How to make money on Facebook reels

How I earn over $5000 a month on Facebook by creating viral reels without showing my face.

Rising Creator (Doc JLB, MD)
10 min readFeb 12, 2024
How to make money on Facebook reels and you don’t need to show your face: 2024 Case Studies
How to make money on Facebook reels and you don’t need to show your face: 2024 Guide

How to make money on Facebook reels: Tested Strategies

And you don’t need to show your face.

I’m a surgeon by profession, but my curiosity and drive have led me down the path of online side hustles, specifically on Facebook. It’s been a journey of learning, adapting, and ultimately succeeding in ways I hadn’t imagined.

Here’s how I’m earning an extra $5000/month on Facebook making reels, and guess what? I don’t even need to show my face.

Facebook Monetization Tools: An Accidental Discovery

Back in February 2022, when Facebook Monetization Tools were released, I didn’t have a page. I needed one to drive off-page traffic to my website.

So, I started my Facebook Page in July 2022, not even knowing about the Monetization Tools. Posting reels was infrequent, just 1–2 a week. I was more focused on how to increase traffic to my site through SEO on Google.

It was then that I realized the harsh truth: link posts are the worst you can post on Facebook because they drive users away from the platform unless you’re willing to pay for ads.

The Shift to Daily Reels

By February 2023, I decided to sacrifice some time and start making reels daily. That’s when things began to change.

After 2 months of consistent posting, one of my reels went viral, hitting nearly a million views. This viral reel was a game-changer, triggering an increase in followers day by day.

By the end of March 2023, my first page was monetized. I was working with a faceless approach, what we call ‘Meaningfully Enhanced Content’ in Facebook Monetization vocabulary.

From $17.52 to a Steady Income

My first earnings were modest, just $17.52. But this was only the beginning. I increased my output to 4–6 reels per day, and after 3 months, my earnings rose to $120–160 per month.

Fast forward six months of being monetized, and I was making $800–1200 dollars monthly. It’s important to note that this is only from Ads on Facebook Reels.

Ads on Reels Earnings on Facebook
Ads on Reels Earnings on Facebook (By the Author)

Take note, also, that you don’t need a large following on Facebook; monetization is based more on views from non-followers, which, for me, accounted for more than 90%.

You, too, can achieve this because Meta can pay a monetized account up to $35,000 monthly, and/or up to $55,000 with bonuses.

Expanding My Niche and Pages

I didn’t stop at one page. I created four more Facebook Pages in May 2023 in the niches of health and fitness, relationships, marriage, and lately, on how to make money online [on Facebook: a new page (not yet monetized when I published this blog]. Each contributed to my growing income.

Alongside this, I also started earning from my ebooks, on Payhip Website. You can check ‘The Rising Content Creator,’ where I share my journey, strategies, tips, and secrets on how to create content suitable for Facebook Algorithm, Content, and Monetisation Guidelines.

Thanks to my struggles with blogging and SEO, I could apply my experience to Facebook, which became a blessing in disguise.

The Reality of Online Earning

I’ll be honest with you. Success online, especially on Facebook, is not overnight. It’s a result of repeated failure, resilience, motivation, and discipline. It’s trial and error, painful and uncomfortable at times.

And sometimes, it comes with losses. Forget the headlines that say, “How To Make $1000/day while you sleep.” A clickbait! Earning that amount means sleepless months and years until you reach that point.

How to Create Viral Reels Without Showing Your Face

One of the best things about earning through Facebook reels is that you don’t need to show your face at all. This opens up opportunities for those who prefer to remain anonymous online. Here are some tips for creating viral reels without being on camera:

Use Engaging Visuals and Text

Focus on eye-catching visuals, graphics, and text overlays. Use bold colors, fun fonts, and animated elements to capture attention quickly. Insert relevant text overlays sparingly to convey key messages.

Incorporate Trending Audio and Effects

Leverage popular audio and viral video effects that are already gaining traction. Put your own spin on them with complementary visuals. This taps into what’s currently resonating with audiences. You can always use Facebook Sound Collection because it is free and non-copyrighted.

Tell Stories Through Objects

Tell compelling stories by animating and anthropomorphizing objects. For example, show two coffee mugs having a conversation or blocks building a tower. This creativity engages viewers.

Feature Pet Videos

Pets are universally loved. Film cute cats, dogs, hamsters, etc. doing funny or heartwarming things. Capture moments of animals being playful, curious, or sleepy. It’s an easy win for views.

