Monetising Social Media

A few technological inventions have seen a meteoric rise as that of social media in 21st century. It is a buzzing technology that doesn’t just entertain but educates and provides a source of livelihood for millions. As of 2025, globally over 5.22 billion people actively use social media. It shows how prevalent it is in the world, with people constantly checking their smartphones for notifications. And like most fields in human sphere, social media too has become a source of monetisation for influencers and content creators. It has catapulted many creatives to heights of success which is why many continue to vie for viral posts with maximum views, likes, comments and follows. 

Influencers and content creators focus on fashion and lifestyle, cooking, gaming, beauty and fitness, technology and travel, education, art and crafts, health and diet. Anyone who is an expert on a certain field can garner substantial followers and establish a niche in social media. Unlike the misconception that only celebrities can earn huge followings, ordinary people too can attain social media fame. And fame, although fickle, is quite sought after attribute which is why people edit, photoshop and heavily curate their posts in hopes of going viral. 

As numbers skyrocket so do the requests for ads, collaborations and partnerships, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, etc. Clever take on such monetisation methods helps cement financial stability. However, despite being lucrative, the works of influencers and content creators are undervalued. Especially in Nepal, which has a still growing social media sector, careers in social media is at its infancy. Most people in Nepal underestimate the amount of time and effort expended on creating relatable content. 

Instead, it is mostly considered a hobby. However, if done prudently, it can be quite a successful career with both fame and financial security. Thus, as number of social media grows in Nepal, there are also opportunities for those interested in creating online content. That being said, content creating can be quite fickle and fame in social media isn’t as easy as it looks. It requires heavy investments of time and effort, consistent posts, constant interaction with the followers etc. Relatable posts, humane connections and entertaining content help secure a dedicated community of eager followers. 

However, creators have to constantly keep up with the online trends. Often, they have to spend money out of their own pockets for high quality smartphones, cameras and related expenses. For example, if you are a travel creator, you may have to pay for your own travel expenses unless you are able to garner sponsorship. The fact is the world is driven through money and capital. Nearly everyone is in a bid to be financially secure. Difference is that some are quite creative and innovative in their jobs. And content creating is a job that requires creative thinking. 

Due to the level of online reach required, most people only work part-time as a content creator. Once they have garnered certain reach, niche and engagement, however, they tend to fully adopt it as a career. Driven by trends in constantly changing online landscape, content creators entertain, inform, educate and provide services for the users. It might be competitive but it is also lucrative if presented with a niche for the masses in terms of appeal and utility.