Turn passion into profit with Printify
Social media is your fastest route to making more money online. With the right approach, your posts, video content, and stories can do more than earn likes – they can unlock income streams and increase your audience size at the same time.
You’ll learn how to make money on social media in seven exciting and realistic ways, from selling custom products to getting paid directly by the platforms themselves.
Ready to stop scrolling and start earning? Let’s go.
Key takeaways
- Social media platforms offer many ways to make money, from brand deals and affiliate marketing to selling custom products.
- Short-form videos and engaging content help you attract – and keep – your audience’s attention.
- Using TikTok Shop and Printify lets you earn revenue without managing inventory.
- Consistency and authenticity are key to growing your social media presence.
- Tracking analytics shows what content drives sales and what needs tweaking.
- Collaborating with others and leveraging trends can expand your reach while staying true to your brand.
Which social platforms are the most relevant in 2025?
Choosing the right social platforms is key to earning money online, building income streams, and reaching your audience while supporting different content creators and monetization options.
TikTok
TikTok dominates short-form videos and social commerce, especially through TikTok Shop, where creators can tag products directly in their content. It’s perfect for those looking to make money on social media through ad revenue, live shopping, affiliate links, and fast-growing brand partnerships.
Instagram blends visual content with eCommerce through Reels, Stories, Lives, and Instagram Shopping. It supports brand deals and partnerships, promoting branded merchandise, and provides multiple revenue streams with sponsored content and direct product sales.
Today’s Instagram influencers act as modern shop windows, mixing inspiration with commerce to drive sales and build trust.
YouTube
YouTube remains the gold standard for video content, offering multiple monetization options like ad revenue, channel memberships, Super Chat, and Shorts. It’s ideal for content creators focused on long-form content and building stable income through subscriptions and sponsorships.
Facebook offers diverse monetization tools – Marketplace, Shops, targeted ads, and live streams – making it a solid choice for social media marketing and selling products to a broad audience.
Pinterest excels at social commerce and driving traffic, especially for niches like home, wellness, and eCommerce. Promoted Pins and shoppable visuals help creators sell merchandise and showcase digital art or physical products, and drive traffic to online stores.
Pinterest is a valuable tool for expanding your reach while supporting your overall monetization strategy.
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professionals selling coaching, mentorship, or online courses. It supports building your social media presence and network, helping you convert expertise into income.
Twitch
Twitch is the leading platform for live streams and video game streaming, allowing creators to earn money through subscriptions, ad revenue, and direct viewer support.
It’s great for interactive, real-time content creators who want to monetize their audience engagement directly.
Discord
Discord isn’t just for gaming communities anymore. It’s a powerful platform for building a connection with your audience. Creators can monetize via monthly fee memberships, exclusive channels, live Q-and-As, and premium communities, making it an effective add-on for your creator economy strategy.
X
X (formerly Twitter) is best used to support your larger strategy: sharing updates, sparking discussions, and funneling followers to platforms with real monetization like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube.
7 Ways to make money from social media
If you’re ready to stop scrolling and start earning, these seven practical methods will show you how to make money from social media in ways that fit your brand, skills, and audience.
1. Sell custom products
Selling custom products is one of the smartest ways to make money on social media while building your brand on your terms. With Print on Demand (POD), you can design and sell directly without worrying about inventory or upfront costs.
Use Printify to create everything from t-shirts and mugs to tote bags and sell them on Instagram, Facebook Reels, Pinterest, and TikTok Shop.
TikTok Shop is a game changer, letting you tag products in short-form videos so your audience can buy in-app while your content builds trust and excitement.
Share your own products in Instagram Stories, use Reels for styling ideas, or go live flaunting your newest merch to drive real-time sales. This approach helps you earn revenue while attracting more followers who align with your brand vibe.
With high-quality visuals, clear calls to action, and a consistent posting schedule, you can transform your social media platform from a content gallery into a sales engine, all while focusing on your creativity and community.
Check out our guide on how to make money on TikTok for additional ideas on monetizing this social media platform.
Starting with Printify is easy:
- Sign up for free.
- Browse the Product Catalog with over 1,300 amazing blanks from t-shirts to candles and even coffee.
- Design your products in our Product Creator. It gives you access to an AI image generator, a background removal tool, a text editor, and more.
- Connect your Printify account to one of our integrated eCommerce channels.
- Let our Print Providers handle production, shipping, and fulfillment while you sell and grow.
2. Become a micro influencer
You don’t need a million followers to earn money as a creator. Micro influencers – with 1,000 to 50,000 engaged followers – often outperform bigger accounts in brand partnerships and sponsored social media posts thanks to their strong connection with their audience.
