Some people are lucky to have jobs they enjoy, but the majority of people would rather spend their time doing their interests than working.
But what if your pastime could bring you money? It may seem impossible, but there are several methods to supplement your income by doing what you enjoy.
In this post, we’ll look at the 15 best hobbies that make money for 2023, as well as some particular suggestions for how you might make money with your favorite pastime.
1. Blogging
Blogging is my favorite side business for a variety of reasons. You may start a blog on any topic you like. And it can be used for almost any activity.
Bloggers may make money in a variety of ways, but regardless of the monetization plan, owning a blog is an excellent way to devote more time to your pastime. It’s entertaining and profitable. What could be better than that?
If you want to be able to follow your pastime full-time, blogging might be a great business concept. While it will take time to develop a blog into a substantial source of income, several bloggers are earning six or seven figures, so the profit potential is undeniable.
Another reason to like blogging is that you are creating an asset that may be sold later if desired. I’ve sold many blogs for six figures (including sites on my interests like photography and web design), which has improved my and my family’s financial situation.
Making Money with a Hobby Blog:
- Display advertisements (like banners)
- AdSense
- As an affiliate, you may promote other people’s items.
- Make and sell your goods (digital or physical)
- Provide services
- Distribute sponsored content
Action Step: If you’re ready to start generating money as a blogger, the first thing you need to do is pick a topic for your site. You’ll need a domain name (.com) and web hosting once you’ve decided on a topic. See my post on domain name suggestions to help you discover the name. You may also read my step-by-step guide to starting a blog. It takes a few minutes and is straightforward, even if you are not technically intelligent.
2. Photography
Although there are many professional photographers, there are also many self-employed photographers. One of the most significant advantages of earning a living from my photography interest was that it allowed me to travel and appreciate nature while working.
The most frequent way to generate money with photography (but not the route I pursued) is to get paid to shoot individuals and families. Chat with your friends, relatives, neighbors, and coworkers to begin started, and you’ll almost certainly find at least one or two individuals eager to pay you to snap images. Family photos, photographs of children, babies, maternity, engagement, sports, professional headshots, or even weddings are all possibilities.
Once you have a few clients, ideally, word-of-mouth advertising will bring you additional work. Create a Facebook page for your photography business, and every time you finish a session for a customer, share some of the finest photos to Facebook and tag the client (ask their permission first). If you tag them, their friends may view the photographs, giving you additional exposure and potential clients.
Making Money with a Photography Hobby:
- Freelance photographer – I shoot people for a living.
- Sell prints of landscapes or fine art.
- Sell stock images
- Create a photography blog.
- Work as a freelance writer for other photographic websites.
- Create an ebook on photography.
Action Step: Begin by gathering some of your previous photographs to build your portfolio. You may construct your portfolio website using a platform like SmugMug for less than $10 per month. If you’d start with something free, you may post your portfolio on Behance.
Once you’ve created your portfolio, start reaching out to people you know to see if they would want some portraits. Or family photographs shot. Display the examples of your work in your new portfolio.
3. Web Designing and Coding
Many companies and organizations require the skills of a web designer. You might be constructing the company’s or organization’s first website, revamping an existing one, or providing continuing website upkeep. If you have the necessary talents, this is one of the most profitable hobbies.
Do you lack coding knowledge? Don’t be concerned; you can still work as a web designer. WordPress themes, such as Divi from Elegant Themes, allowing you to create personalized websites for customers without having to code. Divi comes with a robust drag-and-drop builder and hundreds of pre-made templates to get you started.
Action Step: Begin by choosing what services you want to provide, and then devote some time to get more acquainted with the platform. Sign up for a subscription at Elegant Themes and study their training videos to obtain a complete grasp of how Divi works, for example, if you want to utilize Divi Builder to design websites for customers. When you’re ready, begin reaching out to people you know and companies in your neighborhood that may use your skills.
4. Graphic Designing
Aside from websites, there are other additional design choices. Graphic design is an excellent money-making pastime since there is always a need for designers and projects of various shapes and sizes.
