Hobby/‘‘Craftsmanship’’ is the one word that alludes to a height of skill attainment in a particular area of craft. It is a practice of self-pursuit of things that are meant to be displayed and acclaimed as relevant and reputable.
This mastery of skills has shone through various artistic creations for centuries, birthing a hybrid convergence of the medieval and contemporary practices, one that has brought fame and wealth.
Like an artist working on a canvas, every stroke or splurge of color is a testament to the skills lodged beneath his frame as his ideas find expression on the canvas. Man has made earnings from hobbies for over centuries, fashioning items of worth through innate or acquired skills.
From the time of Kings and Emperors, of Monarchs and Dynasties, beautifully crafted handiworks graced temples and palaces, creating a plethora of skills that drove the desire for craft learning, a system that was later seen as a career path.
Today, the world is abuzz with people making lots of money from a hobby-turned career pursuit. A glaring example is the beehive of activities on social media platforms, streaming from talents across the globe.
Got a creative flair? Does it come across to people as engaging and rewarding? Are you smothered with enthusiasm whenever you indulge in this hobby?
Perhaps it is time you turn that hobby into a career and embrace a horizon full of opportunities, an adventure that is self-gratifying and financially beneficial.
To avoid the juxtaposition of the terms business and hobby, a clear description must be given to explain the disparity between these two.
What is a hobby?
A hobby is an activity that is borne out of pleasure and sheer excitement while a business is done for the sole aim of making a profit. So, how can an individual make a transition from an activity that is done out of sheer pleasure to one that brings monetary gain?
If you have a hobby that you are enthusiastic about, then it is time to explore the amazing potentials present within its terrain. From this idea, a stream of career opportunities can emanate, transforming your perspective and compelling a new narrative.
Now, the steps involved in the switch from a hobby to a career are the focus of this article. We have provided some tips that will ensure a rewarding transition.
Ways to turn your hobby into a career.
1. Fuel the transition with passion & enthusiasm
A hobby that is spurred by passion and enthusiasm is more susceptible to growth as opposed to one that lacks this characteristic. The passion drives a consistent pattern and enthusiasm sustains the course and it is only a matter of time before the hobby blooms and thrives.
This change can only happen when the person sees beyond the personal excitement derived from the hobby and develops a business-approach mindset by taking advantage of the opportunities that the hobby presents.
Singing as a hobby might provide benefits that are therapeutic and self-enhancing but taking an extra step to walk into a studio and record a song that garners public awareness might just be a platform that ushers you into stardom and it is no longer news that music artists are rolling in fame and wealth through their singing career.
2. Provide a service with the hobby
Here is the place for an outward display of your skills because creating a service with your hobby takes your passion to a whole new level. The DIYs that have saved you a lot of money and time might become profitable if you bring that skill to the right audience.
To make this transition from a hobby to a career, make sure that the skills are transferable and can be learned by others. Afterward, devise an avenue to get this service or product across to a wider audience by promoting it on platforms that are accessible to your customers or clients.
3. Sell the products or services you create
The rave about beauty standards promoted by celebrities has become a yardstick for a lot of people. The thirst for external validation has compelled numerous people to mirror their self-worth through the eyes of others hence seeking all sorts of beauty enhancing products and services.
These unveiled a business opportunity, and the overwhelming impact can be found across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other online media channels.
Although these social media platforms are agog with diverse business activities, some are phony while others are genuine yet, there are millions of individuals amassing wealth through these channels by simply turning their hobby into a career.
4. Be vocal about your services
Well, the place of advertisement and business promotion cannot be ignored in any business venture. From the moment a hobby is taken beyond the walls of personal gratification to external service delivery, the need to promote the business and create awareness becomes necessary.
Luckily, with the aid of an internet connection and a mobile device or computer, a lot of people have been able to push their products and services beyond borders and across continents.
Employing the traditional method of creating awareness and utilizing the available digital platforms can enhance your service and product visibility.
5. Leverage on networks and connections
Promote your service by leveraging networks and connections. You can start with your connections such as your relatives and friends and with good service delivery, you will be sure to garner a lot of recommendations, reviews, and referrals.
Furthermore, your social media connections can serve as a good place for conveying your business interest. Display and promote your services on these channels and work towards increasing the patronage with time. You can take out time and acquire more skills and obtain some expertise in your chosen field. This will help reinstate a sense of professionalism and enhance business efficiency.
You might need to learn how to package your products for shipping or take lessons on how to preserve the contents of your goods for an extended shelf-life. Taking a lesson to equip you with this knowledge will only strengthen your business and foster better service delivery.
Outlined below are some hobbies that can be turned into a career
Creative hobbies
- Music
- Writing
- Designing
- Photography
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Craft making
- Pottery
- Painting
- sculpting
Tech-based hobbies
- Web and software development
- Games design
- Coding
- Programming
- DIYs
Something that stems from passion and enthusiasm can fetch a lot of money and several people have launched into this stream of opportunities to either diversify their income or create a career from it. Equipped with the information in this article, I can bet you that it’s a good foray into a new business horizon. So, start exploring today!
