As someone who loves to make money while doing what I love, I have discovered that there are many hobbies that can be turned into profitable ventures. In this article, I will share with you 10 hobbies that make money in the UK.
List Of Hobbies That Make Money In The UK
Contrary to common belief, there are actually many hobbies that can be profitable. Almost any hobby can be turned into a way to earn money while still enjoying what you love.
Here are the top 10 hobbies that can make you money if you live in the UK:
1. Blogging To Share Your Thoughts
Blogging is a great way to share your passion with the world while making money.
For example, if you love cooking, you can start a food blog where you share your recipes and cooking tips.
You can monetize your blog through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.
Research: According to a survey by ProBlogger, 9% of bloggers make between £1,000 and £10,000 per month, while 4% make over £10,000 per month.
Blogging for Profit: Key Steps to Generate Income
If you’re clueless about getting started as a blogger, don’t worry as I got your back. Here’s what you need to do:
- Choose a niche that you are passionate about.
- Create a blog using platforms like WordPress or Blogger.
- Write high-quality content that provides value to your readers.
- Promote your blog on social media and other platforms.
- Monetize your blog through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.
Hands-on guidance
Running a blog is quite easy if you do it right. As a part-time blogger, I find these tips to help a lot:
- Consistency is key. Post regularly to keep your readers engaged.
- Engage with your readers by responding to comments and emails. This shows your readers that you love what you do and that you actually care about their feedback.
- Use high-quality images to make your blog visually appealing. Making your blog shine shows that you put time and effort into making it as attractive as possible.
Optimal virtual tools
There are many online tools that can help your efficiency resulting in better blogs, such as:
- Canva is a well-known graphic design tool that can help you create beautiful images for your blog.
- WordPress is a popular blogging platform that is easy to use and customizable.
- Google AdSense is a program that allows you to earn money by displaying ads on your blog.
2. Photography For Captivating Views
If photography is a passion of yours, it can become a lucrative hobby.
You have the option to monetize your photos by either selling them through stock photo websites or establishing your own photography business.
Research conducted by PPA reveals that in the UK, part-time photographers earn an average annual income of £12,000, while full-time photographers earn an average of £25,000 per year.
Photographing for Profit: Key Steps to Generate Income
Are you feeling unsure about how to kickstart your career as a photographer? No need to worry, as I’ve got you covered. Follow these simple steps to get started:
- Invest in a good camera and equipment.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Sell your photos online through stock photo websites like Shutterstock or iStock.
- Create your own photography business and offer services like wedding photography or portrait photography.
Hands-on guidance
For those seeking to enhance their photography skills, these practical tips can be immensely helpful.
- Learn about lighting and composition to improve your photography skills. You can look up a course or even Youtube videos to learn more.
- Network with other photographers and potential clients.
- Use social media to showcase your work and attract clients.
Optimal virtual tools
To improve your photography skills, having the right tools at your disposal is crucial. Here are some essential tools that every photographer should consider investing in:
- Canva, as mentioned above, is a graphic design tool that can help you create marketing materials for your photography business.
- Adobe Lightroom is a photo editing software that can help you enhance your photos.
- SmugMug is a platform that allows you to create a photography website and sell your photos online.
3. Writing For Added Creativity
If you have a way with words, you can turn your writing skills into a profitable hobby.
You can write for blogs, magazines, or even write your own book.
Furthermore, according to a survey by the National Association of Writers in Education, the average income for a writer in the UK is £10,000 per year.
Writing for Profit: Key Steps to Generate Income
Feeling lost about how to begin your journey as a writer? Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do:
- Choose a niche that you are passionate about.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Pitch your writing to blogs, magazines, or publishers. The more you pitch your ideas, the bigger the chance they get picked up.
- Self-publish your own book on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. It’s quite easy and cheap too.
Hands-on guidance
Check out these top tips to help you take your writing to the next level:
- Read widely to improve your writing skills. Reading also gives you more ideas and perspectives of others’ lives making it crucial for the expansion of your creativity.
- Write regularly to develop your writing style. You have no idea how much change you will witness if you keep writing daily.
