15 Hobbies That Make Money In 2020 - Earn Smart Online Class
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Hobbies can be a great way to supplement your income, and you get to work on your own schedule. Not to mention, you can choose a hobby that you enjoy, so it hardly feels like work at all.
The internet has made it possible for people to make money from just about anything these days.
Whether you like shopping, cooking, traveling or creating crafts, the possibilities for making money are endless here.
I have researched and compiled a list of the best money making hobbies you can use to earn money no matter where you are in the world.
So, keep on reading to find out more!
15 of The Best Hobbies That Make Money
If you want to enjoy some downtime but also be profitable at the same time, consider some of the best hobbies to make money this year.
#1. Answer Online Surveys
Answering online surveys is one of the best money making hobbies out there today. Surveys take a few minutes to complete and you can do it in your free time.
Do you like sharing your thoughts and opinions about certain products and services? Why not join a company like Survey Junkie and answer surveys for money?
Surveys are really easy to complete. You can take them while watching TV or even at the grocery store. They take 20 to 30 minutes max and some companies pay as high as $50 per survey.
Most companies pay points redeemable for free gift cards but others will send you PayPal cash.
If you are looking for hobbies to make money that won’t take up much of your time, then online surveys are your best bet.
Survey sites I personally recommend are:
#2. Proofread Documents
Did you know that you can make up to $36,000 per year while working part-time with one of these online proofreading jobs? Well, now you know!
There is a high demand for freelance proofreading skills because bloggers want perfect content for their blogs, and students want their essays to look just right. Not to mention authors who want their books to become bestsellers.
You can absolutely make money from home by taking online proofreading jobs on the side.
Caitlin Pyle is a successful freelance proofreader who earns $50,000+ per year just by proofreading documents from home while enjoying her fun vacations.
She created a FREE 45-minute freelance proofreading workshop to show beginners how to earn money online simply by proofreading documents.
#3. Start a Blog
Starting a blog is among the awesome hobbies that make money online today. A blog not only brings you money but it also gives you an opportunity to share ideas with the world and allow you to write about topics that interest you.
For example, you can start a blog about your traveling adventures, show people how to cook delicious meals or give tips on how to dress on a budget.
It doesn’t really matter what the topic. If there is a market for it, it will be profitable.
Getting started is quick and easy. Just go to Bluehost and get set up for as little as $3.95/month.
I said that blogging is among the best hobbies that make money and for a good reason. This is my 8th-month blogging and I earned $4,789 last month. You can read more about this on how I made $4,789 blogging in January 2019.
Side Note: I never talk about blogging without mentioning Michelle Gardner. It was through her course, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing that my blog really took off, and has become the profitable business you see today.
#4. Drive People Around
If you enjoy driving, you can drive people around town and get paid for it. Uber and Lyft are two amazing companies that can pay you to drive on the weekends or whenever you have free time.
You can make $15 to $25 per hour as a Lyft or Uber driver
Driving people around is one of the inexpensive hobbies you can take up to make money. You can work in the evenings or over the weekend if you have time.
If you’ve been looking for money making hobbies from home, taking up driving jobs from Lyft or Uber will be worth your while.
UberEATS is also a great site that pays to deliver food to customers on their behalf. They pay $3 per delivery. This is a good side hustle for kids or students who have time on their hands.
#5. Teach English Online
If you have some time on your hands and love playing with kids, you can teach them English and get paid for it.
VIPKid and Magic Ears are two teaching platforms that hire teachers on a regular basis. Everything is done virtually, mostly through Skype. Depending on the company that you work for, you can earn up to $24 per hour.
We have other tutoring companies that hire teachers, as well, to teach a new language, a new subject or just a particular skill.
I cover those tutoring companies in this post of 35+ smart ways to make money online in 2018. Check it out if you want to learn more about this.
I also want to point out that teaching is among the best hobbies for college students to make money. When you are done with your lessons, you can set aside 2 or 3 hours per day to teach in your dorm room. You can use the money you make to pay for tuition or pay off debt if you have some
I wrote a detailed post showcasing 20 of the best jobs for college students to pay off debt. Feel free to check it out if you are a student looking to make some money online.
Related: How to Make $1000 Fast
#6. Freelance Writer
Are you good at writing and can whip up a 2000-word article in an hour? It’s time to turn that hobby into a side hustle and make money from home.
Freelance writing is also one of the best hobbies that make money in 2019, and this list will not be complete without it.
Gina Horkey is a successful freelancer. She made $4,000 per month, in the first six months of starting her freelance writing venture while working full-time at her previous job.
She created an amazing e-course, 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success that can teach you how to become a freelance writer. She goes in-depth on the A-Z’s of freelance writing.
Worried that you will not find work after you undergo the training?
Here is a list of 70+ freelance writing jobs for beginners to get you started!
Writing will not only earn you money, but it will also allow you to learn more about topics that interest you.
