Digital Side Hustles That Scale

When you look at side hustles, they usually fall into two categories.

The first is the type that relies on your time for every penny you earn. This could be freelancing, consulting or one-to-one services. The more you work, the more you make, but the moment you stop, so does the income.

The second is the type that continues to bring in money long after the work is done. This is where scalable side hustles come in and this is where the real magic happens.

A scalable side hustle allows your income to grow without your workload increasing at the same rate. Instead of constantly trading hours for cash, you create assets that can be sold, shared or delivered automatically to more people with no extra effort.

If your goal is to build a reliable income stream that could one day replace your full-time job, starting a scalable digital side hustle is one of the smartest moves you can make. In this guide, you will find some of the best options and exactly how to get them working for you.

Selling Digital Products

Digital products are things you can download or use online, like ebooks, guides, templates, planners and printables. The best part is you only have to make them once, and then you can keep selling them over and over without spending anything extra to produce them.

Why it works

• You create it once and it can sell thousands of times without extra effort.

• No physical stock, shipping, or storage to worry about.

• Easy to update or improve over time, so your product stays relevant.

• Works for any niche where people are looking for quick, instant solutions.

How to get started

• Research your niche to understand what problems people are actively trying to solve.

• Create a high-quality product that is clear, easy to use, and visually appealing.

• Use marketplaces like Etsy or Gumroad for built-in audiences, or sell on your own website for more control.

• Promote on Pinterest, Instagram, and through an email list to drive ongoing sales.

Examples

• A budgeting spreadsheet that tracks monthly income and expenses

• A daily productivity planner designed for remote workers

• Social media graphics templates for small business owners

  
  

Creating an Online Course

An online course is simply a learning program you put together that people can follow at their own pace. You can record it once and keep selling it as many times as you like. It might include videos, worksheets, quizzes and other helpful resources to guide students towards a specific goal.

Why it works

• You only need to film and create the materials once, then it can run indefinitely.

• Courses build authority and position you as an expert in your niche.

• Students can join from anywhere in the world, increasing your audience reach.

• You can upsell additional products, coaching, or memberships from inside the course.

How to get started

• Choose a topic that you have real experience with and that people are willing to pay to learn.

• Break the course into clear, bite-sized lessons so it feels achievable.

• Include workbooks or checklists to add value and keep students engaged.

• Host your course on platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi, or sell directly from your own site using Payhip or Podia.

• Launch with a promotional push, then create evergreen sales funnels so it continues to sell year-round.

Examples

• Instagram Marketing for Beginners

• A 30-day yoga challenge for beginners

• Photography basics with downloadable practice guides

For step-by-step guidance on marketing and growing your online course, the Digital Marketing Membership includes templates, tutorials, and strategies to help you attract students and build reliable income.

Building a Membership Site

A membership site is a space where people pay each month or year to get access to exclusive content, resources or a community. As long as they feel they are getting value and enjoying what you offer, they will keep coming back and renewing.

Why it works

• Recurring income means predictable revenue every month.

• Builds a loyal, engaged audience who are more likely to buy other offers.

• Content can be repurposed and reused for new members.

• You can slowly grow your library, making your membership more valuable over time.

How to get started

• Decide whether your membership will be content-based, community-based, or both.

• Start with a few months’ worth of content ready so new members see value from day one.

• Use simple platforms like Payhip, Podia, or MemberVault to host.

• Offer a mix of evergreen resources and new updates to keep members engaged.

• Promote with a strong launch campaign, then keep marketing through content and social proof.

Examples

• Monthly Canva templates for coaches and small business owners

• A premium content library for freelance writers

• A private business community with live Q&A sessions

To learn how to create recurring revenue and automate your income streams, explore the Passive Income Membership. It offers proven systems and resources to help you build a business that runs even when you are offline.

Selling Stock Photography or Digital Art

If you are into photography, illustration or design, you can upload your work to stock marketplaces where people pay for a licence to use it. Once it is online, the same image or design can sell over and over again, bringing in income long after you created it.

Why it works

• Each image can sell multiple times to different customers, giving you long-term passive income.

• Stock marketplaces handle payment and delivery, so you just focus on creating.

• Works for years after uploading, meaning you can earn from old work while making new pieces.

How to get started

• Choose a style or subject that is in demand, such as business, lifestyle, or seasonal images.

• Use high-quality images and make sure they meet marketplace technical requirements.

• Upload regularly to keep your portfolio fresh and growing.

• Add detailed keywords so your work is easy to find in searches.

• Start with sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Creative Market.

Examples

• Flat lay images of office supplies for bloggers

• Minimalist vector illustrations for app developers

• Seasonal lifestyle photography for marketing campaigns

Templates and Done-For-You Digital Services

If you usually work one-to-one with clients, think about turning parts of that work into templates. Once you have made them, you can sell the same files to as many people as you like, giving you an extra income stream without extra effort.

Why it works

• Turns one-to-one services into one-to-many products.

• Saves your customers time while giving them a professional result.

• Allows you to reach buyers who cannot afford custom work but still want quality.

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How to get started

• Identify repeatable work you do for clients that could be turned into a template.

• Create polished, easy-to-edit templates with clear instructions.

• Bundle templates for added value.

• Sell on Etsy, Creative Market, or directly from your website.

• Use your existing portfolio to promote the templates.

Examples

• Brand kits for specific industries like restaurants or fitness coaches

• Social media post templates for real estate agents

• Email newsletter templates for ecommerce stores

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is when you promote someone else’s product and earn a commission whenever a sale is made through your unique link. It is a simple way to earn extra income without having to create the product yourself.

Why it works

• No product creation or inventory needed — you promote and earn.

• Your content can keep generating sales long after it is published.

• You can earn from products that perfectly complement your own offers.

How to get started

• Join affiliate programs for products you personally use and believe in.

• Create content that educates and helps your audience solve a problem.

• Use blog posts, YouTube videos, or email marketing to share affiliate links.

• Track what content performs best and optimise for more clicks and sales.

Examples

• A blog post reviewing productivity software with an affiliate link

• A YouTube tutorial featuring your favourite camera gear

• An Instagram guide with affiliate links to recommended tools

Why Scalable Side Hustles Work

Scalable side hustles take away the pressure of constantly trading your time for money. You create something once, then put your energy into marketing it and growing your audience.

As time goes on, your income can grow without your workload growing with it.

They give you more freedom, more flexibility and the chance to build something that keeps working for you behind the scenes.

Ready to build your scalable digital side hustle? Join the Digital Growth Membership to access step-by-step guides, planners, and marketing strategies designed to help you grow your income with confidence.