The Genius Guide to Monetizing Your Skills (Without Feeling Cringe)

Want to sponsor Ordinary Genius? Got a topic you’d love to see covered? Hit reply. For everything else, find me here.

A couple of years ago I made a TikTok guide. It was step-by-step on how I reached 80,000 followers in just 5 months so I could follow it myself and keep momentum.

I started sending it to friends or mutuals on Twitter until one replied saying, “Dude. Why aren’t you charging for this?”

Truth is… I never considered charging money for it. I genuinely love helping so it felt more natural to just keep giving it away. But I listened, I uploaded it to Gumroad, I wrote a Twitter thread that went viral and a day later I had sold $1,500 of my TikTok guide.

And believe it or not… no one called me a fraud.

Most people think making money online means selling out.

They picture sleazy courses, spammy DMs, or cringeworthy sales tactics that make your skin crawl.

But here’s the truth: You can monetize in a way that feels natural, ethical, and aligned.

The key? Focusing on value-first monetization.

Today, we’re breaking down exactly how to do that without feeling like you need a shower afterward.

How to Monetize Without Feeling Sleazy

1️⃣ Teach what you already know

• You don’t need to be a “guru.” If you’ve solved a problem, there are people who will pay to learn from you.

• Formats: Paid newsletters, digital products, coaching, or niche courses.

• Tactical example: Built a Notion system to organize your life? Package it. Fixed your sleep with a simple protocol? Record a Loom and sell access. Small wins scale fast.

2️⃣ Sell outcomes, not just products

• People don’t buy information… they buy results. Frame your offer around the transformation, not just the content.

• Tactical example: Instead of “Productivity Tips for Creators,” try “How I Write 5 Tweets in 20 Minutes Every Week Without Burning Out.”

• Plug-and-play framework: “By the end of this, you’ll be able to _____ without _____.”

3️⃣ Give 90% away for free

• Your best marketing is showing people you know what you’re talking about.

• Build trust… Twitter threads, “pick your brain” calls, Notion freebies, email series… and then invite people to go deeper.

• Tactical example: Offer a free Airtable template or checklist. Use it to collect emails and pitch a premium version or strategy call on the thank-you page.

4️⃣ Productize your expertise

• Turn what you know into scalable assets: templates, playbooks, scripts, strategy decks, toolkits, or even AI prompts. People will pay for done-for-you shortcuts.

• Bonus: You only have to create it once.

• Tactical example:

  • Designer → “5 High-Converting Canva Templates for Creators”

  • Copywriter → “10 Cold Email Subject Lines That Got Me Replies”

  • PM → “Notion Sprint Tracker + Stakeholder Update Dashboard”

5️⃣ Charge for speed + clarity

• The internet is overflowing with free information. People will pay for organization, structure, and faster results. People pay to skip the line.

• Whether it’s a curated resource list or a 1:1 strategy call to learn the top things that took you years to master, convenience is a service.

• Tactical example: Package your favorite 12 links/resources on a topic into a “Starter Kit” and charge $19. Or offer 30-minute “pick my brain” calls for $99 with pre-vetted clarity.

Genius Tips: Monetization That Feels Right

🧠 Trust comes before transactions

• People need to believe you before they buy from you. Show up consistently. Help for free first.

• Tactical example: Spend 30 minutes per week answering questions in a subreddit, Discord, or LinkedIn comments. Build social proof through generosity.

🧠 Your “weird little skill” is probably monetizable

• The thing you think is way too niche? That’s exactly why people want it. Deep > broad.

• Tactical example: Someone out there is making $3K/month teaching virtual Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Don’t underestimate your niche.

🧠 Don’t wait to “be ready”

• You’re probably already sitting on something valuable. Package it and launch small. You can always upgrade and improve it later.

• Tactical example: Launch a $10 guide to test the waters before building a full course. Low risk, high signal.

🧠 Leverage trends without becoming a trend-chaser

• AI, crypto, creator economy... whatever the buzz is, tie it back to your zone of genius. Don’t pivot… translate.

• For example, if your core skill set is community building… apply that to building community within AI or crypto without becoming a full-on AI or crypto influencer.

🧠 No sleaze, no fake scarcity, no fake screenshots

• Longevity > short-term dopamine. Build something you’d be proud to share with your mom. A brand built on lies is not a brand that will withstand the test of time.

Genius Takeaways

• The best way to sell? Help first, monetize second.

• If you’ve helped even one person solve a problem, you’re qualified.

• You don’t need to be famous. You need to be valuable and authentic.

• Sell the shortcut, not the encyclopedia.

Know someone who should be monetizing?

Forward them this email, or click to share. If they have questions, I’ll personally respond — or better yet, have them DM me on Twitter.

And on a personal note…

If you’ve ever hesitated to charge for your work…I get it.

Impostor syndrome shows up hard when money enters the chat. But here’s the truth: helping people and making money can coexist. In fact, the more you charge, the more value you're often able to provide.

People want to pay for solutions. Give them a reason to.

Until next time,
Alex

P.S. If you are looking for part-time roles while you build your thing, subscribe to our sister newsletter FounderGigs!