companies might pay you to talk about their products, or you can play ads during your episodes.

Plus, if your listeners really love what you're doing, they might be thrilled to buy t-shirts, mugs, or other goodies that sport your podcast's logo or catchphrases.

It's not just about making money; it's about creating a community and giving your audience ways to support your show.

With some dedication and creativity, your podcast could become more than just a hobby—it could be a new way to earn.

12. Peer-to-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer lending is like being the bank in a small, friendly neighborhood. You lend money to people who need it to fix their homes or consolidate debt.

In return, as these borrowers make their repayments, you get the money back with a bit of interest on top. It's a way to earn some extra dough by helping others out.

You don't need a mountain of cash to start, either. You can lend little bits to different people, spreading out your risk and allowing you to help more folks.

Plus, your interest is often higher than what you'd get from a regular savings account.

It's a win-win: you grow your savings, and someone else gets the loan they need to make their plans happen. Just remember, like any investment, there's risk involved, so it's wise to do your homework before diving in.

13. Invest in Bonds

When you buy a bond, you're basically lending money to a company or the government.

In return, they agree to pay you back after a certain amount of time with a little extra money—tthat's the interest.

Corporate bonds can come from big companies, and they often pay more interest because there's more risk involved.

Government bonds are usually considered safer, but the trade-off is that they might not pay as much interest.

Either way, you're getting a regular income from the interest payments, and eventually, you'll get your initial investment back, too.

It's not about quick cash; it's more of a slow and steady deal.

If you're patient and looking for a more predictable way to grow your money, bonds could be just the thing.

14. High-Yield Savings Accounts

Unlike regular savings accounts that pay you a tiny bit of interest, high-yield ones give you more.

You don't have to do anything special — just deposit your money and let it sit. The bank pays you interest for keeping your cash with them, and because it's a high-yield account, that interest is higher than usual.

It's a safe and steady way to save, perfect if you want to avoid risks but still see some growth.

If you've got some extra cash that you don't need right away, popping it into a high-yield savings account could be a smart move.

15. Automated Forex Trading

Automated Forex trading is all about using smart technology to trade currencies without being glued to your computer screen.

You can use AI algorithms — which are just fancy words for a computer program that makes decisions — to buy and sell different types of money from around the world.

If you've ever traveled and exchanged your money for another country's currency, you've touched the edge of Forex trading.

With automated trading, the AI watches the market for you, making trades based on the rules you set.

You don't need to be a trading pro, either. With the right setup, even beginners can get started. Remember, all trading comes with risks, so it's important to understand what you're getting into and not invest more than you can afford to lose.

But if you're keen on the idea of the currency market, automated Forex trading can be an exciting way to try and grow your money.

16. Sell Digital Products

Selling digital products is like opening your own online shop, but instead of selling physical things you have to mail, you're selling stuff people can download.

This could be anything from a cool set of templates that help people make their resumes look snazzy to unique designs for t-shirts or even a piece of software that makes life easier.

You create it, set it up in your online store, and people can buy and download it to their computers or phones.

The beauty of digital products is that you make them once, and then you can sell them as many times as you like without having to restock.

There's no need to worry about running out of inventory or dealing with shipping hassles. Plus, you can reach customers all over the world.

Whether you're a whiz at graphic design, a wizard at writing code, or just good at organizing information, turning your talent into digital products can be a clever way to earn some income.

17. Create a Subscription-Based Service

Creating a subscription-based service is like starting a club where members pay a little bit regularly to get something great from you every month or week.

This could be anything from meal plans, workout routines, to even monthly puzzles or games.

The idea is to offer something people find valuable enough to pay for on an ongoing basis. You put together content or a service that helps or entertains your subscribers, and in exchange, they give you a steady income stream.

Whether you're teaching them how to cook healthy meals, helping them stay fit, or giving them access to exclusive content, the key is to keep it fresh and exciting.

If you do it right, a subscription-based service can be a reliable way to earn money while sharing what you love.

18. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a way to sell products online without ever having to keep many products in your house or garage.

Here's how it works: you set up an online store and put pictures and descriptions of products you want to sell.

When someone buys something from your store, you then order it from a supplier, and they send it directly to the customer. You never touch the product; you're like the middleman connecting the buyer with the seller.

