As Startups and Nigerian eCommerce Surge, People Seek to Sell their Expertise Online

 

 

The last couple of years have been record-breaking in the business world, particularly for online businesses. In the US, a new high of 4.4 million new businesses were created in 2020, with another 500,000 coming in January 2021. In the UK, a 2021 report found that over one in three people run a side business.

 

Here in Nigeria, the big breakout sector is eCommerce, which saw a 30 percent increase in its market in 2021.

 

Whether it be as a side hustle or a new business all of its own, there are many ways that you can make money from your expertise without applying for a more conventional job at a company. After all, nearly 60 percent of startups don’t even have as much as $25,000 when launching. Here are some ways that you can capitalize on this business trend online.

 

 

Over the years, many of us have become familiar with online and e-learning as technology continues to develop. However, learning through video isn’t just for the younger generations. Many adults are going online to learn new skills and gain insight into topics of interest, and they are happy to pay for classes. Perhaps the main draw for these adult e-learners is that they can study at their convenience without joining a group class — which can be daunting to some.

 

There are two main ways to go about posting tutorials or running classes online. You could do so on a popular general video platform, or on a specific learning platform. The first of these options will involve using YouTube to reach a wide audience that are looking for educational videos. From there, you can earn money from advertising. Alternatively, you could join a site like Skillshare as a teacher and get paid for each member who watches your classes.

 

 

With the internet becoming ever stronger and more integral to everyday life in Nigeria, several new ways of creating work and finding entertainment are popping up. The growing eCommerce market is an example of this. Now, while you could join in with your own online startup, you could also create a platform that helps others to navigate these new, perhaps confusing areas — particularly those where there’s a lot of competition between brands.

 

A website dedicated to guides, reviews, and answers to frequently asked questions can prove popular and valuable among readers and can even lure in content partners. One such industry that’s been on the rise in new areas is online sports betting. It can be a tricky scene to traverse, so there are now regional guide sites for online sports betting. Here, companies review betting sites, explain the terms and markets, detail aspects like payment methods, and offer FAQ answers. Through this, consumers are armed with the necessary information to make a decision based on their needs such as whether to opt for the option with the best welcome bonus. Another rising industry that many people could look to get help with is dropshipping, and you could show them how to get started.  

 

 

Even before the internet, businesses were regularly looking to bring in consultants to help them grow or get out of a rut. Getting an expert with an outside opinion can help tremendously, which is why consultancy is still a much sought-after profession. This looks to be even more the case now that there are so many new businesses popping up, especially as so many of these entrepreneurs won’t have much of a plan outside of the initial model that got them going.

 

You can offer your expertise and research ability across a vast range of topics and areas. To do this online, probably the best approach would be to either actively seek consulting jobs or to set up a profile on popular platforms. On the former, the Upwork site looks to be a natural choice. You’ll need to be competitive and convincing, but many find work through this type of platform where you offer your services. Alternatively, you could join sites created for sharing your knowledge and make a profit from it online. These include PrestoExpress, which is both for experts and tutors.

 

Whether you want to join an existing platform or create your own, there are many savvy ways for you to turn your expertise into a viable side hustle or job online.