When it comes to making money online, some skills are better than others. Why is that? The reason is that the 10 skills to make money online allow you to do more things with your time, which in turn allows you to make more money. For instance, if you have a skill like writing, you can use that skill to write articles for websites and blogs, or even create your blog and sell advertising space.
If you have a skill like programming, you can use that skill to create websites and web applications or work as a freelance programmer. The possibilities with high-income skills are endless, and a lot of the skills required can be automated, which means you don’t have to sit around waiting for someone to pay you.
This article is going to list 10 skills ( I expanded it to 14!) to make money online quickly and easily. Some of these skills you can learn require some practice before you’re good enough at them to make money, but once you get past that learning curve, then you can easily earn money online.
Let’s start with the first skill:
Table of Contents
Writing Skills
I’m sure this one doesn’t come as a surprise. These days it seems like writing is a mandatory skill to make a living online, whether you just want to earn more money or get a full-time job online. There are hundreds or maybe even of websites looking for writers who can write unique and interesting content to share with their audience. There are also many different types of writing that you can do online, the most popular being the following:
Blogging
This is probably one of the easiest ways to earn cash through passive income because anyone can do it. You don’t need an English degree or anything like that to start blogging. All you have to do is create a blog, find an ad network (like Google Ads), and then publish articles on search engines for people to read.
When visitors visit your site, they will see the ads from your ad network, and when they click on them, you get paid. It’s that easy. The only “hard” part about content writing is finding advertisers who are willing to pay you to show their ads on your site. But once you build up a few regular readers or even a large following, advertisers will be banging down your door trying to get you to place their ads on your blog.
Writing Articles for Websites and Newsletters
Website content writing for others is another great way that anyone can earn money online by writing articles. You won’t have to create your website or blog because many businesses are willing to pay good money for quality writers they can hire to write articles for them to get more website traffic and improve organic search results. (Writing technical articles is one such industry.)
So all you have to do is find these companies who are looking for writers, apply with some samples of your work, and then wait until one of these companies hires you. The wonderful thing about this second method is that, if you’re hired after you apply, then you will have a steady flow of income each time you write another article.
Writing Social Media Posts
These days, every company out there seems to be on social media in some way or another. So if you know how to write good posts for social media, then you can make extra money by being hired by these companies to post about their products and services on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
All you have to do is apply to these websites asking for a social media marketer with digital marketing skills, provide samples of your past posts on a social media account (and maybe even the name/email of someone who can vouch for your skills), and if they like what they see when they check out your application/samples, then they will hire you.
Writing E-books
A lot of people are making money online by writing e-books these days. And while it doesn’t pay much in terms of dollars per hour, it does pay. So if you’re the type of person who loves writing but hates getting paid a ton of money for it, then this could be a great alternative career path for you. You can write your e-book on any topic you want. It doesn’t have to be something super specific like “How To Train Your Parakeet” or anything either so keep that in mind when choosing a topic for yourself.
You can then upload your book to Amazon KDP, for example, where people can buy it directly from Amazon. The great thing about this is that you don’t have to keep any inventory of your books. Amazon takes care of everything for you. Let’s say you write a book about human psychology, software development, or how to make money in computer-related professions. If your book has a huge demand, you can make money.
Now let’s move onto the next skill.
Web Design and Development
Website development is another skill that can be used to make money online because websites are everywhere these days. Long gone are the days only a few companies had their website. Now companies just hire professional web designers with their own business who can create websites for them.
If you’re good at creating websites, then you could earn great money by applying to companies like this and getting hired. And the best part is that once you build up a reputation for yourself (by working on these projects), then more clients will start finding out about you and contacting you whenever they need someone to create their next website.
Some of the web skills you’re probably going to need for web developers include the following:
HTML Programming
With HTML, you can create a website from scratch. That’s what it does: it allows you to code the actual structure of your site, like how many pages there are, where everything is placed (navigation menus, headers, footers), etc. It’s the basic coding knowledge you need for websites.
