How to Make Money from Facebook: 14 Ways to Get Started

Facebook is the world’s number one social media platform so it’s easy to see that people want to learn how to make money from Facebook.

As of the fourth quarter of 2020, Facebook has over 2.7 billion monthly active users (Source).

It is no surprise, therefore, that many people and businesses try to earn money from Facebook. With such a vast potential audience, it makes good sense.

With such a huge audience, everyone from individuals to small- to medium-sized businesses to entire industries are all using Facebook to make money.

Here are some ways you can make money from Facebook.

How to Make Money From Facebook as an Individual

As an ordinary Facebook user, are there ways to earn from Facebook?

The answer is yes, definitely.

Of course, it becomes easier the wider your audience gets (as you’ll read below), but if you don’t want to do this (or don’t want to yet), here are some ways you can make money from Facebook as a regular user.

1. Sell Anything on Facebook Marketplace

Facebook created Facebook Marketplace for people to sell pre-loved or brand new items.

Since other Facebook users can filter the items based on location, category, or keywords, you can take advantage of the many users of Facebook and sell to interested parties.

Facebook allows its users to sell almost anything under the sun, with a few exceptions.

You do have put in a little more effort than how you put your past stuff on Craigslist. Because the marketplace can easily get crowded, you have to add catchy titles and descriptions with high-quality pictures.

The amount you earn from selling at the Facebook Marketplace depends on the number of items you list, how aggressive you are with marketing, and if you accompany Marketplace with another platform.

2. Sell Items on Facebook Buy and Sell Groups

Facebook has Buy and Sell Groups, which are Facebook Groups that have features especially for listing items for sale, searching items to buy, and marking items as sold.

There are plenty of Buy and Sell Groups that are grouped by city or area (for example, buying and selling in Seattle), by the type of goods being bought and sold (for example, buying groups for makeup, bags, or sneakers), or by a common interest that just happen to have the Buy and Sell feature activated (for example, a parenting group or a skateboarding group).

Keep in mind that the restrictions on items that apply to Facebook Marketplace also apply to Buy and Sell Groups.

3. Earn Revenues From Ads on Facebook Pages

Facebook Pages are normally for businesses, organizations, and public figures, but if you’re a content creator, you can create a Facebook Page to host your content.

If your Facebook Page is popular (that is, plenty of followers and high engagement), you’re likely to attract sponsors and ad publishers.

If the niche is right and you feel an ad campaign will go perfectly with the focus of your Facebook Page, then not only will you help your followers by recommending a product or service, but you’ll also be able to make some money from it.

Depending on the terms agreed, sponsorships can be a one-time ad, a week-long campaign, paid-per-post, and so on. As a result, the revenues you get from sponsorships will vary as well.

4. Make Money From Affiliate Marketing on Facebook

Simply put, affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products to earn a commission from each sale.

This is usually done through your own website or blog, but you can do this on Facebook through Facebook Ads.

Facebook does allow affiliate marketing on your Facebook Page or on a Facebook Group, but it doesn’t mean that you can spam everyone, or else Facebook will close down your Page or your Group.

If you’re new to this, here’s how you can earn money from Facebook with affiliate marketing:

• Select your niche, which the content of your Facebook Page or Group will focus on. If you have no idea what that means, check out our guide to affiliate marketing niches.
• Sign up for an affiliate network that allows you to post on Facebook Ads.
• Find products from those sites that are in the niche you selected.
• Post compelling content on your Facebook Page or Group to grow your audience and their engagement.
• When you have a wider audience and many of them engage with your posts (like, share, comment), start posting the affiliate link promoting your affiliate products every few posts. Remember, don’t spam!
• Start posting Facebook Ads on your Page with a button leading your audience to the landing page you want them to go.
• Wait for your commissions (about 5 to 25 percent) whenever somebody clicks on the link you shared and buys from the third-party site.

5. Become an Influencer and Earn From Sponsors and Brand Partners

If you don’t mind working for months or even years to build an audience and you think you’ve got what it takes to be so popular that brands seek out your services, then being an influencer might be right up your alley.

Here’s how you can become a Facebook influencer:

• Select a niche. Just like in affiliate marketing, you’ll need to select a niche that you’re interested in or maybe even an expert in for which you can consistently create engaging content.
• Know your target audience. Understand who you’re creating your content for so you can have followers who are more or less of the same demographics and interests.
• Set up a Facebook Page and start posting relevant content on a regular schedule.
• Engage with your audience. Like, react, and reply to their comments, answer their questions, and be accessible.
• Once you’ve grown your audience, let brands that have the same target audience as your Facebook Page know that you’re open to collaborations and partnerships. You can do an email outreach (direct), tag them in some of your posts (indirect), or join networks that connect brands and influencers.
• Follow sponsorship guidelines while ensuring that you’re still following Facebook’s Terms of Service.
• Wait to be paid!

6. Become a Facebook Video Creator

Sadly, not all Facebook content is created equal.

Facebook Videos receive more engagement than any other type of content (Source).

Using videos as your main content can be more difficult and expensive to produce, but it has the greatest ROI out of all the content you can create.

It’s a great way to make your Facebook Page popular, which helps you whether you’re trying to be an affiliate marketer or a Facebook influencer.

Brands also prefer to partner or collaborate with video creators precisely because they get more engagement.

Plus, if you meet certain eligibility criteria, you can monetize your video views through in-stream ads.

