Trying To Move On

So many retirees have looked forward to waking up in the morning and, instead of joining the rat-race heading off to work, being able to focus on a day of doing what they love. If you're about to retire, but not already in a financial position that enables you to simply enjoy your hobbies, a good way of combining pleasure with business is to let your hobbies supplement your income.

Many people are fulfilling their dreams by profiting from their hobbies. It may take a bit of time researching where the profits might lie, but in general, if you have a particular skill or knowledge about a hobby, there is probably a market for it.

In some cases the ways in which you can profit from your hobby are obvious. If you are proficient in a craft, the objects you make can be sold for a profit. If they are unique with your own creativity thrown into the bargain - all the better - and all the better for your bottom line.

Young people nowadays lack the skills need to produce handmade objects, but interestingly, these objects are valued by that exact group of people. Hand-knitted clothes - sweaters, scarves, hats, dolls, socks, gloves - the array of goods is mindblowing. And the more creative you are with colors and textures the better.

So how do you find what the current trends are? The best place by far is to search the internet, using a powerful search engine like Google. Type in the name of your hobby, for instance, knitting or woodworking, and see what results are returned. Pay particular attention, however, to the advertisements that also appear on the page.

These advertisers are obviously making money from their ad - so take a look and see what they all about. It is worthwhile to know how other people are profiting from that hobby. You will probably find that they may not be selling finished items, but rather 'how to' guides, or hobby supplies.

In your retirement spare time perhaps you too could write an e-book on your hobby, particularly if you have a certain technique or area of expertise. If you have contacts with suppliers of the raw materials for your hobby, you could start an online shop to supply others with the makings of their new hobby (which they will need after reading your e-book!).

Another good way to investigate opportunities for your hobby is to download and use a keyword tool like Good Keywords, to find out how the public is conducting searches for within your hobby niche.

If you do this for "knitting", you might find that many people are seeking knitting instructions, knitting books, knitting machines, knitting supplies, knitting patterns and knitting stores on the internet.

Making money from your hobby during your retirement isn't difficult. You just have to find out what the public needs and have the time and patience to deliver it to them.

Kerry Anne Finch is an accomplished marketer, with proven successes in corporate and NFP PR, event management and hugely successful product launch programs.

Kerry has founded a new website Over55s specifically for the Baby Boomer/55+ age group, with features that include Travel, Hobbies, Health and Sport (http://www.over55s.com). Contributions from members are not only welcome, but are encouraged.

Currently Kerry divides her time between launching and managing her new website, her internet writing business, and gathering material through her role as an international tour director.

AP - A woman who grew to be 7 feet, 7 inches tall and was recognized as the world's tallest female died early Wednesday, a friend said. She was 53.