Monetising Your Skills

by Sarah Zubair | 10 Sep 2023

Regardless of what your hobbies are, there are probably several different ways that you could make money from them. Earning money through a hobby can be an excellent side hustle that allows you to have some fun while making extra money (more on side hustling here). In some cases, you may even be able to turn that hobby income into a full-time business.

The benefit of monetising hobbies and skills enables a person to make money right away, rather than having to wait to get employed. You are your own boss which means that you can do as much or as little as you want. Furthermore, this stream has a good income potential. Once you find a good audience, no one can stop you from making a hefty amount of money. However, mentioning the drawbacks, you’ll need to invest some money. Therefore, it is essential to explore the cost of the items used in your products.

Whether you are a proactive speaker, have efficient web development and designing skills, or excel at any of your hobbies, you can monetize it, so it becomes a source of income for yourself. And even if you feel like you haven’t yet discovered your niche skills yet, here are some digital skills worthy of pursuing and excelling at. Some other skills one can train oneself in and monetise are discussed later in the blog as well.

Monetized content is a type of written, visual or audio content where you are paid to share your insights or expertise, such as blog posts, YouTube videos, paid speaker roles etc.

Hobby/Skill List

●    Reading
●    Gardening
●    Cooking
● Photography
●    Dancing
● Writing
●    Painting
●    Knitting
●    Creative Writing
●    Drawing
●    Arts and Crafts
●    Video Games
●    Crocheting
●    Woodworking
●    Web designing
●    Quilling
●    Yoga
●    Sports
●    Volunteering
●    Singing

Platforms where you can learn skills

● YouTube
● SkillShare
● Coursera
● Khan Academy
● EdX

However, before getting started you should know whether that particular platform offers courses relevant to you or not. You should also consider the level of expertise of that platform. The quality of the course being offered is also another factor to be kept in mind. Furthermore, the most crucial thing to observe is the pricing of the platform.

Topics

Obviously, you must choose a platform that offers you good-quality courses in the field of your choice. For instance, Skillshare and YouTube focus on creative subjects, while Coursera and Khan Academy focus on data analytics and data science. Find a platform that offers courses relevant to you.

Level of Expertise

Depth is not the only criterion to consider here. You must select a platform that offers courses that match your proficiency. If you are a beginner, you don’t want to land on a platform whose programs are designed only for advanced learners, and vice versa.

Pricing

Of course, pricing matters. If you are on a budget, then Coursera, Udemy, and EdXEdX are good choices. Youtube also provides free access to a wide range of videos; however, it often lacks sequence and order.

Course Quality

Platforms like Coursera, EdX, and Skillshare offer high-quality courses across the board. On other platforms like Udemy and YouTube, the quality varies significantly between courses. You can still choose the latter so long as you are ready to invest some time researching the courses and finding the best one for your needs.

You can learn a skill...

... But What’s The Formula To Make Money From It?

● Start a Blog
● Freelance
● Provide services

Start a Blog

In order to start a blog, the first thing to keep in mind is to select a niche for your blog. Brainstorm and list down topics for your blog. A niche is a specific topic that your blog will focus on, and it’s key in determining your target audience. A strong blog niche can also help you pick the perfect blog name and develop a focused blogging strategy. Examples of blog niches include books, travel, gaming, photography, and food. Pick a niche that you like or are passionate about. Writing about a topic you enjoy will always be more fulfilling than forcing yourself to write about something you’re uninterested in. Consider your hobbies and interests or topics you’d like to learn more about. Then, make them more specific. Subsequently, you need to select a suitable blogging platform. Blogging platforms are divided into two categories – hosted and self-hosted.

Website Builders

There is an alternative to this If you want to avoid a lengthy setup process and steep learning curve, and that is website builders. Website builder is a type of platform that gives you a straightforward way to make a website without any complicated technical requirements, making it a great solution for beginners. The advantage of website builders is its quick setup. Use AI Website Builders like Branchbob and Bubble or even ChatGPT to generate a completely custom blog in just a few clicks – all you need to do is provide a short description of your ideal blog. Then, head to the visual editor to adjust all the site elements to your specifications.

There are premade templates to speed up your building process by choosing from the many templates specifically designed to optimize your blog. All the designs are mobile-friendly and customizable. There are some drawbacks as well which include that website builders are less flexible. Most website builders are built on a closed-source system. The templates and add-ons are usually limited to what the service officially offers.

Third-Party Blogging Websites

Many successful bloggers use websites like Medium, Blogger, or Tumblr in addition to their own platforms. Some blogging websites use a social media-like algorithm where visitors can discover trending blog posts based on their interests.

Leveraging this system can help you build a strong audience base for your blog. You can also use these platforms to build backlinks and funnel more visitors to your blogging website. Some unique benefits of using a third-party website is that it is easy to initiate. All you have to do is create an account, and you’re ready to make your first blog post.

