They say if you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life. Here at Dear Media, we firmly believe in this old cliché, which is why we’re devoting a whole blog post to hobbies that can help you make some serious cash!
Hobbies are the fun and fulfilling activities that we do in our spare time and there are many benefits to having hobbies! These benefits include making new friends, developing new skills, relieving stress, and getting out of your comfort zone. And the best part is, there are plenty of hobbies that can be really profitable!
Normally, people don’t get into hobbies with the goal of making money. It’s usually more about the joy and fulfilment they get from the activity. But, if you’re the type of person who is super passionate and wants to take your hobby to the next level, you can totally turn your hobby into an awesome side hustle. And with dedication, your hobby could eventually be a steady stream of income!
So, let’s take a look at 40 hobbies that can totally put some extra cash back into your pocket!
40 Hobbies That Help You Make Money
Freelance writing
Always been a good writer? Look for paid freelance writing opportunities online, in your community, or for your local newspaper.
Podcasting
In recent years, the podcasting world has literally exploded. With thousands of new episodes being released each and every day, now is the perfect time to jump in and try your hand at hosting your own podcast! Don’t know where to start? Check out: Everything You Need to Launch Your Podcast & How to Monetize a Podcast.
Music production
Nowadays, there are many easy and budget-friendly ways to create and profit from producing your own music. In fact, with apps like GarageBand and BandLab, you can produce music right from your phone! Let your inner rhythm flow and see where it takes you.
DJing
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of a DJ is $22,000-$100,000 per year! If you’ve always loved music and you’re knowledgeable about music editing software, you can totally make a hustle DJing parties, events, weddings, and more.
Graphic design
Always loved graphic design? In this digital age, there is no storage of graphic designers wanted for a variety of brands and businesses. To start, look for graphic design opportunities in your community, your local newspapers or magazines, or on freelance websites like Upwork or Fiverr.
Video editing
Like graphic design, video editing is becoming a more and more popular trade. With a small investment in editing software, you can turn your editing skills into extra cash. You can create and edit your own videos, record and edit weddings & special events, or even create content for brands and businesses. For tips on branding and content creation, check out The Dream Bigger Podcast: Babba Rivera: Tips for New Startups, Being Head of Marketing at Uber, Brand Building Tips.
Illustration
For those of you who love to draw and paint, consider picking up some illustration gigs. You just might find your artwork on the cover of an awesome new book or magazine!
Voice acting
Did you know that you could make money just by speaking? Businesses and brands require voice actors for a variety of projects like commercials, tutorial-videos, radio ads, and so on! Depending on your language and ability to speak clearly, you could make some serious cash just by reading and recording scripts!
Coding
Are you a computer wiz with a passion for coding? If so, you could turn your hobby into a full fledged business in no time! From programming to software engineering, there are a multitude of ways to turn your computer passion into a steady stream of revenue!
Website creation
If you’re knowledgeable about website creation and think you have the eye for aesthetics, try your hand at building websites. You can start by seeing if small businesses in your community need help creating websites or by selling your services online.
Photography
Do you love taking photos? You can totally make some extra cash by selling your own photos as artwork or stock photos. Alternatively, you can sell your photography services at themed photoshoots, weddings, special events, and more! Did you know that you can use your awesome photography skills to become an influencer? For more info on influencing, check out: Trading Secrets: Corporate Natalie, Full-Time Employee By Day, Influencer By Night.
Modeling
Always dreamed of being a model? Try your hand at modeling by creating your own Instagram page or reaching out to local photographers and brands in your area! To hear more about influencing and creating your own brand, check out Life with Marianna: Influencer Lessons: 10 Things I Learned In 10 Years.
Makeup artist
Do you love making other people feel beautiful? Take your makeup skills to the next level and become a makeup artist. You can make some serious extra cash doing makeup for birthdays, weddings, photoshoots, and other special occasions.
Sell your artwork
Take your artistic skills to the next level by selling your artwork. Profitable artwork includes, but is not limited to, paintings, collages, drawings, logo designs, decorations, photography, keychains, etc.
Make & sell jewellery
When it comes to making jewellery, you can use beads, wire, clay, rope, crystals, rocks, and more to make beautiful and profitable items to sell. Try selling your handmade jewellery on websites like Etsy or Folksy.
Cooking
If your home is in the kitchen, try your hand at catering! From birthday parties and weddings to large community events, there are plenty of opportunities to cater events in your local community.
Baking
Cookies, cupcakes, muffins, you name it! If you can bake it, you can sell it. You can turn a profit by baking sweets for birthday parties, weddings, and other special events or by selling baked goods at your local farmers market.
Playing music instruments
Turn your hidden musical talent into some extra cash by posting videos, playing at local bars and restaurants, or by playing at special events. Whether you play the guitar, the trumpet, the saxophone, or the piano, playing musical instruments is a great way to earn some extra money while doing something you love.
Start a blog
Do you enjoy the thought of sharing your lifestyle with others? Are you passionate about a certain subject? Consider starting a blog! Blogs can be about absolutely anything and there are plenty of ways to monetize your blog and start earning some easy cash on the side.
Singing
Are you gifted with an ah-mazing singing voice? Do you love to perform? Earn money by singing at special events, at bars and restaurants, by posting videos on Youtube, or by joining a band.
Dancing
Do you love to dance? Turn your awesome dance moves into a side hustle by becoming a professional backup dancer, performing at events, or by teaching dance classes!
