4 Ways to Turn Your Hobby into a Career
Turning your hobby into a full-blown career is the dream of many professionals. Not only do you get to do it every day, but you also get paid to do something you already enjoy doing. Unfortunately, many people go through life not knowing how to turn their hobby into a paying career. Instead, they get stuck in a dead-end day job that isn’t as meaningful and fulfilling. Furthermore, they end up abandoning their hobby since they simply see it as a waste of time and energy. Don’t suffer the same fate by using these four tips to help you create a career out of your hobby:
Show Your Completed Projects
One of the easiest ways to prove how good and qualified you are at your hobby is to have results to show for it. For instance, if your hobby is drawing, have a sketchbook containing your work and post photos on social media. If your hobby is writing code, have a digital portfolio of all your finished websites or applications. This is a great way to showcase your personal work and side projects to potential employers and their HR headhunters. You can go one step further by adding a document that details your work, thought process, and experience, Have your portfolio ready; you never know when you might bump into a potential employer in public.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to help others or support a worthwhile cause while also being able to network with people who are already in the industry that you want to get into. For instance, if you are good with photoshop or CAD design, you can volunteer your spare time to improving a business’s website or marketing campaign visuals. If your hobbies include caring for pets or cataloging different species of animals, volunteering at wildlife rescue centers or adoption facilities can help you launch your career in the industry. Volunteering is also a great way of learning real-world knowledge and skills from professionals in the space. Doing a hobby on your own in a garage or reading about it in a textbook is one thing; seeing others do it and learning the techniques firsthand is a completely different experience that lets you grow as a professional.
Build a Following
Start building a follower base by posting and sharing your work regularly on social media. If you have something new and creative, make it exclusive content that only your followers can see and share. Aside from social media platforms, you should also create your own fansite. A fan site for creators makes it easier to create and share content to your loyal fans. You can also use the website to connect with your subscribers through video chat and direct messaging. Lastly, it’s a great way to convert followers into revenue. To build a consistently growing follower base, interact with your current followers, and involve them in your decisions on what content you should create next and what topics you should branch out to. Conduct polls and surveys and do live broadcasts where you answer questions from your most loyal fans.
Don’t Leave Your Day Job Yet
Although it might feel cathartic to imagine storming out of your workplace and just jumping right into the hobby-turned-profession of your dreams, it’s important to be practical in situations like these. Leaving your main source of income prematurely could force you to spend more time finding other ways to earn money and less time on your hobby. Work on your day job and use the time after work to send out applications, sharpen your skillset, expand your network, and add to your portfolio. Reserve your available paid time-off and sick days for when you finally get called in for an interview or are able to open your own business.
If you are still unsure of what you want to do in your life professionally, just look at what you do in your downtime. Hobbies can give you clarity and insight on what you are really passionate about and enjoy doing. Even better, almost every hobby out there can be turned into a profession that can earn you a livable income. Follow the steps aforementioned in this article to take your hobby to the next level.