The internet has remade everything about the way we make money. You don’t need a fancy office, costly equipment or even a college degree to make money on the web. What you don’t require is the right background, or even a lot of startup capital; what you do need are some valuable skills and the ability to market yourself to customers who want them.
Millions of people around the world are generating revenue from their bedrooms, coffee shops and home offices. They are designers, writers, coders, teachers and consultants who worked out how to package their skills into income streams. A few make a couple of hundred dollars on the side each month. Some forsake their full-time jobs altogether.
The best part? You might already have skills people will pay you for. Maybe you’re adept at translating complex ideas, making beautiful graphics or creating order out of chaos. Maybe you can repair computers, give guitar lessons or assist people with financial planning. These aren’t mere hobbies or talents in the making — they are already potential businesses that can generate money and drive the economy.
This guide will take you by the hand and take you through everything on how to turn your knowledge into cash. We’ll talk about how to determine your most valuable skills, where to find people who will pay you for them, what to charge and which platforms work well for various kinds of work. At the end, you’ll have a simple plan for starting your online income journey.
Finding Your Money-Making Skills
You can’t sell what you don’t know you’re good at. That sounds like nothing, but many get stuck there because we are so confined by what comes easily and naturally to us.
Taking Stock of What You Know
The first step is to list everything for which you are at least reasonably qualified. Don’t proofread too soon — just write it all out. Include:
Work skills: What do you do in your current or previous jobs? Entering data, customer service, project management, bookkeeping or sales?
Creativity: Do you draw, write, edit videos, shoot photos or design graphics?
Technical experience: Can you code, build a website, troubleshoot software, or develop an app?
Teaching gifts: Is there a subject or skill you could teach someone else? Languages, math, music, fitness or cooking?
Strengths: Organization Do you excel at event planning, scheduling, researching or recordkeeping?
Even things that seem basic to you may be in demand. People who can format documents in Microsoft Word quickly might be able to offer their services to time-crunched professionals. Someone who is really good at ferreting out online deals might go into the personal shopping business.
Which Skills Actually Pay?
Not all skills get the same auction at online marketplaces. Some are high-demand and relatively high-paying, while others are highly competitive or pay very little. Here’s a breakdown:
| Skill Category | Demand Level | Average Pay Range | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Development | Very High | $50-150/hour | Medium |
| Graphic Design | High | $25-75/hour | High |
| Content Writing | High | $0.03-0.50/word | Very High |
| Video Editing | High | $30-100/hour | Medium |
| Social Media Management | Medium-High | $15-50/hour | High |
| Virtual Assistance | Medium | $10-30/hour | Very High |
| Online Tutoring | Medium-High | $15-60/hour | Medium |
| Bookkeeping | Medium | $20-50/hour | Medium |
| Translation | Medium | $0.05-0.25/word | Medium |
| Voice Acting | Low-Medium | $100-$500/project | Medium |
The sweet spot is finding skills that are in demand but also right at your ability level. You are looking for something that people actively want, but in which you can be distinctive.
Testing Your Market Value
Before dismantling your life to do so, find a way to test if people will pay you for what you’re good at:
Consult your network: Share your intention to offer with friends, family members and coworkers. Would they hire you? Is there anyone they know who could?
Look at job boards: Look for your type of freelance work on sites. Are there lots of open jobs? What are they paying?
Spy on competition: Find 5-10 people who offer the same service. What do their profiles say? How much do they charge? What do their reviews mention?
Give away a free sample: Try giving your service for free once or twice, in exchange for feedback and testimonials. This is how you grow both your portfolio and confidence.
Choosing Your Platform: Where to Market Your Talents
Once you know what to sell, you need to decide where to sell it. Various platforms tend to work better for different skills and working styles.
Freelance Marketplaces
These platforms link freelancers with potential clients in search of specific services. You build a profile, clients post jobs and you apply or get hired.
Best options:
Upwork: Perfect for seasoned professionals. Higher-quality clients but more competition. Great for writing, design, development and virtual assistance.
Fiverr: Begin with selling services (“gigs”) at specific prices. You can also use beginners and build better things. Great for graphics, writing, video editing and voice work.
Freelancer.com: Like Upwork, but with more beginner jobs. Has something for nearly any level of skill, but plenty of low-paying jobs.
