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From Hobby To Career - Can You Make The Jump?

I always enjoyed singing and music, and was fortunate enough to be able to chase that particular dream. Before I knew it, I had been a full time musician for over two decades, a most agreeable way to make a living. Now at this stage in my life, I am pursuing a career based on something else I enjoy, which is writing. For the last year, I have been the content writer for a lead generation company servicing the water extraction and damage restoration industry. And I have full intention to make writing my retirement career.

When you choose your career, never underestimate the power of your own personal interests. There is no hard and fast rule that says your hobby must remain separate from your job. Hobbies are a combination of interest and skill, both of which apply very well to the idea of choosing a career.

Perhaps you are into creating things. You may discover you can run your own small business making jewelry or clothes or furniture or whatever. That doesn't work so well for some of us. This author is into model rockets as a hobby, and nobody ever got rich off model rockets (except maybe for the first guy that did it).

However, the hobby of model rocketry did teach me a number of skills, how to build things with my hands, the use of various tools, as well as paint and finishing skills. Any of these could prove invaluable in other lines of work. Look at the skills your hobby requires and see if any of them could translate into other occupations.

One other factor to consider is the fun factor. Too many of us believe that if it's fun, then it isn't a real job. I prefer to believe that if you enjoy what you do (i.e. have fun) then you'll never work a day in your life.

Consider what is tried and proven. eBay for example.....there are numerous stories about folks who started out selling on eBay to make a little extra money, only to find themselves working the online auction scene full time. This is something that we all know works, given your willingness to devote the time to it.

Of course there is always the inevitable downside. Sometimes, doing your hobby as a job can take some of the joy out of it. I always enjoyed singing, but when it became a matter of meeting an overhead (which grew every year) and wrangling a salary out of it sufficient to live on, then some of the joy was diminished.

Is the hobby of enough depth that you will find it a rewarding endeavor ten or fifteen years from now? When I first got back into model rocketry, I built about 50 rockets that first year. Last year I built one. If your zeal diminishes, there is still a company requiring your 100% effort every day. Is this something you can do?

If you want to look into turning your hobby into a business, go for it. But do it wisely. Do some genuine market research to determine if your business plan is a viable one. This can be a big plus because we are much more likely to really get into the nuts and bolts of making something work that we are passionate about.

Continue your education. Enjoying photography is one thing, but going to school to really learn the ins and outs of the process will prove invaluable if you want to make a go of it as a business.

Know your market. Who will your business appeal to? Take that information and use it when conducting promotions, marketing, or social networking.

Remember that nothing comes easy. Stories about a quick and easy ride to the top are rare, and often embellished. Be prepared to work very hard to establish yourself and your service. That is the way that you will be able to spend the rest of your life having fun.

Billy D. Ritchie

Director Of Content
Leadsbyfone, LLC

We are a lead generation company servicing the [http://www.waterdamagelocal.com/p/water_clean_up.aspx]Water Clean Up and Damage Restoration industry.

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