If you clicked on this post you’re probably wondering how many followers you need to start monetising your TikTok, Instagram or Facebook account? It’s a question that crosses the minds of many aspiring content creators and we’ve all seen and heard wild success stories of influencers who seem to be living the dream, while raking it in from their online fame.

But what exactly is the magic number? Well, unsurprisingly, the answer is it depends – let me explain. And don’t worry, I promise to give you some solid numbers later on!

When it comes to social media monetization, success cannot be measured by follower count alone, it’s essential to define and understand the key metrics that truly indicate your progress and potential for generating income. So let’s explore some of these metrics and their significance in the world of social media influence.

Followers

One of the most obvious metrics to consider is follower count – while a high number of followers can be an indicator of popularity and reach, it’s important to remember that quality is equally, if not more, important than quantity. Having a smaller but highly engaged and loyal following can often lead to more lucrative monetization opportunities compared to a large but uninterested audience. So, instead of fixating solely on growing your follower count, focus on building an engaged community that resonates with your content and personal brand.

READ MORE: How to Get More Views & Followers on Instagram Reels

Demographics

Audience demographics play a vital role in social media monetization, allowing yourself and any potential partners to understand who your audience is, including their age, gender, location and interests. Brands and advertisers will be specifically looking for creators and influencers who have a target audience matching their desired customer base and as a result, some demographics will have higher purchasing power (and therefore higher value) than others.

Niche Relevance

Another important aspect to consider is niche relevance. It’s not just about having a significant following, it’s about having a dedicated and passionate audience within a specific niche. Focusing on a specific niche allows you to establish yourself as an expert in that area, which can lead to more targeted and lucrative monetization opportunities. Brands value influencers who have authority and credibility within a particular niche, as their audience is more likely to trust their recommendations.

Engagement 

Engagement is another crucial metric to consider, including various factors such as likes, comments, shares, and saves on your social media posts. High engagement indicates an active and interested audience that is likely to pay attention to your recommendations and sponsored content. Brands often value influencers with strong engagement rates as it demonstrates their ability to drive meaningful interactions and influence their audience’s behaviour.

READ MORE: Social Media Algorithm Tips & Secrets for Short Form Video

So far we’ve only established that the number of follower you need to start making money depends on numerous factors, however I guess that’s probably not the answer you were looking for. While I can’t give you an exact magic number, I can give you some averages that will hopefully give you a good idea – so let’s explore some general trends and figures based a few different sources.

Insights from Influencers

CreatorIQ, a well-known influencer marketing platform, provides insights into influencer earnings based on their extensive network of influencers. Their data suggests that influencers with 10,000 to 50,000 followers can earn an average of $500 to $1,000 per sponsored post, while those with 50,000 to 100,000 followers can earn between $1,000 and $3,000 per post.

As follower count continues to rise, influencers with 100,000 to 500,000 followers can earn an average of $3,000 to $10,000 per post, and those with over 500,000 followers can earn even higher amounts.

In my personal experience as a content creator, I stared earning a small but notable amount from social media (less than $1000 per month) once I had reached around 10k followers on Instagram and 25k followers on TikTok.

Make money with less than 10k followers

While having a large following can open up more opportunities for monetization, it’s important to note that you can still earn money with less than 10k followers on social media. As I mentioned earlier, by focusing on establishing yourself in a specific niche, you can still attract an engaged audience that values your knowledge and insights. Brands and businesses looking to reach a niche audience may be interested in collaborating with you, even with a smaller follower count.

Also remember to look beyond social media platforms for additional revenue streams, by diversifying your income streams you can increase your earning potential and mitigate reliance on follower count alone.

Of course it’s important to remember that these figures are averages and can vary significantly depending on various factors we covered in the previous section. Additionally, earnings are not solely derived from individual sponsored posts but can also come from other monetization avenues like freelance content creation, affiliate marketing, product sales and more – depending on the creator.

In conclusion, the question of how many followers you need to start monetizing your social media accounts does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on various factors such as engagement, audience demographics, niche relevance, and the specific monetization strategies you employ.

Ultimately, success in social media monetization is not solely determined by follower count, but rather by building meaningful connections with your audience, delivering valuable content, and adapting to the ever evolving landscape.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide on specific monetization strategies and income streams, I highly recommend checking out a previous blog post titled “Making Money with Social Media – 10 Income Streams for Content Creators”.

READ MORE: Making Money with Social Media – 10 Income Streams for Content Creators 

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