Want to Make Passive Income on YouTube? This $10K/Month Creator Shares His Secrets

How to Make Passive Income Review — Turning a side hustle into a full-time YouTube business.

Ever wonder how people turn a simple YouTube channel into a six-figure business? Here’s how one woman did it—and how you can too.

Introduction: From Stuck to Self-Made

Five years ago, I was stuck in a job that drained me. As a higher education administrator, my days felt repetitive and uninspired. I knew I wanted more flexibility, more freedom—and most importantly, more joy.

That’s when I decided to experiment with digital income streams. I didn’t have a business background or fancy tools—just a strong desire to build something of my own. Eventually, I started a YouTube channel focused on helping others create and sell digital products, especially on Etsy. Slowly but surely, I started seeing results.

Today, I make around $10,000 per month in passive income, and I’ve built seven income streams that support my family and my dreams. I also crossed the milestone of becoming a self-made millionaire—and it all started with one decision to try.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a YouTube channel or building a digital side hustle, here’s what I learned and what I’d recommend.

Income Streams Snapshot

My current income doesn’t come from just one place—it’s a diversified mix of online ventures. Here’s what it looks like:

YouTube channel: My primary platform, with ad revenue, sponsorships, and digital product promotion.
Blog (Money Hacking Mama): A place to share deeper financial insights and content for working moms.
Real estate investments: Rental income from properties I’ve acquired.
Stock appreciation: Long-term investing with a focus on dividend-paying stocks.
Digital product sales: Templates, guides, and planners linked through my YouTube content.
Affiliate marketing: Recommending tools and resources I personally use and trust.

YouTube acts as the engine that fuels many of these streams, sending traffic, building trust, and growing my audience daily.

Lesson 1: Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

One of the biggest mistakes I see new entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything at once. They open a Shopify store, dabble in stocks, and maybe even flip furniture—all within the same month. Unsurprisingly, they burn out fast.

When I started, I focused on just one thing: YouTube. I poured my energy into making helpful, consistent content. Once that channel was bringing in solid traffic and income, I branched out.

Lesson: Master one stream before adding others. You’ll grow faster and avoid overwhelm.

Lesson 2: Don’t Quit Too Soon

When I launched my YouTube channel, my first few videos barely got 50 views. I considered giving up so many times. It wasn’t until nine months in that I saw significant traction.

But I kept going—refining my content, learning about thumbnails, titles, and algorithms. That consistency paid off.

Success online is rarely fast. The YouTube monetization threshold (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time) takes time to reach. But if you stay in the game and keep improving, the results will come.

Lesson 3: Invest in the Right Education

I spent the first year piecing together free information—watching videos, reading blogs, and figuring things out solo. And while I learned a lot, it was slow and frustrating.

Eventually, I bought a beginner-friendly program: The Matt Par YouTube course. That changed everything. It gave me a structured path, real-life examples, and access to a community that kept me motivated.

Investing in education gave me clarity, speed, and confidence. If I could go back, I’d do it sooner.

Get started with the Matt Par YouTube course and accelerate your growth.

Lesson 4: Don’t Live to Work, Work to Live

Some people earn six figures but have zero free time. That’s not success in my book.

What I love about YouTube is that you can batch record content, schedule posts, and create videos that work for you while you sleep. Unlike selling at local markets or hosting live events, YouTube fits into your life, not the other way around.

Design your business around your values. For me, that means spending time with my kids, taking weekday hikes, and being present. Your version might look different—and that’s okay. Just make sure your business supports it.

Lesson 5: Embrace the Unknown

The first time I uploaded a video, I was terrified. What if no one watched? What if people left mean comments? What if I failed?

But successful people don’t let fear stop them. They understand that failure is part of the process.

Growth mindset means believing that your skills can improve with effort. That mindset helped me power through challenges and create opportunities I never imagined.

If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel but don’t know where to begin—do it scared. You’ll figure it out as you go.

Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection

You don’t need perfect lighting, the best microphone, or a flawless business plan. You need commitment, curiosity, and courage.

If I had waited to be “ready,” I’d still be stuck in my old job. Instead, I chose progress over perfection—and built something that changed my life.

So here’s what I’d say to you:

Start small—one video, one idea.
Learn from each post.
Celebrate the little wins.
Keep going even when it’s quiet.

YouTube isn’t just for influencers or entertainers. It’s for educators, creatives, and anyone with a message. Done right, it can be your ticket to freedom.

About the Author

Rachel Jimenez is an entrepreneur, professor, and mom of two. She runs the Money Hacking Mama blog and a successful YouTube channel focused on digital income strategies. Her mission? Helping women unlock the power of passive income to live life on their own terms.

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