- Networking with other writers and potential clients allows you to build a strong relationship with your peers. You never know what you might learn.
Optimal virtual tools
To enhance your writing abilities, using the right tools can make all the difference. Here are some essential tools that every writer should consider investing in:
- Grammarly is a writing tool that can help you improve your grammar and spelling.
- Canva makes an appearance once again, showing you how versatile it is. This graphic design tool can help you create book covers and marketing materials.
- Scrivener is a writing software that can help you organize your writing and research.
4. Graphic Design For Fun Logos
If you possess a knack for design, you can channel it into a lucrative hobby. You have the option of designing for businesses, websites, or even creating your own products.
Research conducted by the Creative Industries Federation reveals that the average income of a graphic designer in the UK is £30,000 per year. This indicates that turning your design skills into a business can be a profitable venture.
Graphic Designing for Profit: Key steps to Generate Income
Follow these actionable steps to elevate your graphic design game and start generating income.
- Learn graphic design skills through courses or tutorials.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Offer your design services to businesses or websites.
- Create your own products like t-shirts or posters and sell them online.
Hands-on guidance
If you’re looking for practical graphic designing tips to take your skills to the next level, these tips below will help:
- Stay up-to-date with design trends and software. You need to make sure that your designs are not outdated.
- Use social media to showcase your work and attract clients. Growing a social network of your own helps with your credibility as well.
- Communicate clearly with clients to understand their design needs.
Optimal virtual tools
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, incorporating these optimal virtual tools can help you create stunning designs and streamline your workflow.
- Adobe Creative Cloud is a well-known collection of design software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
- Canva is again needed as it’s so easy to use and fully customizable.
- Shopify is an e-commerce platform that can help you sell your products online.
5. Crafting For Interesting Projects
If you enjoy creating handmade items, you can transform your crafting hobby into a profitable business. By selling your crafts online or at local markets and fairs, you can generate income doing what you love.
Research conducted by the Crafts Council indicates that the craft sector in the UK contributes £3.4 billion to the economy annually. This shows that there is significant potential for crafters to turn their skills into a profitable venture.
Crafting for Profit: Key steps to Generate Income
Implementing the right strategies can make all the difference when it comes to turning your hobby into a job. Here are some key steps to help you get started:
- Choose a craft that you are passionate about, like knitting or jewelry making. Always remember the saying “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life“
- Create a portfolio of your best work.
- Sell your crafts online through platforms like Etsy or Amazon Handmade.
- Participate in local markets and fairs to sell your crafts in person.
Hands-on guidance
Here are some actionable steps to maximize your earnings and turn your crafting hobby into a profitable venture:
- Use high-quality materials to create high-quality crafts.
- Price your crafts competitively to attract customers but don’t overprice. Check the market and price your products accordingly.
- Offer customization options to make your crafts unique. You can make wedding or birthday gifts.
Optimal virtual tools
Here are some essential tools that every crafter should consider investing in:
- Etsy is a very famous online marketplace for handmade and vintage items.
- Amazon Handmade is also an online marketplace for handmade items.
- Square is a payment processing tool that can help you accept credit card payments at markets and fairs.
6. Music For Lovable Tracks
Transforming your musical talent into a profitable hobby is not just a dream, it’s a reality. You have the option to perform at local venues or even create your own music and sell it online.
Research conducted by the Musicians’ Union highlights that the average income for a musician in the UK is £23,000 per year.
This indicates that with the right approach, turning your musical talent into a business can be a lucrative and rewarding experience.
Making Music for Profit: Key steps to Generate Income
Here are some steps that can help you generate income and take your music career to the next level:
- Develop your musical skills through lessons or practice.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Perform at local venues like bars or coffee shops.
- Sell your music online through platforms like iTunes or Spotify.
Hands-on guidance
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned music maker, there are always practical tips to help you take your skills to the next level, including:
- Network with other musicians and potential clients.
- Use social media to promote your music and attract fans.
- Offer merchandise like t-shirts or CDs to supplement your income.
