Here's what you should focus on, based on your goals and personality.
*****
Writing
Easily my preference. The world will always have room for more writers. The varieties of expression are infinite, and there will always be a hunger for stories.
If you want maximum personal freedom while leaving your mark on the world, this is the one.
Most writers can't make a living on writing alone. Books or other large projects are abandoned. Posts are free.
I suggest combining writing with other skills.
To practice, set time aside to write every day. I prefer first thing in the morning, so I can't talk myself out of it.
*****
Copywriting
This is still writing, a specialized form that is based on persuasion. The goal is to get someone to take action, usually a purchase.
If you only want to write, this is how you make a living.
To practice, study printed ads. Handwrite them out. Create new ones.
*****
Sales
Salespeople interact directly with customers, understand their needs, and persuade them to buy.
They often use techniques like negotiation, objection handling, and relationship building.
If your goal is to make a lot of money as quickly as possible, try sales.
Selling gets a bad rap.
Salespeople are accused of being dishonest, aggressive, and selfish.
They often are.
If more people studied sales, they would have better defenses against the worst tactics.
Don't let the stigma keep you from learning this valuable skill.
*****
Marketing
This is the range of activities aimed at promoting a product or service and building a brand. It is everything in the space between writing and sales.
It involves understanding the target market, developing marketing strategies, and executing marketing campaigns.
Marketing includes advertising, public relations, market research, and social media.
If you are creative, intelligent, and like to be the center of attention, this is a solid path.
Like selling, you can't really practice this. You need the feedback an audience provides.
*****
AI
If you learn a little about AI, you can multiply the effects of any other skill.
Learn a lot, and you have high-demand expert knowledge.
Practice by using various LLMs for different tasks. Ask for feedback on how to craft better prompts.
Learn if you enjoy playing.
*****
Programming
There is speculation that this skill will disappear, due to AI.
What will recede is awful non-creative work, such as debugging.
The need for new digital products will remain.
Practice by designing either websites, apps, or games, depending on your ambition.
*****
Cooking
I know, this one is an outlier.
The earlier skills work together in a symbiotic way, and this one doesn't even involve staring at a monitor.
However, everyone needs to eat.
Frequently.
Many don't know how to cook, and malnourishment is rampant.
*****
Other Skills
You can exercise regularly without studying fitness.
You can have relationships without studying psychology.
You will need home or auto repair, or your taxes filed, and you can outsource that labor.
Learn subjects you enjoy, or where you can measure high results.
*****
Writing
Easily my preference. The world will always have room for more writers. The varieties of expression are infinite, and there will always be a hunger for stories.
If you want maximum personal freedom while leaving your mark on the world, this is the one.
Most writers can't make a living on writing alone. Books or other large projects are abandoned. Posts are free.
I suggest combining writing with other skills.
To practice, set time aside to write every day. I prefer first thing in the morning, so I can't talk myself out of it.
*****
Copywriting
This is still writing, a specialized form that is based on persuasion. The goal is to get someone to take action, usually a purchase.
If you only want to write, this is how you make a living.
To practice, study printed ads. Handwrite them out. Create new ones.
*****
Sales
Salespeople interact directly with customers, understand their needs, and persuade them to buy.
They often use techniques like negotiation, objection handling, and relationship building.
If your goal is to make a lot of money as quickly as possible, try sales.
Selling gets a bad rap.
Salespeople are accused of being dishonest, aggressive, and selfish.
They often are.
If more people studied sales, they would have better defenses against the worst tactics.
Don't let the stigma keep you from learning this valuable skill.
*****
Marketing
This is the range of activities aimed at promoting a product or service and building a brand. It is everything in the space between writing and sales.
It involves understanding the target market, developing marketing strategies, and executing marketing campaigns.
Marketing includes advertising, public relations, market research, and social media.
If you are creative, intelligent, and like to be the center of attention, this is a solid path.
Like selling, you can't really practice this. You need the feedback an audience provides.
*****
AI
If you learn a little about AI, you can multiply the effects of any other skill.
Learn a lot, and you have high-demand expert knowledge.
Practice by using various LLMs for different tasks. Ask for feedback on how to craft better prompts.
Learn if you enjoy playing.
*****
Programming
There is speculation that this skill will disappear, due to AI.
What will recede is awful non-creative work, such as debugging.
The need for new digital products will remain.
Practice by designing either websites, apps, or games, depending on your ambition.
*****
Cooking
I know, this one is an outlier.
The earlier skills work together in a symbiotic way, and this one doesn't even involve staring at a monitor.
However, everyone needs to eat.
Frequently.
Many don't know how to cook, and malnourishment is rampant.
*****
Other Skills
You can exercise regularly without studying fitness.
You can have relationships without studying psychology.
You will need home or auto repair, or your taxes filed, and you can outsource that labor.
Learn subjects you enjoy, or where you can measure high results.
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