● No maintenance work: There’s no need to think about technical aspects like the site’s performance or security – you can focus on publishing and promoting your blog.
● Existing audience base: Blogging websites already have an established user base you can leverage to build your online presence. Plus, creating unique and valuable content gives you a chance to be featured on the platform.
● Budget-friendly: Many of these blogging websites are free to use. That way, you can create accounts on more than one platform to expand your reach without worrying about costs.

However there are some drawbacks to this as well.

● Limited ownership: Your blog and its content will be stored on the platform’s server, so there is a chance you may lose them if the website goes offline.
● Tough competition: Since you share the platform with other bloggers, getting traction can be challenging. Most of the time, contributors with established reputations will take precedence on the home page and get most of the traffic.
● Fewer monetization options: Unlike running your own blogging platform, you can’t display ads or sell products directly from these third-party websites. The only options are promoting affiliate links or joining the platform’s partner program.

Choosing the right platform plays a big part in your blogging success. Make sure to identify your needs and preferences before deciding on a solution.

The next step in how to become a blogger is creating a thought-out name. It shouldn’t just be catchy and unique – it should also be brandable and relevant to your industry.

There are three main qualities a good blog name should have:

● Related to your niche.
● No longer than 2-3 words.
● Easy to spell and remember.

The next step to start a blog is getting your blog’s domain name. This is the web address visitors need to enter to access your website. Ideally, you should pick a domain name that is exactly your blog title. If that’s not available, find an alternative that resembles or is related to it. This is to avoid confusion and help your site become more identifiable.

After that, you can set up and customize your website. For instance, you can customize using WordPress blogging platform. Also, don’t forget to create the necessary pages and categories. Unlike posts, a standard web page requires little to no edits or updates. Alas, make a content strategy and pre-launch campaign by setting goals for your project. Figure out your target audience’s interests and aspirations, and analyze your competitors. Pay attention to topics that aren’t covered in detail in their articles and focus on including the missing information in your own blog posts. This will help you stand out from other blogs.

Publish Your Blog

The process of publishing a blog post is typically very simple, as we explained earlier. However, we recommend doing a last check to ensure the blog post is of its best quality.

Before making your blog post accessible, consider taking a look at this publishing checklist:

● Review and Fix Any Grammar and Spelling Errors
● Check Formatting and Structure
● Add and Optimize Visual Elements
● Ensure All Links are Working Properly

Freelance Writing

One of the most popular ways to earn money from content writing is through freelance writing. As a freelance writer, you work independently, writing for various clients. You can find work through freelance job sites such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr, or you can approach clients directly. When starting as a freelance writer, it’s essential to build a portfolio of work that showcases your writing skills. You can start by creating a blog or writing guest posts for other blogs. You can also offer your writing services for free or at a reduced rate to gain experience and build your portfolio.

Content Mills

Another way to earn money from content writing is by creating and monetizing your blogs. Blogging can be a lucrative career, but it requires hard work, dedication, and patience.

To monetize your blog, you can place ads on your website, create sponsored content, and sell products or services related to your niche. It’s essential to create high-quality content that is relevant to your audience and attracts traffic to your blog.

Copywriting

Copywriting is a specialized form of content writing that focuses on creating persuasive content to sell products or services. Copywriters are in high demand, and they often command higher rates than general content writers. To become a successful copywriter, you need to have a good understanding of consumer behavior, marketing, and branding. You also need to be able to write compelling headlines, product descriptions, and call-to-action statements.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is another specialized form of content writing that focuses on creating instructional or technical content. Technical writers are in high demand in industries such as software development, healthcare, and engineering. To become a successful technical writer, you need to have excellent writing skills and a good understanding of technical terminology. You also need to be able to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner.

Social Media Writing

Social media writing is a relatively new niche in content writing. Social media writers create content for social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social media writing requires a different skill set than other forms of content writing. You need to be able to write short, attention-grabbing posts that resonate with your audience. You also need to have a good understanding of social media trends and be able to create content that engages your followers.

eBook Writing

eBook writing is another way to earn money from content writing. eBooks are digital books that can be sold on platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. To become a successful eBook writer, you need to have excellent writing skills and a good understanding of your target audience. You also need to be able to create compelling titles and cover designs that attract potential buyers. Some popular eBook topics include self-help, personal development, and business.

Content Marketing

Content marketing is a strategic approach to creating and distributing valuable content to attract and retain a target audience. Content marketing writers create content such as blog posts, eBooks, social media posts, and videos to promote products or services. Content marketing requires a good understanding. Content mills are websites that offer writers the opportunity to write articles for clients. These websites are often criticized for paying low rates, but they can be an excellent way to gain experience and build your portfolio. Check out this blog by clippings.me to discover more about some of the top content mills.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another way to earn money from content writing. Affiliate marketers promote products or services through their content and earn a commission for each sale made through their referral. To become a successful affiliate marketer, you need to have a good understanding of your target audience and be able to create compelling content that persuades them to buy the products or services you are promoting.

