Snapchat is more than just a messaging app—it’s an untapped platform for monetization. With millions of active users, especially from Gen Z and Millennials, Snapchat provides creators, influencers, and businesses several ways to generate revenue. From Spotlight rewards to selling merchandise, Snapchat offers unique opportunities for those willing to explore its potential. This guide will explain nine effective ways to make money on Snapchat in 2024.
Why Snapchat is a Powerful Platform for Monetization
Snapchat’s active user base, especially among younger generations, makes it a prime platform for monetization. Gen Z and Millennials are highly engaged on Snapchat, opening the app multiple times a day to stay connected with friends, discover new content, and interact with brands. This engagement allows creators and businesses to reach an audience that is receptive to short-form, interactive content.
Snapchat stands out because of its unique features like Snap Map, where users can explore content globally; Spotlight, which showcases viral content; and Stories, a go-to feature for sharing moments. These tools allow creators and businesses to engage audiences creatively, making Snapchat an exciting monetizing platform.
9 Effective Ways to Make Money on Snapchat
1. Snapchat Spotlight: Earn Money by Creating Viral Content
Overview: Snapchat Spotlight is a feature designed to discover viral content. Creators can submit short videos, and if their content performs well, they can earn monthly rewards. Spotlight rewards creators who get high engagement, providing users with an easy way to make money by creating fun and engaging videos.
Eligibility: To qualify for Spotlight rewards, you must meet specific criteria. Your account must be at least 1 month old, have a minimum of 1,000 followers, and receive over 10,000 views in a calendar month. Regular participation in Spotlight challenges, which are themed content submissions, can also boost your chances of earning rewards.
2. Snapchat Creator Stories: Earn Ad Revenue on Your Stories
Explanation: If you’re an established creator with a large following, Snapchat’s Creator Stories program allows you to earn revenue through ads placed between your Snaps. This is similar to how other platforms, like YouTube, enable creators to earn from ads. By consistently posting engaging stories, creators can share in Snapchat’s ad revenue.
Eligibility Criteria: To participate in Creator Stories, you need at least 50,000 subscribers on your public profile. In addition, your account should have over 25 million views or 12,000 hours of watch time in the last 28 days. Posting consistently—at least 20 Snaps per day for 10 days within a month—is another key requirement for earning through this program.
3. Sponsored Content: Partner with Brands via Creator Marketplace
Description: Snapchat’s Creator Marketplace connects influencers with brands for paid collaborations. Like platforms like Instagram or TikTok, brands can search for creators based on their niche, follower count, and engagement rates. Sponsored content allows influencers to promote products to their followers in a natural and engaging way.
Examples: Brands like Amazon Echo and Gymshark have partnered with influencers on Snapchat to promote their products. By leveraging the Creator Marketplace, influencers can control their rates and choose which projects to accept, making sponsored content a lucrative monetization method.
4. Leverage Affiliate Marketing to Boost Your Income
Explanation: Affiliate marketing allows creators to earn a commission by promoting a product or service. Snapchat influencers can share affiliate links in their Snaps, encouraging followers to purchase. Every sale made through the affiliate link earns the creator a percentage of the revenue.
Attributes: This method of monetization is effective because it provides passive income. Once the affiliate links are shared, the creator can track sales and continue earning from past promotions without needing to create new content every day.
5. Snapchat Takeovers: Collaborate with Influencers for Engagement
Overview: Snapchat takeovers are a powerful way to boost engagement. In a takeover, a well-known influencer temporarily takes over a brand’s Snapchat account to create and post content. This can attract the influencer’s followers to the brand’s profile, increasing both visibility and engagement.
Examples: Influencers often promote their takeovers on their own profiles, encouraging their audience to check out the brand’s Snapchat. This kind of collaboration can quickly grow a brand’s follower count and drive sales.
6. Promote Your Products and Services
Description: For businesses, Snapchat offers an effective way to showcase products and services. Using Snap Stories, brands can highlight the unique features and benefits of their offerings. Whether it’s through product demos, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes footage, Snapchat provides a dynamic way to engage potential customers.
Examples: Brands like Gymshark have successfully used Snapchat Stories to promote their fitness products. By showcasing products in action, they engage their audience in an authentic and relatable way, driving sales.
7. Sell Merchandise Using Snapchat’s Shop Feature
Overview: Snapchat’s integration with Shopify allows creators and businesses to sell merchandise directly through the app. By setting up a storefront via Snap Store, creators can promote their products to their followers, making it easy for them to browse and purchase without leaving the app.
Examples: Whether it’s branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or unique digital products, Snapchat provides a seamless shopping experience for users, helping creators turn their audience into paying customers.
8. Snapchat Ads: Drive Conversions Through Targeted Ads
Description: Snapchat offers several types of ads—like Snap Ads, Story Ads, and Collection Ads—that businesses can use to target specific audiences. These ads are designed to drive clicks, app downloads, or website visits, making them a great tool for businesses looking to increase sales.
Best Practices: To create successful Snapchat ads, it’s essential to use engaging visuals and clear calls to action. Snapchat users are drawn to short, snappy content, so making the ads attention-grabbing from the first second is key.
9. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC) for Authentic Engagement
Overview: User-generated content (UGC) is one of the most trusted forms of content on social media. Encouraging your audience to create and share content that features your products or services can boost your brand’s authenticity and trustworthiness. You can feature UGC in your Snapchat ads to show real customers using your product.
Example: Brands like Moitié have used UGC to create a more authentic connection with their audience, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
Best Practices for Making Money on Snapchat
Know Your Audience
Understanding your audience is crucial when trying to make money on Snapchat. Each demographic interacts with the app differently, so knowing what content your followers enjoy is important. Gen Z users, for instance, maybe more drawn to entertaining and visually appealing stories. At the same time, Millennials might appreciate more informative or practical content. By identifying your audience’s interests and preferences, you can tailor your content to engage them effectively, increasing the likelihood of earning through ads, partnerships, or sales.
Create Engaging, Short-Form Content
Snapchat is designed for quick, bite-sized content that captures attention within seconds. The best practice is to hook viewers within the first 3 seconds of your story or Snap. Use eye-catching visuals, bold text, and concise messaging to communicate your point effectively. Because Snapchat content disappears quickly, urgency plays a big role in grabbing attention. Keep your content fresh and fast-paced to keep users engaged and coming back for more, increasing your chances of monetization.
Utilize Snapchat’s Creative Tools to Stand Out
Snapchat offers a range of creative tools such as filters, lenses, stickers, and augmented reality (AR) effects that can make your content more interactive and unique. Using these tools, you can create fun and immersive experiences for your audience. Lenses and filters, in particular, are popular with users and can increase engagement by encouraging your followers to share your content. The more you stand out, the more likely your content will go viral, which is essential for qualifying for Snapchat’s revenue programs like Spotlight.
How to Qualify for Snapchat’s Revenue Programs
You must meet specific eligibility criteria to earn money through Snapchat’s revenue programs. Snapchat offers various ways to monetize, but each has its own set of requirements.
Spotlight: To qualify for Snapchat Spotlight rewards, you need at least 1,000 followers and 10,000 views in a calendar month. Additionally, posting original content that resonates with viewers is crucial for gaining high engagement.
Creator Stories: The criteria for earning ad revenue through Creator Stories are more stringent. You’ll need at least 50,000 subscribers, 25 million views, or 12,000 hours of view time over the past 28 days. You’ll also need to post consistently with at least 20 Snaps daily for 10 days within a month.
You can earn money through Snapchat’s revenue-sharing models by consistently meeting these metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can you make on Snapchat?
The amount of money you can earn on Snapchat varies widely based on your follower count and engagement levels. Influencers with larger followings can make anywhere from $500 to $10,000 per post through sponsorships. For smaller creators, Snapchat Spotlight offers monthly rewards based on engagement, with the potential to earn up to $250 per prize.
How do I become eligible for Snapchat’s Creator Programs?
You must meet specific follower and engagement metrics to qualify for Snapchat’s Creator Programs, such as Spotlight and Creator Stories. For Spotlight, a minimum of 1,000 followers and consistent views (at least 10,000 per month) are required. For Creator Stories, you need at least 50,000 subscribers and consistent content creation over 10 days each month.
How can small businesses benefit from Snapchat?
Small businesses can use Snapchat to reach a younger audience and promote their products or services. Snapchat offers targeted ads and filters that allow businesses to reach specific locations or demographics. Additionally, small businesses can build trust and increase sales by collaborating with influencers or leveraging user-generated content. Snapchat’s geo-filters and ad tools are particularly effective for local businesses looking to capture nearby customers.
Do I need a public profile to monetize on Snapchat?
Yes, a public profile is essential for monetizing on Snapchat. With a public profile, users can subscribe to your content, which is required to participate in Snapchat’s Creator Programs like Spotlight and Creator Stories. A public profile also increases your visibility, allowing brands to discover and collaborate with you.
Can I use Snapchat for affiliate marketing?
Absolutely! Snapchat is a great platform for affiliate marketing. Creators can share affiliate links in their Snaps or Stories, directing followers to purchase products or services. Every sale made through an affiliate link earns the creator a commission, making it a lucrative way to earn passive income. Promoting relevant products to your audience can boost your earnings through affiliate marketing on Snapchat.
Final Thoughts: Maximize Your Snapchat Earnings
Making money on Snapchat requires a combination of creative content and a strong understanding of the platform’s unique features. By utilizing tools like Spotlight, Creator Stories, and brand partnerships, creators can build significant revenue streams. Consistently creating engaging content, understanding your audience, and leveraging Snapchat’s built-in monetization tools are key to maximizing your earnings on the platform. Whether you’re an influencer, small business, or everyday creator, Snapchat offers many opportunities to turn your creativity into income.
Stephen is the author and creator behind Snapchatplanet.org, a platform dedicated to providing in-depth guides, updates, and insights about Snapchat’s latest features, including the popular Snapchat Planets. With a keen interest in social media trends and a passion for simplifying technology, Stephen ensures that his readers get clear, accurate, and up-to-date information.