Gardening
For those of you with a green thumb, consider making gardening a source of income. You can grow and sell succulents, vegetables, fruits, vines, and more at local farmers markets and flea markets.
Beekeeping
Hmmm…who doesn’t love some sweet and locally produced honey? If you love the outdoors and you’re not afraid of insects, you should totally try your hand at beekeeping. Selling honey is an excellent way to earn some extra cash in addition to reducing your carbon footprint.
Interior decorating
If you love redecorating and finding the best and most unique pieces for each room of your home, interior decorating might be just the hobby you’re looking for. Plus, the average salary of an interior decorator is around $42,000. How’s that for a side hustle?
Sewing
If you know your way around a sewing machine, you can definitely earn some extra money on the side as a seamster/seamstress. Tons of people are willing to pay for clothing repairs, adjustments, and hemmings. You can even up-cycle used clothing and sell your own unique fashion pieces online!
Up-cycle vintage thrift finds
Vintage fashion and decor is totally in this season! If you’re good at identifying unique and vintage finds at flea markets and thrift stores, you can use these items to turn a huge profit! Try reselling these items online or at local boutiques.
Restoring furniture
Like upcycling vintage thrift finds, you can restore and resell old furniture. Grab your sander and some paint and turn those drab old dressers and desks into shabby chic must-haves!
Day trading
While day trading comes with its own inherent financial risk, it can also provide huge financial rewards when done correctly! And now, there are tons of online day trading apps to choose from that can help you make some extra cash right from your phone.
Creating NFTs
NFT stands for non-fungible tokens, or digital assets, that are exchanged on blockchain platforms. More simply put, NFT’s are digital arts that can be bought and sold over the internet. If you love creating digital art, NFT creation might be right up your alley! With the growing popularity surrounding NFT’s, there is plenty of money to be made by buying and selling this digital art.
Comedy
Are you the comic of your friend group? If so, you might be a comedian in the making! To earn some cash by expressing your comedic side, you can perform stand-up, create hilarious TikTok or Youtube videos, or even start a comedy podcast.
Professional video gaming
While it’s not widely known, there are plenty of ways to earn extra money by playing video games professionally. Methods of profitable gaming include entering gaming competitions, posting gaming videos/tutorials online, and by beta-testing new and upcoming video games.
Private coach lessons or referee
Are you good at sports? If you’re an expert in Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, etc. you can totally put your skills to use by teaching others. You could also earn money by coaching or refereeing at local gyms and ballparks.
Personal training
Exercise and fitness is a super common hobby that can definitely earn you an extra buck. Not only can you sell training sessions in person, but you can also create and sell personalized training videos online or even create your own Youtube fitness channel! For tips on how to start making your own business moves, check out Ready, Set, Spill: Making Moves with Robyn DelMonte of GirlBossTown.
Pet sitting
Raise your hand if you love animals! Not only can you make money by pet sitting for friends and family, but you can also make some serious cash pet sitting/dog walking for people in your community. You can start by placing flyers in your community for your services or by posting an ad online. You can even download apps that connect you to pet owners such as Rover or PetBacker.
Babysitting
One of the most common hobbies that can help you make money is babysitting. If you enjoy hanging out with and teaching children, this is totally the gig for you! Start by creating service flyers or posting a babysitting ad in your local newspaper or online forum.
Tutor
Do you have a passion for teaching children? Put your knowledge to the test by offering tutoring services in your community. You can tutor for various subjects like math, writing, history, etc. or, as mentioned earlier, you can give music lessons, fitness lessons, or sports lessons.
Bike repair
If you enjoy biking and working with your hands, consider starting a small bike repair business! From making small repairs to creating rad, trick bikes, there are plenty of ways to expand your love of cycling while earning some money, too.
Comic book trading
Wondering what to do with that old stack of comic books in the garage? Turns out, selling or trading your old comic books can be super lucrative! While most vintage comic books resell for between $10-$50, some rare comic books can sell for as much as $20,000 or more!
Teaching a language
Are you multilingual? Do you enjoy teaching? If your answer is yes to both of those questions, then you can totally earn some extra income by giving language lessons or classes. Unlike tutoring, you can teach a language to people of any age. This means you will have plenty of customers and an endless supply of excited new students!
Party planning
Last but not least, if you love event planning and throwing awesome parties, be sure to try your hand at party planning. A lot of people enjoy hiring party planners to take the stress out of planning and executing their own events. Honestly, there is nothing better than doing something you love while helping others at the same time!
Get ready to turn your favorite hobby into some serious extra cash!
Okay guys, are you ready to turn your favorite pastime into your next paycheck? If so, we are so excited for you and we can’t wait to see where your favorite hobby takes you! And if not, we totally get it! Hobbies are for relaxation, fun, and enjoyment and not every hobby has to earn money. For more inspiration on turning your hobbies into revenue, be sure to listen to What We Said: How Can She Afford THAT?
We will leave you guys with one last piece of advice: with passion and dedication, you can accomplish anything! Once you put your mind to it, your hobby will be earning money in no time! For more awesome blogs like this one, head on over to our blog. If you have any additional questions about monetizing your hobbies, be sure to drop them below! Also, be sure to let us know what your favorite hobbies are and if/how you are using them to make some extra dough! We wish you guys the best of luck turning your hobby into a side hustle and encourage you to check back in soon for all the latest updates and releases!