Pros: Ready-made audience, payment security, portfolio building
Cons: Platform fees (5-20%), lots of competition, race to the bottom pricing
Teaching Platforms
If you are a good teacher or tutor, then these platforms bring students to you.
Best options:
Teachable or Thinkific: Generate an income online by selling your own video courses on any subject
VIPKid or iTalki: Teach a language through live video chats
Udemy: Create a course and profit from student tuition (they take 50% or more)
Skillshare: Earn money based on how long students watch your classes
Pros: Passive income potential (for courses), freedom of schedule, work from anywhere
Cons: Time-consuming to build audience, third-party platform fees, course creation is labor-intensive
Direct Client Platforms
Some of those skills are useless unless you procure clients yourself and take care of their communications.
Best options:
LinkedIn: Connect with professionals and businesses that could use your services
Your website: Establish credibility, and maintain 100% control over your brand
Instagram or TikTok: Show your visual chops here and drive clients using content
Local business groups: Facebook groups and community boards for clients around your local area
Pros: No platform fees, develop long-term client relationships, possibility of higher rates
Cons: You have to do everything yourself, longer to find first clients, marketing skills required
Specialized Marketplaces
Some skills have entire platforms devoted just to them.
| Skill Type | Best Platforms |
|---|---|
| Writing | Contently, Scripted, Medium Partner Program |
| Design | 99designs, Dribbble, Behance |
| Photography | Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Etsy |
| Coding | Toptal, GitHub Jobs, Stack Overflow Jobs |
| Consulting | Clarity.fm, Maven, Intro |
Pricing Right Without Going for Low Bids
Pricing is tricky. Charge too little and you’ll work yourself to the bone for pennies. Charge too much, you’ll scare away everyone. Here’s what it takes to strike the right balance.
Calculate Your Minimum Rate
First, figure out the lowest possible amount that you can get away with charging and still think it’s worth your time:
Set your income target: How much would you like to make each month?
Calculate your hours: How many hours can you actually devote to this?
One Step At A Time: Monthly goal ÷ hours a month = minimum hourly rate
Example: If you need $2,000/month and 80 hours of work then your bottom line is $25/hour at a minimum.
But don’t stop there. You also need to account for:
- Taxes (save 25-30% if in the US)
- Platform fees (often 10-20%)
- Non-billable time (marketing, admin stuff, communicating with client)
- Slow months and dry spells
So if you estimated $25/hour, your answer is probably higher to cover everything. Try $35-40/hour for setting a real goal.
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Research What Others Charge
Review 10-15 profiles of individuals who offer similar services at the level that you’re at. Make a note of their rates. Chances are, you’ll see a spectrum like this:
Bottom 25%: The dregs (usually new or people from low cost countries)
Middle 50%: Average market rate
Top 25%: High pricing (highest experience, specialist)
When you’re beginning, try to be at the lower end of that middle 50%. As you rack up experience and reviews, shift to the higher end or top of the scale.
Different Pricing Models
The following lists a few ideas on how you can bill for your work:
Hourly: You’re paid per hour worked.
- Good for: Amorphous projects, long-term work, consultative arrangements
- Be wary of: Punishing efficiency (faster work = less money)
Flat rates for specific projects: One lump sum for an entire project
- Pros: Clear deliverables, reliable work, provability of trust
- Beware: Scope creep (clients requesting more work)
Packaged rates: Offer a fixed price for packaged services
- Best for: Repeated work, upselling, reducing options
- Beware of: Being underpriced should the packages circulate longer than anticipated
Retainer price: A client pays a fixed amount each month and has access to your services on an ongoing basis
- Pros: Regular income, long term relationships, top end clients
- Caution against: Fuzzy expectations leading to resentment
A combination is used by many successful freelancers. They may bill hourly for new clients, by the project for defined work and with retainers for their best long-term clients.
Creating a Profile and Portfolio That Will Get You Hired
Your online look is your storefront. Within moments, it has to make people think “yes that’s exactly who I want.”
Making a Profile That Stands Out
Whether you’re on Upwork, Fiverr or your own site, work like so:
The Headline: Describe specifically what you do and who you support
- Bad: “Experienced Designer”
- Good: “Logo Designer Who Assists Small Businesses With Creating Memorable Brands”
About section: Follow this structure
- Start with what you do and who you serve
- Provide a list of 3-5 things specifically you can do for clients
- Include any relevant experience, qualifications or results
- Close with a call-to-action
Skills: 8-12 skills, where the most important should come first.
