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Your interests are as unique as you are, which is why they are a great source for extra income. When you offer a unique product, you always have a corner on the market. What your hobby is will help decide how you can start to generate money. Here are a few ways to turn your passion into a viable income.
1. Teach others how to participate in your hobby
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2. Sell products that are related to your hobby
This is perfect for anyone who does not have a finished product to sell or does not want to teach. For example, if you enjoy indoor gardening by creating terrariums, you could collect and sell fun and interesting vintage bottles online. eBay. com is a popular place to sell nearly any product online.
3. Go green with your hobby
Everyone is eco-friendly these days. As we are all starting to think of ways to live our lives in a more Earth-friendly way, why not help others who enjoy your hobby learn ways to go green with their passions? Charging for workshops to teach green methods or finding a part-time eco-friendly job is a great way to blend your passion for the environment with your need for income. The green industry is on the rise, and the availability of green jobs reflects that. Some websites that specialize in environmentally friendly work are SustainableBusiness. com and EcoJobs. com.
4. Sell finished products online
This is ideal for those whose hobby results in a great marketable product. If you enjoy making art, crafts or any other tangible good, then a natural outlet is to sell your items online. Consider setting up shop on Etsy. com to sell your handmade products.
5. Swap your skills
Trading is a great way to save money. If you have a talent or have fun creating something that is valuable to someone else, then use it to trade locally or online with others. For example, a crafter might trade her crocheted or knitted bags at a local flea market in return for a gardener's freshly grown fruits and vegetables. TrashBank. com. SwapTree. com and GoSwap. org are just a few sites that will help you find someone to trade with.
6. Find a job related to your hobby
Finding a job related to your passion is a great way to enjoy a little creative freedom while in the workplace. This applies to almost anyone, from the baseball fan who gets paid to write a sports column for his town newspaper to the yoga enthusiast who nets top dollar for her well-informed Bikram yoga classes. Check Craigslist. org for opportunities in your area.
7. Create a website about your hobby
You can sell ad space on your site or even charge readers to download instructions for projects you have created. Make sure you pick a memorable or relevant domain name. GoDaddy. com has one of the biggest selections of available domains.
8. Blog about your passions
Once you set up your blog, be sure to sell advertising there to make money. Google's AdSense program is one way to do so. You get a percentage of any resulting sale every time someone clicks on one of the ads on your blog.
9. Photograph your hobby
You can sell the photos online to specialty websites. If photography is your hobby, this is also a wonderful way to make money while honing your camera and editing skills. There are numerous stock photo sites where you can sell your work, including istockphoto. com and sxc. hu.
10. Saving money is making money
A great way to earn a little extra from your hobby is to find ways to engage in it for less. If your hobby involves purchasing materials, you can coordinate with other like-minded individuals and buy in bulk. If you have to travel to play a sport, why not car pool? Sites like eRideShare. com can help you find people to carpool with in your area. Small savings can add up over time.