It's a cool setup because you don't need to invest a ton of money buying products upfront or worry about where to store them.

Plus, you can sell all sorts of things, from clothes to gadgets to home decor. The key is to find products that people really want to buy and then market your store so they can find you.

If you get it right, dropshipping can be a neat way to make money online with less hassle.

19. Print on Demand

Print-on-demand is a cool way to sell custom designs on things like t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags without buying a whole bunch of stock first.

You create a design, upload it to a print-on-demand website, and they take care of the rest. When someone orders a product with your design, the website prints it onto it and ships it out.

You don't have to worry about printing anything yourself or sending packages to customers.

This means you can get creative and see what people like without spending much money upfront. It's perfect if you've got many ideas and you're not sure which ones will stick.

You can try out different designs and see which ones people love. Plus, whenever someone buys something with your design, you get paid. It's a fun way to share your art or slogans with the world and make some money simultaneously.

20. License Your Music

Licensing your music is a smart way to let your tunes travel far and wide while you earn some cash.

If you create music, you can offer it to people to use in their videos, podcasts, or even commercials.

Here's the scoop: you keep the rights to your music, but you permit others to use it for a fee. Every time someone picks your song for their project, you get paid.

You don't have to be a big-time musician to do this, either. Even if you're just starting out, your music could be exactly what someone else wants.

It's all about getting your sound into the right ears. And your music can be licensed over and over again, meaning one song could keep earning you money for years to come.

It's a great way to get your music out there and make some income from your creativity.

Earn royalties from your music being used in various media.

21. Invest in Cryptocurrency Staking

Investing in cryptocurrency staking is like earning interest in a savings account but with a digital twist.

When you stake your cryptocurrency, you're basically locking up a certain amount of your digital coins to help support the network they run on.

In return for helping out, you get rewarded with more coins. It's a way to earn more from your own cryptocurrency without buying more.

You don't need to be a tech wizard to start staking. Many platforms make it pretty straightforward, guiding you through the process.

Just remember, the world of cryptocurrency can be unpredictable, so it's important to only invest what you can afford.

But if you're up for it, staking can be a neat way to potentially grow your digital currency stash while contributing to the technology behind it.

22. Domain Flipping

You look for catchy, easy-to-remember website names that no one has snapped up yet, buy them, and then sell them for a profit to someone who thinks that's the perfect name for their new website.

It's all about having a good eye for what might be popular or in demand in the future.

Some people might want a domain because it matches their business name, while others might be after something short and snappy that's easy for customers to remember.

You don't need a big office or a fancy suit to get started; you can do it right from your couch.

Just remember, it's not always a sure bet — sometimes you'll find a domain that sells right away, and other times it might take a while to find the right buyer.

But if you do your research and have a bit of patience, flipping domains can be an interesting way to make some extra money online.

23. Invest in Index Funds

Investing in index funds is a straightforward approach to getting involved in the stock market. Instead of choosing individual companies to invest in, you buy a share of a fund that includes a bit of many different companies.

The idea is that by spreading your investment across a wide range of businesses, you're not putting all your money at risk with just one or two of them.

Index funds are designed to mirror the performance of a particular market index, like the S&P 500, which means your investment will go up or down along with the general market.

This can be a more hands-off way of investing, as you're not trying to beat the market, you're moving with it.

It's a method many investors use to build their savings over time with a lower level of risk compared to picking stocks on their own.

24. Royalties from Patents

Earning royalties from patents is a way to make money from inventions or ideas that you've created. When you patent something, you're protecting your right to be the only one who can use or sell that invention for a certain amount of time.

But instead of making and selling the product yourself, you can let other companies do that part. In return, they pay you a fee, which is called a royalty, for every item they sell or for every time they use your idea.

This can be a great way to get a steady income from something you've come up with without having to handle the business side of making and selling it.

It's like planting a seed and then getting to enjoy the fruits it bears over and over again.

Whether you've invented a new gadget, a piece of software, or a medical device, if it's something others find useful, those royalty checks can be a nice reward for your innovation.

Final Thoughts

To sum it up, there are lots of easy ways to make money while you sleep. From starting a blog to investing in stocks, there are options for everyone.

By trying out these ideas, you can make extra cash while still having time for other things you enjoy.

So, give these ideas a shot and see how they can help you grow your savings without too much effort!