What You Need To Know About Monetizing Your Skills.
Written by Olubanke Favour
Since the Covid-19 disease struck, our world has seen a lot of changes. From the loss of jobs to employees working remotely to social media applications recording an increase in content consumption to people exploring their hobbies and skills. Recently, I saw tweets that thrashed the concept of people using their skills/hobbies to make money. Frankly, I get the sentiments behind these opinions but the truth is, a lot of money can be made through your skills!
Do you want to start something new but you have no idea where to begin? Don’t fret. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- The first thing you should do, whether you want to start your unique side hustle or make a career pivot, is figure out your strengths. This will give you clarity and direction. Trust me when I say that everyone, including you, has a unique set of skills to offer the world. Know this: people pay for solutions to their problems. If you can connect your skills to a problem a group of people need to solve, you are definitely on the right track. But unless you are ready to learn how to earn money with your skillset, your passions will remain just hobbies.
- If you do not think you can earn money from your hobbies, there are plenty of other skills you can learn online that would interest you and earn you income as well. Examples of earnable skills include social media marketing, video editing, website development, UI/UX design, content writing, copywriting, graphic design, editing, and proofreading. If you feel stuck because you don’t know how or where to start, check out YouTube. Funny how someone called it an entire university. Start by watching videos on your preferred skill for beginners. You could also read books or begin a free online course.
- Freelance — leverage your network. It’s been a while now and you have consistently gathered knowledge on the skill of your choice for a long time. Now you are ready to work. Start by updating your LinkedIn profile. Connect with professionals and people of like-minds. Also, let people around you know what to do. You could begin with doing a few free jobs just so that people can see what you are made of. Be sure to do a good job. If you are presented with something you think you can’t handle, be honest about it. That way, you won’t end up doing anything that could harm your reputation in that field or generally. You don’t want to be referred to as “the babe that did a bad job”, do you?
- Baby girl, keep that in mind that you will chop Ls. Although it is not uncommon to see job ads that call for years of experience, and while employers are less than enthusiastic about hiring newcomers, it isn’t meant to discourage you. However, just keep doing what you do. Consistency does a lot, trust me. Just like the popular businessman, Milliard Drexler said, “People like consistency. Whether it’s a store or a restaurant, they want to come in and see what you are famous for.”
- Know when to walk away from exploitative offers. You are likely to come across people who don’t appreciate your line of work. However, keep in mind that there are people who do. So don’t allow yourself to be used by people with little or no value for the work that you do. I understand that you may require the money that you are offered. Nevertheless, know your worth and don’t get used to offers like that. As you get better, ensure you balance exposure with earning.
- Upskill and move with the trends in your industry: It is an apparent fact that technology is creating new opportunities every day. This is why upskilling is important. It involves continuous learning for the purpose of expanding your abilities and minimizing your skill gaps. This way, you get to improve your current skills set, giving you the confidence to scale up the ladder in whatever path you’ve chosen. It might seem like a lot of work and you might even get discouraged. However, this is better than remaining stagnant. Trust that in the end, your hard work is going to pay off.
This money has to be made — and we are definitely gonna make it!🤩🙏🏾.
Favour is a 400-level student of the faculty of law in the University of Lagos. She is a writer who finds joy in sharing stories through fiction and non-fiction. She loves food, fashion, and poetry.
Edited by Zulu Nneka Anyaogu
Zulu is a Lawyer, Programs manager, and Youth Human Rights Advocate who is passionate about women’s rights and the inclusion of young people in decision-making spaces. In her spare time, you’d catch her binging on movies, reading crime and mystery novels, and eating. Connect with Zulu on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Published by Akinsipe Temitope
Temitope is a young storyteller who thinks all stories are worth telling. She loves to inspire people to do what they love and follow their passions, tell their stories, and live in the present moment. Connect with Temitope on Instagram, and Twitter.
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