How to Turn Your Knowledge or Skills into Wealth This Year

Back in 2016, during my NYSC, I stumbled into a skill that changed everything for me.

I had just hired someone to design my blog, but the result didn’t match what I had envisioned. I remember staring at it and thinking, “Paul, this isn’t it at all.”

So I made a simple but life-changing decision: learn how to do it yourself.

I figured if I was going to be blogging for a while, it made sense to take control. No more depending on someone else to update or tweak my site.

That one move—sparked by frustration—became the start of my journey.

Within two months, I had learned the basics of web design. I’m a quick learner, so I picked it up fast. One day, a friend at our NYSC lodge saw what I had done and asked if I could design a site for him. I charged him ₦5,000.

That was the beginning.

More people came. More money followed.

By 2022, just days before I joined WordPress as a volunteer, I was charging ₦50,000 for website projects. Today, I still design sales pages and websites for clients. All from a skill I learned to solve my own problem.

Now it’s your turn.

Maybe you’re asking yourself, “But what do I even know that people will pay for?”

Or maybe you’ve convinced yourself, “I don’t have any skill at all.”

Let me be honest with you—that’s simply not true.

Everyone has something they know, enjoy, or do naturally that can be turned into a money-making venture. The secret is knowing how to package and position it properly.

So, let’s break it down.

Here are three practical ways you can turn your knowledge, passion, or interests into money—maybe even millions—this year:

1. Turn What You Know into Income

This is the most straightforward option. Ask yourself: What do I already know how to do?

This could come from your job, school, life experience, or even something you figured out because life forced you to.

Examples:

- Worked in a bank? You probably understand savings, budgeting, or investing. Why not become a personal finance coach? You can help young professionals manage their money better.

- Studied Law? You could teach business owners and property investors how to understand contracts and avoid fraud.

- Know how to bake or make small chops? You can start an online class, host in-person workshops, or run a weekend kids’ cooking bootcamp.

ACTION STEP:

Write down five things you know how to do well—no matter how random they seem.

Then ask:

- Who needs this knowledge or skill?

- Can I turn it into a service, product, or training?

2. Make Your Passion Pay You

A lot of people are sitting on goldmines without realizing it—just because they think their hobbies can’t make money.

But people pay for things they don’t know how to do or don’t have time for.

Examples:

- Love DIY décor? Share your projects on YouTube or Facebook. Offer paid online classes or sell ready-made kits.

- Into makeup? Teach beginner-friendly looks. Offer virtual tutorials or makeup shopping guides.

- Good at organizing spaces? Help busy people declutter their homes or plan their events. Offer this as a virtual or in-person service.

ACTION STEP:

Pick one thing you genuinely love doing—even if you’d do it for free.

Then find three people already earning from that same thing. Study how they market themselves, structure their offers, and price their services. Learn and model it.

3. Earn From What You Love Talking or Writing About

Are you the go-to person for advice on a specific topic? Do people listen to you when you share insights or stories?

You can turn that into influence—and income.

Examples:

- Always advising people on their career path? Create a simple career coaching package or write resumes for job seekers.

- Passionate about relationships or personal development? Start sharing content online. Host live sessions. Build an audience. Then monetize through eBooks, online courses, or coaching.

You don’t need to be an influencer with thousands of followers. You just need the right people listening.

ACTION STEP:

Choose your favourite topic of conversation. What’s that one thing people always ask you about?

Now, create a 3-part content series about it this week. Share it on social media. Watch who engages or sends you messages. That’s your market right there.

Here’s the Truth:

You don’t need ten skills or a dozen digital products. You only need one strong offer.

One thing you do well.

One thing you love.

One thing you can confidently talk about.

Start from there.

I began with a skill I picked up because I couldn’t afford to keep chasing someone else. Today, that same skill has helped me build a solid income stream.

If I could grow from ₦30k to ₦500k+ projects just by taking action...

Imagine what you can do when you start on purpose.

You’ve got this.

I’m cheering for you.