7 types of income streams for freelancers and SMEs

Relying on a single income stream is risky if that client, market, or project dries up. Financial experts group income into seven types: earned, profit, interest, dividend, rental, capital gains, and royalty income, and diversifying across a few of them builds real resilience into your business.

Not every type fits every business, but understanding what they mean helps you spot where you could add a second income stream without dropping the work that pays the bills today. An electrician or a plumber, for example, can diversify by training apprentices, subcontracting for property managers, or renting out specialist equipment, all without changing trade.

Whatever mix you choose, keeping every income source visible in one place makes it easier to plan around slow months. That's exactly what Qonto's cash flow forecasting is built for.

There are two types of income streams: active and passive. Your business is most likely using an active income stream. This is where you do some work or provide a service, and someone pays you for it. There's a direct connection between the work carried out and the payment received. 

Passive income is where the income is not directly tied to the work you do. Don’t be fooled. Although it says passive income, there's usually still work required to generate the revenue - it doesn’t come for free. In general, the work needed for a passive income stream takes place early on, and the income comes later.

An excellent example of this is an online store. The work at the beginning is to build the website, upload your products, and then promote them. The passive income comes later as people begin to buy products from your store. It’s passive, as people can buy products even when you are asleep.

Businesses have been diversifying their income streams for centuries. They expand their business operations into different sectors to generate new streams of income. Almost any company can diversify. A flower shop can develop a separate wedding flower business, for example, or offer mail orders. The most potent diversification is into a completely new business sector. But that takes a lot of effort and can incur costs. 

An excellent study of a company that has grown and diversified is the Virgin Group. Initially started by Sir Richard Branson as a record label, Virgin has since expanded into aviation, holidays, mobile telephony, and much more.

An example of a good way for an electrician to find other streams of income is to work with property management companies. Their core business may currently be private homeowners, but management companies often need additional tradespeople. Another route could be to start offering courses to people on basic electrics and teaching how to stay safe with electricity.

Aside from diversification, there are other ways to generate income - known as the "seven streams of income":

Many of these aren't available to everyone. The main reason? You need to have money already on hand to benefit from some of these income streams.

Earned income is your primary income stream through a job. The majority of us start here, and many go no further. For most, earned income is very limiting and has attracted the acronym, Just Over Broke!

In other words, you earn just enough to survive. Of course, some jobs pay exceptionally well, but these are exceptions, not the norm. To go beyond a job and start your own business requires taking risks and moving into profit income.

Are you looking for a business account that adapts to your needs? Qonto offers you the all-inclusive package.

By selling a service or product for more than they cost, you use the basis of profit income. You could open a retail store and sell products, offer professional services and charge for your time, or combine the two.

It is one of the hardest steps to move from earned income to profit income, but it is the dream of many employees. Becoming self-employed or an entrepreneur can be a difficult road, and there are risks. 

If you or your business has spare cash sitting in the bank account, it is losing money. There are many ways you can put your money to work and earn a passive income stream. 

Maybe invest it in a savings scheme and use the power of compound interest to gain a passive income. Buying government bonds is another safe investment that will generate interest.

When you buy shares in a company, you become part-owner of that company and entitled to dividend payments. Well-timed investments in companies can generate excellent passive income streams.

Property investment is an excellent way of protecting your money and generating an income from rent. There are two downsides to this income stream. First, it requires a substantial investment initially, unless it is part of an investment scheme. Second, releasing the cash can be time-consuming and costly, so if you may need the money quickly, this is not for you.

Buying and selling assets can provide you with an income known as capital gains. For example, if you buy stocks and shares worth $100 and then sell them on for $120, the capital gain is $20. 

It is essential to consult an accountant first about capital gains, as each country has different rules. Depending on the asset sold, the capital gains tax may wipe out all of your profit.

This is a passive income stream generated by designing, building, or making something unique and charging people and businesses to use it. Musicians are a prime example. In most cases, musicians are signed to a particular label, such as Virgin Records. The record company pays to record the musicians, produce the records, market them, and sell them. 

The musicians receive a royalty payment for every album sold and every time it is played to the public. Famous musicians, such as Elton John, make millions from the royalties for playing his music.