Did you realize you can do THIS as a job?
- How much can I make as a dog walker?
- How do I get started as a dog walker?
- How much can I make as a freelance photographer?
- How do I get started as a freelance photographer?
- How much can I make as a ski instructor?
- How do I get started as a ski instructor?
- How much can I make as a vlogger?
- How do I get started as a vlogger?
- How much can I make as a crafter?
- How do I get started as a crafter?
What if your favorite hobby could help you earn money and boost your resume? While baking a soufflé or snapping photos of your favorite hiking trail may not seem like a skill building activity, hobbies can make you more competitive in the job market, reduce stress, increase confidence, and provide networking opportunities.
Thanks to technology, broadening mindsets, and more creative outlets than ever, there are so many ways to turn your passions into work! Here are 5 hobbies that you may not have known could be career-boosting side hustles.
Become a neighborhood dog walker
Dog walkers are an important part of any busy pet owner’s life. They visit client’s homes and take the dogs out for daily bathroom breaks and exercise. This is a great job for those who have a passion for animals and a self-starter personality. Since people need help at all hours, this is a flexible side gig that allows you to set your own schedule.
How much can I make as a dog walker?
As an independent dog walker, you set your own wages, choose how many clients you work with, and decide how many furry friends you will walk at one time. This means your earning potential is pretty limitless. On average, dog walkers report making anywhere between $400 - $800 week.
How do I get started as a dog walker?
To get started as a dog walker, you can sign up for sites like Rover, Wag!, PetSitter.com, or Care.com to get your business started and build up clientele.
Explore freelance photography
Do people swoon over your Instagram feed? Does the thought of leaving one sunset unphotographed make your heart ache? If so, you should take advantage of your composition skills and consider becoming a freelance photographer! You can focus on a number of niches from weddings, to landscapes and even sports! You can even sell your photos to stock photography sites.
How much can I make as a freelance photographer?
Freelance photographers earnings depend heavily on your experience, portfolio, and subject matter. Wedding and event photographers typically charge between $1,000 - $3,000 for a session, whereas portrait photographers charge between $150 - $400 per photoshoot.
How do I get started as a freelance photographer?
To get started as a photographer, the first thing you’ll need to do is learn how to take a great shot! Consider taking some online courses through Udemy, Nikon, or Alison. From there, you can build up your portfolio and client list. Start by taking some photos of friends and family, pets, or local spots for practice!
Earn money as a ski instructor
You don’t need to have Olympic skills to become a ski instructor. You just need a passion for the slopes and a lot of patience. In fact, many of the best teachers are those who have struggled with some moves, as they have the empathy and understanding when teaching others. In addition to helping others develop a love for the sport, many instructors enjoy major perks such as free or discounted lift tickets, clothes, and equipment!
How much can I make as a ski instructor?
According to snowskool.com, ski instructors earn an average of $15 - $20 per hour in the United States.
How do I get started as a ski instructor?
There are various certifications and skills that allow you to teach different levels of skiing! While there are no entry requirements to start training, you will most likely need to hold a formal ski instructor qualification.
Build your brand as a video blogger
Video blogging, AKA “vlogging,” allows you to build connections with others in a very personal way. It’s a great way to showcase your ideas, develop new skills, and express creativity! If you find comfort in being in front of a camera, then you already have the skillset to be successful. Many vloggers end up promoting products and businesses as a way to monetize their videos.
Some of our very own Jobcase member’s Andrew + Sarabeth have started their very own YouTube channel! Check out their page for some inspiration or to ask for some getting started tips! :)
How much can I make as a vlogger?
With the YouTube pay rate averaging between $0.01 and $0.03 per ad view, a YouTube vlogger can make about $3 - $5 per 1,000 video views. Using this estimated pay rate, a YouTube video with 1,000,000 views can make $5,000+!
How do I get started as a vlogger?
To get started as a video blogger you will need to:
- Buy the right equipment
- Find your content niche
- Decide on a regular posting schedule
- Learn how to edit you own videos
- Build up an audience
From there, you need to come up with creative content that will keep you viewers engaged and motivated to share with others!
Show off your creativity as a crafter
Crafting is another exciting way to earn some side cash. If you enjoy working with your hands and creating unique pieces, there are plenty of things to make and sell: jewelry, home decor, candles, soaps, and more! Test the market by selling them on a smaller scale to friends and family, then move up to craft fairs, farmers' markets, and sites like Etsy!
How much can I make as a crafter?
Depending on your product, sales, and commitment to quality, your earning potential can vary drastically. Products such as jewelry, glass blowing, whittling, and beauty products tend to have a higher net profit.
How do I get started as a crafter?
To get started, seek out local craft fairs and farmers markets to see if you can set up a booth. You may also explore online storefronts such as Etsy, Handmade at Amazon, and ArtFire.
Have you ever turned a passion into a job?? Share your experience in the comments below!
Comments
It is upholstery. it was my passion, as my mother would recover furniture when i was a kid. i did my own furniture in the mid 80's, wish i had a picture, it was a loveseat.i used tan wide wale corduroy and it turned out pretty good! i managed to reverse engineer in order to get things right. Then, in the mid 90s i thought i could make money, so as i was working for a mennonite family doing upholstery, they sold me an old frame, wood scrollwork all around, i bought red velvet and proceeded to recover, using original type materials for the insides. i used my dining room table as a workbench.I managed to sell it at a second hand furniture store for 200.00 i think. Then, in the early 2000s, i got together with other furniture folks, and continued to be self employed as an upholsterer. I also had the privilege to learn to do draperies and curtains, and made money that way as well. Then, a friend of my dad was selling his auto upholstery business, and i bought it. that was around 2007, then i found myself doing car interiors, restaurant booths , chairs, and boat interiors. the very next year is when the economy tanked, and i was forced to file bankruptcy. i did continue upholstery work for a couple designers, all in all, i made a pretty good living, for a woman. as time went on, i found my arms and hands had suffered a beating, i had arthritis, and could no longer use my hands . i then fell back on an old profession, home care for the elderly and handicapped.For the last 7 years, i worked in a shoe repair shop, which became my new passion. I loved it, and was good at it. But there again, my hands suffered, so i was moved to the front counter where i became a customer service person. now, with the covid virus, ive been unemployed since march 16th. I do receive unemployment, and continue to look for a job suitable for my condition(i will be 64 this year and do get social security, so i can only work part time hours, cannot lift much weight, seems like that is a barrier to getting re-employed.) anyway, sorry for being so long winded, but thats me!!!!Cindy
I showed people how to set up and clean fish aquariums. It was easy because I was taking care of the big tanks at the Pittsburgh AquaZoo. Never thought of charging for the work but I knew guys that made that their primary source of income. I got some good meals and that was enough. The big thing now is computer problems,you could make a nice earning if your savvy with computers,Ford