Can you really make money from social media?
In this article, Andy Alldritt, Head of Digital Marketing at 8848, explores the potential of social media as a real income generator.
Forget the news headlines and endless speculation – let’s get real about social media riches. Your parents might scoff, but is there actual cash to be made from posting, tweeting, and going live?
Forget the news headlines and endless speculation – let’s get real about social media riches. Your parents might scoff, but is there actual cash to be made from posting, tweeting, and going live?
Enter social media superstar, the refreshingly honest @mummysflippinhouse. This mum-of-three last night blew the lid wide open on her income across platforms, proving social media success doesn’t turn into cash on every platform.
Caroline Parker, otherwise known as @mummysflippinhouse has 821,000 followers on TikTok, 324,000 followers on Instagram and 90,000 on YouTube. Born a Brit, she has recently moved back to the UK from the USA. Her content is searingly honest and very funny.
“I saw a TikTok once of someone calculating how much Avery Woods and Emilie Kiser made on TikTok payment scheme,” she said on an Instagram story last night.
“They said that you get paid $1/£1 per 1,000. Trust me guys, it’s not haha.
“The higher your views the lower the amount TikTok actually gives you. This video comment section was bashing content creators saying they make £40-70K a month just from the TikTok app. They don’t. What fun that would be ey? Don’t get me wrong, it’s all fab and you defo make a little amount that’s not to be snubbed at but to think TikTok pay out $40K a month just doesn’t happen.”
Caroline then published what she had made from TikTok in the last 28 days.
The most watched film got 930,000 qualified views and earned her $110.40. Another film which got less views 760,000 but paid more, earnt her $182.
So where is the money? Caroline went on to talk about YouTube, where she said you can make $15-20 per 1,000 views on long form videos. She said she knows of people making $60,000-$100,000 a month on YouTube.
Again, Caroline published her own income from YouTube which showed that in the last 28 days she had made $3,505 from her content. She caveats this by pointing out that YouTube is hard. Editing takes a long time and that a lot of large YouTubers have editors because it takes so long.
Finally, Caroline opens the lid on Instagram, which pays…nothing.
So, how does YouTube work and how can you make money?
YouTube Partner Programme (YPP)
This is the most common way YouTubers earn money. YPP allows you to display ads before, during, or after your videos. When viewers watch these ads, you get a share of the revenue. To be eligible for YPP, your channel needs to meet certain criteria, including having 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year.
How to get started with YPP
Firstly, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. This will not only help you grow your channel but also make it more attractive to advertisers.
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for YPP through YouTube Studio.
Next, you need to set up AdSense. AdSense is Google’s advertising programme that manages ad placements and payments. You’ll need to connect an AdSense account to your YouTube channel.
Expanding Your Revenue Streams
Finally, while YPP is a great starting point, there are other ways to make money on YouTube:
- Channel memberships – offer exclusive content, perks, or early access to videos for viewers who subscribe to your channel for a monthly fee.
- Brand deals and sponsorships – partner with brands relevant to your niche to create sponsored content or promote their products in your videos.
- Affiliate marketing – recommend products or services you use and love. You’ll earn a commission if viewers purchase through your affiliate links.
- Sell your own merchandise – if you’ve built a strong brand, consider creating and selling merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, or other items featuring your logo or catchphrases.
Why Choose 8848?
Proven expertise
We boast a rich history of working with both established giants and ambitious newcomers, guiding them all towards marketing mastery.
Award-winning creativity
Our team creates captivating content that grabs attention across every channel imaginable.
Comprehensive solutions
We go beyond just design, offering a full spectrum of creative, PR, and communication services for a truly integrated approach.
Ready to take your brand to the next level? Contact 8848 today.