As a part-timer, you may still build a strong portfolio that showcases your skills. If you’re starting, there are lots of small-job clients that may not have the cash to engage a professional agency.
Of course, graphic design may be a successful pastime that can lead to a full-time job if you choose to pursue it.
Making Money with a Graphic Design Hobby:
Client-focused design (logos, brochures, business cards, product labels, etc.)
Create your stock graphics and sell them on platforms like Creative Market and MightyDeals.
Start your website to make additional money by selling your stock graphics.
Write design lessons for blogs and magazines on a freelance basis.
Action Plan: If you intend to provide services to clients, you’ll need to create an online portfolio to demonstrate the quality of your work. You have the option of creating your website or hosting your portfolio on a community site like Behance. Once you’ve established your portfolio, you can begin reaching out to individuals in your network in the hopes of landing your first customer.
5. Painting
If you enjoy painting, there’s a chance you may sell your work!
You probably already knew this, so I won’t go into detail.
However, if you can sell your artwork on Etsy or develop a Facebook page for your business, you may make money from this hobby. By the way, my sister is a fantastic painter. So she did just that!
6. Investing
Over the last year or two, an increasing number of people have taken up investing as a money-making pastime. Investing is easier than ever for the individual, thanks to financial applications like Public.com and Moomoo.
Fortunately, you don’t need much money to begin started. You can start with a few bucks, but your earning potential will be limited if you start little. The disadvantage is that you may lose your money, so only invest money that you can afford to lose.
If you’re searching for an alternative to the stock market, investing in real estate may be the way to go. Fundraise enables anybody to begin investing in real estate with as little as $10 (plus a free bonus when you sign up). Groundfloor allows you to invest in a portfolio of income-producing buildings.
Making Money with an Investing Hobby:
- Purchase and sell stocks
- Stocks to buy and hold
- Purchase Cryptocurrency
- Purchase rental homes.
- Real estate crowdfunding and peer-to-peer financing
Steps to Take: Create an account at Public.com to begin investing. There is no need to put off starting.
7. Taking Surveys
Taking online surveys is one of the most common ways to earn additional money. There are several survey sites where you can establish a profile and get paid to do surveys.
Most surveys will not pay much, but if you’re seeking to make some additional money in your spare time.
This might be a good fit if you love answering questions and expressing your thoughts. One of the advantages of this side hustle is that it is adaptable. You may do surveys whenever it is convenient for you, even while resting or watching TV. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular money-making hobbies.
Websites that pay you to do surveys:
- Swagbucks ($5 welcome bonus)
- Inbox Dollars ($5 welcome bonus)
- MyPoints ($10 welcome bonus)
- Junkie of Surveys
- Rakuten Insight
Action Step: It is simple to get started with online surveys. Spend a few minutes creating a free account at sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie. After you’ve created your profile, you can start doing surveys and earning money.
8. Creating Niche Websites
Here’s another way, similar to blogging, that you can use for almost any pastime. Niche websites concentrate on a single issue. Many people generate money by participating in Amazon’s affiliate program, as well as other affiliate marketing programs and display advertisements.
The benefit of specialty websites is that you may develop your website on any topic. Your task will be more pleasurable if the issue is one of your interests.
Many specialty websites include links to Amazon items in their content, but you may also utilize other affiliate programs or monetize your site in other ways.
Niche sites that leverage Amazon links typically provide in-depth product evaluations or listings of the top goods of a certain category (for example, Best Blenders Under $100).
Please visit my post, Complete Guide to Building a Profitable Niche Website, for more information on how to achieve this.
Making Money with Niche Websites:
- Amazon Associates is an affiliate program run by Amazon.
- Additional affiliate programs
- AdSense and other advertising networks
- Create and sell your own items by publishing sponsored content.
Action Step: The first step is to select a specialty for your site and register a domain name. While it is possible to construct a site on any topic that interests you, this does not guarantee that you will be able to profit from it. Consider the sorts of things you’d be able to market as an affiliate on your site to ensure you’re picking a useful topic. If there are no items to market, it is preferable to find a different topic or niche.
