Increase Your Earning Potential. And Have Fun Doing It!

Image by mikebaird via Flickr

Tonight, I'm doing something different. I'm talking about increasing your earning potential And I'm telling you two personal stories to get the message across.

Take it from me. Do yourself a huge favor and sign up for a class. I heard that collective "Aargh!" :) No, you don't have to go back to school and read tons of books (although that's one of my favorite activities). What I am recommending is taking one of your personal favorite activities - could be a hobby or an interest - and getting some structured skill development in that area.

Let me tell you what I have done. I've decided to get serious about my hobbies. I've decided to do my own research, practice what I learn, and seek technical training in formal settings. A class is a great way to make new friends with like minded people with similar interests, and also learn a lot of information in an effective way. I'm investing in myself and having a ball doing so by turning a hobby into an potential source of income. Try it. It doesn't have to take up all your time, or replace your main source of income, but in these days of uncertainty, diversifying your skill set is a wise move. Invest in yourself, it's worth it.

Which hobbies did I get serious about?

Well, first, I decided to get serious about photography. What does this have to do with earning potential? Everything.

As it turns out, there are tons of opportunities, especially now with the World Wide Web, to earn a bit of extra income from photography. With a bit of research you can match your interest with a willing market of buyers. Don't believe me? Well, there's stock photos, there's submissions to local newspapers, there's also work as art etc. I went to a great exhibition last Sunday - Just Photographs - and WOW what amazing work by professionals. And some nice prices for the work too. I'm taking a class now and loving every second of it. I have learned so much from my classmates and my instructor. And I have met people who I share a common interest with. It's been awesome!

Second, I decided to get serious about blogging. What does this have to do with earning potential? Everything.

I've been blogging since late last year. I've moved from one blog to two blogs. I blog everyday now. I do tons of research on how to blog, best practices, and how to increase earning potential from blogging. It started as an vehicle of expression - I'm pretty opinionated if you couldn't tell :) But then I started these personal finance experiments to help others in this economic downturn. I knew my readers are looking for ways to earn more money. So when I learned that people make money from blogging, I've tried some of the monetization techniques to see if they work so I can tell my readers how to do it. It's just some ads, really. But there's a whole skill to doing just that effectively. If I get it right, I'll be sure to share.

Blogging - with or without monetization - is actually a real skill and a very hot trend. I can use blogging in my full time job, or call upon that skill one day if I wish to to earn some additional income. So, taking my own advice, I took a one day seminar today and learned a ton! Not only am I investing in myself, I'm doing something fun, I am making new friends who have similar interests. If you like writing and knowledge sharing, and you are comfortable with the Internet, social media and cyberspace, you might want to try this.

But hey, those are just my examples of how I am taking my hobbies and turning them into the potential to be much more.

What do you like to do? Teach? Write? Name it.

Who knows, not only will you be happier if you do more of those things that you like to do, they may just help to pay the bills! :)

A Cautionary Note

Image by Picture Perfect Pose via Flickr

If you notice, there are Google ads on this site. My blogs never used to have any ads, but as part of my personal finance experiments, I have added them.

Why?

I blog because I love writing and sharing knowledge, and blogs without ads achieves that purpose. However, because I know that my readers are all looking for ways to earn some extra money and blogging can do that - especially when you learn the best practices - I added the Google ads so that the blogs were not only a hobby, but also a personal finance experiment.

The objective is to see if you could earn money doing this and how. This takes a lot of research, but there's not a lot you need to know to get started. My objective is to share that knowledge with readers in my "quick tips" style.

If it's successful, I'll say what did it. If it is not successful, I'll say why.

So far, both blogs - this one and Reasoning The Reasons - have earned money. Not much, but it actually works. And I'm learning more everyday. In addition to adding content, I tweak the blogs - features etc. - everyday to optimize it. And yes, how Google ads work is that when you click on an ad, there is a potential for any website with Google ads to earn money. Please note: I am neither encouraging or discouraging you do so.

Now, unlike all other content on the site, I cannot vouch for any of the sites listed as Google ads. The Amazon ads were placed there deliberately by me - and I can vouch those are legitimate links to the Amazon website. Some of the Google ads I recognize immediately, such as whenever there is a link to the New York Times. Evidently, that would be useful. Clearly that is a legitimate site.

However, not all the Google ads I recognize, and the Google ads change with every page refresh. Not all unrecognizable Google ad are scams, I've found some cool ones. Many legitimate and famous companies find Google ads to be effective marketing tools. BUT, some Google ads may be. That is not Google's intention, but it happens. If I find something I perceive to be a scam, I will block it as soon as I can find it.

Like everything in life, buyer beware. In fact, if you see information presented in a Google ad that you are unclear about, do some additional research. There is a Google search box at the top of this post. Don't believe everything you read; but equally don't avoid reading when you could learn something. Information is good, but what you do with that information is even more important.

Quick Tip: If someone asks for money to give you a job, make sure you do proper checking. According to an article in the Jamaica Gleaner on January 25, 2009 entitled SWINDLED! New breed of white collar thieves strike banks, it was reported that in 2007, Jamaicans lost J$80M paying people to place them in jobs. Now, the article did NOT say this was online or any form of online advertising - Google ads or otherwise. But, it is not impossible for such a solicitation to be made online.