5 Online Passive Income Streams That Have Kept Me Going After College

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck or struggling to make ends meet after college? You’re not alone. Many recent graduates and new employees find it challenging to build a stable financial foundation and secure a steady income stream.

That’s where passive income comes in. Passive income is income you generate with minimum effort. It allows you to add extra income streams without taking on a traditional job or business.

In this article, I share five passive online income ideas that have helped me foot my bills after college. Read on to discover how you can use these ideas to increase your income even if you already have a job.

1. Freelance SEO Content Writing and Copywriting

Right after college, I decided to turn my passion for writing into a source of income. I signed up on iwriter ( It no longer accepts Kenyan writers) and started writing articles for diverse clients. 

Although the rates for beginner writers were not impressive and I received several one-star ratings and even got suspended, the freedom that comes with freelance writing and the chance to earn an extra income kept me going.

I advanced my skills and soon started landing long-term and high-paying clients. Here are some tips for sharpening your freelance writing  skills:

• Read widely: By reading a range of material, you can improve your vocabulary and develop a stronger sense of style.
• Write daily: The more you write, the better you’ll become. It will improve your skills and confidence.
• Seek Feedback: Join writer’s groups such as Remarkable Freelance Writers in Africa on Facebook and ask for feedback from other writers and editors on your work.
• Take a writing course:  Doing online courses such as Hubspot content marketing certification can equip you with new skills and techniques.

I’m now a full-time freelance SEO content writer and copywriter, but you can do it part-time. 

SEO content writing involves writing content to rank on the first page of search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. 

To achieve this, SEO content writers focus on using targeted keywords and creating compelling and engaging content that is valuable to readers. 

This article you’re reading is an example of SEO content.

O the other hand, copywriting is any writing intended to persuade the right reader, listener, or viewer to take a specific action. This could include:

• Click a link
• Sign-up
• Buy something
• Go to the next step

Examples of copywriting include newspaper ads, sales letters, and sign-up emails.

If you’d like to get into freelance content writing or copywriting, here are steps you can follow.

1. Develop your writing skills: Practice daily or take a writing course.
2. Choose a niche: Decide on the type of writing and industry you want to work in. 
3. Build a portfolio: As a freelance writer or copywriter, you’ll need to have work to show potential clients. I’ve used sites such as Journo Portfolio and clippings.me to build my portfolio. You can also create a document with links to your published work or a PDF of writing samples.
4. Find clients: The easiest way to land clients is through job boards or platforms such as Upwork, Guru, and People Per Hour. You can also apply to writing jobs on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Craiglist or reach out directly to clients via Facebook, LinkedIn, or Reddit.
5. Set your rates: Determine how much you want to charge for your writing services. Consider factors such as the market rates, the content type, and your experience level.
6. Stay up to date: Keep up with industry trends and improve your writing skills to stay competitive and attract new clients.

Read Also: What is Passive Income and How to Build Passive Income Streams.

2. Online Surveys

Online surveys help companies and organizations gain insight from consumers about their products and services. It involves filling out a questionnaire or answering questions through a website or app.

To participate in online surveys, first sign up with a survey website. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive notifications when surveys are available for you to complete.

You’ll then be directed to a website or app where you’ll be asked to complete the survey. Surveys can vary in length and content, but most will ask questions about your opinions, experiences, or behaviors.

After completing the survey, you’ll get paid based on factors such as the length of the survey, the number of questions answered correctly, and the company or organization that hired you.

Some survey sites I’ve worked with include Triaba,  Swagbucks, and Survey Time.

3. Academic Writing

Academic writing involves doing assignments, writing essays, and proposals for students abroad. Although unethical, I’ve made some good money through academic writing.

What you earn will depend on cost per page, tasks completed or hours worked, and whether you own a writing account.

You can earn between Ksh1000 to Ksh3,000 per page if you have an academic writing account or Ksh150 to Ksh400 per page when working under someone. 

Unlike content writing and copywriting, academic writing is seasonal because it depends on the academic schedule. In months such as July, August, and September, you can have little to no work because of the summer holidays.

To learn academic writing, start by working under someone. You can find such mentors in academic writing groups on Facebook such as Academic Writers, Researchers, and Content Writers. 

After mastering your craft, consider signing up on academic writing websites. Here are some platforms you can join:

• Essaypro.com
• UVORCorp.com
• Edusson.com
• EssaySharks.com
• Writerbay.com

Also Read: Online Writing Jobs That Are Making Kenyans Rich Outside Academic Writing.

4. Data Entry

Data entry is a type of clerical work that involves entering raw data into computer systems and databases. It also includes adding new data or updating existing data.

Most data entry tasks are repetitive and ideal for even beginners. Some responsibilities of data entry clerks include:

• Typing manuscripts
• Proofreading work
• Preparing reports
• Inputting customer details

If you’d like to get into data entry,  these tips will help you:

1. Learn and practice basic data entry skills.
2. Have a good grasp of the Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and spreadsheets. 
3. Improve your typing and office skills.

You can find entry jobs on job boards such as:

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Mturk
• Mega Typers
• Rev

Read Also: 6 Passive Income Ideas That Will Make You Rich.

5. Guest Posting

I have also monetized my writing skills through guest posting. Guest posting means publishing on other websites and blogs to reach a larger audience and earn passive income.

You can earn passive income through affiliate marketing or by charging a fee for your writing service. If you’re a writer and would like to increase your income through guest posting, start by searching for websites or blogs that accept guest posts. 

Here’s how to do it.

• Go to Google and type “ Paid Guest Post + your niche.” For example, “Paid guest post in personal finance.” A list of sites looking for guest posts in the finance niche will pop up.
• Read the instructions and reach out to the site owner or editor 
• Pitch your topic or submit your article.

Besides earning a passive income, guest posting can help you build your writing portfolio. Besides, it can help you attract more guest posting offers. 

Read Also: 8 Ideas to Create Multiple Sources of Income.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, these passive online income streams have helped me generate additional income without investing much time or effort. They have helped me to foot my bills and allowed me to pursue my passions and interests.  I hope you can also increase your income through these methods.