More than three-quarters of social media users say their buying decisions are influenced by social ... [+]
Whether we agree with it or not, social media platforms are the best thing that happened on the Internet—at least as far as businesses are concerned.
In 2023, it was estimated that there are at least 4.89 billion social media users; 76% of social media users make purchasing decisions based on what they've discovered on social media, according to Tech Report.
So it makes perfect sense to view social media—whether that be Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, or even Instagram—as viable avenues for making money online. You can make money with social media, whether you are an established business, or simply working as a sole contractor or freelancer.
One of the most sought-after ways that you can make money online via social media, is through becoming a social media content creator or influencer. This is extremely appealing as it allows you the liberty to showcase your personality in an inspiring and entertaining way, while allowing you to talk or produce content freely about your interests.
At the same time, companies seek partnerships with influencers, as part of their social media marketing strategy, therefore you may find yourself working for corporate clients after a while of consistent effort.
Evan Wray, CEO of influencer platform Mavely, has some tips for people like you who are kickstarting their careers on social media, and seeking to make money—even if you have a small audience to begin with:
1. Focus Content On A Niche
"Over the last few years micro-influencers have become increasingly impactful and coveted by brands because of their high audience trust," Wray says. "Find a specific passion, perspective or hobby that you are passionate about as a niche to focus your content around. This will naturally attract like-minded followers, which will arm you with a unique proposition to brands of a targeted and engaged audience."
2. Lead With Honesty
"Choose to work with companies that are authentic to you and your brand. Building audience trust takes time, but can be broken quickly if followers sense you are prioritizing profit over their best interests," Wray advises. "Only work with brands you are aligned with and products that you believe in—if your audience trusts your recommendations, you will be able to convert more sales."
3. Follow Platform Guidelines Clearly
"Many platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube, have different guidelines on what qualifies as monetizable content." For example, YouTube requires a minimum number of subscribers, watch hours, and shorts views before you can qualify for monetization via their YouTube Partner Program.
"Similarly, there may be things that disqualify your account from earning. So before you spend time creating, be sure to review and follow these rules to maximize your time and income."
4. Share Content On Multiple Platforms
Finally, one way to really maximize your presence across social media is to think of ways to get the best of each platform—relevant to your audience demographic of course.
"If you become dependent on one income stream," Wray says, "you are at higher risk of a significant change happening to that platform or that economic relationship. It’s best practice to develop content on multiple platforms to cultivate a diversified income stream. Remember, anywhere you communicate with your audience, you have an opportunity to monetize that audience—on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, communication services like Discord and WhatsApp, and through content you own like a blog or email newsletter."
Cross-posting on social media allows you to maximize your earnings and reach
Through following all these guidelines—remaining dedicated to your niche, approaching it with a unique angle, being open and transparent, adhering to platform guidelines, and cross-posting on social media—you can effectively harness the power of social media to make money from home.