Although I design logos for a living, I see myself as more than just a designer… I’m a business owner and entrepreneur. Logo Geek is my business, and I treat it like one.
That means making sure I have money coming in each month, not just to keep a roof over my head, but also to give my 6-year-old daughter and me a life worth living. While identity design and consulting are the heart of what I do (exchanging time for money), over the years I’ve been building multiple income streams that are passive… or at least close to it.
In this blog, I want to share some of the ways I earn passive income, and how you might be able to do the same.
1. Product Sales
Over time, I’ve been building a core foundation of products to support designers and business owners. The biggest of these so far is my book, Make a Living Designing Logos, which started life as a Kickstarter project and is now available as a print-on-demand title through Amazon.
Writing a book is a huge undertaking. It took months of late nights and early mornings, but once finished, it became an asset I own. It’s something I can continue to sell over and over without needing to lift a finger. Thanks to Amazon’s print-on-demand service, I don’t handle any stock or shipping. Amazon does the heavy lifting, and I receive royalties each month.
While the income from book sales isn’t life-changing, it’s consistent. And more importantly, I created it because I had a dream to write a book. Earning passive income from something you’re passionate about is a wonderful bonus.
As time goes on, I’m planning to add more products… additional books, courses, and maybe even Logo Geek merchandise. My advice? Think about how you could add value to your audience through products that can generate income for years to come.
2. Sponsorships
Podcasting is something I genuinely love. It allows me to connect with brilliant designers, stay updated with the industry, and position myself as a thought leader. It also helps from a marketing and SEO perspective. Thanks to The Logo Geek Podcast, my voice reaches new audiences, and the content naturally attracts backlinks to my website. All of that is valuable, so I’d do it even if it didn’t bring in a penny.
But as a bonus, the podcast has opened up opportunities for sponsorships. These have ranged from one-off deals to multi-episode blocks. It’s fairly straightforward: I mention a company on the show, and they pay for that placement.
That said, I’m careful about who I promote. I’ll only ever recommend companies and products I personally use and believe in. I have no interest in being a sellout… if something doesn’t align with my values or audience, I’d rather promote my own products instead.
Most of my sponsors have reached out to me, but I’ve also contacted a few directly. If you’re creating content with a niche audience, it’s worth approaching brands that align with your values. Just find the right person and ask. For my podcast, I offer both pre-roll and mid-roll ad placements.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a smart and simple way to earn passive income, especially if you’re already sharing resources and tools with your audience. When you promote a product through an affiliate link, you earn a commission for each sale. If the product fits your niche, it’s a win-win.
For example, I’ve always got my eyes open for great tools for logo designers. One of my best-performing affiliate partnerships is with Logo Package Express. I was lucky to be one of the first to discover and promote it, and it turned out to be a perfect fit for my audience.
If there’s a tool, service, or resource you’re already recommending, check if they have an affiliate program. You might be leaving money on the table without even realising it.
4. Bitcoin Mining (Hashpower Investment)
Now, this one’s a little more niche… and higher risk… but it’s been an interesting passive income stream for me: Bitcoin mining.
As a bit of a tech geek, I’ve always had an interest in future-facing tech, and that led me deep into the world of Bitcoin. I genuinely believe what Satoshi Nakamoto created is revolutionary and lays the foundation for the future of money.
Now, you can’t really mine Bitcoin profitably on your home computer anymore, but about a year ago I discovered something called Liquid Bitcoin Hashrate. In short, you can buy a portion of Bitcoin mining power from a provider who handles the equipment and operations for you. They do all the heavy lifting, and you receive mining rewards in return.
I use a platform called GoMining for this. It’s been a steady earner for me, and because I believe in it so much, I became an ambassador too. (If you’re interested in trying it, use my Procode z-6Fu for 5% cashback when purchasing your first miner.)
A word of caution though… this is a higher-risk investment. Returns are not guaranteed, and the crypto space can be volatile. So please, always do your own research before diving in – don’t just do this because I am. If you’re curious and want to chat about it, feel free to reach out… this is something I’m genuinely passionate about.
Note that I make the occasional video… watch one below.
Final Thoughts
Passive income won’t make you rich overnight, but over time it can offer security, flexibility, and creative freedom. For me, these income streams have allowed me to build a more stable business, while still focusing on what I love… designing logos and helping others grow.
If you’re self-employed or running a business, I encourage you to think long-term. What could you create now that might earn you income for years to come? It might be a book. It might be a course. It might even be a podcast or affiliate recommendation. Whatever it is, just start.
And if you’re already exploring passive income and have found something that works well, let me know. I’m always up for discussing useful passive income streams.