Skills that Pay the Bills: Invaluable Must-Knows for Every Parent

With the rise of AI and other automated systems that can easily replace human manpower, learning evergreen indispensable skills has become more and more important. If you’ve ever been worried about putting food on the table because your current profession is going out of fashion thanks to technology and robotics, perhaps it’s time to acquire some new know-how in order to outstrip the growing demand for irreplaceable services. Here are just some that you may want to cultivate during the weekends or on your spare time. Coding If you’re more left-brained, then learning how to code can serve you well. If you're not already working in computer or software programming, that is. In simplest terms, coding is simply using programming languages to create or modify instructions for electronic or virtual systems. You basically build or alter how computers, websites and software function on the technical side. While highly desired by corporations, coding is extremely difficult even if you have a mentor or teacher, and even more so if you’re a self-learners. Moreover, there are tons of different programming languages like C, C++, Ruby, Python, and Java. However, most experts agree JavaScript is the most useful and sought-after skill. SEO If you have a marketing background or are interested in the field, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a high-income and indispensable skill to have. Just like with coding, you’ll be working on the digital side of things. But your specialty will lie mostly with the Internet. However, unlike coding, SEO is a bit more attainable for most people—especially if you’re already familiar with IT. The basic job scope of an SEO manager involves increasing the visibility of an online content (usually a website, article or product page) on a search engine (usually Google). It is a branch of digital or online marketing meant to maximize a brand’s reach on the Internet. Some things you’ll have to learn to do includes learning how search engine works, studying their algorithm, determining focus keywords and phrases and knowing how and what your target audience searches for. Social Media Management Social media is taking the world by storm these past few decades. We’ve transitioned from MySpace to Facebook, and then Instagram to TikTok, merely within the past 30 years alone. There will only be more down the line as the world grows more and more connected virtually. Businesses are beginning to realise just how powerful and important it is to incorporate social media as part of their marketing strategy. But when we talk about social media management, it’s more than just about posting content, attracting followers, or adding hashtags. Social media management involves analysing the algorithm, measuring growth and performance and being on top of trends before they even go viral. Copywriting Everyone can write, but can everyone write in a way that inspires, influences, and persuades? Perhaps not. But that is what copywriting is all about. It’s about communicating a message to the masses in a way that compels them to do something. Whether that’s informing, warning, or most importantly, getting someone to buy something or use a service. For many people, copywriting is a mix of both creative flair and technical know-how. It may even involve tapping into other skills mentioned in this article like SEO and social media. Knowing what consumers like and how they behave is a powerful weapon in the creation of provocative, persuasive and eye-catching copy. Copywriting, whether freelance or full-time, can quickly become a goldmine if you learn the ropes. Video Editing In the same vein as photo editing, you can also try your hand with post-production services by transforming raw footage into amazing videos. Depending on your skill level and the workload, you can be editing 2 to 3 videos a day. It is easily one of the more in-demand skills to have, especially for other freelancers who may seek you out to edit their projects. While it comes with a learning curve, the drawbacks with this skill is that you sort of need to invest in good software in order to create truly high quality masterpieces. It’s not just about cutting out scenes, or dubbing in audio. You may need to add special effects, subtitles, and other elements into the project. Unfortunately, almost all trial version of video editing programmes have very limited features. So while those are great for practice purposes, you will eventually need to pay for the good stuff. Content Creation One of the more popular source of side hustle income streams these days, content creation involves a wide range of media and material that’s too diverse to list down in one article. When we think about content creation, oftentimes our minds immediately jump to YouTubers or TikTok-ers. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Really, any content whether it is music, film, art, or writing fall under 'content' because it tells a story, educates people or entertains. If you’re in a full-time position working under a creative team, you’re already part of a content creation engine. But if you’re a freelancer, your popularity may be dependent on your numbers: the following, likes and shares you get per content. This is especially true if you’re an influencer. Web Design Another skill that involves both creativity and technical skill is web design. However, unlike web developers, which requires the expertise of a programmer, web design leans more towards the creative side of things. Web design involves planning a website’s layout, design and visual themes. If you’ve ever created a blog or online portfolio in the past, you’ve already dabbled in web design. So for many of us in this day and age, learning the ins and outs of this skill will already feel like second nature. But it goes far beyond buttons and links, or colours and fonts. What truly separates web design from recreational tinkering to serious profession is two terms: UX and UI. User experience and user interface are the two more important elements you need to master in order to be a good web designer. This basically means that the website is easy to use, pleasant on the eyes and has all the information your visitors could ever want about the brand or company. When it comes to web design, aesthetic must align with functionality. Having some coding skills also wouldn’t hurt, along with some basic Photoshop expertise. Earn a Living with These In-Demand Skills There are still so many more skills out there you can learn that will earn you a lot of money. But most importantly, you won’t be so easily replaceable. Especially since they’re in high demand aside from being high-paying, of course. This means you can stay in that industry for years and years and never lose your footing. So, try out these skills, mums and dads. You may just surprise yourself with how much money you’ll be able to make! For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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