Being a Facebook video creator can also bring in money indirectly by being a consultant to other video creators or working with other video creators to edit their videos.

7. Enlist in the Facebook Fan Subscription Program

Facebook Fan Subscriptions is a Patreon-like program allowing creators to offer a membership for as low as $4.99 per month to the biggest fans of their content in exchange for numerous perks including access to exclusive content and interactions, supporter badges, and discounts to merch and event tickets. Facebook takes 30% of the membership fee.

There are certain eligibility requirements before you can be considered, so check first if you are qualified.

How to Make Money From Facebook as a Business

Whether you have a small or medium business, having a Facebook Business Page is one of the best ways to connect with your customers and build a following for your business, which translates into more profit for you.

Here are some of the ways you can use your Facebook Business Page to make money.

8. Generate Leads

Facebook spends millions of dollars to hire experts to build a solid algorithm and search engine.

Add the fact that the social media giant has people of all ages spending countless hours on Facebook.

Businesses can surely use the platform to generate leads.

When I say business, this can mean:

• a plumber looking for regular customers locally,
• an online shop owner with dismal sales,
• a wedding photographer seeking new clients,
• a marketing agency trying to find other businesses that require their services,
• or any other types of businesses, big or small.

Because Facebook can be so personal (since we enter our locations, where and what we eat, what hobbies we have, what shows we watch, and so on), it’s very easy for businesses to target potential leads.

And it’s easy for customers to find a specific business as well.

You can bring in new customers to your business without spending a cent on advertising. Creating a Facebook Business Page, networking on Facebook groups, and doing keyword research and using these keywords properly when posting content will go a long way in establishing your Facebook reputation.

This method doesn’t really earn you money instantly, but goes toward your marketing efforts and growing your business.

9. Grow Your Email List

If your income relies heavily on your activities online, you’d know the importance of building an e-mail list.

With plenty of readily available e-mails, you can pitch products and services, collect feedback, and communicate directly with your target audience.

Businesses can benefit from building a list since this list will include both existing and potential clients.

Create a lead magnet, set up your landing page, and then create Facebook Ads that entice Facebook users to click and download your lead magnet while subscribing to your mailing list.

10. Create and Maintain a Facebook Group

Facebook Groups are a great way to build a community where members can interact and exchange information.

You can promote your business in your own Facebook Group, but self-promotion isn’t really going to build your community. What will maintain your Facebook group is posting useful and engaging content, maintaining your group vigilantly (i.e., weeding out trolls and spammers), and being genuinely helpful to members of your group.

11. Sell Your Goods and Services Through Facebook Shop

If your business is selling physical goods on an ecommerce store, setting up a shop on Facebook is a good way to have an additional income stream aside from your ecommerce website.

Facebook Shops allow businesses to set up virtual storefronts right on Facebook without users having to get out of Facebook to make their purchases.

It opens up your business to new audiences and more potential customers because you get to tap into both Facebook and Instagram.

Select services may now be offered through Facebook Shops, so if your business involves services that are in the list, you can also offer them through a Facebook Shop.

Get Paid to Use Facebook

Using Facebook every day may not sound like a money-making activity, but it’s now possible to earn from tinkering around on Facebook and sharing your Facebook knowledge. Here are a few ways how.

12. Become a Facebook Guru

Facebook has a ton of features that even daily users have not explored.

You can offer your services as a master-of-all-Facebook to businesses and guide them on how to:

• find new clients
• communicate to existing customers
• create promotions and ad campaigns
• conduct polls and surveys
• perform marketing campaigns

…and a whole lot more.

Monetizing your Facebook knowledge isn’t illegal, so you’re free to take advantage of the many Facebook features, analytical tools, and readily available audience from the platform.

13. Get Jobs Managing Facebook

For those who prefer stability, you can make money from Facebook by applying to social media management jobs.

Depending on the job you land, you would either manage a Facebook page, group or even just an official profile of a person. The job usually entails answering messages, updating the status of each account, and juggling marketing campaigns if applicable.

Not sure if you’re a good fit for this job? If you’ve got at least 7 of these 10 characteristics of an effective social media manager, then you’ll probably make a killing as a Facebook manager.

14. Earn Money From Facebook Apps

This one is for both experienced and newbie developers.

Facebook for Developers allow you to create all sorts of tools and apps to benefit all kinds of users of Facebook and Facebook products.

For instance, you can create and sell games, business tools, and Messenger apps.

Which is the Best Way to Make Money from Facebook?

If you’re interested in the method with the highest income potential, go for affiliate marketing or Facebook video creation.

Landing a social media management job is the way to go, if you prefer a method that provides financial stability.

Whichever method you choose to follow, my only advice would be is to avoid placing all your eggs in one basket.

Final Thoughts on Making Money From Facebook

Facebook not only connects people all over the world but also provides money-making opportunities.

Ask any marketer or business owner, and they’ll say that the potential for chasing leads, earning new customers, and eventually making money from Facebook has always been in the future of this social media platform.

A caveat, though: Facebook may seem like the longest-running social media platform now, but since this “online property” isn’t exactly yours, your Facebook profile and audience can disappear in a blink of an eye and you can’t do anything about it.

Thus, your money-making strategy should be more than just Facebook. Here’s how to make money on Instagram and on Twitter.

For more permanent and long-term opportunities, here are 95 work from home jobs, most of which can be done online.

Are you making money from Facebook? Share your stories with us in the comments!