CSS/CSS3
With CSS you can create custom layouts for your webpages that you’re creating with HTML. This way you don’t have to manually code every single aspect of your site or even worry about designing one because you can use pre-made templates and customize them however you want as a graphic designer would.
JavaScript/jQuery
These two skills are used along with CSS when coding your webpages to make them more interactive by adding widgets like drop-down menus, accordions, carousels, etc. This is also useful in mobile app development and computer programming.
PHP
There are also some things you can code with PHP that cannot be done with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. For example, you can use it to create database-driven websites where information is stored online so people can access it even after the site has been shut down. You could also use PHP to make your website work faster by minifying your CSS/JavaScript files every time someone visits the page.
And there are many more web development skills out there but these are some of the most important ones you should have under your belt if you want to get serious about pursuing a career in this field.
As you can see, this is just one example of many skills that will be needed to become a web developer. Once you have the necessary skills, then all you have to do is apply for jobs online and wait until someone hires you. You might have to face competition from other people with these same skills, but if your experience speaks for itself, then you should be fine getting hired by companies who are looking for web developers to help them create their next website or mobile app.
3D Modeling and Animation
If you’re good at creating 3D models and animations, then this could be another skill that’s worth learning. You can find work by applying to companies who need someone with your talents (just like you would for any other type of job).
And the best part is that if you create something really impressive, then people might even contact you directly about working on their projects. It won’t always be easy getting hired for these jobs though. So make sure to apply to as many companies as necessary to get your name out there and get noticed by the ones who hire freelancers like yourself.
The best way to get started with this skill (if you don’t know anything about it) is to learn how to create 3D models and animations by yourself. Many tutorials can teach you these skills for free (or cheap) online so it won’t cost you much money to start learning them (as long as you have internet access and are willing to learn a new skill).
Storytelling
Telling stories is one of the best skills to know regardless of whether or not you want to make money using them online. This is because storytelling is what makes us human, and humans are social creatures who love communicating with others to share our stories.
So if you’re able to tell a story in such a way that it captures your audience’s attention and holds their interest for hours on end, then you’re going to be able to get people to pay attention when you sell them on some great idea or product that they didn’t even know existed before hearing about it from you.
However, there are some common storytelling principles out there that can help make anyone a better storyteller than they were before they knew about them (provided of course that they apply these new storytelling techniques).
For example, did you know that we remember up to 90% of the things we see and hear but only 20% of what we read or up to 10% of what we hear if we’re listening to someone but not looking at them (e.g., while driving in a car, talking on the phone, etc.)? So make sure you learn as much as you can about storytelling and how to use it to better communicate your ideas and sell your products/services online.
Programming
As I mentioned before, programming is one of the most in-demand skills online right now. If you know how to program computers or mobile devices or anything like that, then you can make money doing it online. Websites are looking for people who can create web applications for them, which are little software programs that they can use on their website to help with marketing and advertising campaigns (kind of like data analysis or Google Analytics).
You can also find freelance jobs where people are willing to pay good money for quality programmers that they need to hire to do work for them. So whether it’s creating a bunch of different apps for someone’s company or just one app that’s complex and impressive, then you can make money as an app developer or making your own apps.
When it comes down to programming, there are many different types of skills out there you might need to succeed as a programmer. Some of the ones you should look into include:
- JavaScript
- C++
- PHP
- SQL (or some other type of database)
All of these skills will help you land web development jobs online or even freelance jobs where people just want to hire someone who has the necessary computer programming skills they’re looking for to complete certain projects they have waiting for them. Just remember that learning all of these things on your own is going to take some time and effort so if you don’t know anything about any of these skills, then don’t expect to get hired by someone right away.
Graphic Design
There are lots of different types of graphic design you might be needed for online. These can include everything from creating logos for people’s businesses to designing promotional graphics that they want to use on their websites or YouTube videos or wherever else.
