Are you looking to earn some extra income, potentially with a profitable side business? Do you want to find a new way to put your skills to good use?
If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then you could turn your current skills into a profitable side business.
Of course, there are a few things you need to do before starting a business. As such, we recommend our step-by-step guide if you're unsure how to begin. There are loads of other great articles on our website that should also be helpful to you.
Once you have taken the relevant steps to set your business up, you will then be able to use your skills in whatever business niche you have entered into.
Here are some of the ways to turn your skills into a profitable side business.
A business consultant is somebody who provides expert advice and support to other businesses. So, if you think your skills and knowledge could be useful to business owners, you should market yourself as an expert in your chosen area.
Quite often, businesses seek help from people with skills in accounting, IT, marketing, security, and law. If you have skills in any of these areas, then you might be in high demand from business owners who are desperately in need of the kinds of services that you may able to offer them.
It's a good idea to achieve certification as a business consultant (or to get qualifications that relate to your chosen skillset) as this will improve your credibility when you're marketing your services to others.
There is some advice here on how to become a business consultant if you think this could be the right avenue for you.
An online coach is somebody that offers their services to a person (or a group of people) over the Internet.
The benefit of this type of role is that you can work with people from anywhere around the globe as you don't need to physically meet them at a space outside of your home. All you need is a computer, a good internet connection, a webcam so you can talk face to face online, and the necessary skills to support the person/s who have agreed to pay you money for your services.
To get started, you will need an online platform from which to begin your online coaching business. With the right platform, you will have all the tools you need for scheduling clients, organizing payments, and marketing your services.
Alternatively, you could arrange meetings over Zoom or Skype, but to look professional, it's better to use one of the online coaching platforms that fit your skills and business needs.
If you have the ability to create something that is sellable, then this is something you should definitely consider if you have the time to do so.
Of course, you will need to check out the competition first. You might have the ability to create items of furniture, candles, or some delicious-looking cakes (as examples), but if there are lots of other people in your local area offering the same, you will need to create something that stands out from the other products that people are selling.
It might be that your product is unique anyway - a product idea that nobody else has considered. If this is the case, you will need to get your product idea patented to protect it from anybody who might decide to copy whatever it is you have designed and created.
After creating your product, you will need to find some way to sell it. While you could set up a stall at your local marketplace, you will make more of a profit if you use Amazon, Etsy, Wayfair, or one of the other online marketplaces that attract a lot of potential customers.
You could also create your own website from which to sell your product. And you could use social media to promote your products too. Success should soon follow once people hear about your product, provided it's a good one and better than those sold by your competitors.
With more and more businesses trying to cut costs by hiring freelancers that they don't need to keep on a payroll, you will be able to monetize your skills if you can find businesses willing to hire you.
You can advertise your skills on sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, and other such websites for freelance services. LinkedIn is another way to connect with businesses, so make sure you have an account and a profile that demonstrates evidence of your skills. It's also a good idea to set up a website that can be used as a portfolio of your work.
Freelance jobs that are often in high demand include web designers, copywriters, graphic designers, virtual assistants, and social media specialists. If you have skills in any of these areas or have any skill that you think will be valuable to others, then market yourself as a freelancer using any of the methods that we have already suggested.
Not everybody wants to use the services of an online coach. And there are some talents that aren't best demonstrated over an internet call.
If you have a skill that is better demonstrated offline, then you could start classes at your local community center. Or you could offer your services to schools, charities, and other places in your community where coaching can be given.
Don't let your skills go to waste! If you have something to offer others, consider the suggestions we have given here and set yourself up in business. You will benefit from the boost to your income and the people you serve and sell to will benefit from whatever it is you have to offer them!
We wish you every success if you do decide to branch out with a profitable side business.