Side Note: Grammarly is a handy tool perfect for freelance writers that check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors to make your work look professional.
It’s such a time saver for me. Get it here and save time too!
#7. Instructor or Course Creator
Creating courses seems to be in demand nowadays and everybody is joining the bandwagon. If you are knowledgeable about a certain topic, you can create 10 or 20-minute videos showing people how to do something right or better.
Platforms like Teachable and Udemy have made it so easy for instructors to create courses and sell them for profit.
Successful bloggers like Michelle Gardner of Making Sense of Cents and Alex & Lauren of Create and Go are six-figure bloggers, and a big chunk of that money comes from their signature courses.
Michelle earns $100,000+ every month and a huge portion of that money comes from her Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing course, (I’m a proud student!). Alex and Lauren earn thousands of dollars every month from their top-selling courses, as well.
Here are Alex and Lauren’s best-selling courses if you need some inspiration
- Pinterest Avalanche – Gets you tons of traffic to your blog using Pinterest
- Six-Figure Blogger – Step-by-step guide on how to digital products that people want to buy
- Make Money Blogging for Beginners – Helps you make money from your blog after you launch
#8. Cooking/Baking
Does your family enjoy your cooking? Don’t let that creativity go to waste. This is one of those hobbies you can use to make money. There are many ways to go about this.
- You can start a blog and share recipes with your readers then monetize using ad placements, or create 30-page e-books containing different types of recipes and sell for $10 or $20 per e-book. Blogs are unlimited in terms of income potential. CreateSpace and Amazon Kindle are two avenues you can use to sell your e-books. While we are still talking about Amazon, you can review kitchenware and appliances then make more money through the Amazon affiliate program. Upfuel blog owner made $90,000 in 2 years as an Amazon associate and he shares his tips.
- You can shoot short videos where you show your viewers how to cook meals or how to bake cakes and other foods. Here is a list of 32 food and nutrition blogs that you can follow to get some inspiration. Don’t forget to check out Pinch of Yum and Oh She Glows for even more inspiration. The opportunities are endless.
#9. Photography
It’s no secret that humans are visual creatures and we love to see the good stuff. Don’t we? If you can turn a family photo into a beautiful piece of art, then you are in business!
Many websites will be happy to get your pictures and sell them on your behalf. The few good ones that I can think of are:
- Shutterstock
- iStockphoto
- BigStock Photo
- 123rf
- Fotolia
One thing I want you to remember is that this is a new business venture. And just like with any new business, it takes a while before you see any tangible results. So, don’t quit if you don’t make money in the first few weeks. Keep pushing and going until you get it right.
Interested but need inspiration? No problem!
Digital Photography School will give you all the inspiration you need.
Looking for female themed websites for even more inspiration? Sure!
The stock photo membership sites below will do the trick. Take a look and have a feel for the type of photos you need to be creating.
- Haute Chocolate
- Bosslatina
- IvoryMix
- Wonderfelle
A good cameraman is as good as the camera he uses. For you to capture beautiful memories, you need a camera that fits the part. Canon EOS and Sony W800 are great cameras to add to your tools of the rade.
#10. Buying & Selling
The internet has made it so easy for people to sell anything online these days. Be it that old keyboard that you no longer use, or that antique that you got from Africa, you can sell it on eBay, Amazon or Etsy.
Etsy is well known for handmade goods and crafts. But with Amazon and eBay, you can sell clothes, electronics, toys, books, furniture, beauty products, you name it!
To give you a dose of inspiration, Dennis Glazov went from $0 to $250,000 in just three months selling on eBay. So, don’t let anything stop you. If he can do it, you can do it too.
As for Amazon, I have an expert who can share with you everything you need to get started as an Amazon FBA seller. Her name is Jessica Larrew.
She runs her business, The Selling Family, and earns six figures every single year. She has a Free 3-Part Video Series that will help you get started the right way.
You can also listen to her webinar containing the 6 Steps to Start A Profitable Amazon FBA Business
#11. Traveling
Traveling is another great hobby that I love besides blogging (A girl has got to love ’em all, right?) I love to travel and see the world, and I’m sure you do too. A question that must be on your mind right now is, “But, how do I make money while traveling?” Great question!
Travel companies and agencies are willing to give you free tours or allow you to stay at resorts for free but in exchange for a review. You have to tell them what your experience was like staying at a resort or visiting certain hotels.
Keep in mind, though, that you will need a blog for you to get these sponsored trips. I’ve made setting up your blog pretty easy with this step-by-step blogging tutorial. It will get you set up in as little as 15 minutes.
Once your site is up, you can apply as an affiliate and refer people who want to travel to websites like booking.com. They will pay you for every customer who makes a booking through your affiliate link.
Related: How to Make $100 a Day from Home
#12. Shopping As A Hobby
My daughter and I love to shop! And, I know most women do enjoy shopping. Guess what? Shopping is among the active hobbies that make money online this year.
