10 Steps to make 7 Figures passive income from scratch
If I Was Starting Over again… these are the steps I would take to start a 7 figure, passive income online business again.
I’ve been in online business since the dial-up days.
I’ve built multiple 7-figure businesses. I’ve cleared my bucket list more than once. And I’ve watched the internet — and the way people buy — evolve faster than we could’ve imagined.
If I were starting today, with everything I know now, here’s exactly what I’d do — step by step — to create my next 7-figure passive income business from scratch.
This is for you if:
- You’re ready to build a business that serves your life (not the other way around).
- You want passive income that doesn’t feel like another full-time job.
- You want to leverage AI, automation, and blogging in a way that feels authentic and strategic.
Let’s get into it.
1. Get ridiculously clear on my lifestyle goals
This comes first for a reason.
If your business isn’t built around the life you want, you’ll burn out — or worse, build a business you resent.
Here’s what I’d do:
- Define my dream day. Where am I living? What does my morning look like? How many hours do I work?
- Get clear on my non-negotiables. For me, that means freedom to travel, no calls unless I want them, and revenue streams that don’t depend on me being “on” 24/7.
- Put numbers to it. How much do I need monthly to support that life with ease and overflow?
When you build your business model around your dream life, you stop chasing trends and start building with purpose.
2. Choose ONE high-demand problem I love solving
Energy is currency.
If you don’t love what you’re building, you won’t have the staying power. And if people don’t desperately need the solution, you won’t have the sales.
Here’s how I’d decide:
- Start with what lights me up. What topic could I talk about for hours without running out of steam?
- Validate high demand. Use tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, or even TikTok/YouTube search bars to see what people are already asking.
- Make sure people are ready to pay. Free advice seekers are fine, but you want buyers in action mode.
Example:
If I loved teaching blogging, I’d validate it by looking at search trends for “how to start a blog in 202_,” what questions new creators are asking, and what paid programs they’re already buying.
3. Identify my Instant Yes Buyer™
Forget “ideal client avatars.” You want to find the people who are already searching for you.
Your Instant Yes Buyer™ is:
- Already problem-aware.
- Ready to invest now.
- Looking for a guide who “gets it.”
To find them, I’d:
- Spend time in forums, comment sections, and social media groups to see what real buyers are saying.
- Look at reviews for competing offers — what people loved and what they felt was missing.
- Craft my messaging to speak directly to their mindset, fears, and desires.
4. Build ONE transformational offer
When you try to build six funnels, four freebies, and three products at once, you dilute your energy and your results.
I’d create one binge-worthy offer that delivers:
- Quick wins. People want results fast.
- A clear transformation. Be specific: what will their “before and after” look like?
- A format that fits my lifestyle. Digital course, membership, or even a high-ticket intensive — but designed for hands-off delivery.
Example:
If I were starting with blogging, my first offer might be:
“From Zero to Monetized: The Fast-Track Blogging System for 202_”
A 30-day sprint program with templates, strategy, and AI tools to help beginners start earning faster.
5. Design the offer to sell the next offer
This is where most beginners miss out.
Every product you create should naturally lead to the next step in your customer’s journey. That way:
- You increase lifetime customer value without extra marketing effort.
- You build loyalty by guiding buyers through progressive wins.
Example:
- Beginner blogging course → Advanced traffic + monetization system → Passive income automation program.
6. Map the delivery around freedom
This is how you stop trading time for money.
From day one, I’d:
- Batch record content for my course or program.
- Use automation tools (like ConvertKit, ThriveCart, or Kajabi) to handle onboarding and delivery.
- Build evergreen systems so people can buy and start immediately — without me having to be there.
7. Post short-form, dopamine-rich content
This is your marketing engine in 202_.
I’d create simple, scroll-stopping content that:
- Solves micro problems.
- Shows quick wins or shifts.
- Feels authentic and fun.
Example:
- A 30-second Reel showing how I went from “staring at a blank blog editor” to “writing a full post in 10 minutes with AI prompts.”
- A 15-second tip on automating affiliate links for passive income.
8. Create a binge path
This is how strangers turn into buyers in one sitting.
I’d:
- Build a content playlist that takes someone from “who is she?” to “where’s the buy button?”
- Use smart links to direct traffic to the next video, blog, or email sequence.
- Automate touchpoints so buyers feel guided without me manually DMing anyone.
9. Focus on connection over perfection
People don’t want perfect. They want real.
So I’d:
- Share my actual journey — even the awkward parts.
- Write in my natural voice, not “corporate speak.”
- Engage with my audience like a friend, not a salesperson.
This is how you build trust faster — and trust is what converts.
10. Protect my energy and identity
Success without boundaries leads to burnout.
I’d:
- Automate everything that drains my energy.
- Hire out early for tech and admin tasks.
- Build my brand around who I really am, so it never feels like a performance.
Where blogging fits in
Blogging is still one of the best long-term passive income tools — especially when combined with AI.
Here’s how I’d do it:
- Use AI for speed. Draft outlines, SEO titles, and first drafts in minutes.
- Publish authority content. Focus on evergreen posts that attract search traffic for years.
- Monetize early. Add affiliate links, digital products, or ad revenue.
- Use the blog to fuel content everywhere. Every blog post becomes social clips, emails, and podcast scripts.
This creates an engine that drives traffic and sales on autopilot.
Tools I’d use
- AI tools: ChatGPT, Jasper, or Claude for content support.
- Email: ConvertKit or Flodesk for automation.
- Hosting: Bluehost with a Kadence theme (yes, still my favorite).
- Checkout & course delivery: ThriveCart + Kajabi or Podia.
- Analytics: Google Analytics 4 + Fathom for privacy-friendly insights.
Final thoughts
Building a 7-figure passive income business isn’t about hustle anymore.
It’s about strategy, psychology, and systems that work while you live your life.
Start with one aligned offer. Build trust through simple, dopamine-rich content. Use blogging and AI to create passive growth engines. And most importantly — build it all around the life you actually want.
That’s how you create income that feels as good as it looks.
