Having a hobby doesn’t just have to be about indulging a pastime. It can also be an opportunity to make money from the comfort of your home. Using a website builder, you can quickly establish an online presence to showcase your skills and connect with potential customers worldwide. This opens up numerous opportunities to generate extra cash by turning what you love into a profitable side hustle.
There are many business ideas to help you monetize your hobbies. You might sell handmade products, offer personalized services or even create digital content that caters to specific interests. So, whether you’re looking to start a side hustle in your spare time or want to learn how to start a business, our guide will give you tips on eight fun hobbies that can make you money.
8 profitable hobbies to generate income
01. Photography
Photography is a great hobby with a high earning potential. According to a 2024 report by Zenfolio, 20.8% of full-time self-employed photographers earn over $100,000 annually.
You can turn your love for photography into a part-time or full-time job by:
Selling your photographs as prints, stock photos or digital products on websites like Etsy, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.
Offering your services for events (like weddings) or commercial shoots.
Sharing your expertise through a blog, podcast or YouTube channel and then monetizing through ads, sponsored posts and affiliate marketing.
Offering in-person or online photography classes if you have a knack for teaching.
Learn more: How to make money as a photographer
02. Writing and blogging
Being able to write about anything from personal experiences to product reviews makes this hobby appealing to many people. And this passion for writing is part of why over 11 million websites use Wix’s tools to create content.
This can also be a great post-retirement hobby you can make money with. You can choose between working as a freelance writer for brands or becoming a blogger to make money from this hobby.
Freelance writing involves creating content based on clients' requirements. You can get started with projects using sites like Upwork and Fiverr. The key benefit is you can work it as a side hustle or build it up to a full-time income.
On the other hand, monetizing your own blog takes time since you must first build an engaged audience. Your success will depend heavily on your content quality, effective marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, and regular engagement with readers.
Learn more: How to make money as a travel blogger
03. Crafts
Crafting involves creating handmade items using various materials and techniques. Specific craft hobbies you can make money with include knitting, woodworking, jewelry making and pottery.
The Crafty Couple, which handcrafts furniture, and Yam, a sustainable jewelry shop, are good examples of craft brands. These sellers turned their crafting passion into successful businesses by focusing on quality, customer service and effective online marketing.
To turn your crafting hobby into a good source of income:
Specialize in unique, niche products—like eco-friendly fashion accessories or themed home decor—that attract dedicated customers willing to pay premium prices for handcrafted items.
Use online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, eBay or Facebook Marketplace to sell your products to shoppers globally.
Expand your craft into teaching through online courses, workshops or tutorial videos to generate passive income.
Learn more:
04. Gaming
The gaming industry has grown significantly over the past decade. A 2024 PC & Console Gaming Report by Newzoo shows that PC and console gaming generated $93.5 billion in 2023.
If you’re an avid gamer, you can turn your favorite hobby into a profitable business by:
Live streaming your gaming sessions or creating engaging content such as tutorials, reviews and playthroughs on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
Participating in tournaments and esports competitions that offer prize money. As you gain recognition, you might even attract sponsorships from gaming brands.
Leveraging your gaming experience to offer services as a beta tester for developers who need feedback on playability and bug reports for new video games.
Learn more: How to make money gaming
05. Landscaping and lawn care
Most people want to enhance their outdoor living spaces, which drives the demand for landscaping services. On average, homeowners shell out $300 every month for professional lawn care services. This gives you an opportunity to turn your hobby into a profitable venture.
With that in mind, here are some ideas for how to start a landscaping business:
Offer basic lawn care services, such as mowing, trimming and edging. Expand your services to include landscaping design, garden installation and maintenance as you gain clients and experience.
Differentiate your business by specializing in areas like organic gardening, xeriscaping (landscaping designed to conserve water) or native plant landscaping. This can make you stand out to clients looking for specific expertise.
Combine online and traditional marketing strategies. Create a professional website, use social media platforms and engage in local advertising through flyers and community boards.
Get professional certification from bodies like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) to boost your credibility.
06. Cooking
Turning a cooking hobby into a business can be a fulfilling way to share your culinary passion while earning an income. The good news is that many people enjoy trying new recipes. So this gives you a broad audience for your culinary content or services.
