In the modern world, make money online fast has never been more accessible. With a plethora of online opportunities available, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of learning every new skill you come across. However, not all skills are created equal. Some are outdated, oversaturated, or simply not lucrative enough to warrant the time and energy needed to master them. If you’re looking to build a successful online business or career, it’s essential to focus on the right skills. More importantly, you should be aware of the skills that won’t provide you with the return on investment (ROI) you’re seeking.
What skill would you like to learn?
Please Subscribe to our blog for latest posts in your mail box, by putting your email in the field below then click the red subscribe button
This article will walk you through seven proven skills you should avoid if you want to make serious money online. By steering clear of these, you can focus on mastering more in-demand, profitable skills that will help you build a sustainable and lucrative online income.
1. Basic Data Entry
Data entry used to be a go-to for people looking to make quick money online, but in today’s market, it’s a low-paying, oversaturated field. With the rise of automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI), many data entry tasks can now be performed by software, reducing the need for human labor.
Even if you manage to find data entry gigs, the pay is often low, ranging from $3 to $15 an hour, depending on your location and the specific task. Not to mention, data entry can be mind-numbingly repetitive, which makes it unsustainable for the long term. The low pay combined with a high supply of workers makes data entry one of the worst skills to rely on if you’re trying to make serious money online.
Instead of focusing on data entry, consider learning skills related to data analysis or database management, which are in high demand and command higher salaries.
2. Generic Blogging
The internet is flooded with bloggers, many of whom started with dreams of making it big. While blogging can be a profitable endeavor, generic blogging is not. Writing about topics that everyone else is covering without any unique angle or expertise will get you lost in the sea of online content.
To make blogging profitable, you need to either have specialized knowledge in a niche or bring a fresh perspective that others aren’t offering. Building a successful blog takes years of hard work, SEO knowledge, marketing skills, and consistent high-quality content production. Moreover, many generic bloggers fail because they don’t understand how to monetize their blog effectively.
Rather than starting a blog just for the sake of it, focus on building a platform around a specific expertise. If writing is your passion, consider becoming a content strategist, copywriter, or even an email marketing expert—these fields offer far more opportunities for high earnings.
3. Basic Graphic Design
Graphic design used to be a highly sought-after skill, but basic design abilities are no longer enough to stand out. With platforms like Canva, Adobe Express, and other design software simplifying the process, nearly anyone can create simple graphics with minimal training. This means that basic graphic design skills have become commoditized, leading to lower wages for freelancers offering these services.
In addition, many businesses now use templates for social media posts, logos, and marketing materials, making it unnecessary to hire a graphic designer for basic tasks. If you’re only proficient at creating simple graphics, you’ll find it difficult to compete with others in the space.
If you want to make money in graphic design, you need to invest time in learning more advanced techniques. Skills like UX/UI design, 3D modeling, or animation are in high demand and can open the door to higher paying opportunities. With companies increasingly focusing on creating interactive and immersive user experiences, these skills will be far more valuable in the long term.
4. Virtual Assistant with No Specialization
Virtual assistants (VAs) have been around for a while, and the demand for VAs continues to grow. However, being a generalist VA can limit your earning potential. While some VAs are highly successful, they often specialize in a particular area, such as email management, social media, customer service, or e-commerce.
If you’re only offering basic virtual assistant services, you’re likely to be paid a lower rate. Clients are looking for VAs who can bring more specialized skills to the table, like content management systems (CMS) knowledge, SEO expertise, or familiarity with specific tools like Shopify, WordPress, or Google Analytics.
To stand out as a VA and make serious money, you’ll need to hone in on a specific niche where you can offer specialized services. By positioning yourself as an expert in a particular field, you can demand higher rates and secure more consistent, long-term clients.
5. Affiliate Marketing Without a Niche
Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways people try to make money online, but not all affiliate marketers are successful. In fact, many people who get into affiliate marketing end up abandoning it after months of minimal results. One of the biggest mistakes in this field is trying to promote products in too broad of a niche or without any established audience.
Without a focused niche or loyal audience, you’re unlikely to gain traction with affiliate marketing. You’ll be competing against thousands of other affiliate marketers, many of whom have been in the game for years and have already built trust with their audience. Randomly promoting products without any context or value for your audience will only hurt your chances of success.
The key to success in affiliate marketing is to focus on a niche where you can establish authority and trust. Whether it’s tech, beauty, health, or finance, choose a specific area where you can consistently provide value to your audience. Over time, as your audience grows, so will your affiliate income.
6. Content Mills Writing
Content mills are platforms that offer writers the opportunity to write articles, blog posts, and other forms of content for clients, often at very low rates. While this can be a quick way to earn money when starting out, it’s not a sustainable or lucrative path in the long term. Most content mills pay between $0.01 and $0.05 per word, making it difficult to earn a livable wage, especially when you consider the time and effort required to research and write quality content.
In addition, content mills often prioritize quantity over quality, which can damage your reputation as a writer. When you’re churning out low-paying content, you have less time to focus on building a portfolio that will attract higher-paying clients.
If writing is your passion, focus on developing your skills in high-demand areas like copywriting, technical writing, or writing for SEO. These skills are far more marketable and can lead to higher paying opportunities.
7. Simple Website Creation Using Builders
Website building platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress have made it easy for anyone to create a simple website without needing advanced coding skills. While this is great for people looking to create personal or small business websites, it has also saturated the market with basic website builders offering their services at low rates.
If your web design skills are limited to using drag-and-drop builders, it will be hard to charge premium prices or stand out in the marketplace. Businesses looking to make a serious impact online are more likely to hire web developers who can create custom, dynamic, and SEO-friendly websites.
To make serious money in the web development space, you’ll need to move beyond simple website creation and focus on more complex areas like web development, SEO optimization, or e-commerce platforms. Learning coding languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or Python can also give you a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Conclusion
The online world is full of opportunities to make money, but not all skills are equally valuable in today’s economy. By avoiding these seven skills—basic data entry, generic blogging, basic graphic design, non-specialized virtual assistance, unfocused affiliate marketing, content mills writing, and simple website creation—you can focus on mastering the skills that will truly set you up for success.
The key to making serious money online is to specialize. Whether it’s in writing, design, marketing, or development, honing your expertise in a high-demand niche will allow you to command higher rates, attract better clients, and build a more sustainable online business. Avoiding outdated or oversaturated skills is the first step toward achieving long-term financial success in the digital world.
Leave a Reply