You can make money while buying that cute dress or that gorgeous handbag! It doesn’t really matter what you buy.
Just as companies are willing to pay people to take online surveys, they do pay mystery shoppers to tell them what they think of their products and services. I have a post containing mystery shopping companies but the best ones are:
- BestMark
- MarketForce
- Sinclair Customer Metrics
- Intelli-shop
#13. Gaming
I know you must be wondering how gaming got on this list of hobbies that make money online, but it’s true.
If you have some experience with creating awesome games that people love, you can upload them on Google Play or YouTube then monetize using ads. Every time someone clicks on the ads, you make a commission.
The amount will range from a few cents to a few dollars depending on how your advertiser’s payment system works. It may not seem like much at the beginning, but give it some time and the money will start coming in, in large quantities. Just make sure you create a good game and get a substantial amount of traffic to it.
#14. Socializing on Social Networks
If you love sharing your thoughts and ideas on social media and have an audience, you can make good money this way. Social networks perfect for this kind of work are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. All you have to do is, find a topic of interest, post regularly and catch your readers’ attention.
Once you establish trust, you can start posting products or services your audience is interested in buying. Every time someone clicks on the product link and buy, you make a commission.
Socializing on social networks is one of the perfect hobbies for women in their 20’s. They are still young, have a lot of free time on their hands with little or no responsibilities.
Top companies to check out for this type of work are Social Spark, Tomson, MassiveWay, BlogDash, Social Fabric, Pollinate, and Global Influence Network.
Don’t have a Facebook page but would like to create one? Search Engine Journal will show you how!
Another way that you can make money from social media networks is by becoming a social media manager or consultant. Here, you manage other people’s social accounts on their behalf. Big brands and companies do not have time to spend on social media platforms.
And so, they prefer you to do these small tasks for them. Great places to check out for this type of work are Fiverr and Upwork.
#15. Making Crafts
I know I talked about buying and selling, but crafting deserves its own place. Crafting is something that has been around for a while now. If you are gifted in creating jewelry, artwork and other handmade goods, then you can turn it into a side business and make money. Etsy has made it possible for gifted people like you to set up your own Etsy shop then sell your products with ease.
Many people, especially women visit Etsy to find decorations, handmade crafts, printables, and other related goods. You already have a market for your product. What are you waiting for? Set up your Etsy shop and start selling today.
Need some inspiration?
Alicia Shaffer has an Etsy shop named Three Bird Nest and she sells scarves, socks, and headbands. Guess how much she earns per month? Her shop earns $70,000 every single month.
Related: 20 Crafts That Make Money
#16. Graphic Design
This is more of a professional skill than a hobby but still, you can make money as a web or graphic designer. Web design and graphic design skills are in high demand these days.
Bloggers, authors and online entrepreneurs are always looking for people to create their websites, logos, business cards or e-book covers. If you are knowledgeable about this, you can put your skills to good use and make good money.
A great place to start will be 99Designs but you can also offer your services as a freelance designer or web developer on Fiverr.com or Upwork.
#17. Posting Videos on YouTube
If you have a habit of posting videos on YouTube then you can surely make money. It doesn’t matter what type of videos they are, so long as they are interesting and can attract a good following.
A gentleman by the name of Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg who runs the PewDiePie YouTube account made $7.4 million in 2015.
Funny thing is, his videos are not extraordinary. He is just an ordinary guy doing ordinary things. But, one thing he is keen to do is to connect with his audience. I guess that’s what has helped him to achieve such massive success. Connecting at heart is very important.
So, don’t think that you need to have something high-tech for you to make money from YouTube. Just create good videos that your viewers will love, connect with them then apply for Adsense. Every time someone clicks on the ads, you make a commission.
#18. Creating Courses
I have seen many bloggers turn to teach as a way of giving detailed information about their chosen fields.
If you’ve been blogging for a while, you can turn that information into an e-course and expound more on a topic you write about.
Bloggers like Regina of ByRegina.com, Allison Marshall of Wonderlass.com and Meera Kothand of Meerakothand.com have done this beautifully.
Worried that you don’t have a blog? No problem! We have online teaching platforms like Udemy, Creative Live, and SkillShare that can help you sell your courses without necessarily needing a blog.
You just record your videos or create your PDFs containing all the information then upload it to these sites, set a price and start selling.
Additional hobbies that make money
- Fitness
- Sewing
- Gardening
- Music
- Drawing
- Voice-over Artist
And, there you have it, folks! 15 hobbies that make money in 2019. Whether you’re searching for hobbies for men that make money or hobbies for couples that make money, I believe that this profitable hobbies list has given you enough ideas to run with. So, go ahead and put those money-making hobbies to good use and bring in some extra cash today!
Have you used these money-making hobbies before? Know other hobbies that make money that I did not cover in this list? I’d love to hear from you. Please, leave a comment in the comments section below.
15 Hobbies That Make Money In 2020
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