How to turn your hobby into a business

Monetize your passions

Alex Blackmeer
ILLUMINATION
5 min readJun 17, 2022

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Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash

Almost everyone has a hobby that they love. But, no matter the hobby, it can be a lot of fun.

Some hobbies are more expensive than others. For example, collecting things can be costly if you buy many rare items. Building things can also be expensive if you use expensive materials. Playing games can also be costly if you buy many new games and game systems.

However, there are ways to enjoy your hobby without spending much money. I have found that the best way to do it is to turn your passion into a business. This way, you can afford to spend more time doing what you love rather than struggling to find a way to juggle between work and family.

What is your hobby?

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Everyone has hobbies. Some people like reading, others enjoy sports, and many want to travel. Hobbies are a great way to relax and have some fun. They can also be a way to learn new things and meet new people.

Writing

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Copyblogger founder Brian Clark has been in the content marketing business since 1998. Seven years and three successful companies later, Brian shared what he learned and turned it into one of the most successful marketing businesses in the world.

Brian owns Rainmaker Digital LLC, the parent company of Copyblogger and other businesses, making more than 12 million dollars in revenue each year. (Source: Forbes)

Who said writing couldn’t make you a ton of money?

Drawing/Graphic design

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Want to know the secret of being a great designer? Want to land big clients like Google, Facebook, Starbucks, and others?

Work hard, snack often.

Or at least it is what Lauren Hom says. She is the owner of Homsweethom. Lauren is a “hand lettering artist”, and judging by her clients, she is a really successful one.

If you like drawing, painting, or any other visual art, you can turn it into a renowned business.

Photography

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Anna-Lou Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer best known for engaging portraits, particularly of celebrities, which often feature subjects in intimate settings and poses.

Leibovitz’s Polaroid photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, taken five hours before Lennon’s murder, is considered one of Rolling Stone magazine’s most famous cover photographs.

The Library of Congress declared her a Living Legend, and she is the first woman to have a feature exhibition at Washington’s National Portrait Gallery.

Professional photographers are in high demand in every part of the world. It is a great extra source of income, although it may require some investment in good quality equipment first.

Videography

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Ryan Kaji has remained the highest-paid YouTube star for three years, partly because he has nine channels on the platform.

In 2020, his revenue amounted to approximately $30 million, as stated by Forbes. The majority of his income came from his expansive merchandise empire: he (or his parents) has lent his name to 1,600 licensed products in 30 countries, including Skechers, pajamas, Roblox, bedding, watches, sporting goods, water bottles, furniture, toothpaste and, of course, toys.

Making videos for Youtube and Tik Tok have made many people a bit richer lately. Who knows? Maybe you are the next star?

Cooking

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Celebrity Chef Rosanna Pansino is an up-and-coming baking sensation who has built a career in the culinary industry.

Rosanna is one of the most successful content creators on YouTube, with a considerable following and several awards.

Her show Nerdy Nummies is famous all over the world, and she has released several cookbooks and a baking line based on it.

She is truly a role model for aspiring content creators everywhere.

The best thing about cooking? You can start in your kitchen. So grab your phone and record yourself baking your grandma’s secret pie.

Gaming

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Richard Tyler Blevins, popularly known by his gamer name Ninja, is the wealthiest gamer in the world. His net worth being $17million makes him the richest out of the lot.

Ninja is famous for streaming Fortnite and has also been streaming PUBG, Call of duty, and H1Z1 for a decade now.

Since you spend so many hours playing on your phone or laptop, why not make some cash?

How can you turn your hobby into a business?

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You can do a few key things to turn your hobby into a business.

1. Make sure there’s a market for what you’re selling. Do some research and see if people are interested in what you have to offer.

2. Create a brand and logo representing your product or service and share it on your social media channels, using good quality content.

3. Set up an online shop or create a website where people can learn more about your business and buy your products or services.

4. YES, it is that SIMPLE.

Here is an extra tip:

Network with other hobbyists who share your interests. Although being unique is great, building relationships with others is also essential.

Your hobby may make someone happy, so let them in on your passion by sharing it with them. This can open up new opportunities and help you discover new interests.

Turning your hobby into a business can be a great way to make extra money. This article outlined a few tips for making the transition. Following these tips, you can create a successful business from something you love.

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Alex Blackmeer
ILLUMINATION

Writer. Polyglot. Digital entrepreneur. Breaking the complex down to simple. Support me at https://medium.com/@alexblackmeer/membership