For those looking to make money online through a social network, channels such as Instagram, YouTube or Facebook may seem like the obvious place to start. But did you know that many users around the world benefit from initiatives carried out through Twitter?
While some people believe that Twitter is in decline, it is actually growing steadily. with 330 million monthly active users (that’s a 4% increase over last year), it is most popular than Pinterest, Snapchat and LinkedIn.
Like any other social network, the key to being in a position to make money on Twitter is to build a following. This will not happen overnight, so you must be prepared to put in the work.
With each of the tactics we’re going to suggest, you’ll see much more success if you have a respectable Twitter presence. This doesn’t have to mean huge numbers, but it does mean a relevant, engaged audience that likes and trusts you.
To achieve this, you will need to work on the following things over time:
- Post relevant, targeted content consistently
Find out more about how to get started with our full blog post Twitter tips for beginners.
Table of Contents Tweet Monitoring and Alert
Once you’ve built a following, you can consider your options for how to make money on Twitter. Here are our top 6 ideas:
1. Look for paid opportunities
Twitter is a powerful search engine and its search facilities are underutilized by many users.
If you’re a freelancer or consultant looking for paid work, or have specialized skills to offer, Twitter search can be a useful tool.
Simply start with a phrase like ‘looking for a freelance designer’, as shown in the example below, then click ‘Recent’ to display the most recent tweets containing those keywords.
Try variations, such as ‘graphic designer needed’ or ‘recommend a freelance designer’, and act quickly by sending a reply or direct message to introduce yourself.
For more tips on Twitter research, read our complete guide how to use twitter to find leads.
A Twitter search for ‘looking for a freelance designer’. The results show two recent tweets with that phrase.
Sponsored Tweets, like sponsored posts on Instagram or videos on YouTube, are Tweets that a brand is paying a user to publish.
When a user has built an audience of people with certain interests, relevant brands will pay to tap into that audience and get their products or services in front of them. This is known as influencer marketing.
An example of a sponsored Tweet from Twitter user @PhillyD that contains original video (video uploaded directly to Twitter).
There are agencies, such as Owned by Twitter Niche, which connects content creators with brands to help them monetize Twitter.
Alternatively, creators can go it alone and make their own connections, by contacting brands they’re interested in working with or searching for opportunities online. As a creator’s channel grows, brands will eventually start contacting them and the amount they can pay for sponsored posts will increase.
Influencers or content creators aren’t the only accounts posting sponsored Tweets. They can also come from established brands, businesses or media companies, as shown in the examples below from online magazines swimming pool.
Examples of sponsored tweets from media company The Pool.
3. Use affiliate links
Affiliate marketing, similar to influencer marketing, is a method that brands use to reach pre-existing audiences through publishers. Again, a publisher can be an individual creator or influencer, or it can be a business or a brand.
By posting affiliate links, content creators can earn a commission from every sale made through that link.
An example of a Tweet from @emshelx that contains an affiliate link to the jumper she’s modeling.
Affiliate marketing is a popular option among bloggers and influencers who promote products (usually fashion and beauty items) by sharing content about themselves and their lifestyle choices.
Some marketers and entrepreneurs also use affiliate marketing to build online businesses. They will team up with software companies, service providers or subscription-based businesses to create content. The purpose of this content will be to introduce, demonstrate and recommend products or services from the brand they have partnered with. In return, they will receive a commission for each sale.
4. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is the act of calling on a large group of people to raise funds, usually for business ventures and creative projects.
The prominent platform for this fundraising tactic is Kickstarter. Since its launch in April 2009, Kickstarter has helped fund 150,647 projects with the support of over 15 million people. In total, 3.9 billion US dollars have been pledged.
If you’re looking to make money on Twitter to fund an idea you have, crowdfunding can be a worthwhile move.
The process involves creating a campaign that outlines what your plans are and how you intend to spend the funds you raise. In exchange for pledges, fundraisers typically offer pre-determined gift packages to their supporters.
An example of a crowdfunding tweet from Twitter user @LanaParrilla.
5. Sell products
While it doesn’t offer direct shopping features, Twitter can be a great platform to help retailers and private sellers reach more customers.
Again, you’ll see more success once you build a relevant and engaged audience. Once you’ve done that, you can use Twitter to share links to the products you’re selling on any other site, from Amazon to Zazzle.
Alternatively, you can use Twitter as an advertising platform to help get your products in front of new customers. Aiming skills used by Twitter Ads it gives businesses the opportunity to be seen by the right people. Twitter includes a global audience and works in 40 languages.
An example of a promoted tweet from @BTBusiness, published through Twitter Ads.
As you build your knowledge and expertise around using Twitter to grow an audience, you may find an opportunity to create a service or product that can help other people make money on Twitter.
This could be in the form of a course, as in the example below, or an eBook, website, or even an app, for example.
New users are joining Twitter every day and there will always be people looking to learn from those who have more experience than them.
An example of a tweet about a course on Twitter by user @DesmondDreckett
Another idea: if you run a business, you can use twitter to find leads. For example, we have many ServPro franchise owners using Twilert to get home restoration data from Twitter
In conclusion, there are several ways you can make money on Twitter if you just give the channel the time and effort it deserves.
Get more Twitter tips from our blogor Tweet us to share how you are planning to monetize Twitter. Good luck!
