How To Turn Your Hobby Into A Career

‘Choose a job you love and you will never work another day in your life’ as the old saying goes. This certainly rings true for those amongst us who have successfully turned their favourite pastime into a career.

Like any major life change, switching to a career which you’re passion about takes some good old-fashioned planning to get you there. Plus, it’s not for the faint-hearted as you are likely to encounter some stumbling blocks along the way.

If you feel you’re ready to make the transition of turning your favourite hobby into a 9-5 commitment, why not take a look at our pointers below…

Be Persistent
Whether you want to turn your interest into a career or stem a new business from it, you are likely to encounter setbacks along the way. The only way to get over those obstacles is to keep on going and continue to strive for your goals. Also, set aside some time each day to work towards getting better at your pastime, as it will pay off in the long run.

Always Listen To Feedback
Sometimes feedback can be difficult to digest, especially if it’s criticism. Listen to others around you, especially if you are testing out a new product or service on them. Their feedback will help to point you in the right direction of where you need to go next and what key areas need developing, so you are able to gain a successful career out of it.

Sell Your Work
If your pastime is making some sort of crafts; such as baking or creating artwork, it could be a good idea to start selling your work both online or at local fairs. Or if you have more of a passion for a particular sector such as health and fitness; think about how you could offer a service instead. The following will teach you valuable business knowledge which will help to get you noticed in the professional world.

Spread The Word
If you’re passionate about something, start shouting about it! Social media and blogging sites are a great place to start; they are usually free to sign up to and can help to get you noticed by employers. It also demonstrates that you are serious about the cause, as you are willing to go the extra mile to tell others about your passion.

Gain Work Experience
If you’re serious about turning your hobby into a successful career, gaining some valuable work experience through either volunteering or work placements can seriously boost your chances.  Not only will this look good on your CV and impress a potential employer, but you may just meet someone who can turn your hobby into a successful career.