- What clients search for most
- What you’re actually best at
- What pays the most
Building a Portfolio From Scratch
“But I’ve got no client work to show!” This is the largest barrier for beginners, but it’s one that can be completely overcome.
Create demo projects: Develop 3-5 examples of the sort of work you would do for clients
- Writers: Publish on Medium and other sites or your own blog
- Designers: Create logos for non-existent companies, or just refresh designs of existing ones
- Developers: Create an app or website that helps people manage something everyone has to do
- Tutors: Tape sample lessons or develop study guides
Strategize free or cheap work: Accept 2-3 gigs at a starter rate (or for free) in order to gather:
- Real client feedback
- Testimonials for your profile
- Case studies showing results
Show How Something Was Before and After: Demonstrate the difference your skills can make
- A messy spreadsheet you organized
- Another draft you polished into graceful prose
- A website you worked so hard to make fast
Getting Your First Reviews
Reviews are gold online. They’re what stands between getting jobs and no jobs. Here’s how to gather them quickly:
Begin with your network: Provide services to those people who already trust you
Overdeliver on initial projects: Amaze clients so they’re pumped to give you feedback
Ask at a good time: Ask for reviews after completing great work — don’t wait around
Keep it simple: A direct link is fine, and you might even consider jotting down a sample edit for them
Politely follow up: If someone forgets, a kind reminder can do the trick
Getting The First Clients (And Then Some)
You’re set up and good to go. The next challenge is: finding people who will pay you.
The Fast Way: Bidding on Jobs
On platforms such as Upwork and Freelancer, clients list jobs and freelancers bid for them. To win these:
Personalize proposals: Please do not copy-paste
- Mention them by their job post
- Tell them how you would handle their project
- Share relevant past work
- Keep it under 200 words
Apply for the right jobs: Target offers where you’re a perfect fit
- You have just the skills they require
- Their budget matches your rates
- They’ve made a bit of an effort in the wording (less competition)
Play the numbers game: At the beginning, you’re going to have to send out 20-50 applications to get one. That’s normal.
The Long Way: Build Your Own Audience
Rather than running after clients, let the clients chase you with your valuable content:
Choose one platform: Stop diluting your efforts. Choose based on your skill:
- LinkedIn: Professional services, B2B, consulting
- Instagram: Visual talents, lifestyle, creative abilities
- TikTok: Teaching, entertainment, younger audiences
- YouTube: In-depth tutorials, courses, expertise
- Twitter: Writing, tech, quick tips
Produce useful content: Give away what you know
- Tips and tricks of your expertise
- Behind-the-scenes of your work
- Typical errors and how to prevent them
- Mini-tutorials or lessons
Never skip a day: You will see results after 3 months on average, posting 3-5 times per week.
Add CTAs: Never fail to inform someone how they can do business with you
- Link to your own portfolio or website
- Hint at your services in your bio
- Occasionally post about availability
The Smart Way: Getting Referrals
You’re going to get your best clients through referrals. Make this happen by:
Ask straight up: At the end of bigger projects mention, “I want to expand my business. If you know anyone who could use [your service], please introduce them to me.”
Make it worth their time: You might want to consider referral bonuses — a discount or fee for anybody who sends you business.
Keep in touch: Touch base with past clients every three months. They may need you next, or know someone who will.
Providing Great Work So That Your Clients Come Back
Getting hired once is good. Getting rehired or referred is how you make real money.
Communicate Like a Pro
Client complaints are rarely about the work — they’re about communication. Avoid this by:
Responding within 24 hours: Even if it’s just “Got your message, I’ll have a full answer tomorrow”
Setting clear expectations: Make sure to talk about deadlines, revisions and deliverables up front
Updating frequently: Check in weekly if you’re on long-term projects so that the clients have a sense of involvement
The truth about problems: If it’s delayed or problematic, say so early
Handle Revisions Without Resentment
It’s a natural thing for clients to change their minds—and it does not indicate that you have failed. Protect yourself by:
Writing revisions included in scope: “This project includes 2 rounds of revisions”
Define what you mean by revision: Light touches vs. full makeovers
Charging for additional revisions: “I’m glad to do more rounds of revision at $X each”
Ask good questions first: Always know what they want to begin with
Go Slightly Above and Beyond
Small extras create loyal clients:
- Make sure if you can deliver it a day early you do
- Add relevant tip or resource to the project
- After delivery: “How’s it working for you?”