You should also have sufficient substance to write about on your chosen topic. I propose brainstorming article ideas and coming up with at least 100 ideas before moving on with the site.
9. Crafting
You might sell your crafts at the local church fair if you love making them.
You may also establish an audience on Etsy.
Crafters have access to a whole new universe thanks to platforms like Instagram, which allow you to share your photographs with the rest of the world. There may be a way to generate money from your crafts, whether you sew quilts or stock bunnies.
10. Reading
Are you a voracious reader? What if you could get compensated for reading?
Becoming an editor is one of the simplest methods to get paid to read, especially if you are strong at writing and grammar.
Many people aspire to write a book, which implies that the market for freelance editing is vast. You can make a lot of money as an editor if you can establish a practice. Try Upwork or another platform like Reedsy to get started.
11. Working Out
If you enjoy going to the gym and are always up for another session and a protein drink, you may be an exercise addict.
So, if working out is a pastime for you, is it possible to get paid to do it?
Personal training is still in great demand and will most likely remain so, despite the introduction of services such as Peloton. Some folks will always prefer one-on-one or group instruction in person. So, if you enjoy exercising, why not make some money from it?
12. Refereeing
If you dine, drink, and live sports, and you never miss a game, you probably have a hobby. So why not make money from it?
Refereeing is one of the finest methods for a sports fan to gain money. There are some possibilities to coach and get paid for it, so this is something more to look into.
However, in many leagues, the referee is compensated. This is true even in leagues where parents serve as coaches. This implies that you may be able to supplement your income through your passion for sports.
13. Carpentry
My parents’ next-door neighbor is an elderly who spends his days doing carpentry. He makes two types of furniture: picnic tables and Adirondack chairs. When he finishes anything, he places it by the road with a price tag. The majority of his designs are sold. Furthermore, because he has become recognized for making those two items, he now receives advance orders from customers who want either a picnic table or an Adirondack chair.
Carpentry is one of those money-making hobbies but proceed with caution. Consider the cost of wood, not to mention your time.
14. Video Games
Many individuals would consider it a dream job to get paid to play video games. It sounds absurd, but some individuals make money by playing video games. Read Market Watch’s article Millennial Kids Can Earn $10,000 Per Month Playing Video Games. This article focuses on those who make money through broadcasting live gaming. However, there are other methods to make money playing video games.
Making Money from a Video Game Hobby:
- Live-streaming your gameplay
- Selling your gaming accounts
- Gaming competitions
- Create a gaming podcast or YouTube channel.
Action Step: If you have some gaming talents, the first step is to select how you want to generate money. Streaming your games or creating a YouTube channel are the two most viable ways to make money with this enjoyable activity.
15. Make a Youtube Channel
In some respects, starting a YouTube channel is comparable to starting a blog. You may generate material on any topic, but you must use video instead of words.
Another distinction between these money-making hobbies is that your YouTube Channel will be hosted on YouTube. As a result, you don’t have complete control over the site and everything that happens on it.
Of course, you may also construct your blog or website and integrate YouTube videos.
A YouTube channel is ideal for monetizing your favorite activity since it can be enjoyable, and millions of people search for videos on hobby-related topics on YouTube and Google. I frequently use YouTube to learn about landscaping, equipment, and other DIY subjects. The YouTubers that make the videos assist me, and they profit from it as well.
Making Money with a YouTube Channel:
- Advertisement clicks
- Obtain sponsorships for your events.
- Encourage the use of affiliate products.
Action Step: After you’ve decided on a theme, you’ll need to establish your channel and your first video. Don’t get caught up in making the ideal video. It is more vital to begin. Make the movie with whatever equipment you currently have. Whether it’s a smartphone or a camera on your desktop, you may improve your equipment as your channel expands, but there’s no need to spend a fortune straight once.
Conclusion:
If you’re seeking money-making hobbies, maybe these suggestions have given you some wonderful ideas! Nothing beats getting paid to do what you enjoy, so if you can figure out how to monetize your interest, you could uncover your passion!