Start by choosing one or two social media platforms that align with your content style. Instagram Reels, Stories, and TikTok are perfect for showcasing lifestyle, fashion, or fitness, while YouTube Shorts can build your presence with consistent short-form videos.
Post regularly to grow more followers and position yourself as a voice in your niche.
Share:
- Product reviews
- Styling tips
- Tutorials relevant to your audience.
Use hashtags strategically to increase reach and tag brands you genuinely use to get on their radar.
When your engagement is consistent, pitch yourself to brands by highlighting your audience demographics, average views, and the authenticity of your content. Brands often look for small influencers in certain countries to run targeted campaigns, giving you a clear advantage.
Remember, micro-influencing isn’t just about promoting products. It’s about creating useful content for your audience while building a sustainable income stream from sponsored posts and brand deals along the way.
3. Offer templates and digital products
If you have design skills or industry knowledge, consider selling exclusive content like Canva templates, social media planners, Lightroom presets, or eBooks.
Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok are perfect for promoting digital goodies to drive traffic to your Etsy or Shopify store.
These products can be sold globally, making it an effective way to learn how to make money on social media without being an influencer while building scalable revenue streams.
4. Include affiliate links on your profiles
Affiliate marketing is a proven way to earn more money on social media platforms without creating your own products. It works well for many creators in a specific niche looking to diversify income while sharing creative content.
Join affiliate networks like Shopify Collabs or ShareASale, or pitch brand partnerships directly to companies that align with your audience. You can also find brand deals through influencer marketplaces like Aspire or by reaching out to brands you already use.
Once you have deals, add your unique links provided by companies to your Instagram bio, Stories, YouTube descriptions, Pinterest Pins, and TikTok profiles.
To promote products effectively:
- Create short-form videos or Reels showing how you use the product.
- Share practical tips in Stories with tappable links.
- Add clear CTAs like “shop via my link” to drive clicks.
This turns everyday posts into passive income generators. And for creators in the POD space, the Printify Affiliate Program is perfect: earn a 5% commission for 12 months on each referral, custom promo codes, and monthly payouts via PayPal.
5. Coaching and mentorship programs
If you have a skill others want to learn, coaching is one of the best monetization strategies on social media. It allows you to sell directly, build a direct connection with potential customers, and position yourself as an authority in your specific niche.
Where to start:
- LinkedIn – Ideal for business consulting, career mentorship, and B2B niches. Use posts, live sessions, and articles to share expertise.
- Instagram and Facebook – Share testimonials and mini trainings in Stories, Reels, and Lives to attract warm leads.
- Discord – Build a private community for 1:1 and group coaching, offering direct support, access, accountability, and Q-and-A sessions.
- YouTube – Use short-form videos and Lives to showcase your knowledge and funnel viewers to your coaching offers.
What to offer:
- 1:1 mentorship sessions
- Group coaching programs
- Online courses for scalable income
- Paid Discord or Facebook groups
To boost sales, bundle sessions with worksheets or exclusive video lessons to add value. Creators use a mix of free content and structured paid offerings to build trust, proving that coaching is one of the clearest ways a social media platform pays those ready to teach.
6. Monetize your content directly through platforms
Want to know how to get paid on social media for your video content? Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook offer powerful monetization approaches to turn your streaming content into consistent income.
- TikTok – Use the Creator Fund, LIVE gifting, and TikTok Shop to monetize short-form videos while growing your reach.
- YouTube – Earn through ad revenue, channel memberships (charging a monthly fee for exclusive content), Super Chat during lives, and Shorts bonuses to diversify your income.
- Facebook – Monetize Reels and Lives with Stars while offering exclusive, behind-the-scenes content.
These platforms allow content creators and many social media influencers to earn ad revenue, sell directly, and connect with potential customers without leaving the app.
If you’re creating regularly, these monetization approaches are essential to turn your efforts into a steady, scalable income while building a loyal community around your work.
Fun facts:
- Kendall Rae built a 3.9 million subscriber YouTube channel covering in-depth crime cases. She earns around $4,500 per video just from ad revenue, plus brand collaborations with companies like Audible and HelloFresh.
She offers member-only content at $4.99/month, creating a direct connection with her audience while generating steady monthly income. - Kimbyrleigha, with her forensic-leaning approach, draws around 65 million monthly views and makes an estimated $1,000–$3,000/month from ads. She also offers member-only videos on YouTube with tiered pricing from $2.99 to $9.99/month, providing exclusive content like early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and ad-free videos.
What you can apply now:
- Choose a niche (e.g., fashion, design, true crime, mental health).
