When most people think of monetizing social media, they probably think of sponsored posts. But that’s only one of many options!
If you create quality personalised content, followers will keep coming back. You can then make money by promoting brands, affiliate marketing and creating online resources. There are also platforms like Patreon that allow creators to charge a monthly subscription for exclusive content.
1. Sponsored Posts
Whether you’re an influencer or a brand, sponsored posts are one of the best ways to make money on social media. When you create a sponsored post, you can target a custom audience and track metrics like reach, engagement and conversions.
To get started, identify your target audience by reviewing data on existing customers and looking for similarities. Then, review your ad creative to see what type of content will resonate with them.
2. Paid Posts
Paid posts are promotional content that brands buy through social media platforms to promote their products or services. They can include text, images, or video. These types of posts are often labelled as sponsored or ads to maintain transparency and ethical standards.
Brands are seeking out UGC (user-generated content) more than ever before, so if you have a strong following you can make money by creating videos or photos for companies.
3. Affiliate Marketing
For some influencers, affiliate marketing can be a lucrative way to turn social media into a revenue generator. If you’re a home decor YouTuber or Instagrammer, for example, you could use your bio or Story highlights to recommend specific products that your followers might be interested in purchasing.
For other creators, ecommerce poses another opportunity to generate revenue by strategically sharing product links.
4. Link Building
Links (or hyperlinks) are HTML objects that let users jump to different locations or pages on a website. These are important for SEO because search engines use them to rank pages.
High-quality research on topics that matter to your audience is a great way to attract natural links. For example, you might write an in-depth article about a certain industry topic and include a link to your site.
5. Content Marketing
Whether you are a creator looking to make extra income or a business trying to attract more customers, social media platforms have numerous ways of earning revenue. Listed below are some of the most popular methods for both brands and creators.
Content marketing is the process of creating relevant content to nurture a prospect through their customer journey. This includes creating blogs, videos, podcast episodes and white papers.
6. Guest Posting
Bloggers and content creators have the potential to make money on social media through guest posts. It’s important that your posts are helpful and on-topic, and they must be unique.
When pitching a post, research the website or editor to learn what type of topics they accept. It helps to include a link to one of their previous blog posts that you liked to show your interest.
7. Sponsorships
Social media can be more than just a place to connect with your audience; it can also be an excellent source of income. Whether you’re a creator or brand, there are many different ways to make money on social media.
One way to do this is by sponsorships. This involves promoting products or services to your audience through your social media channels.
8. Sponsored Ads
For many social media content creators and influencers, sponsored ads are an excellent way to make money. Whether it’s an Instagram post or TikTok video, they feature products that align with their audience and values.
The most effective ads are those that feel natural and organic to the user. This is why so many brands are seeking UGC (user-generated content) from influencers.
9. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is a great way to get your products or services in front of a large audience. This is especially effective for influencers with specialized expertise.
For example, fitness influencers can sell different training programs, while food or finance influencers can market subscription-based services. Make sure to set clear goals for your campaign and track the results. This includes website traffic, engagement, and conversions.
10. Sponsorships
Sponsorship is a great way for small businesses to make money on social media. It’s important to note that sponsorships must be disclosed as such in order to comply with regulations set by the FTC.
Whether you’re an influencer or just looking to supplement your income, these tips will help you start making money on social media! Be sure to check out our expert guide Small Business Marketing: Social Media Content and Strategy.