Here are several ways you can use your cooking skills to generate extra income:
Start a cooking blog or YouTube channel where you offer unique content, such as recipes, cooking tips or food travel experiences. You can then monetize this content through advertising, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing and partnerships with food brands.
Compile your recipes into a cookbook and sell it online or through local bookstores.
Share your culinary skills by teaching cooking classes. You can hold these classes at home, in local community centers or online.
Offer private chef services to prepare meals in clients’ homes.
Launch a catering business to provide food for events, parties and corporate functions.
Learn more: How to make money as a food blogger
07. Social media and marketing
Most companies have a presence on social media platforms, with 91% on Facebook, 86% on Instagram, 80% on LinkedIn and 66% on X.
That means there are plenty of brands looking for skilled social media managers to enhance their online presence. This gives you a great opportunity to turn your love for social media into a money-making hobby.
Here’s how to generate good money from this lucrative hobby:
Manage social media accounts for businesses or people who don't have the time or expertise to do so themselves. Your services can include posting content, engaging with followers, monitoring analytics and running social media campaigns.
Partner with brands as an influencer if you've built a considerable following on your social platforms.
Use your social media networks to promote companies’ products through affiliate marketing and get commissions.
08. Pet care
Most pet owners treat their pets as an integral part of the family. This opens a door for you to turn your passion for pets into a profitable business. It can also be a great way to enjoy animals without all the responsibilities that come with owning one.
With that in mind, here are some ways to turn your love for pets into a full-time business:
Start a pet sitting service where you take care of pets while their owners are away.
Offer dog walking services for busy pet owners.
Start a pet grooming business. This can include bathing, hair trimming, nail clipping and ear cleaning. You can also offer mobile grooming services, where you visit clients at their homes to make it more convenient for them.
Organize and host events like birthday parties for pets, pet meetups or educational seminars for owners. You can then sell pet products at these events to generate additional revenue.
How to make money from a hobby
Now, let’s look at some effective ways to make money from your hobby.
Create a website to establish your online presence
A dedicated website makes it easier for people to engage with your content. It also enhances your credibility, which allows you to stand out in a crowded market and build a brand that resonates with your audience.
Building a website doesn't have to be difficult or take long. Starting is as simple as choosing a domain name and taking advantage of free website hosting. After that, pick a professionally designed website template, customize it, fill your pages with content and publish your website.
Tip: Use the domain name generator to get domain name ideas for your website.
Alternatively, you can use Wix’s AI website builder to make getting started even easier. Just answer some basic questions about your goals, and the tool will create a personalized, fully operational website for you in minutes.
With these foundations in place, you can explore various strategies for monetizing your website, like online advertising, affiliate marketing or selling products through your ecommerce platform.
Start a blog to share tips and experiences
Once you create your website, launch a blog to connect with your audience and establish yourself as an authority in your field. Share insightful tips and personal experiences related to your hobby to keep your audience coming back for more.
Here are some ideas for promoting your online business:
Create blog posts that educate your audience on aspects related to your hobby. For instance, if you love pottery, you can write about the different types of clay or glazing techniques.
Share feedback from satisfied customers. These could be written testimonials, video interviews or before-and-after photos showcasing the impact of your product or service.
Write articles related to seasonal events, holidays or current trends. For example, a post about "perfect gift ideas" during the holiday season can attract interest and drive affiliate sales.
Tip: Use the Free AI Title Generator to produce a list of catchy titles for your blog posts.
Learn more: How to make money blogging
Leverage social media to promote your hobby
Use social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and X to extend your reach and interact with a broader audience. Show off your latest projects, share behind-the-scenes content and join conversations related to your hobby.
This approach helps you connect with like-minded individuals and attracts attention to your website, which increases your potential for sales and partnerships.
Tip: Use Wix’s professional tools to design eye-catching social media graphics for your posts.
In addition, leverage paid ads on Facebook and Instagram. That way, you can generate even more leads and drive quality traffic to your website.
Recommend products you use through affiliate marketing programs
Join affiliate marketing programs like the Wix Affiliate Program or Amazon Associates to market products you believe in. Incorporate affiliate links into your blog posts or social media content to earn a commission every time someone purchases through your link.
Learn more: