You’ve probably seen social media influencers living luxurious lives, decked out in designer clothes and posting pictures of fancy restaurants and five-star hotels. Indeed, the top 50 creators on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube earned a combined $853 million in 2025, according to Forbes. But how exactly do they make money on social media?
In-app monetization features and brand partnerships can help creators generate extra income, but the real money is in starting your own business. Ahead, you’ll learn how much each social media platform pays and how to get started.
Read more
- How to Start a Dropshipping Business- A Complete Playbook for 2024
- The Ultimate Guide To Dropshipping (2024)
- 7 Types of Ecommerce Tools You Need for a Successful Online Business
- 5 Organic Marketing Ideas for Entrepreneurs
- How To Make Your First 10 Sales
- Why Brands Use Metafields
- Get Your Store Ready for the Holidays- 40+ Apps, Ideas, and Examples
- How to Sell on YouTube- 5 Easy Ways
- TikTok Merch: How To Make and Sell it on Tiktok
- Is Dropshipping on Walmart Worth It?
How to make money on social media FAQ
How do you get paid for being on social media?
There are several ways you get paid for being on social media. You can make money through affiliate marketing, in which you partner with a brand, post affiliate links for the brand’s products, and then earn a commission when customers buy products through your links. You can also get paid for sponsored posts, on-screen ads, and engaging content (you’ll get paid directly from the platform). The best way to get paid on social media is by selling your own products to your established audience.
Which social media platform is best for earning money?
Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are all good platforms for earning money through content monetization strategies like affiliate marketing and sponsored posts. The best way to earn money on social media, however, is to start an ecommerce business and market directly to your audience.
How many followers do you need to make money on social media?
There’s no single number for how many followers you need to make money on social media. Microinfluencers with as few as 1,000 followers can make money. The best prediction of how much money you’ll make is follower engagement.