- Share interesting articles or ideas you come across outside of your work together
Upgrading to Full-Time Financial Freedom
This is something you can work at for a few years and make some consistent money, and then build it to be bigger.
Raise Your Rates Regularly
Raise your prices 10-20% every 6-12 months. You will lose some clients (typically, the difficult, low-paying ones) but make more per client who stays.
When to raise rates:
- You’re booked solid and you’re saying “no” to work
- You’re experienced or skilled at something
- You’ve already received some really good reviews and testimonials
- Your bills have increased
Create Passive Income Products
Exchange your time for products people can purchase when you aren’t there:
Digital Products: The Key to Making Once, Selling Forever
- Templates and checklists
- E-books and guides
- Stock photos or graphics
- Code libraries or plugins
Online courses: Film what you know as video classes
- Put your talent in a step-by-step course
- $50-500 (price varies depends on depth)
- Sell through your own site or online course platforms
Membership sites: Monthly fee for continual access
- Exclusive content and resources
- Community and networking
- Live Q&As or coaching calls
Hire Help to Grow Faster
When you feel swamped with work, stop trying to do everything by yourself:
Outsource the boring stuff: Hire virtual assistants for:
- Email management
- Scheduling and calendar
- Data entry and research
- Social media posting
Collaborate with other freelancers: Seek out skill matches
- Writers team up with designers
- Developers partner with marketers
- Coaches work with graphic designers
Build an agency: Find your skills and hire people for those same ones and then manage the clients while they do all of the work
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Capitalize on others’ failures so you don’t make the same ones.
Mistake 1: Undercharging to Land Clients
Cheap prices attract terrible clients. They argue, request endless revisions and leave negative reviews. It’s better to charge fair amounts, and have fewer and better clients.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Contracts
Always use a contract or agreement, even on small projects. It should cover:
- What you’re delivering
- When you’re delivering it
- How much you’re getting paid
- When payment happens
- How many revisions are included
Standard form contracts are available on the internet for free — just use them.
Mistake 3: Failing to Save for Taxes
Online income is taxed in the same manner, and so one would not receive additional tax breaks. Put away 25-30% of every dollar you make or you’ll be in for a rude awakening come tax time.
Mistake 4: Trying to Do It All
To try to provide every service to everyone is to be invisible. Choose one primary skill, make yourself known for that and expand later.
Mistake 5: Giving Up Too Soon
The reason most people give up after their 1-2 month mark is because they are not yet making thousands. Online income is going to take 6-12 months to get momentum. Stick with it.
Managing Money and Staying Legal
The boring work you can’t leave out.
Track Everything
Organize your business with basic tools:
- Income and expenses: Spreadsheet or Wave (free accounting program)
- Time tracking: Toggl or Clockify
- Invoicing: PayPal, Stripe, or FreshBooks
- Contracts: HelloSign or DocuSign
Pay Your Taxes
Online income is taxable income. In most countries:
- Declare all income, including foreign income
- Deduct business costs (equipment, software, home office)
- Make quarterly estimated tax payments if you’re doing well for cash
- Consider starting an LLC or other entity
For your first year at least, have a tax pro do your return. You will actually save more by having one than you spend.
Protect Yourself
If you are making decent money, consider basic business insurance. Consider:
- General liability: For accidents and injuries
- Professional liability: Protects you if there is an error in your work
- Cyber insurance: Protects against breaches and hacks
For more information on freelance business practices, check out the Freelancers Union resources.