You can find work with this skill by looking up job postings online (just like you normally would if you wanted to get hired somewhere). Or you could look at companies who already have designed the graphics they need and offer them your services instead.
Once again, if you don’t know anything about graphic design then it’s probably going to take some time before anyone will hire you, which is why it’s normally a good idea to learn things like this on your own so that way when the opportunity comes along for someone to hire you, then you have enough experience with it to get it done right.
Or if you’re really good at what you do, then maybe they’ll ask you to help them create an entire website for them or something like that just based on your portfolio of things you’ve created before. You’ll need to know about graphic design editing software and maybe a little about website development to make the most out of this new skill. Be sure to take online classes in graphic designing if this is one of the new skills to learn.
Language Translation
Being able to speak two different languages is pretty impressive. So when it comes to creating a good resume for yourself when you’re trying to get hired somewhere, this might be something they’ll want to see when they look through your work history. A lot of companies are looking for people online who can help them translate things from one language into another since there are many different types of languages out there that people use daily.
The best way to learn how to do something like this is if you already know the basics about both languages you plan on translating between. Once you get started with learning more advanced things, then it will be easier for you to get up and running by yourself without having any issues or problems along the way. As a language translator, you can be your own boss and you don’t need a college degree, either. It’s one of the high-income skills that make money.
Illustration
Illustration is not the same as graphic design. While graphic design is more about the layouts that people use on their websites or in their YouTube videos, then illustration is all about coming up with the little details like characters, objects, and everything else that makes up a story. With this type of skill, you can also find work by looking at job postings online where companies are looking for someone to help them create designs for their business or company.
If you want to become an illustrator, then there are lots of different things you need to learn before anyone will hire you over other artists who have more experience than you do.
Remember that no one ever said it was going to be easy when it comes down to doing anything related to illustrating so if you think it looks easy right now, then just wait until you’re actually trying to master this skill on your own. Take an online course to learn about how to become a freelance designer or illustrator. The more you learn online, the better off you’ll be when just starting.
Copywriting
When it comes down to writing good copy, no one is better than the pros at it. This includes everything from writing advertising slogans for billboards or TV commercials so they catch people’s attention and want to learn more about the new product or service they are trying to sell them. You can find work through job postings but also by reaching companies who already have companies that use these services for their businesses online.
Marketing copywriters might be able to find writing jobs easier than other types of copywriters because once again, everyone knows that marketing is incredibly important when it comes down to getting new customers into buying their products or services.
If you don’t know anything about marketing, then it’s probably going to take some time until you get hired somewhere so the best way to learn what you have to do to get there is just by doing it on your own. It should take you less than a year to learn to make money with this skill. You might benefit from learning some SEO strategies (you can learn online) and data analytics if you’re going to be doing online copywriting as a promotional tool for others or writing sales pages.
Photography
Just like graphic design, being able to take pictures is also important when it comes down to getting hired for any job online where they need someone who can tell a story with their pictures instead of just taking random snapshots and calling them photos. If you don’t know how to use a camera and other types of photography equipment, then chances are that you’re not going to be hired very easily because we live in a world where everyone has a camera on them 24/7 and they think they’re photographers.
If this sounds interesting or fun to you, then a good way to learn more about the basic skills you need is by going out and actually taking pictures. After all, not everyone can be a photographer so if you think this sounds fun and exciting, then now’s your time to shine as long as you have the right attitude when it comes down to learning how to take these types of pictures.
Social Media Marketing
You might have heard this before but being able to use marketing techniques for people to see what you’re doing online is important because there are lots of different things that can be done with all sorts of social media platforms. So whether it’s writing blog posts or creating YouTube videos, a lot of companies are willing to hire someone who has experience with marketing their business and their products on different social media sites.
Even if you don’t think what you’re doing is marketing, you can still use these types of techniques to get more people on your page by letting them know that something new or fun is going on there. You can also learn more about the topics you need to cover for this type of work by taking a look at job postings online as well as trying to find work yourself with whatever method you want.
