Make money from skills and hobbies

Are you worried about how to make ends meet? With a little know-how and imagination, you could earn a living from the things you’re already good at...

Wondering if your skills or hobbies could be a nice little earner? Here are some ways to dip your toe in and see if you can make some extra cash, or even change your career if it’s a success...

SELL CRAFTS ONLINE

You no longer need a shop on the high street, thanks to the likes of Etsy, Notonthehighstreet, Amazon and eBay. You can sell anything, such as candles, bath bombs, jewellery, soaps, bridal bouquets and hand-sewn masks and scarves. “I love Etsy,” says Sarah Zemura, who makes and sells bracelets, necklaces, rings and badges for her shop Oswell & Rose on the site. “They take around 11 per cent, but I find it really easy to put up listings and manage my page, and it reaches a huge worldwide audience.”

USE SOCIAL MEDIA

You can also set up a Facebook or Instagram page specifically for your business, with a link to your Paypal, and ask friends and family to spread the word. “When I saw a gap in the market for quality faux flowers at affordable prices, I started an Instagram page, called Woodham Blooms, and added a Paypal account so followers could buy bouquets,”

says Victoria Richards, who has been so successful she now has her own business. Sarah agrees, saying, “Join craft Facebook groups and arrange joint giveaways with other sellers to promote both your products.” Update your social media pages regularly with pictures of your creations, from balloon arches to celebration cakes, so people know what you can do.

TEAM UP WITH OTHERS

As well as, or instead of, online selling, ask a local store, café, or business to sell some of your products in exchange for a percentage of the price. A coffee shop open for takeouts could sell your cards or jewellery, or a dry cleaner could advertise your alterations (if they don’t do them). “As well as Etsy, I also run stalls at local markets and craft fairs and put up posters in local shops,” says Sarah.

TRY A LOCAL MARKET

If you bake, you could sell at a local market (once you have been approved by Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers from your local authority). It’s how

Victoria Stent, founder of Four Legged Fancies, started out. She says, “I was making cupcakes, but one day, my dogs were sniffing around and I thought it would be brilliant to make dog cupcakes so they could enjoy them too. I took my stall to bigger markets, then a scout found me and Pets At Home asked us to stock them.”

SIGN UP TO APPS

As well as Task Rabbit, sites like Fiverr and Bark allow you to list your skills so people can commission you. They cover everything from illustrations to marketing projects, gardening to house cleaning, and admin to putting furniture together.

PASS ON KNOWLEDGE

Teaching is another option – maybe you speak a foreign language, play an instrument, or have a teaching background. Sign up on Tutorful.co.uk or Tutorhouse.co.uk, or for a more informal option, advertise your lessons on Gumtree, to help people trying to improve their English language skills, drawing, sewing, baking, or whatever else you can share.