The economy doesn't look like it's doing too hot these days and it's always a good idea to have a financial backup plan in case your job is at risk. Even if you don't anticipate being let go or having your hours reduced, it's always a good idea to diversify your income.

When most people think of getting another job, they tend to think of heading to a physical location after a shift at their primary workplace or on the weekends, but in today's digital world, there's plenty of ways you can make some extra income without leaving your home.

If you've got some useful skills, here are some things you should know about having those skills work for you.
 

What Kind of Skills Are People Looking For?

Although virtually any skill can be monetized in some way shape or form, the reality is that some skills are definitely more in demand than others. Some of the most common forms of expertise people are looking to pay for include:
 

• Coding
• Writing
• Proofreading
• Illustration
• Second Language Proficiency
• Sales Ability
• Editing

 

Where Can You Go to Start Making Money?

So, you've got the talent and the will to succeed, where do you go to start?

While monetizing skills used to be an often non-linear, precarious, and multifaceted venture in the old days, modern times provide easy-to-access avenues you can take relatively risk-free. Here are some of the top options available to you.
 

Freelancing Websites

There are an absolutely massive number of freelancing websites out there that cater to a wide range of freelancers and clients, with major names like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com being some of the most popular ones.

While each freelancing site is unique, most of them work by allowing freelancers to create their own profiles and portfolios and then "bid" on work requests for clients, who will then pick the freelancer they like the most or offer the best proposal.

Freelancing sites are a great way to get your foot in the door and find potential work relatively quickly. However, while plenty of people have seen a great deal of success using these platforms, it should be noted that they're pretty competitive, so be prepared for that when considering signing up for one.
 

Professional Companies

If you don't mind going through a more traditional interview-style process to get work, then you might want to consider the numerous businesses out there that specifically hire remote workers for their operations.

There are a lot of companies out there that specialize in utilizing remote talent to get their customers the help they need and you might just have what they're looking for. Entities, such as Stride Inc., Study.com, CSI Companies, and 24 Seven Talent have openings for remote workers looking for full-time or part-time employment.

If you're proficient in something these businesses are looking for, then it could be a match made in heaven.
 

Directly Contacting Businesses

A method as old as civilization itself, if you feel up to it, you can simply ask business entities or individuals if they want access to your services.

While you can always call up people or even show up at some place in person, probably the best way you can get people to purchase your skills is to send out a lot of emails; a process known as "cold emailing."

Cold emailing is when you send out as many emails as possible to as many businesses as possible stating what services you offer and how they might be of use. While you're guaranteed to be rejected quite a lot using this method, it's probably the most impactful option, as it allows you to form meaningful relationships with people and develop a solid reputation, which will grant you a high level of flexibility and consistent work over the long run.
 

Heading on The Right Path

Taking the first step is always the hardest part and there are a lot of ways you can go about making money off of your various talents, so things get really confusing from the start. However, if you consistently apply yourself, you're guaranteed to see some meaningful headway at some point and you might be able to switch to a much more satisfying, lucrative career.