Everybody complains about lack of time these days. It’s perhaps the biggest excuse people roll out when it comes to pursuing passions and hobbies outside of work.

“I would love to take up … but I just don’t have time.”

“I’m already so busy with X, Y & Z, there aren’t enough hours in the day for anything else.”

But it’s surprising how much time these same people can find once they realise they can make a bit of extra money from their passions and skills.

A love of travel and writing can spawn a travel blog, or a passion for playing guitar could lead you to teach some lessons in the evenings.

It really is possible to make money from the things that come naturally to you and that you enjoy. You just need to make the time for them.

If you think you could find enough spare time to give this a go and make some money on the side, here are five steps to follow:


1. Know what you love

Do a brainstorm of your hobbies and interests, ask a close friend or relative what they think you’re good at, and pay more attention to the kinds of problems you naturally solve and the advice you give.

These things will all help lead you to something you’re naturally good at and enjoy doing. Don’t rule anything out as too crazy at this stage.


2. Work out whether people will pay for it

There is almost no end to the things people are willing to pay for, and with the internet helping to connect individuals worldwide, it might be easier than you think to monetise your skills and interests.

From an online juggling course to knitting lessons via Skype, the opportunities are out there. If people want something – whether it’s a new skill or a change in their lives – they’ll pay someone who can help them with it.

Another approach is to think about the problems people have – losing weight, getting a new job, deciding on a new hair style – and offer your services in an area you know something about.


3. Research the market

Don’t be put off by the fact that other people are already offering the same thing – this means there is a market for it. The key is then to work out what your unique selling point is that will set you aside from the others.

Do some research on 5-10 other product or service providers in the area you’ve identified, taking note of what they offer, how much they charge, and how they market themselves.

From here you can work out what kinds of things to include in your offering and how to put your own unique spin on it. You’ll also get a good idea of how to price your products or services.


4. Start with some freebies

When you’re just starting out, doing some free work for friends or family can be a great way to build your confidence, get some practice, and gather some testimonials.

After 3-5 freebies you should be ready to start charging, knowing that you already have that experience behind you.


5. Don’t overthink it

It can be tempting to procrastinate, trying to find the perfect idea that’s going to bring in millions. You could be waiting quite a while before it pops into your head, so in the meantime why don’t you get going with what you have thought of?

It doesn’t matter if some of your friends think it’s a silly idea or your mum doesn’t understand how it could possibly make money; remember the internet puts you at the fingertips of billions of people and, if you’ve been through step 2 properly, there should be a few out there who are interested in what you’re offering.

Try not to focus on the risk of failure; think about the things you can achieve as you gradually build your business up. And remember, you’re not trying to become an overnight tycoon; you just want to make a bit of extra money in your free time.

Taking action is the only way this will happen for you, so identify the steps you can take next to get started.

Commit to an idea, do your research, and identify a couple of potential clients. Maybe do some networking with someone in the industry to get some insider tips.

However it turns out, at least you can say you did something, you tried, and that’s better than endless nights wasted in front of the TV.

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