Ghostwriting

Ghostwriting is another way to earn money from content writing. As a ghostwriter, you write content for clients who take credit for your work. Ghostwriting can be an excellent way to earn a steady income as a writer, but it requires discretion and the ability to work collaboratively with clients. To become a successful ghostwriter, you need to be able to write in different styles and tones. You also need to be able to capture the client’s voice and convey their message effectively.

Blogging

Another way to earn money from content writing is by creating and monetizing your blog. Blogging can be a lucrative career, but it requires hard work, dedication, and patience. To monetize your blog, you can place ads on your website, create sponsored content, and sell products or services related to your niche. It’s essential to create high-quality content that is relevant to your audience and attracts traffic to your blog.

Offer Services

Examples of service businesses: Photographer, graphic designer, web designer, portrait artist, video producer, marketer, social media specialist, content creator, freelance writer, copywriter, app developer, digital marketer, personal trainer, consultant. Here are some beneficial tips to earn the most from these services businesses.

Network

The first and the foremost is to offer services. Therefore, a person should have a strong network. People like to do business with someone they know. If you’re having trouble finding work, you could try to double your marketing efforts, redesign your website, or reconsider your sales tactics. But it would probably be a lot easier and more effective to change your networking habits. It’s as simple as becoming more involved in your community, going to events, or joining an organization.

Recurring Work is the Best Kind of Work

Recurring business is a foundation that allows you to hire full-time employees and spend less time pursuing new accounts. So, start thinking of ways that your clients could benefit from receiving your service month in and month out.

Under Promise, Over Deliver

Good companies meet their clients’ expectations. Companies destined for greatness exceed those expectations and make their clients’ jaws hit the floor.

That means pulling all-nighters to put on that last coat of polish and adding features that your client never paid for. That’s the type of service that earns you repeat business and word of mouth referrals.

Don't Overpay Yourself

You start a business to make money, but if you’re personally taking every penny of profit, then you’ll have nothing left over to invest in your business. Obviously, you need a salary that pays for the bare essentials. But the more you invest in your company, the sooner you’ll be able to make a salary befitting a CEO.

A Good Partner can be your Best Asset

Taking on a business partner means splitting the ownership of your company in half. But the right business partner will more than double the company’s profits, so it won’t matter.

Ask Questions

I’ve developed a list of questions that I ask all of our new clients: What’s your company’s story? What are the biggest objections of your prospective customers? What is the specific action that you want a viewer to take after viewing your video?

The more you know about who a client is and what they want, the better you’ll be able to help them get it.

The Customer isn't Always Right

Don’t get me wrong. You should bend over backwards to make your customers happy, even when they’re being a little bit unreasonable. But often the customer is wrong about how you can best help them. When your client thinks you should do something that you know isn’t in their best interest, it’s your duty as an expert in the field to put your foot down. Don’t tell them that they’re wrong. Take their idea into consideration and then explain the way you envision doing things. They’re hiring you for your expertise. After they hear all of the well-informed benefits of proceeding your way, they’ll forget they ever had a different vision to begin with.

Choose a Growing Industry

With a commitment to excellence, you can start a thriving service business in any industry – even if it’s on the decline.

But why not choose a fast-growing industry? Starting a company in a growing industry is like running downhill. There are more clients and fewer competitors.

Get Feedback

You could be making an embarrassing mistake with your clients or letting them down in an important way, but you won’t know unless they tell you. That’s why you ask. I have a ‘Client Feedback Survey’ that I ask companies to fill out after I’ve worked with them. One of the questions is, “How could your experience with this project have been improved?”

You Don't Need an Extravagant Website

A website is a huge asset for any business. It’s both a place to provide helpful information for your current clients and a virtual salesperson that works 24 hours a day. But for most service businesses, a fully-featured and robust website isn’t necessary. Ideally, the site would have a blog, a login area for clients, and rank at the top of Google for ‘video production company’. But for now, it’s serving our purposes elegantly. It’s a place people can go to learn more about our service and it garners unsolicited leads every month.

Always be Learning

Whatever your service, you can – and should – be doing it better.

Don’t take your improvement for granted. Actively get better by seeking out training videos, reading relevant books, and challenging yourself with each new job.

Hire Character, Train Skill

There’s nothing more important to the growth of a service company than the quality of the people that you bring on board. But while it’s a good idea to hire people who are technically great at what they do, that shouldn’t be your number one priority. Integrity, honor, reliability, work ethic, adaptability, passion, and the desire to learn cannot be taught.

Nothing's More Important than the Quality of your Work

See each new project as an opportunity to make a statement. Nothing will accelerate the success of your service business better than excellent performance. You never know who may see your work or when you’ll get a big break!

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Author: Sarah Zubair
Proofreaders: Syed Muhammad Shaheer Ali and Aima Qureshi

July 21, 2024

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