Turning a Hobby Into an Income: How I Did It

I've written on how to turn a hobby into an income in the past in the following pieces:

• Turning a Hobby Into a Small Business

• Turn Your Hobby into a Career and Love What You Do While You Earn

• Turn a Hobby into Income

It's an interesting concept -- and one several people would like to take advantage of. As such, I thought many of you would be interested in how I've turned a hobby into an extra income.

Ten years ago I was asked to write an article for a trade magazine. I belted one out, sent it in, and a couple months later they ran it. Around the time it appeared in the magazine, they sent me a check. Wow! I didn't know they PAID people to write stories! Ok, I guess I knew they did, it's just that I thought they only paid staff writers. Needless to say, my life as a part-time freelance writer was started.

I wrote a couple extra pieces that year, but it was the next year that things really took off. I wrote not only on business, but expanded my writing to personal finances, something I've always been interested in. It was really hard work in those early days -- getting recognized by magazines, marketing myself, and, of course, writing the pieces (which were often penned at midnight or later.) But I persevered and through the years, my reputation, success, and income grew.

Through the ten years that I've been writing articles, I've had 185 articles published and have made almost $60,000. Not bad for a part-time gig, huh? You can do the same if you find something you love, put some hard work into it, and stick with it long enough.

Today, I only write 4-5 pieces a year and I don't market myself as much (I focus my writing here instead), though I think I'll do a bit more in 2007 than I did last year. I'm starting to get the "itch" to be published more often. ;-)

Comments

[理財 保險]

Hi, I think turning your hobby into a business is one of the best things you can do. Have you ever had that motivation for work when you still had a normal position in a company? Hardly, I guess. Burning for your thing or idea or hobby is the best basis for success!

[rdub]

Just be careful not to burn out on it. That is the perfect way to ruin a hobby. I've heard too many stories about someone turning a hobby into income only to get so tired of it after a few years that they become burned out and actually worse off than when they did work for "The Man".

This still doesn't really explain *how* you did it. You say that you got invited to write an article... How did that come about? Networking? Did you apply for the gig? Right place at the right time?

In other words, how might someone increase the likelihood that they'll stumble into something similar?

[FMF]

The biggest influence in getting started this way was networking. I knew both the magazine editorial staff and the executive that they initially contacted to write that first article (who recommended me.)

After that, it was marketing and hard work. Marketing my skills, abilities, ideas and taking almost any assignment that was offered until I had a significant resume.

[Nathan]

There is no doubt that turning your hobby into an income is a great concept. What is important to remember is that your hobby should be relaxing. If, in your case, writing became stressful because you always had to meet a deadline it really isn't a hobby anymore. Glad to see you're doing what you love and making money at it!

[Sunfell]

Fifteen years ago, I tinkered around with computers as my hobby.

Today, they pay me a good salary to do the exact same thing. I turned my hobby into an income.

I write, too...maybe that'll become my supplemental income source.

[Beth]

I've written one magazine article, but the editor left while I was writing, and I haven't been able to get a foot in the door with the new staff... I find a lot of freelance writing gigs online, but most pay ridiculously low rates...how do you find legitimate publications that are willing to hire a writer with lots of experience, yet little in magazines...and pay a reasonable amount for the work?

[FMF]

Beth --

Buy "Writer's Market" and do what it says.