Earning online has become a major deal today. It's seemingly the path of many to financial gain. Individuals and organisations even advocate the need for everyone in this current dispensation to earn online in some way; legal way. The major and recent rise to this came as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This of course ushered in the possibility of doing a lot of things online, ranging from meetings, businesses, work and more. The common ground is the online medium.
I imagine what it would be like for many here in my part of the world without the opportunity to earn online, considering that several people have leveraged it towards financial gain and capacity. But then, it's easier said than done. While this has opened up more opportunities to earn amongst other advantages of the system, it isn't without due effort and diligence. Something many don't talk about.
Before I earned a dime online, it seemed like a story told. Maybe because it wasn't that rampant then. Then it became the reality we see today, and I had to find my way in. Thankfully, earning online has become a suitable means for me. I had to go down the lane of learning a digital skill. And guess how I learnt it? Yes, you're right if you say online. After months of weekly online tutoring, I became a certified graphic designer and video editor, with other important digital knowledge as well.
However, earning wasn't instant. I engaged more with the graphic design skill, for some reason. The focus was on how to leverage graphic design. In the earlier months to some months later, I had yet to earn from this skill. It was kind of weakening. I had to volunteer to do free designs for people to get noticed and create my presence. Hopefully, I'll get referrals. Until an opportunity came through a friend who referred me, knowing that I'm into graphic design.
That particular work was my first earning online through the skill. Before then, I've tried means like crypto to earn, and I did earn a little from it. Maybe because I do something of value which solves people's needs through my skill, it feels more like my favourite way to earn online. Anytime I earn from that means feels more than just an income, but an effort to solve someone's or an organisation's need, and successfully doing that. Well, it went that way until Hive came into the picture.
On Hive, earning didn't take long I must say. Thankfully, through a friend, I came in through an onboarding program that provided the opportunity to earn without staying that long on the blockchain. I must say that it felt good. Considering also that it was a time I had gadget issues and wasn't having it well with my digital skills. Hive helped stabilise the situation and also helped get a gadget later to salvage the situation. I was able to get something to continue with.
Beyond that, my first earnings on Hive were not just about the money. Like with the graphic design skill, it was also about providing value; to the blockchain in this case, and then getting rewarded even for a skill (writing) that I was already dropping. More than a means to earn, it became an effort towards providing value. And when the earning comes, it feels good.
This is my entry to the India United contest. Read here if you wish to join in.