Creative and performance niches
These creative methods aren't covered in the earlier design, crafts and entertainment categories. They range from calligraphy and props making to choir direction and photo booths, and many find customers through social media and events.
What these methods share
- Portfolio content on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
- Event-driven demand: weddings, parties, corporate functions, churches and schools.
- Contracts and deposits for bookings.
692. Calligraphy and hand lettering
What it is: Beautiful hand lettering for invitations, signage, certificates and art. How it works: Commissions and workshops.
| Skills | Calligraphy practice |
| Cost & equipment | Pens, inks, paper |
| Where to find work | Weddings, events, gift shops, social media |
| Payment | Per piece or workshop |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Post practice videos; offer name cards for events. Pros: Unique craft. Cons & risks: Niche market. Scam warning: As usual. Kenya notes: Wedding signage and personalised gifts are popular.
693. Animation studio (small)
What it is: A small studio producing animated ads, series and educational content. How it works: Team of animators, clients and own IP.
| Skills | Animation, management |
| Cost & equipment | Computers, software, team |
| Where to find work | Brands, NGOs, broadcasters, streaming platforms |
| Payment | Projects, licensing |
| Realistic earnings | Medium to high |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Grow from freelance animation (methods 123–126). Pros: Scalable. Cons & risks: Overheads. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: African animation is gaining international attention.
694. Voice dubbing and localisation of films
What it is: Dubbing films, series and cartoons into Kiswahili and other languages. How it works: Studio recording to picture with direction.
| Skills | Voice acting, timing |
| Cost & equipment | Studio access |
| Where to find work | Dubbing studios, broadcasters, streaming platforms |
| Payment | Per session/project |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Build a voice reel; contact dubbing studios. Pros: Growing demand for local-language content. Cons & risks: Irregular. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Kiswahili dubbing for TV is growing.
695. Props and set design
What it is: Designing and building props and sets for film, theatre, events and photo shoots. How it works: Briefs → construction → installation.
| Skills | Carpentry, painting, creativity |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, materials |
| Where to find work | Film productions, theatres, event planners |
| Payment | Per project |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Assist productions; build a portfolio. Pros: Creative. Cons & risks: Irregular. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Event backdrops and photo setups are popular.
696. Costume design and making
What it is: Creating costumes for theatre, film, schools and events. How it works: Designs → sewing → fittings.
| Skills | Sewing, design |
| Cost & equipment | Machines, materials |
| Where to find work | Schools, theatres, productions, churches |
| Payment | Per costume |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Offer costumes for school drama and music festivals. Pros: Seasonal demand. Cons & risks: Deadlines. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Kenya Music and Drama Festivals create demand.
697. Theatre production
What it is: Producing stage plays and performances. How it works: Scripts → cast → venues → ticket sales and sponsorships.
| Skills | Directing, producing |
| Cost & equipment | Venue costs |
| Where to find work | Audiences, schools, sponsors |
| Payment | Tickets, sponsorships |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with small productions; school set-book performances. Pros: Cultural impact. Cons & risks: Financial risk. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Set-book performances for secondary schools are popular.
698. Choir training and music direction
What it is: Training choirs for churches, schools and competitions. How it works: Rehearsals and coaching contracts.
| Skills | Music direction, arrangement |
| Cost & equipment | Instruments |
| Where to find work | Churches, schools, corporates |
| Payment | Fees |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Train your church or school choir. Pros: Steady demand. Cons & risks: Time-intensive. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Music festivals and church events drive demand.
699. Songwriting for hire
What it is: Writing songs for artists, brands and events. How it works: Commissions, royalty agreements.
| Skills | Songwriting |
| Cost & equipment | Instruments, recording |
| Where to find work | Artists, brands, churches |
| Payment | Fees, royalties |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Build a song catalogue; network with producers. Pros: Creative. Cons & risks: Copyright agreements needed. Scam warning: Get written splits and agreements. Kenya notes: Register works with collecting societies.
