30 Non-Handmade Creative Business Ideas

Are you interested in a creative, online business, but you’re not that crafty? There are SO many great ideas for starting your own creative business that don’t require selling a handmade product!

In general, I think that being an entrepreneur requires creativity. So much so, that it’s kind of hard to narrow it down and say, “THESE things are creative businesses, and these things are not.” However, to be specific, I’m going to keep my focus on things that are digital, audio-visual, and skills that can be leveraged into income online. So, we would be leaving out businesses like starting an auto repair shop (unless you’re turning it into a YouTube channel!), going into private practice as a lawyer or doctor, opening a restaurant- things like that. Mainly online, skill based, creative business ideas. With that said, let’s get into a list of ideas! These are very general, and each one could have a dozen ideas listed under it, at least! Most of these can be blogged about, or made into a great video channel, and some can be done as a physical service, or even a brick and mortar business.

1. Podcasting a topic

2. Blogging a topic

3. Baking and cookie decorating

4. Meal planning and cooking

5. Health and fitness

6. Any kind of how-to’s (like auto or home repair!)

7. Buying and flipping items

8. Video gaming

9. Business coaching

10. Reviewing products

11. Interior design

12. Photography

13. Clothing and fashion

14. Makeup and hair

15. Cleaning and organizing

16. Teaching a language

17. Teaching or performing music

18. Gardening or farming

19. Writing a book or ebook

20. Event planning

21. Floral design

22. Selling supplies to crafters

23. Small manufacturing for other makers

24. Digital designs (cards, prints, etc.)

25. Branding and marketing

26. Copywriting and editing

27. Web design

28. Creating a lifestyle channel

29. Beekeeping

30. Book reviewing

These are in no particular order or skill grouping. Of course, some have much more money potential than others. Some things would be easier to monetize than others, too. But the idea here is that there are many ways to have a creative business. Don’t get hung up on the image of making crafts to sell online. You don’t have to be artsy-craftsy to be creative. Leveraging your wonderful ideas into a flexible business with sustainable income is absolutely a creative undertaking! What ideas do you have? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. What’s stopping you?