Social media has been and will continue to be a powerful tool for businesses and individuals. Everyone's goal is not just to get fame and grow on social media for whatever they are doing but also to earn. Generating income is the key aspect for whatever initiative an individual takes and trust me, in 2024 there is no better way to generate income than to use social media for it. More than 5.07 people are keen users of Social media, that is more than half of the world! Be it Twitter, TikTok, FaceBook, or Instagram, every platform has something to offer.
We do not need the basic familiarization with these platforms anymore as every other person has multiple accounts already however, it is high time we delve into the depth. The features, cons, and what each platform offers to cater to the user's needs! Billions of people globally use various platforms for an average of 2 hours every single day. Why waste time scrolling, and watching memes when you can earn? Each social media platform has features that cater to a wide range of users and align with their goals e.g. currently Instagram is the home for influencers and content creators because of its robust monetization and visual appeal. Most of us open Instagram right when we get a few minutes idle. TikTok is a platform that has explosively grown in the past few years. It is for creative minds whereas there is no better place to share your thoughts with the world than Twitter. If you think you were born a leader and are thoughtful, it might be the best possible option for you. Not to forget YouTube which has been providing a source of income to millions worldwide because of its unique revenue streams and video creation tools.
Choosing the right social media platform can be a tough job but is extremely important to get enough fame and earn enough. Each platform is suitable for a specific category of users and the goals of individuals thus, to increase your chances of succeeding take time choosing what you think is best for you. E.g. if you are someone who loves being in front of the camera and setting trends, you really should be on an outlook to enter the world of TikTok. Keep the demographics, your goals, and the content you want to create in your mind. Keeping these major aspects will attract the right audience as well as will push you to create better, more engaging content.
In the following article, you’ll get to read about all the pros and cons of the top 6 social media platforms- Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Not only this, but you will also grasp good information about choosing the right platform for yourself and making it a source of income. Let’s get started!
1. Instagram
Instagram is a social media platform we do not need to introduce, in short, it is the powerhouse of the world of social media. Visual content is what it provides the best. Instagram stories, posts, reels, and now proper communities to engage with your followers. If you are a pro at creating visual content that can make people stay at least for a few seconds, what are you waiting for? It is your time to shine. My tip for you is to focus on high-quality content and stay tuned to what is new in the world of social media. Trending audio and the latest trends people are following can increase your reach. Not only this, using trending hashtags will always be the best possible way to increase your visibility.
Talking about uploading content, focus on your target audience. You can keep a check on your account insights that provide you with the time of the day engagement is highest, the demographics of your audience, and your posts with the highest engagement. This can further help you create interactive content which will eventually make you grow. The fun part is there are thousands of influencers with the same goals you have set for yourself, you can collaborate with them or even various brands that will not just become a source of income for you but will also enhance your credibility. You can get paid to promote the products of a brand on stories or even by posting separate posts. For many influencers, this was the first step towards their success and they have been unstoppable ever since. Through all such monetization strategies, you can showcase your creativity globally and even earn commissions through your posts. One last tip is to stay regular on your profile and make sure to be interactive yourself be it in messages or the comment section!
2. YouTube
Whether you’re planning a trip and want to know what to pack, want to see a recipe, or want to learn something new… Youtube is the go-to platform for most of the people. To become a Youtube it is not necessary to publicly show yourself (if you don’t want to). Anything video that is engaging and high-quality is what people look forward to e.g. people have opened their teaching channels or how-to guide channels to help people out through animations etc.
Even on YouTube, being consistent is one thing that will help you grow at a faster pace and will result in increased viewer interest. Brainstorm ideas for your videos. For help, you can also view videos of other YouTubers to get inspired. Moreover, make sure to use specific keywords and descriptions in your videos. Subtitles are also a great option to reach an even wider audience!
Even if you opt for YouTube as the perfect platform, engaging with the audience can help you create a larger and more loyal fanbase. This way, more brands will also look forward to collaborating with you. Ad revenue is generated by showing ads on the videos you post and it is one of the monetization methods. Not just this, but to show how dedicated you are to your content or your channel, occasionally going live, can be a great option. This will not just diversify your appearance on the platform but your subscribers will also get to know more about you and will appreciate you!