700. Spoken word poetry performance
What it is: Performing poetry at events, competitions and online. How it works: Bookings, competitions, content.
| Skills | Writing, performance |
| Cost & equipment | None |
| Where to find work | Events, corporates, schools, social media |
| Payment | Per performance |
| Realistic earnings | Very low to low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Perform at open mics. Pros: Growing scene. Cons & risks: Irregular. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Spoken word events are popular in Nairobi.
701. Photo booth and 360 video booth rental
What it is: Renting photo booths and 360 video booths for events. How it works: Bookings → setup → instant prints or videos.
| Skills | Equipment operation, customer service |
| Cost & equipment | Booth equipment, printer |
| Where to find work | Weddings, corporate events, parties |
| Payment | Per event |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Showcase booth content on social media. Pros: Popular at events. Cons & risks: Equipment cost. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Corporate events and weddings book booths.
702. Karaoke and game night hosting
What it is: Hosting karaoke, trivia and game nights at venues and events. How it works: Venue partnerships, event bookings.
| Skills | Hosting, entertainment |
| Cost & equipment | Sound system, screens |
| Where to find work | Bars, restaurants, corporates |
| Payment | Per night or revenue share |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Pitch weekly nights to venues. Pros: Recurring venue deals. Cons & risks: Late nights. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Trivia nights are growing in cities.
703. Henna and body art
What it is: Henna designs for weddings, festivals and events. How it works: Bookings and walk-ins.
| Skills | Henna art, safe products |
| Cost & equipment | Natural henna |
| Where to find work | Weddings, festivals, events |
| Payment | Per client |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Build a design portfolio. Pros: Popular at coastal events. Cons & risks: Avoid harmful "black henna" chemicals. Scam warning: Never use unsafe chemical henna. Kenya notes: Popular at coast weddings and Eid celebrations.
704. Tattoo artistry (licensed and hygienic)
What it is: Professional tattooing. How it works: Studio bookings with strict hygiene.
| Skills | Art, hygiene training |
| Cost & equipment | Equipment, sterile supplies, licences |
| Where to find work | Clients, social media |
| Payment | Per session |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Apprentice with experienced artists; follow health regulations. Pros: Creative. Cons & risks: Health risks if unhygienic. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: County health permits apply.
705. Event MC and comedian duo packages
What it is: Combined MC and comedy entertainment packages for events. How it works: Event bookings.
| Skills | Hosting, comedy |
| Cost & equipment | None |
| Where to find work | Corporate events, weddings |
| Payment | Per event |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with a comedian or MC. Pros: Premium packages. Cons & risks: Coordination. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Corporate end-year parties book entertainers.
706. Mural and graffiti art (commissioned)
What it is: Large-scale murals for businesses, schools and public spaces. How it works: Concept → approval → painting.
| Skills | Large-scale painting |
| Cost & equipment | Paints, scaffolding |
| Where to find work | Cafés, schools, businesses, NGOs |
| Payment | Per project |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Paint a free community mural for portfolio. Pros: Visible work. Cons & risks: Permits for public spaces. Scam warning: Get written approval before painting. Kenya notes: NGOs commission awareness murals.
707. Creative workshops (paint and sip, crafts, pottery)
What it is: Hosting paid creative workshops for groups. How it works: Venue → materials → guided sessions.
| Skills | Creative skill, facilitation |
| Cost & equipment | Materials, venue |
| Where to find work | Individuals, team-building, birthdays |
| Payment | Per participant |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Run a small first workshop and post photos. Pros: Fun social events. Cons & risks: Venue costs. Scam warning: As above. Kenya notes: Paint-and-sip events are popular in cities.
Summary
- Creative and performance niches include calligraphy, animation studios, dubbing, props and costumes, theatre, choirs, songwriting, spoken word, photo booths, karaoke and trivia, henna, tattooing, MC-comedy packages, murals and creative workshops.
- Portfolios on social media and event partnerships bring bookings.
Check yourself
Should you use unsafe "black henna" chemicals? (yes or no)
Show answer
no
Which national event creates demand for school costumes and choir training? (music and ___ festivals)
Show answer
drama
Before painting a mural, what should you get? (written ___)
Show answer
approval