The Business Owner’s Guide to Recurring Revenue
There’s nothing quite like that fresh new month feeling… Unless of course you’re staring down an empty pipeline and wondering where on earth your next sale is coming from.
If you’re finding yourself constantly in hustle mode, scrambling to fill your calendar or launch another offer or discount just to keep the cash flowing… you’re not alone. This is one of the biggest challenges for small business owners and freelancers.
That sense of starting from zero every month.
But what if you didn’t have to?
Enter: recurring revenue. The secret sauce to building a business that actually supports your life rather than running your life.
If you haven’t identified where you might be able to get recurring revenue happening for your business, these ideas could inspire you. I’ve compiled five simple ways to start stacking recurring revenue into your business model (no million-dollar launch needed).
- Offer Retainers for Ongoing Work
If your business provides a service, retainers are a no-brainer.
Rather than one-off projects, create packages that include ongoing monthly deliverables. Whether that’s social media management, web maintenance, coaching sessions, or consulting hours.
Bonus: Retainers also lead to better relationships, smoother workflows, and less feast-or-famine stress. So as well as improving your financial situation, you might also improve your client retention and stress levels too! Now that’s a win/win.
- Create a Membership or Subscription
From digital learning spaces to content hubs or even product subscriptions, memberships can bring in reliable monthly income while building community and brand loyalty.
- Keep it simple:
- Think exclusive content
- A low-cost, high-value offer
- Easy payment options (monthly or yearly)
This one’s ideal if you love serving people at scale and want to turn your expertise into a community-driven model.
- Automate Product Sales
Got a digital product you could create? An ebook? A course? A set of templates?
Automate the funnel, and boom: you’ve got a little cash machine ticking over in the background.
Set up a simple sales page, connect it to an email sequence, and promote it via social or evergreen ads. Even if it’s digital product at $10 or $20 a pop, those sales add up. And it’s especially rewarding when they happen while you’re sleeping.
- Introduce Payment Plans
Not all recurring revenue has to come from a “subscription” per se. Offering payment plans on higher-ticket services or programs can create predictable monthly income while helping your clients say yes more easily.
Another win-win: they get more accessible pricing, you get more consistent cash flow.
- Upsell or Cross-Sell Existing Clients
The best client is often the one you already have. Once you’ve delivered value, look for natural ways to continue the relationship, like a follow-up offer, maintenance package, or a monthly check-in.
It’s way easier (and cheaper) to retain an existing client than to find a new one.
Less Hustle, More Flow
Recurring revenue isn’t just about making more money but it’s about making your business smoother too.
It gives you breathing room. Mental space. Time with your family.
So, if you’re tired of starting from zero each month, pick one idea from this list and give it a go.
And if you need help getting started, grab our free Consistent Cash Flow Blueprint here or book a free discovery call with The Business Oasis here.