3. TikTok
Most of the trends start from a platform with over 1.04 monthly users, TikTok. It is because algorithm-driven content on TikTok is common. Once you know how to match the current algorithm, you are all set! Getting popular on TikTok can be a swift and easy job that can be done if you follow a few tips.
To enhance your appearance on the platform, make sure to create engaging videos using trending audio and hashtags. Previously, you could post videos up to one minute but after the latest update longer videos can be made. Alongside being creative, make sure your content is authentic however, if your idea is inspired by another creator giving credits would enhance your credibility! In addition to this, you can allow your followers to duet with you by allowing it in settings and can open the comment section so there is high engagement on posts. Stick to a niche but do not hesitate to experiment with the content you make, this way you’ll know what your audience enjoys the most. Lastly, there are challenges you can participate in or can even start to further standout amongst other creators. This way you’ll have higher chances of getting viral!
Monetization of your content on TikTok can be done through collaboration and partnerships. This is done when brands themselves reach out to you, so you can help promote their products through fun challenges and videos. The funding is done per the quality and engagement on how you promote the products and services. Thus, collaboration not only gives you more fame but will also become a source of earnings for you solely from views and overall engagement rate. Not just this, one of the most distinct features of TikTok is that if you Livestream as a creator, your followers and people from all over the world can send virtual gifts that eventually translate into actual money. Using all the above-mentioned monetization options and consistently engaging with followers, being a creator on TikTok can be a profitable and interesting venture.
4. Twitter
A strategic mind and a thoughtful person are what Twitter requires. Whether it is to grow your audience or share your thoughts, an individual needs to have a strategy for every action taken on Twitter. This can be done by keeping a regular check on what is happening around the world, the latest updates, and insights especially if you need to have the news related to your industry. One of the major advantages of being an active member on Twitter is that it not only grants you fame and money but also enhances your leadership skills to a great extent.
There are many diverse options to engage with other members on Twitter e.g. you can retweet posts and pictures you find are valuable and interesting, can engage in comment sections, or can even direct message each other which is the most feasible option. This will not just set a milestone towards a loyal community but will also help you build connections from the industry you post about. Other features like using questionnaires, polls, and threads will contribute to increased engagement and a higher percentage of interaction.
Monetization of Twitter is done similarly to other platforms i.e. by collaboration and partnerships. You can tweet about the features and products and products a brand or business offers. Moreover, just like YouTube, Twitter also utilizes Advertisements to generate revenue thus, you can earn through your tweets and by promoting content that has to be sponsored. Are you ready to begin a profitable endeavor on Twitter?
5. Facebook
Launched in 2004, Facebook is a social media platform that has been powerful since its launch as it is one of the most easy to use and interactive platforms ever launched. It offered people from all over the world to connect and interact with each other. Who does not love watching engaging and fun content that can be shared with their friends and social circle? Thus, make sure to create engaging and unique content. Not just this, you can create a group for your friends and followers where you share content that resonates with them.
Post regular updates be they related to your personal life if you’re an influencer or regarding sales, offers, etc. if you are a brand/ business. To monetize, using ads for revenues is the easiest most convenient option however, Facebook also has the feature to reward you in return for the fan subscriptions your profile has. The payment is done monthly thus, the higher the reach the more you earn! For higher reach, make sure your presence is strong and engaging and your content is unique and fun to watch. Time to shine!
Hence, in conclusion, every single platform has its pros and cons but you need to take time to practically use them or learn about each one of them to choose the best for you. The app should offer features that align with what you want to do e.g. if you are good at expressing thoughts the world of Twitter awaits you whereas if creating visually appealing content is what you are best at, Instagram and TikTok are surely made for you. After choosing the right platform, whether your goal is to get fame or money… for either or both you need to utilize the monetization options e.g. through ads, collaborations, partnerships, or live streams! If you focus on one platform at a time, growing can be an easier, simpler task as you’ll have a chance to completely dedicate yourself to specific posting hours and content.