If you want more control over your schedule and the projects you work on, freelancing is a good place to start. But even when working on freelance projects that you enjoy, you will still often find yourself within the constraints of your client brief.
Over time, if you only serve customers but don’t give you a way to express yourself, you can start to feel creatively stifled. Luckily, there are lots of creative outlet ideas you can try. You may have found a new interest that you want to monetize, but even if you don’t, you can still improve your well-being by doing something you enjoy.
1. Start a YouTube Channel
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Many people watch video content online, and one of the main reasons is YouTube. With over two billion monthly active users, the platform is one of the most popular social media networks in the world. You can find content in almost every imaginable niche, including travel, fitness, and cooking.
Starting a YouTube channel can provide a rewarding long-term creative project for you to work on. If you want to tie it directly to your business, there are many ways starting a YouTube channel can help you grow as a freelancer. You can talk about topics like finding clients, working remotely, etc.
Of course, you can also start a YouTube channel as a hobby. We recommend not thinking about which niches pay the most because if you don’t find them interesting, you won’t be with YouTube for long. Instead, choose something that really interests you.
2. Start Photography
Photography is arguably the best creative outlet for freelancers. Many of us take photos of our daily lives with our smartphones anyway, capturing memorable moments like spending time with our kids and going out to dinner with friends. So, why not take it to the next level and try to take even better photos?
You can find cameras for less, but you don’t necessarily need them in the beginning. There are a number of simple tricks you can try to improve your smartphone photography.
Once you have decided that photography is something you want to pursue, you can invest in a DSLR or mirrorless camera. For better deals, consider perusing one of these vintage photography websites.
3. Write a Book
If you love writing, or have always liked the idea of being a writer, you might want to try challenging yourself by creating a book. Books are a great way to showcase your expertise in a subject, and you can use them to build your personal brand and become more well-known in your industry.
In addition to writing about your work, you can choose from a variety of other topic ideas. For example, if you love to travel, consider writing about a favorite trip or creating a travel guide for an area you know well. Alternatively, if you enjoy telling stories, consider writing a fantasy novel.
You can choose whether you want to write an eBook or have your title published in print. The latter is more expensive and requires finding a publisher, but it’s worth it to see a physical copy of your work.
Another possible option is to publish an audiobook, and you can choose from a variety of platforms for publishing an audiobook.
4. Start a Blog
If you enjoy writing but don’t want to own a book, you have other options. Blogging is one of the most established forms of information sharing online, and starting your own can help you write about topics that interest you. Plus, you can use your platform to improve your voice and messaging services.
You can start a blog on your freelance website, but you might want to write something completely different. In that case, creating a separate website is a better idea. After choosing a domain name and website builder, you can start filling your site with content.
If you do not have a huge budget initially, then you can choose one of the top free website hosting services. Generating traffic will take time, but you can enjoy great success if you are consistent over the long term.
5. Drawing and Painting
Drawing and painting are great ways to get more use out of your hands and express your thoughts and feelings. You can start with basic sheets of paper and pencils that you may already have around the house, and over time, you can upgrade to fancier pieces of equipment.
If you feel like you spend too much time staring at a screen, drawing and painting are great creative outlets that force you to disconnect for a minute. However, you can also try drawing and painting on your computer or tablet; Tools like Procreate can help you achieve your desired results.