Turn Your Hobby into Your Career?

Turning your hobby into your career might sounds like an enticing idea. However consider these 7 points before you make a decision...

Some people seem to be able to turn their passion into their profession, some even make a pretty decent living doing just that. If your answer to the question "what's your passion?" is your hobby (e.g. baking, crafting, traveling, playing sports), then you've probably already dreamed about turning your after-work-activity into your full-time job.

Transitioning your hobby into a profitable full-time job is not easy though, and often underestimated. Below are 7 things to consider before taking steps into that direction.

1. Timing

Some say the best time to do anything is now, but turning your hobby into a business requires some thoughts about timing. How soon can you pull-off a transition from hobbyist to professional? How soon would you need to be profitable, financially?

Map out what kind of timeframe you would need to get things up and running, and take your personal life into consideration. If you're getting married, buying a house, attempting to pay off student loans or credit card debt, making a risky career transition might not be the best idea at this time.

Another thing to consider: could you do it part time for a while, before turning it into a full-time job? For instance, if you love writing, you could be doing some freelance writing at first, for a couple of hours a week.

2. Persistence

Do you have the persistence it takes to turn your dream into reality?

Sure, many of us love to daydream about the "what if's" when it comes to our beloved pastimes. Taking action to turn your dreams into a reality, however, requires a huge amount of persistence, every day. No one's asking you to do anything, you'd have to get started by your personal motivation every day, at least at first.

Write down what everyday tasks there would be in your hobby-turned-job .

3. Selling Yourself

Are you willing and able to comfortably sell yourself?

A great business is absolutely nothing without marketing. And if you’re the shy, introverted type, shouting from the rooftops about your new interior decorating side project probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list. On the other hand, poor marketing won’t get the job done either.

Fortunately, with the right tools and attitude, you can learn how to sell yourself and your business. Lay the groundwork for marketing by using a free or low-cost website building platform, as well as establishing your business on relevant social media channels.

4. Making Money

Can you actually make money with that activity?

The majority of individuals maintain a job — good or bad — to pay the bills. While money isn’t a priority for some, the rest of us have to find a way to make ends meet. Will your hobby make you an income on which you can survive?

Considering the financial aspects of your future career may mean meeting with a financial advisor, accountant, mentor or even a family member to better understand your options, risks and financial growth potential.

5. Speaking or teaching

Can you speak or teach about your hobby?

While you may love playing video games, a professional career in video gaming may be out of the question. But what if you started your own blog and began guest blogging about your experiences?

Asking yourself what elements of your beloved hobby can turn into a career is a good way to get a new perspective for job potential. It’s always possible you could teach your hobby, speak about it professionally or even write about it.

6. Criticism and Feedback

Can you handle criticism and feedback from other people, like friends, family, and potential customers? Given you're planning to sell your hobby (or talking about it) to others, your activity is going to get exposed to them in a different way.

7. Satisfaction

Will you still enjoy your hobby when it becomes your 9-5, your daily job and duty?

This is the most important question of them all. You may love watercoloring the occasional piece to add to your own art collection or give to a friend, but will you still love painting when you’re doing it every day, with deadlines, while marketing and trying to turn a profit?

Sometimes bumping up a hobby from part-time to full-time can take the fun, passion and relaxation away from something you once loved. Take time to explore what it’s like doing your hobby for several hours every day or all weekend to check your level of enjoyment.