Optimal virtual tools
Here are some essential tools that you should consider investing in to boost your productivity and streamline your music production process.
- GarageBand is a music production software that is easy to use and fully customizable.
- iTunes and Spotify, as you may already know, both allow you to sell your music online.
- Bandcamp also allows you to sell your music and merchandise online
7. Fitness For Maximum Health
Are you passionate about fitness? You can transform your hobby into a lucrative career.
You can become a personal trainer, develop your own fitness program, or explore other opportunities to monetize your skills.
According to research by the National Federation of Personal Trainers, the average income for a personal trainer in the UK is £19,000 per year.
Fitness Training for Profit: Key steps to Generate Income
So, if you’re passionate about fitness and want to turn it into a profitable career, here are some steps to help you get started:
- Get certified as a personal trainer through a reputable organization.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Offer your services as a personal trainer at local gyms or online.
- Create your own fitness program and sell it online.
Hands-on guidance
To maximize your earning potential as a fitness trainer, it’s important to incorporate these practical tips into your business strategy:
- Stay up-to-date with fitness trends and research.
- Use social media to promote your services and attract clients.
- Communicate clearly with clients to understand their fitness goals.
Optimal virtual tools
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your fitness business, there are several tools available to help you succeed, such as:
- Teachable is an online platform that allows you to create and sell your own fitness program.
- NASM is a certification program for personal trainers.
- MyFitnessPal is a fitness-tracking app that can help you and your clients stay in sync and on track with your goals.
8. Videography For Interesting Movies
Do you have a knack for videography? You can transform your passion into a profitable venture. You can create videos for businesses or start your own YouTube channel and monetize it.
Moreover, research by the National Careers Service reveals that the average income for a videographer in the UK is £25,000 per year.
Videography for Profit: Key steps to Generate Income
With the increasing demand for video content, there’s never been a better time to turn your videography skills into a profitable business. Here are some steps to help you get started.
- Invest in a good camera and equipment.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Offer your videography services to businesses or websites.
- Create your own YouTube channel and monetize it through ads and sponsorships.
Hands-on guidance
If you want to make a living off of videography, it’s important to not only have the technical skills but also to incorporate these practical tips into your business strategy.
- Learn about lighting and composition to improve your videography skills.
- Use social media to promote your work and attract clients.
- Communicate clearly with clients to understand their video needs.
Optimal virtual tools
FromThere are several tools available to help you succeed financially in the videography industry. Here are some examples of tools you may want to consider using:
- Adobe Premiere Pro is a very efficient video editing software that can help you create high-quality videos.
- YouTube and Vimeo are platforms that allow you to upload and monetize your videos. But I bet you already know about Youtube.
9. Gaming For Winding Down
Gaming enthusiasts, here’s some good news for you. You can transform your love for video games into a lucrative hobby.
By creating your own gaming content and monetizing it on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube, you can earn a steady income.
Business Insider’s research reveals that in 2021, the top 10 highest-earning Twitch streamers raked in between £1.5 million and £10 million per year.
Gaming for Profit: Key Steps to Generate Income
If you’re passionate about gaming and want to turn it into a profitable career, here are some steps to help you get started:
- Choose a game that you are passionate about.
- Create your own gaming content like live streams or YouTube videos.
- Build a following on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
- Monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, and donations.
Hands-on guidance
To maximize your earning potential as a gamer, it’s important to incorporate practical tips into your gaming strategy, such as:
- Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
- Use social media to promote your content and attract followers.
- Offer exclusive content or perks to your subscribers or followers.
Optimal virtual tools
From streaming software to high-quality equipment, there are several tools available to help you succeed financially in the gaming industry. Here are some examples of tools you may want to consider using.
- Twitch allows you to live stream your gaming content. You can grow your fanbase immensely on it.
- OBS Studio is a software that can help you record and stream your gaming content.
- Streamlabs helps you monetize your content through donations and sponsorships.
10. Social Media For the extroverts
For those who enjoy social media, the platform can be transformed into a profitable hobby. You can either pursue a career as a social media manager for businesses or create original content to monetize through social media channels.