- Regularly post video content with in-depth storytelling or live analysis.
- Eligible creators can enable ad revenue (YouTube Partner Program).
- Offer exclusive, behind‑the‑scenes content or memberships on platforms like Patreon or Discord.
- Package it nicely to unlock monetization opportunities using multi-platform revenue: ads, sponsorships, affiliate commissions, and premium content.
7. Create user-generated content for brands
If you’re looking for ways to make money on social media without building a personal brand, creating user-generated content (UGC) for brands is your best entry point into the creator economy.
Brands on most platforms need authentic short-form videos, testimonials, and product photography to use in their ads, Stories, or Instagram posts. They pay creators to produce this content while letting you stay off-camera or behind the scenes if you prefer.
Pitch your services to brands you love, or join UGC marketplaces like Billo, Trend, or #paid to find monetization options that match your style. Create aesthetic or ASMR unboxing videos, quick product demos, or before-and-after reels showcasing results.
This strategy lets you get paid for creating content while building your skills, portfolio, and industry connections without the pressure of growing a large personal following.
Tips for long-term success
If you want to earn money on social channels sustainably, focus on these proven steps. They’ll help you monetize content effectively while building a brand and community that lasts.
1. Choose the right platform
Various platforms pay differently and cater to unique audiences. TikTok and YouTube are great for video content, while Instagram excels in lifestyle and eCommerce. Pick platforms aligned with your niche and content style.
2. Be consistent with posting
Regular posting helps build trust and keeps your audience engaged. Consistency is key for algorithms to favor your content, helping you reach more viewers and potential buyers.
3. Engage with your audience
Reply to comments, host Lives, and interact in Stories to build community. Engagement increases visibility and strengthens loyalty.
4. Use CTAs
Encourage your followers to comment, share, visit your link in bio, or subscribe to your monthly fee memberships. Clear CTAs guide your audience to take meaningful action.
5. Track what works
Use platform analytics to see which posts drive the most engagement and which monetization options convert best. Refine your strategy to double down on what resonates.
6. Leverage trends but stay authentic
Hop on trending sounds, challenges, and topics, but make sure they align with your brand’s voice to stay genuine while expanding reach.
7. Collaborate with others
Work with other creators in your niche to cross-promote content, grow your audience, and diversify your strategy to earn money on social channels while tapping into new communities.
Make money on social media with Printify
Ready to make more money on social media without inventory stress or high startup costs? With Printify, design and sell custom products directly through TikTok Shop.
Connect your store, add your designs, and let Printify handle production and shipping while you focus on creating content and growing your community.
FAQ
The best social media platform to make money depends on your niche, audience, and content style. TikTok and YouTube excel for video content, helping creators earn money through ad sharing, brand deals, and direct sales.
Instagram is perfect for visual content and eCommerce, especially with Reels and Stories, while LinkedIn is strong for B2B services, coaching, and professional offers. X can help with thought leadership and building a community around specific topics.
Content creators find TikTok and YouTube the most effective for securing consistent income, thanks to their high discoverability and built-in monetization options.
You can make money on social media by using ad monetization, brand partnerships, affiliate URLs, and selling products with your designs. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram let you monetize content directly, while YouTube offers ad revenue and channel memberships.
For a simple way to sell products, use Printify to design and sell custom items through TikTok Shop, Shopify, Pop-Up Store, or other platforms without upfront costs or inventory stress. This lets you focus on creating content while turning your audience into loyal customers.
You don’t need millions of followers to make money on social media. What matters most is having an engaged community that trusts your recommendations and interacts with your content.
Many creators start earning with just 1,000–5,000 followers by focusing on high-value content and consistent posting. Micro Instagram influencers often see higher engagement rates, making them appealing for brand deals, affiliate partnerships, and selling products.
Focus on:
- Providing actionable, authentic content for your audience.
- Using CTAs to guide followers to your offers.
- Testing monetization options like affiliate URLs or digital products.
You can earn money on social media through multiple revenue streams, including sponsored content, affiliate commissions, and selling physical or digital products. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube also offer monetization opportunities like creator funds to help you get paid for your content.
Each method leverages your audience’s trust and engagement to turn your presence into consistent income.
How to use social media to make money: Conclusion
Social media isn’t just for scrolling. It’s your launchpad to make money and build a brand you care about. Whether it’s sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or selling custom products, these platforms help you reach new audiences and earn revenue doing what you enjoy.
This guide has shown you how to make money off social media with practical strategies for growth, audience engagement, and monetization. Now it’s your move.
Ready to turn likes into lasting income? Let’s get started.
