Turning something you love into a source of income might sound like a dream, but it’s more realistic than most people think.
Whether you’re into painting, cooking, coding, or playing the guitar, there’s likely a way to earn from it. You don’t need to quit your job right away or invest a lot upfront. With consistency and the right tools, your hobby can become a small side hustle or even a full-blown business.
Here’s how to get started, plus a few real-life examples for inspiration.
1. Figure Out What People Will Pay For
Not every hobby needs to be monetized, but if you’re considering it, start by asking a simple question: Would someone pay for this?
For example, Tolu in Lagos always loved baking. She started by sharing photos of her cupcakes on Instagram. Friends started asking if they could order for birthdays and events. She now runs a small weekend baking business from her kitchen, offering custom cakes and pastries.
If you’re not sure whether your hobby has money-making potential, test the waters. Offer a free sample, create a simple portfolio, or start with a small gig.
2. Start Small, Start Smart
You don’t need a fancy website or a huge following. Start where you are with what you have.
Uche, a graphic designer in Accra, began selling custom illustrations on Twitter. He posted some of his work and added a caption saying he was open for commissions. Within a week, he had five paid orders. He keeps it simple, pricing listed in a pinned post, and payments sent through his Accrue USD account.
With Accrue, Uche is able to receive money from clients in the US and other African countries without stress. The money goes straight to his Personalized USD account, and he can convert or send it as needed.
3. Teach What You Know
If you’re good at something, someone out there is willing to learn. Teaching is one of the easiest ways to earn from your hobby, especially if you enjoy sharing knowledge.
Aisha in Nairobi loves crocheting. She started by posting short tutorial videos on TikTok. Over time, her page grew, and people began asking for detailed classes. She now runs paid virtual crochet sessions and sells patterns online.
To collect payments from students in the US, she uses Accrue’s virtual dollar card and USD account. It makes international payments feel local.
4. Use Marketplaces and Social Platforms
Depending on your hobby, there might be platforms that help you reach a wider audience.
If you write, consider Medium or Substack. If you make crafts, try Etsy or a local alternative. If you’re into photography, you can sell prints or license your photos.
Chijioke, a photographer based in Port Harcourt, sells high-quality cityscape photos on an online stock photo site. His buyers are mostly international, and he uses Accrue to get paid in dollars. It’s convenient and saves him from the usual bank delays.
5. Stay Consistent
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Monetizing your hobby takes time and effort, especially in the beginning. Share your work regularly, talk about it often, and treat it with care.
Consistency helped Sarah, a book reviewer in Johannesburg, grow her YouTube channel to 10,000 subscribers. Now, she earns through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and book partnerships. She never imagined her reading habit could earn her money, but it did — one video at a time.
Ready to Start?
Whether you’re baking, painting, teaching, or designing, your hobby has value. And with tools like Accrue, getting paid from anywhere in Africa or the US is no longer a hassle. You can receive money into a USD account, send funds to loved ones, or use your virtual dollar card for purchases — all in one app.
So if you’ve been thinking about it, this is your sign to start. Turn that passion into a paycheck, one step at a time.
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