Video Editing
Companies are looking for someone who can produce videos that they can then use to promote their business or whatever it is that they’re trying to sell, so if this sounds interesting to you, then all you have to do is learn how to edit videos. This isn’t as easy as it sounds but with the right software and enough time put into practicing, video editing has the potential of being something fun and exciting for anyone who wants to work in this field.
By taking a look at video editing job postings online, you’ll be able to find companies that are always hiring people who want to work in this type of career instead of just doing it on their own because even though lots of people think it’s an easy job, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes down to doing this type of work.
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization is something that companies look for because it’s something they need to get more people located online, which means hiring someone who knows how to work with SEO is something companies are always looking for. SEO specialists can work with different types of businesses and even create websites and blogs that give their clients the type of exposure they need.
Learning how to do SEO for your own website is a good way for you to practice what you have to do to get other people on board with your search engine marketing services.
So if you know how to do this type of work, then all you have to do is take a look at job postings and send your resume over there so they know that you’re interested in getting the job done. If you can’t find any open positions or want to learn more about the topic itself, then doing some research online will help give you an idea of what needs to be done.
Project Management Skills
Getting a job with management skills can be pretty easy if you know how to do this type of work. The thing is that companies are always looking for help when it comes down to managing all types of different projects and the individuals who have the right experience in this field will get hired very easily.
If you don’t think management skills are something that you’re good at, then now’s your time to practice with smaller projects like helping a friend or family member with organizing an event. This way, you can get familiar with what needs to be done and how it has to be done for the project to go as smoothly as possible.
Wrap Up
Even though hard skills are important, soft skills will always be in demand because they can’t be easily replicated. This is why it’s so important for you to start learning these most profitable skills now so that when the time comes, you’ll be able to get a job and start making money online.
With the right amount of practice and dedication, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve your goals. So which of these profitable skills do you think you’re going to focus on first? As always, feel free to leave your answers in the comments section below.
FAQ – 10 Skills to Learn to Make Money Online
What are some examples of soft skills?
Some examples include good communication skills, the ability to work in a team, attention to detail, excellent time management, etc. These are characteristics that employers typically look for when hiring someone so if you have these skills then chances are good they’ll get hired right away.
How can I become a professional copywriter?
If you want to become a professional copywriter with the correct copywriting skills, then you must dedicate yourself to learning everything there is about the topic. This means reading books and taking online courses so that you can improve your skills and get hired by companies that are looking for experts in this area.
What is a digital marketer?
A digital marketer is someone who does all kinds of digital marketing online so they can help companies sell their products and/or services. There are lots of different projects that need to be done and because of this, there’s a very high demand for these types of individuals. If you can show that you know how to do this type of work then you’ll get hired very easily.
What is UX Design?
UX stands for user experience and it’s all about making sure that a company’s website is designed in such a way that people will like using it. There are lots of different components to consider when designing an online product or service, including font size, color scheme, navigation, etc., so make sure you understand everything there is about UX design before taking on any projects where you use your designing skills.
What are some skills I can learn to be a web developer?
Some basic skills you should know if you want to become a web developer include HTML, CSS, Javascript, JQuery, Adobe Photoshop, etc. Even though these are basic skills that everyone should know, they are still skills that might take time to perfect so make sure you get started now!
What is mobile app development?
Mobile app development is one of the highest-paying jobs in this industry, which means you need to make sure you understand how it works before applying for any jobs. If you can show that you know how to build an app then chances are good that your salary will increase because there are lots of companies out there that are looking for people who have these skills.
What are some other skills graphic designers have?
Some basic skills that you should know to become a professional graphic designer include knowing how to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc., being able to create vector graphics, having good typography skills, being able to come up with creative solutions for your clients when they need help with their designs, etc.
What is a web developer?
A web developer acts as a bridge between the back-end of a website and the front-end of a website so they can work on different components to make sure that everything works properly. The demand for these types of individuals is very high so if you have the necessary skills then you’ll be able to get hired very quickly.
