7 Ways Online Business Managers Can Earn Recurring Income Without Adding More Hours

One of the biggest challenges for Online Business Managers (OBMs) is balancing the demand for hands-on client support with the need to grow a sustainable business. You’re often the “go-to” for strategy, systems, and operations—but that doesn’t mean you should always be tied to the clock.

The solution? Building recurring income streams that reward your expertise without requiring extra hours. Here are seven proven ways OBMs can generate consistent income while still keeping their work-life balance intact.

1. Offer Ongoing Systems Management Packages

As an OBM, you’re already the architect of your clients’ systems. Instead of billing for ad hoc work, package your support into monthly retainers for system monitoring, reporting, and light optimisation. Clients benefit from peace of mind, and you gain steady recurring revenue.

2. Create and License SOP Libraries

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the backbone of what you deliver. Consider building an SOP library—checklists, workflows, and templates—that clients can license on a subscription basis. It’s an asset you create once but get paid for repeatedly.

3. Build Group Strategy Sessions

Your expertise doesn’t have to be delivered 1:1. By hosting group coaching or strategy calls, you can support multiple clients simultaneously. OBMs who lead quarterly planning sessions or “systems clinics” often find this a scalable way to share knowledge while keeping a recurring structure.

4. Partner on Retainers with Other Experts

Rather than taking on more hours yourself, collaborate with specialists—for example, marketing strategists, copywriters, or tech implementers. You package their work under your OBM services and take a margin, turning your strategic oversight into recurring revenue without needing to do it all yourself.

5. Earn Recurring Affiliate Commissions

When clients look to you for guidance on tools and platforms, you’re in a trusted position to recommend what works. Instead of leaving that value on the table, explore affiliate programs that pay recurring commissions for the tools you already advise on.

One standout option is the MarketerM8 Affiliate Program—designed with OBMs, VAs, and consultants in mind.

Why MarketerM8 Fits OBMs:

• No extra hours required – simply recommend the system to clients, and let MarketerM8 handle setup, onboarding, and support.

• Generous commissions – earn a £1,000 finder’s fee plus 20% recurring revenue (rising to 40% after five clients).

• Flexibility – if you want to get more involved, there are tiers where you can manage the client relationship yourself and keep a larger share of revenue.

• Trusted partner – MarketerM8 specialises in HighLevel, the “all-in-one” CRM and automation platform, so your clients are in safe hands.

👉 Learn more about the MarketerM8 Affiliate Program

6. Introduce White-Label Solutions

If you’re ready to scale, you can brand and deliver systems under your own name by working with a white-label partner. This approach lets you expand your offer without taking on the full tech burden—positioning you as both strategist and provider of long-term solutions.

7. Retainer-Based Optimisation

Systems are never “set and forget.” Clients will always need ongoing audits, data clean-ups, or automation tweaks. Packaging this as a monthly “optimisation retainer” allows you to stay close to their business, while providing recurring revenue that doesn’t rely on additional hours.

Final Thoughts

As an OBM, your value lies in strategy, oversight, and systems thinking—not clocking more hours. By shifting your focus to recurring income streams, you can secure a business model that rewards your expertise and protects your time.

The MarketerM8 Affiliate Program is just one example of how OBMs can build sustainable recurring income without sacrificing balance. By combining it with retainers, group sessions, and digital assets, you’ll future-proof your role—and create more freedom in the process.