There are millions of us. We go to festivals and farmers’ markets to see what the vendors are selling, not so we can buy from them, but to get ideas. We read books on how to make money with a side hustle. Then, we imagine ourselves creating and selling to the crowds of people who want our product or service.
We want an outlet for our creativity and to earn money because we want an increase in our income. Some days we even wish for our real job to fade away while our side job takes over.
We want a hobby that makes good money or just a little extra cash.
Thinking outside the box is a requirement to make money with a hobby today. So I’ve been doing just that, thinking outside the box. I’ve also been researching hobbies and found several that are unique and several that are common but with a unique twist.
Keep reading to find out which hobbies that earn money you may be interested in trying.
Drone Flying
If you are into gadgets, like mini-plane gadgets, drone flying is a hobby that is becoming popular and you can start your own business. However, the drone is no longer that toy you put under the Christmas tree to surprise the techie in your family. Instead, drones are now being used to bring in a lot of money as a side hustle.
Young couples getting married want unique photos. So they hire drone pilots to take aerial wedding photos in places photographers cannot venture. Some teams stand on the edge of a cliff, some stand on a mile-high bridge, and some ride a Ferris wheel. They want beautiful shots from these hard-to-reach locations.
Real estate agents hire drones to capture aerial views of homes they are listing for sale. Corporations are paying for drones to fly over work sites. Farmers are using drones to inspect crops. But, believe it or not, drones are hired for romance, like when one person wants to deliver a special gift to the one they love, they employ a drone to deliver it.
The ideas are plentiful on how you can use your drone. Once you have a few clients, flying drones becomes a profitable hobby.
But before you buy a drone and list your services for hire, there are a few rules to follow, like registering your drone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Once your drone is registered, you must label it.
The FAA requires you to obtain a commercial drone license if you plan to make money with your equipment. They detail the steps you can follow to get your permit. The first step is to learn the rules.
Steps two and three involve becoming a certified drone pilot. That sounds so cool. The process consists of a knowledge test at a nearby FAA knowledge testing center. You can find your local testing center by searching the FAA website or using Google.
Once your drone is legally ready to start flying for business purposes, you can start making money and build a thriving business. And because you can set your own prices, this hobby could be very lucrative.
Online Teaching
Does your inner teacher come out every time someone asks a question? Are you an expert on a topic seeking a place to share your knowledge? Are you already a teacher looking to make extra money?
Me too. I like to learn, and I want to teach others what I know, especially about a unique topic. This article is a perfect example. I have spent many hours learning unique ways to make money. I don’t want to keep this information to myself. Instead, I want to share what I know and help others make more money.
What I learned in my research is that online teaching is a huge industry and one of the best ways to earn money online. If you love designing and implementing your own curriculum, check out online course development platforms like Udemy.
With Udemy, there are three main steps: plan your course, record your video, and build your community.
There are several other online course creation platforms, but Udemy is the leader right now. You can also create your own website to sell courses, and get other people whose favorite hobby is learning to teach online. While on the subject of teaching, consider teaching music if you have a music hobby.
Cooking and Baking
If you are constantly getting compliments on your cooking or baking skills, take it to the next level and start making money. In the past, selling your brownies at a bake sale was the primary way to make money with your culinary skills.
Today, you have options. And you don’t have to choose just one option. Find the food hobbies that fit your lifestyle.
One option is to teach classes, but not just regular cooking classes. Instead, try teaching kids to become masters in the kitchen. Teach them the basics, like the difference between salt and sugar, to elevated cooking levels. You can create your own YouTube channel for sharing baking ideas or start your own blog.
Other cooking and baking ideas include catering, becoming a farmer’s market or festival vendor, or selling your items wholesale to the local mom and pop shops.
When you start selling out at those venues, go bigger. Attend trade shows to connect with retailers. And always use social media to promote your items and take pre-orders. You can also create an online store for selling baking items.
You must follow the laws in your State regarding your kitchen set-up and approval, safe food handling, and USDA regulations.
Healthy Living
You are already living a healthy life. You are the go-to person for people looking to improve their lives. Whether they want to lose weight or start exercising, they ask you for advice. You have figured out what it takes to have good health.
Start sharing your expertise for a fee.
The following are just a few examples of how you can turn your knowledge into a hobby money-maker:
- Teach a yoga or meditation class
- Start a blog on healthy living
- Host a beneficial living seminar with you as the keynote speaker
- Create an online course
- Write an e-book
- Become a personal life coach or personal trainer
- Become a healthy living consultant for corporations, schools, and hospitals
- Create a YouTube channel sharing videos you create on healthy living
- Start a podcast on healthy living
Most people have an idea of what healthy living means; they do not have the motivation to change. However, you can give them the encouragement and coaching necessary to improve their lifestyle. Another option is creating your own online store for healthy living products.
Choose the format you enjoy and use it to kickstart your hobby business.
Farm Sitting
If you are not into having an online business, one of the profitable hobbies to consider is farm sitting. Farmers never get a vacation. I mean never. They want a break, but they cannot leave the chores of the farm undone for longer than a day. This can mean money for you and time off for the farmer, a win-win.
If you think farm life is desirable or want to try it out without committing to full-time farming, then take on a farm-sitting job.
Because there are so many types of farms, your experiences could be varied.
If you want to work with cows, farm sit for a cattle or dairy farmer. Of course, dairy farming will entail more than just feeding. But you could also charge more for each chore.
If you like chickens, goats, or pigs, there is a farm waiting for your services. However, if you don’t want to deal with animals, farm sit for those who grow crops. You can help them do everything from planting seeds to harvesting fruits and vegetables.
Farm sitting can also be an excellent way to escape from the hustle and bustle of your busy life. Even though farming can be challenging work, it is advantageous. It helps you receive the benefits working outdoors and in nature offers.
Similar to farm sitting is pet sitting and dog walking. As a dog walker, you can make extra income in addition to your full-time income.
Other Hobbies That Make Money
The above hobbies are just the tip of the iceberg for making money using your creative side. Other money-making hobbies include the following:
- Freelance writing. If you enjoy writing, you can work as a freelance writer and there are a few different ways you can make money, especially by writing articles. You can do this in your spare time or take it on as a full-time job.
- Blogging. You can make money blogging about your experiences or any great hobby you have.
- Playing video games. Many video game lovers dream of making money playing games. You can also create your own channel on YouTube and monetize it once your followers increase.
- Set up your own shop on eBay or Etsy or on the Facebook marketplace. You can sell items you bought from the flea markets in other thrift stores or online marketplace for a few hundred dollars.
Our money-making hobby ideas don’t end here. Other ways to make money and start a small business are:
- Substitute teaching
- Podcasting
- Social media manager. E.g., managing an Instagram account.
- Grant writing
- Coding
- Grocery shopping or food business
- T-shirts design or graphic design
- Video editing
- Tutoring
- Busking
- Event planning
- Interior design
- Construction
- Flipping houses
- Air BnB using your own home or renting a space
- Computer repairs
- Marketing
- Selling a physical or digital product
- Translator
- Painting houses
- Makeup artist
- Painting portraits
- Pet Sitting
- Cleaning homes or businesses
- Become a home inspector
- Photography
- Driver for Uber or Lyft
- Participate in research studies
- Organize garage sales
- Conducting online surveys
- Hosting local events
- Selling prints
No matter your hobby, you have the tools and abilities to make money with it. You can start today by deciding which talent to take to the business level. Then, learn what you can about that industry, especially about the rules and regulations set forth by your State.
Finally, start creating, selling, and enjoying your extra money.
