17 Skills Without Degree For Extra Cash — You Can Start Today
In the competitive world of online entrepreneurship, finding a side hustle that matches your skills and interests can be a game changer. The good news? You don't need a college degree to make a substantial income. There are plenty of high income skills without degree requirements that can help you earn extra cash.
This article walks you through 17 skills that get you up and running, earning right from today. Be it supplementing your income or building a full-time business, these skills will set you on the right path.
1. Graphic Design
Graphic design is a high income skill because most businesses are in constant need of creative, eye-catching content to capture and engage their target markets.
You could start by using free online resources and tutorials on YouTube and Canva to learn the basic concepts of graphic design. From there, you can learn more advanced skills on Skillshare courses. Follow for inspiration @jessicavwalsh, co-founder of &Walsh, a design agency. She had no degree when she began her career in graphic design. Jessica self-taught these skills and works for leading brands around the world.
These ideas will help you to start a design business from home:
2. Social Media Management
Social media managers develop, schedule, and analyze content to create or improve an online presence. It's a role built for the savvy on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. You can be a social media strategist like Jasmine Star. She has grown her business from scratch and now helps entrepreneurs build their brands online.
3. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a very flexible and accessible side hustle job for an individual interested in writing articles, blog posts, product descriptions, and many other write-up forms. This is a skill for ideal wordsmiths who can contrive ideas into such clearly articulated forms.
As an example, see Carol Tice, a high-earning freelance writer. She developed her writing career through contributions to various publications. She presently runs the blog site Make a Living Writing, on which she offers this very kind of service.
4. Coding and Web Development
Coding, web development—construction and maintenance of websites and their respective applications—are in very high demand within the technology world and can be mastered without spending years in school. This is, actually, one of the highest paying jobs without a degree.
Chris Coyier, founder of CSS-Tricks, taught himself web development and is now behind one of the most popular websites full of tips and resources for web developers.
5. Virtual Assistance
Virtual assistants are independent contractors offering administrative support to various businesses and entrepreneurs remotely. This might involve anything from email, calendar management, and social media to customer service.
Note the services you can offer, create a profile on Upwork and Freelancer, network on LinkedIn, and join virtual assistant groups. For instance, Kayla Sloan built a successful business starting as a virtual assistant. She now teaches others how to do it through her website, Kayla Sloan.
6. Transcription Services
Transcription is when you are given an audio or video file and then you create the text. This kind of work requires no degree, just good listening and fast typing skills.
Janet Shaughnessy started her transcription business from home and now runs a tremendously successful transcribing business. Moreover, she also teaches others how to get started by offering courses on her website Transcribe Anywhere.
7. Online Tutoring
Share what you know and get paid for it—this is where online tutoring comes in. Be it an academic subject, music, or language, there will always be some great tutors in demand.
Sign up on websites like Wyzant, find students, and create a strong profile showcasing your expertise. Offer a few free sessions to get reviews and credibility. For more ideas and tips, check out this article:
8. Photography
If you have a good eye and a decent camera, photography can be a very well-paying side hustle. Sell family portraits, event photography, or sell stock photos online.
Invest in good camera and photography equipment. Build a portfolio by taking photographs of friends and family. Create a website or use a vehicle like Instagram to put out the portfolio.
9. Proofreading
If you're meticulous and have good grammar skills, you can turn proofreading into a great side hustle. You will look over written material for errors and correct them.
Caitlin Pyle has grown a six-figure business off her proofreading skills and now teaches others to do the same. Check out her website Proofread Anywhere for tips and courses on how to do the same.
10. Blogging
Blogging is a great way to share your passion while earning from ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. This does take some time in building up an audience, though it may turn out to be very rewarding.
The perfect role model for you can be Marie Forleo. See how much she earns from her blog in the article below:
11. Online Course Creation
You can create and sell courses on the internet; this is the most famous passive source of money. Once created and always uploaded to a marketplace, it continues to make money for you every year. Explore Melyssa Griffin website for tips and guidance.
12. AI and Machine Learning
As more and more businesses look to AI as the prime driver of efficiency, a better customer experience, and innovation, these skills therefore remain highly in demand. They are also very high income skills. But first, you need to invest your time in gaining knowledge. Start with basic courses on Coursera and learn languages that would be used in AI development.
13. Content Writing for SEO
SEO content writing refers to creating written content, such as articles and blog posts, that adhere to specific optimization indicators of the search engines and target human keywords. It is a very high demand and income skill that allows businesses to increase their online presence.
Learn SEO and content writing basics via free resources and courses. Build some portfolio by writing articles on small businesses and non-profits, keeping in mind the rules of SEO.
Learn from Matt Giovanisci how to make an outstanding content:
14. Real Estate Photography
Real estate photography involves the quality of property image capturing that can either be on sale or for rent. The demand for this kind of skill has been on the rise with the increasing demand for real estate agents and house owners to effectively present their property to potential buyers.
Get yourself a good camera, then watch online tutorials and courses on real estate photography. Mike Kelley is a professional real estate photographer, and his business started by photographing homes in his hometown. Now, he shoots for top real estate agencies and shares his experience through his website: Mike Kelley Photography.
15. Voiceover Work
Voiceover work is when there is a need for voices in commercials, audiobooks, etc. It is a flexible and creative good job without a degree needed that you can comfortably do from home.
Take online courses and tutorials to learn the basics. Buy a great microphone and recording software. You can see how this process is done by Bill DeWees Voice Over Training.
16. Copywriting
Copywriting is the writing of words to influence and persuade, used for marketing purposes and advertisements. It's a good paying job with remote possibilities offering flexibility. A good copywriter creates content that drives sales, engages audiences, and builds brand loyalty.
Building an in-depth understanding of the target audience and developing persuasive writing skills are the critical elements of success. And how to make successful bussiness out of it, explore these ideas:
17. Dropshipping
It enables one to conduct an online store business without holding any inventory. You sell products directly from suppliers, and they ship products on your behalf. Here, it is a low-risk way to start an ecommerce business.
Find a niche and reliable suppliers to run your online store with Shopify or WooCommerce, and after setting it up, focus on marketing and customer service.
One of the very top sellers on this list is Sarah Crisp, who has managed to successfully build a dropshipping business and shares her experiences through her YouTube channel and courses.
The right side hustle is what an entrepreneur needs to attain financial freedom and personal satisfaction. Beginning with graphic design, all the way to AI and machine learning, there's a multitude of possibilities one could venture into. All these high-income skills, all without needing a degree in anything, let you work on your own, flexibly, and from the comfort of your home.
So pick whichever one speaks to you and start on the journey to entrepreneurial success. Remember, the best side hustle for you is the one that aligns with your skills and your passions. Happy hustling!
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