Want Passive Income Without Living on Social Media? Here’s How
Have you ever fallen down the rabbit hole of wanting to build an online income, but the idea of having to post 1, 2, or even 3 times a day on Instagram or TikTok makes you feel physically sick?
Same.
I was desperate to find the true freedom of passive income that opened up my world to remote working, traveling the world, and actually allowing me to slow down.
For months, I thought the only way to unlock these dreams was to tie my life to social media. Location freedom? Check. Time freedom? Absolutely not.
That was until I discovered the methods of modern blogging and paid traffic.
The best part? You don’t even need to create a product (though you can!).
You can either create your own digital product and promote it via your blog, or you can go the affiliate route. Let’s break down the options.
Your Own Digital Products
Pros:
Full control over branding, pricing, and marketing strategy.
100% of the profits go to you.
Builds authority and trust in your niche.
Cons:
Requires time and effort to create (courses, ebooks, templates, etc.).
You handle customer support, refunds, and potential tech issues.
Upfront investment in design, hosting, and sales pages.
Affiliate Partnerships
Pros:
No product creation required; just promote and earn commissions.
No handling of customer service or refunds.
Many programs provide ready-to-use marketing materials.
Cons:
Commission rates vary and are often lower than selling your own product, but the pay off can be greater.
You don’t have control over pricing or product changes.
Your success is tied to the company’s performance and policies.
I personally started with affiliate marketing because I loved that I didn’t have to create sales pages, handle customer support, or even do most of the market research—that was all covered by the company I partnered with.
If you're interested in affiliate marketing, I recommend checking out Here - Affiliate Marketing 101
The Modern Blog Method
This method is simple (as simple as it gets). You create a website, post 7 to 15 articles that resonate with your audience, and link them to a product.
The best way to do this is by having 4 to 5 core posts that directly link to your product, then supplementary posts that provide additional value and drive traffic to those core posts.
Your posts should provide value first and then naturally position your offer as the ultimate solution.
The modern blog works in two ways:
1. Organic Strategy
Posting on platforms like Pinterest, Google Search, or Reddit to drive traffic.
Takes time to build momentum, but has minimal upfront costs.
Great for long-term, sustainable traffic.
2. Paid Blog Strategy
Running paid ads on Pinterest, Google, or other platforms to get instant traffic.
Can start with just a few dollars a day.
Higher initial cost, but faster results.
Paid Ads
If anything, paid ads require less content than a modern blog, but they do come with a learning curve and higher upfront costs.
Platforms like Google, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and Pinterest allow you to run ads directly to your product page. However, I strongly recommend doing your research before diving in, or even investing in a course.
To run paid ads strategically, you need to:
Pinpoint your target audience – Who are they? What do they need?
Determine what appeals to them – Messaging, visuals, and offers matter.
Find where they hang out online – Which platform works best for your audience?
Test, test, test – Run different ads to see what works, then scale up.
Pro Tip: Don’t Send Ads Directly to Your Sales Page
A large percentage of buyers need a thinking period before they commit. If you send traffic straight to a sales page, you lose warm leads who aren’t ready to buy yet.
Instead, create a landing page where you introduce your offer in a relatable and clear way. Then, include a subscribe button to collect names and emails. From there, lead them to the sales page.
Now, you have their contact details—meaning if they don’t buy immediately, you can follow up.
I usually send 3 to 4 emails in the first week, followed by a weekly newsletter packed with value to build trust.
Some people are silent followers for months (or even years) before committing to a purchase.
Side Note: If You Use the Modern Blog Method, Build an Email List Too!
Once you have a warm lead, why lose it?
I use the free version of AWeber to create my email list. It includes one free landing page and one free email sequence—everything you need to start.
I also use Squarespace to host my blog and have a hidden thank you page where AWeber directs warm leads to access my sales page (but you can link directly to the sales page for a clearer path).
I hope this article reassures you that you CAN make money online without relying on social media. These are the two options I use, but you can also explore platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or Gumroad to sell digital products. The possibilities are endless!
