How Creators Monetize Their Content On Social Media

Key Points

      • In addition to lucrative brand partnerships, creators can also monetize their work with help from social media platforms themselves
      • Many channels have dedicated creators funds that reward creators with cash based on views and engagements
      • Other platforms allow creators to charge for interactions and subscriptions
      • Some channels have tipping and gifting features that let fans send money directly to creators


Looking for a comprehensive list of platforms with booming creator funds? Here’s a breakdown of monetization opportunities by channel. 

 

TikTok

TikTok Creator Next: Creators accepted into the Creator Next program have access to TikTok’s monetization tools, which include the Creator Marketplace, Creator Fund, Video Gifts, LIVE Gifts, and Tips. Applicants are evaluated based on a combination of authentic views, engagement rates, and Community Guidelines compliance. Here’s a high-level breakdown of each of the tools:

      • Creator Marketplace: Where creators and brands set up collaborations on TikTok. 
      • Creator Fund: Creators must have at least 10,000 followers and at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days to be eligible.
      • Video Gifts: When enabled, viewers react to TikTok videos and gift Diamonds for their favorite videos. Creators can redeem Diamonds for money.
      • LIVE Gifts: If available on your TikTok account, viewers can react to your videos and give Diamonds this way too.
      • Tips: When enabled, viewers can send their favorite creators a monetary tip on their profile. 

 

 

YouTube

        • YouTube Partner Program: Creators must be in good standing with YouTube, have at least 1,000 subscribers, and 4,000 credible public watch hours over the last year to join the program. 
        • YouTube Shorts Fund: Anyone who creates a unique YouTube Shorts video is eligible for the YouTube Shorts Fund. YouTube reaches out to thousands of creators every month based on their video performance to coordinate a payout.

 

More monetization options: 

          • Earn ad revenue on any ad that runs on your channel, including display, overlay, and video ads. 
          • Upgrade to YouTube premium to earn part of a subscriber’s fee when viewers see your content. 
          • Through Super Chat and Super Stickers viewers can purchase messages and stickers during creator live streams and premieres.
          • Set up a merch shelf to sell your products/services directly to your audience.
          • Charge your subscribers for channel memberships and award them with exclusive benefits.
          • Leverage BrandConnect to connect with brands that will sponsor you and your content.

Facebook

                • Existing monetization tools: In-stream ad revenue, fan subscriptions, paid online events, creator shopping, and Meta’s native affiliate tool.
                • Facebook Stars: This feature lets creators monetize their Facebook streams by allowing viewers to purchase and send Stars or virtual gifts equating to various Star amounts. Each star is worth $0.01.
                • Bonuses: Available by invitation only, creators who are invited can earn bonuses on in-stream content. Through the Stars Challenge, participants can earn bonus Stars during their streams if they meet specific milestones, such as broadcasting for a certain number of hours or earning a set number of Stars within a designated time period.

 

Instagram

                • Existing monetization tools: IGTV ad revenue, fan support via Badges, fan subscriptions, paid online events, creator shopping, and Meta’s native affiliate tool.
                • Badges on Instagram Live: Viewers can show support to creators during a live video by purchasing badges that appear next to the viewer’s name for the stream’s duration.
                • Bonuses: Creators on Instagram are eligible to earn an extra payout when they meet certain milestones while using badges in Live, such as when they go Live with another account. They can also earn a one-time bonus by signing up for IGTV ads.

 

Twitter

                • Super Follows: Currently in beta mode, Twitter’s Super Follows program lets creators charge for subscriptions to view exclusive content. Eligible users must have over 10,000 active followers, have posted at least 25 Tweets in the past 30 days, and have been active for at least three months. 
                • Tips: Anyone 18 or older can install Twitter’s Tips feature on their mobile profile, which lets them accept payment in cash or Bitcoin over Twitter. While this isn’t specific to creators, Twitter expects that emerging creators, journalists, Twitter Spaces, and hosts will benefit from Tips. 
                • Ticketed Spaces: Twitter’s Clubhouse dupe, Twitter Spaces, features live audio conversations on Twitter. Now, there’s a paid version: Ticketed Spaces is a monetized version of its free counterpart where the host can limit audience size as well as make some cash. 

 

LinkedIn 

LinkedIn Creator Accelerator Program: While applications are now closed, this incubator-style program offers coaching, recognition, resources, and a $15,000 grant for LinkedIn creators to try out new concepts while growing their audience and engaging the LinkedIn community. 

 

Pinterest

Pinterest Creator Rewards: Currently in its testing phase, Creator Rewards pays creators for producing content that aligns with Pinterest’s editorial prompts. Creators will be paid for achieving predetermined engagement metrics, and are encouraged to beef up their engagement by making their Idea Pins shoppable, as well as pursuing paid partnerships with brands. 

 

Clubhouse 

                • Clubhouse Creator First Accelerator Program: Applicants receive a monthly stipend, new equipment, creative development, and promotional support, plus much more, all in exchange for launching and producing compelling Clubhouse content. 
                • Payments: Clubhouse creators can enable the payment feature for followers to send them money.

 

Twitch

While there is not yet a Twitch-run creator fund, creators can monetize their channels in the following ways, as shared on Twitch’s Creator Camp. But before they can start monetizing, they need to upgrade to Affiliate or Partner status. Once that’s finished, streamers can: 

                • Charge viewers for channel subscriptions and stream access.
                • Enable Bits for purchase, allowing viewers to purchase Bits and use them to Cheer your channel or stream. Partners and affiliates earn $0.01 for every Bit they receive. When viewers use Bits with extensions, the streamer gets 80% of that $0.01 commission. 
                • Earn ad revenue on their channel and stream content (Partner status only). 
                • Integrate an affiliate program with their channel via the Amazon Associates plug-in. 

 

Happy Monetizing!

Now that we’ve wrapped up our breakdown, we’re sure you’re overwhelmed with the options. A great monetization strategy is vital for determining the best course of action, regardless of whether you’re a brand or creator. Make sure you reference this breakdown when planning your future influencer marketing initiatives, and happy monetizing!

 

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