Your Guide for Getting Started This Week
Stop planning and start doing. Here’s your week-by-week roadmap:
Week 1: Choose and Prepare
- Choose one primary skill to sell
- Look at 10 competitors and note their rates
- Create 2-3 portfolio samples
- Sign up for a platform (Upwork, Fiverr etc)
Week 2: Build Your Presence
- Add professional photos to your profile
- Write a compelling description
- Upload your portfolio samples
- Set your initial rates
Week 3: Start Finding Work
- Apply to 5 positions a day on the platform you picked
- Speak with 10 members of your network about what you offer
- Share on social media the news of your new business
- Begin to make content on a single platform
Week 4: Deliver and Improve
- Focus on delivering great work for first clients
- Ask for reviews and testimonials
- Tinker with your profile based on what hits
- Keep applying and pitching
Month 2-3: Build Momentum
- Gradually increase the rates as you grow in confidence
- Begin saying no to bad-fit clients
- Create more portfolio pieces
- Scale to a second platform or revenue stream
Month 4-6: Scale Smart
- Consider sticking to a lucrative niche
- Create your first passive income product
- Build systems for repetitive tasks
- Start planning long-term growth
Wrapping It All Up
The path to converting your expertise into online earnings is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It is a legitimate path to financial freedom and independence, but it does take work (your time), patience, and constant learning. But it’s also more accessible than it has ever been.
You don’t have to ask for permission, have a special credential, or make a huge investment to get started. You need skills (which you have), internet access (you’re here) and a willingness to put yourself out there and learn from rejection.
There are people just like you right now, making thousands of dollars each month working the job they love doing when they want and where they choose. Some had begun with fancy degrees and big portfolios. And the majority of them began right where you are today — with an idea and some skills, and a bit of confidence to give it a shot.
The right time to start was last year. The second-best time is today. Choose one skill, pick a single platform, make one sample, apply for one job. That’s all you need to do to get started.
Your future clients are in the world right now, looking for someone with your very skills. As soon as you allow them to find you, make sure they do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What income can I actually generate selling skills online?
It varies significantly depending on your skill, seniority and effort. Newcomers usually receive $500-2,000 in their first 3-6 months. One year of consistent work, and freelancers seem to be making $3,000-6,000/month. Those who are earning thousands of dollars per month are for instance full-stack software developers or specialized consultants. As you grow reputation, raise rates, and add passive income streams, your income grows along with it.
Do I require any special qualifications or certificates to begin?
For almost all online work, no. People care about results, not degrees. But some fields do require credentials — teaching platforms favor certified teachers, and accounting work requires the correct licenses. Whether you’re trying your hand at creative, technical or general services, more than a piece of paper it’s your portfolio and reviews that matter. That being said, taking a course to improve your skills is always worth it.
What skill earns the most money online?
Software development and programming jobs are consistently the highest paying, and expert developers can expect to get paid between $75-$150 per hour. Other high-paying skills: specialized consulting, video production, UX/UI design and copywriting for businesses. But the “best” skill is something you’re good at and take pleasure in. I’d rather make $40/hour doing something I enjoy than make $80/hour hating life.
How long will it be before I sign my first paid client?
For platforms like freelance marketplaces that have active job postings, it’s possible to land your first client within 1-2 weeks if you hustle to apply and price right. By networking or your own marketing, generally it is 4-8 weeks. The secret is volume — apply to a lot of jobs, make contact with a lot of people and be patient. Your first client is hardest. Once you have reviews and testimonials the work is so much easier.
What if I live in a country where wages are low? Can I still compete?
Absolutely. The internet is global, for better and worse. Yes, you’ll be competing with people from all over the world, but you can also charge global prices. Even freelancers in lower-cost countries can earn significantly more than the local going rate working for clients from higher-wage countries. Begin with competitive pricing to accumulate the reviews, and then raise your prices as you prove your worth. In fact, your lower cost of living can be an asset.
Should I quit my job to make this a full-time thing?
No, not right away. Begin as a side project with another source of income. We recommend you to have at least 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses saved up and ideally, match your current income for two-three consecutive months. A steady paycheck takes pressure off and allows for better decision making. Make the transition gradually when you are financially in a position to do so.
What do I need to get started?
For most skills, very little. A halfway decent computer, a reliable internet connection and some of the basic software used in your field (many have free versions available). Writers need a word processor. Designers need Canva or GIMP (free) before getting Adobe. Developers need a code editor (free). Tutors need video calling software (free). Don’t make “I need better equipment” an excuse for not starting. Upgrade when you’re earning money.
What do I do with bad clients who will not pay or expect too much?
Prevention is best: Contracts, deposits (25-50% up front) and clear revision limits. There are, for non-payment, protection systems on most platforms. For direct clients, issue professional reminders, stop work until paid, and walk away if necessary. To get some space for yourself, refer to the contract and charge extra when asked for even more. Don’t be afraid to fire clients who drive you nuts — they’re almost never worth the money.
