Hobbies are the activities we enjoy in our spare time; they might include writing, gardening, or arts and crafts. Many of us might not get enough time to pursue our hobbies as much as we would like. This is most likely because of the work we do to earn a living. Many office jobs are now getting very demanding, leaving little to no room for other activities once you get home or finish up your projects.
However, there’s now a growing awareness about the importance of doing something that can help you earn while doing what you love. Working from home is becoming more normal these days, so why not consider whether your hobbies can help you earn at home too?
A person might have several hobbies and not be sure which one to focus on for earning purposes. They might also not be aware of a potentially profitable hobby they already have. Let’s have a look at the top options to consider today:
1. Blogging or Vlogging
Do you enjoy writing your own stories? Perhaps you’ve kept a journal or diary at some point, or enjoy writing letters/e-mails to your friends. If any of these sounds like a hobby of yours, you just might be cut out for regular blogging.
If you enjoy talking about your day, discussing current events, or even just making video calls, vlogging might be your next profitable venture. Whether It’s blogging or vlogging, there’s a decent amount of money you can earn from your platform.
When you’re fairly regular and successful with blogging/vlogging, there are several possible income streams. These include:
- Paid sponsorships (you can refer to them during your discussion or writing)
- Reviews about products
- Display ads on your site
- Affiliate marketing
Blogging or vlogging can be a great way to talk about your personal experiences, stories, life lessons, and much more. You can share tips and hacks that you’ve learned along the way.
The best part about this hobby is that you don’t need any degree, experience, or even a lot of tech knowledge to start out. All you have to do is start writing or making videos and make sure to update frequently. There’s a lot to learn before you start raking in the big bucks, but it’s possible to grow and develop along the way. Simply start writing or discussing your favorite recipes, family trips, budgeting tips, or whatever strikes your fancy. A professional blog might cost less than $5 a month, so investment shouldn’t be an issue.
2. Share Opinions Through Surveys
If you like to relax with your phone or in front of the computer screen, why not use that time to take some surveys? This activity doesn’t require any particular skill and the sites are usually free to use. You can devote a couple of hours to these each day, especially during your downtime in waiting rooms, on the subway, or even on a road trip while someone else is driving!
Basically, companies want to know more about their audiences. To this end, they are willing to pay for people’s opinions on their services, products, and potential future offerings. The surveys are usually quite easy and take around 5 to 15 minutes each.
3. Make Pet Food or Treats
Many pet owners are concerned about giving them healthy, nutritious food on a regular basis. Whole store bought pet food is easily available, some pets have specific dietary requirements and preferences that are not found in the market. Some pets may not want dry treats, for instance, or their owners may simply prefer homemade food for them like they do for themselves.
If you’re fairly adept at cooking, you can make use of this market niche. Try out some pet food recipes–both meals and treats– and see whether your pet owner friends think they’re good enough. From there on, you can start cooking and advertising your homemade pet food online. Pet owners will probably be willing to pay a premium price in order to have the convenience and health benefits of homemade pet food on their doorstep.
Many pet treats may not even require baking, but you might have to take a course to learn how to make them properly. There are also some free recipes available online to help you get started.
4. Use Pinterest and Get Paid for Pinnin
If you like using the social media app Pinterest, you’d be delighted to know that it’s possible to get paid for using it. Some blog or business owners might pay others to create their pins, so see if anyone needs Pinterest virtual assistants in your areas of interest.
Even if you’re a complete beginner, it’s possible to start earning as a Pinterest VA today. You may have to take a workshop or two before pitching to a potential employer. Canva is a nice graphics design software that can help you make attractive pins for free.
5. Illustration and Design
If you like drawing and making designs, keep in mind that these skills could make you some serious money. A lot of clients on Fiverr and other job sites have projects where they need such skills. They might require a customized portrait, a logo, or a new packaging design.
Alternatively, you can make your own art and put it on items like posters, T-shirts, cushions, laptop skins, canvases, etc. Sell these products to gain a nice profit while also enjoying your unbridled creativity.
It’s not even necessary to make the actual items first. Having a load of finished T-shirts or canvases on hand can use up your storage space and run the risk of a loss in the case of damage, low volume of orders, and so on. Instead make virtual mockups of the product and list them online. Once you make a sale, start on the item and deliver it within the promised time. This way, you’ll also have an idea of which designs are the most in demand.
6. Cooking or Baking
We’ve already covered the matter of cooking for pets. However, humans also crave homemade food while they’re stuck at their workplace or simply not in the mood to cook. If you’ve perfected some recipes and like cooking regularly, see if your homemade food might be in demand locally.
Baking is a more precise art, but you can really cash in on it if the skill’s there. Birthday cakes, cupcakes, party favors, and all kinds of cookies are always in demand. However, cooking or baking businesses might require a certain kind of kitchen that meets specific standards.
It’s not necessary to sell the food you cook, either. People who love cooking or baking can make video recipes and put them on Instagram, YouTube, etc. This could also be a good learning opportunity and one of the top hobbies for homeschooled kids. Follow your interests and see what the audience likes best.
7. Selling Coffee
Many of us like a cup of coffee to start the day, but some people might go beyond that. Perhaps you’re interested in learning more about coffee, capitalizing on your marketing skills, and helping fellow coffee drinkers to brew that perfect cup right at home.
With more remote workers, there’s now more logic in getting quality coffee for home use. It’s more economical and logical than grabbing a coffee drink from Starbucks or any other store every single day.
You can take the idea of selling coffee in several different directions. Make videos giving directions on how to brew different kinds of cups with various strength levels; alternatively, you can also talk about the different beans used in the products you sell. If health is also an important factor in your life, look up the health benefits of coffee and try to win your audience over from that angle.
Conclusion
Whether you’re interested in developing a profitable side hustle or giving up your day job to pursue your dreams, making your hobby into an income stream can be very rewarding. Some people might even look into this option as a way to afford certain extra luxuries in their lives, such as a power inverter for their home or a well-deserved vacation.
On the other hand, it’s important to understand the risks of earning through your hobby. While some people love working on their hobby and getting paid for it, a few others have regretted taking this step. At times, that fun hobby can turn into an extra pressure and become something that you simply have to do. Instead of relaxing while crafting, for instance, you might feel obligated to do it because of a client’s order. Before taking the plunge, make sure to list the pros and cons of making this hobby an earning point in your life. Make sure to balance between work and leisure to prevent burnout as well.
