How to Turn Your Hobbies into a Small Business

Being a mother doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue other goals outside parenthood. As we’ve previously mentioned in our article on the Different Businesses You Can Start as a Stay-at-Home Mom, there are plenty of career paths you can take — whether you want to be a freelance writer, graphic designer, or virtual assistant. If none of these jobs sound appealing to you, you’d be glad to know that you can make a living out of your passion — a dream that many of us have.

You can turn virtually any hobby into a thriving business, be it knitting or baking cookies. In fact, SWNS and Vistaprint surveyed 2,000 Americans with full-time jobs and found that 55% would love to elevate their hobby into a business. Meanwhile, more than 1/4 have already turned their hobby into a side gig alongside their career. Indeed, the side business economy is alive and well, as more people seek financial and personal fulfillment that may not be found in their main job.

Does this sound like something you want to do? Keep reading for some tips!

Determine your target market

One of the most important things that you have to figure out when starting a business is your target market. Considering you’ll be basing your business off of your own hobbies, then it’s safe to assume that there are other people who would be interested in your potential product too. This is a good place to start in determining the demand. However, research is essential when getting started. You can check out what people are interested in and talking about using online tools such as Google Trends. You can also take on a more personal approach by surveying your close friends and family on how they feel about your potential business.

Set a goal and an action plan

You’ll want to carefully plan things out if you want to increase the likelihood of your business succeeding. Deciding you want to make money isn’t a goal; without a plan or strategy, it’s hard to know how to get from point A to B. Of course, you want to do something you love, but that cannot be the only thing you want from your business. Do you plan to run your small business full-time and leave your day job? Is this something you just want to do on the side and in your free time? Or are you just looking for the autonomy to create something that is your own?

From there, you can build a business plan and determine if it’s necessary to tap other people to help you out. We understand that jumping into this can be overwhelming, especially for people who have had no prior experience in handling a business — but goals will simplify things and ensure that you aren’t trying to do too much all at once.

Find a platform

In the advent of social media, there are many channels you can utilize to sell your product or service. However, it’s important to choose the best one for you, as not all may be in line with your business. For instance, Etsy is a great marketplace for selling handmade items, crafts, and vintage goods. Plus, there’s also an established community of people who enjoy such artsy products.

On the other hand, Amazon is a fuss-free and reliable option for all kinds of stores — be it skincare shops or a clothing brand. According to ZenBusiness’ guide to starting an Amazon store, this e-commerce platform merges flexibility and visibility, which means that you won’t have to put as much effort in promoting and pushing your product. After all, Amazon is already the first choice of 89% of consumers — which means the consumer base is already there and waiting to be tapped.

Maximize social media

Social media is the key to marketing in the digital age, as it lets you reach a wider range of people around the world. Moreover, social media adds a personal touch and fosters a sense of community that makes your brand more relatable. Conversational marketing is definitely something you want to do to attract more consumers. As noted in an article by Entrepreneur, engagement, and conversations can drive up interest in your business. Focusing on online discussions, replying to comments, and reaching out to consumers are simple ways to do this. You can also look to big brands like GoPro, Patagonia, and Taco Bell, who have mastered social media strategies.

Treat it like a normal job

While the idea of a hobby-turned-job is alluring, it isn’t always glamorous. If you’re serious about all of this, then you have to remember to treat it like a normal job. Yes, it will still be your hobby, but you need to have structure — as with any business.

A good way to do this would be to have a consistent work schedule. Discipline and time management will go a long way in getting things done efficiently and effectively. You need a clear separation between work and personal life especially if you plan on juggling this alongside your day job. It may not be easy at first, but the payoff is well worth it in the long run.

Guest Post by Janey Rogers

Janey Rogers is a tech enthusiast who is mostly interested in the ways technological innovations can change the way we live our daily lives. She likes to bake during her free time and hopes to make a business out of it soon.