You probably have one of these skills already.
But what you don’t realize is that many niche clients would be willing to pay a ton of money for it.
While everyone is chasing tech certifications and popular high-income skills like generative AI, marketing, social media, UX/UI design, and software development, there are skills which are not as frequently mentioned, that enable businesses to maximize their profits while giving you more earning power as a freelancer. These skills may be underrated in popular career advice, but they’re still in high demand and can help you unlock $100,000 or more worth of salary or income potential this year.
Let’s explore them.
1. Technical Writing Skills
While everyone may be chasing content development, content writing, and SEO services, technical writers can make significantly more than content writers in many cases.
Being a technical writer is not as popular as other forms of freelance writing, but it is necessary and in demand, especially with start-ups and companies innovating new products which require onboarding materials, user guides, and other technical documentation to break down processes and complex ideas into clear step-by-step guides and explainers.
These companies are willing to pay premium rates and the earning potential is significant.
Average pay varies widely but online reports earnings of as much as $120,000 a year for this type of skill.
2. Proposal And RFP Writing
Non-profits, start-ups, and other companies want to bid on government contracts and secure grants and funding. But they need assistance to ensure their applications are successful and that their proposals tick every box. RFPs (request for proposals) are a standard part of contract management, and requires companies to develop a full project scope and solicitations from relevant contractors or vendors to fulfil the project outlined.
This is exactly where you’d come in. If you have a background in contract management and delivery, RFP writing, and successfully bidding and fundraising, you can make money as a proposal writer or RFP writer.
Salaries tend to hover between $70,000 to $90,000 on average, with project rates cited online as about $4,000 (and sometimes more per project).
3. WordPress Website Development
Software and app development are popular, but let’s not forget WordPress. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that accounts for some 43% of the world’s websites, making it a dominant leader in the CMS space. Becoming familiar with this platform and its associated tools can be easily accomplished through watching tutorials and through regular practice so you can be self-taught.
This skill is needed to help build and power the next wave of small businesses and start-ups launching. Typical pay for this work is $97,000 a year, with freelance projects enabling you to potentially earn more.
4. Packaging Design Skills
When you think of creative roles, you might think about logo creation and graphic design for websites and digital marketing assets. However, a very essential design skill which companies are willing to fork out large budgets for is packaging design.
A packaging designer makes up to $85,000 annually according to Salary.com; but as a freelance packaging designer, you can make significantly more, especially if you are obtaining clients away from popular freelance platforms like Upwork where everyone scrambles to make their prices cheaper to win clients. A freelance packaging designer positioning themselves as an agency, with in-depth 3D rendering and illustration skills, can make between $1,000 to $50,000 per project, according to DesignRush.
So if you already have a background, interest, or expertise in design, WordPress, tech, or fundraising and bidding, you already have clients waiting for you to pitch.
Your skills are needed. Master and monetize them. Stop looking for a $100k opportunity. You don’t need to start something new. You need to see the value in what others would overlook.