Based on research conducted by Glassdoor, the average annual income for a social media manager in the UK is approximately £30,000.
Social Media Marketing for Profit: Key steps to Generate Income
With the increasing importance of social media in today’s digital age, social media managing has become a profitable career path. Here are some steps to help you get started:
- Learn about social media marketing through courses or tutorials.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Offer your social media management services to businesses or websites.
- Create your own social media content and monetize it through ads and sponsorships.
Hands-on guidance
Here are some practical tips to help you make a living off of social media management:
- Stay up-to-date with social media trends and algorithms.
- Use analytics tools to track your performance and improve your strategy.
- Communicate clearly with clients to understand their social media needs.
Optimal virtual tools
From social media scheduling tools to analytics software, there are several tools available to help you succeed financially as a social media manager. Here are some examples of tools you may want to consider using:
- Hootsuite is a social media management tool that can help you schedule and analyze your posts.
- Canva can help you create social media content to an unimaginable level.
- Facebook Ads Manager allows you to create and run ads on Facebook and Instagram smoothly and efficiently.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are numerous hobbies that can be transformed into lucrative ventures in the UK.
No matter if you have a passion for writing, photography, or gaming, there are opportunities to earn money while pursuing your interests.
By implementing the steps and practical tips presented in this article, you can convert your hobby into a thriving business.
Takeaways
- Choose a hobby that you are passionate about.
- Build a portfolio of your best work.
- Promote your work on social media and other platforms.
- Monetize your work through ads, sponsorships, and other methods.
- Stay up-to-date with trends and research in your field.
FAQ on Hobbies in The UK
Q: Do I need to have a lot of experience to turn my hobby into a profitable venture?
A: No, you don’t need to have a lot of experience. You can start small and build your skills and portfolio over time.
Q: How much money can I make from my hobby in the UK?
A: In the UK, you can make money from your hobby and turn it into a side business. If you earn upwards of £1,000 a year, you must declare it to HM Revenue and Customs and complete a tax return at the end of January each year. The first £1,000 you earn (gross, before expenses) is tax-free, thanks to the trading allowance introduced by HMRC to cover small, hobby-based businesses. If you let out rooms or homes, there is also a £1,000 allowance for property income. The amount of money you can earn from your hobby varies depending on the type of hobby and the effort you put into it. Some people can earn a salary of £20,000 from their craft hobby.
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when turning my hobby into a business?
A: Some common mistakes to avoid include underpricing your work, not promoting your work enough, and not staying up-to-date with trends and research in your field.
Q: What are the best paying hobbies in the UK?
A: There are many hobbies that can make money, such as drawing, golf, DIY, gardening, and painting. Additionally, there are many hobbies that can be turned into profitable businesses, such as photography, writing, and crafting. It is important to note that the amount of money that can be made from a hobby depends on various factors, such as the level of skill, the demand for the product or service, and the marketing strategy used.
Q: How can I make extra money in the UK?
A: If you’re looking to make some extra cash in the UK, there are a few avenues you can explore. Consider taking on freelance work in your field, participating in online surveys or market research studies, renting out a spare room on platforms like Airbnb, starting a small online business, tutoring or teaching in a subject you excel at, or offering pet sitting services.
Q: What is the quickest way to make money in the UK?
A: While there’s no guaranteed quick way to make money, there are a few methods that might help you earn some cash relatively quickly. You could try taking on short-term gig jobs like food delivery or ridesharing, participating in online micro-task platforms, selling unwanted items through online marketplaces, or offering services like cleaning, gardening, or handyman work.
Q: What hobbies are worth doing in the UK?
A: The worth of a hobby really depends on your own interests and goals. However, there are some hobbies that are generally considered worthwhile in the UK. These include photography, writing, painting or drawing, playing a musical instrument, learning a foreign language, cooking or baking, fitness and exercise activities, gardening, and participating in community volunteering or charity work. These hobbies can bring personal fulfillment, skill development, and even potential opportunities for income generation.
Also read: Surprising Hobbies That Can Actually Make You Money (List)