Make How-To Tutorials

Teach quick skills by recording your hands demonstrating a process step-by-step. Things like crafts, recipes, makeup tips, and drawing tutorials work very well. Provide useful value to attract and retain audiences.

Show Behind-the-Scenes Footage

Give a sneak peek into processes people don’t usually see. Capture things like food prep in a restaurant kitchen, products being manufactured in a factory, and backstage concert setups. The “fly on the wall” perspective intrigues viewers.

Spotlight Mesmerizing Natural Phenomena

Record captivating natural sights like crashing ocean waves, bubbling lava, flocking birds, and blooming flowers. These beautiful scenes garner intrigue even without text or context.

How to make money on Facebook reels without showing your face.
Photo by Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash

Choosing the Right Niche for Your Reels

Not all niches perform equally when it comes to reels. Some verticals tend to resonate better and drive more engagement. Here are lucrative niches worth focusing on:

Food

Appetizing cooking tutorials, recipe hacks, and restaurant secrets. Food is a universal interest area with huge potential.

Comedy

Funny skits, hilarious commentary, amusing animations. Laughter is contagious so comedy attracts high engagement.

DIY and Crafts

Creative project tutorials, upcycling tips, and skill-building guides. Very popular for the satisfaction of making something.

Travel

Stunning vacation footage, adventurous activities, and hidden gem recommendations. Allows vicarious exploration for viewers.

Beauty and Fashion

Makeup transformations, clothing hauls, style advice. Strong interest among female audiences especially.

Fitness and Health

Home workout demos, wellness tips, healthy recipes. Strong appeal for improving lifestyles.

Pets and Animals

Cute pet videos, amazing wildlife moments, funny animal fails. Our love of animals is universal.

Personal Finance

Budgeting tricks, investing advice, side hustles. Valuable for anyone looking to save or earn more money.

Optimizing Your Reels for Maximum Views

Views are the lifeblood of monetization on Facebook reels. Here are some optimization tips for maximizing views:

Hook Viewers in The First 3 Seconds

Grab attention fast with an eye-catching visual, text overlay, or soundbite. This stops the scrollers and entices them to keep watching.

Use Relatable Concepts and Emotions

Connect with viewers by featuring commonly experienced moments, thoughts, and frustrations. Evocative concepts engage more deeply.

Ask Questions in The Copy

Pose questions in your caption to spark curiosity and encourage comments. This boosts engagement metrics crucial for being shown to more people.

Include a Strong Authentic Call to Action

End each reel with a clear CTA like “Learn more in the comments” or “Shop this look using the link in bio”. Give people a specific next step. Always avoid baiting CTAs.

Post at Optimal Times

Study when your target audience is most active on Facebook and schedule reels accordingly. Morning and evenings tend to perform best. Visit my blog post on the best times to post on Facebook 2024.

Reuse Top Performing Content

Repurpose snippets that already resonated well with new reels. Try new captions or visuals to revive the content.

Create a Cohesive Profile

Curate a consistent niche, tone, and branding across your reels and profile. This retainability boosts overall visibility.

Understanding Facebook Analytics: How to make money on Facebook reels without showing your face.
Photo by path digital on Unsplash

Using Facebook Analytics to Refine Your Strategy

The best way to keep improving your reel strategy is by studying the data. Here’s how to leverage Facebook Analytics:

Track Top Performing Reels

See which specific reels get the most reach, views, likes, comments, shares, and saves. Replicate their elements in future content.

Review When Your Followers Are Online

Check the days and times your followers are most active on Facebook. Schedule reels to be posted during peak hours.

Identify Your Top Locations

See which countries/cities your audience is based in. Appeal better to their interests and cultures in your content.

Check Audience Demographics

Analyze the age, gender, and language breakdown of your audience. Craft content that resonates best with their demographics.

Monitor Traffic Sources

Assess where your profile visitors are coming from — Reels, search, groups, and external sites. Double down on what’s working.

Study Your Competition

See what reels from similar pages or creators are performing well. Draw inspiration but offer your own twist.

Consistently analyzing and applying insights will help you create higher-performing reels over time.

Leveraging Groups to Share Your Reels

Getting your reels in front of interested audiences is key for views. Facebook groups provide a great opportunity for sharing your content.

Join Relevant Niche Groups

Search for and join groups focused on your reel niche like food, comedy, pets, etc. Engage genuinely with members over time.

Provide Value to The Group

Contribute insights, advice, and resources to establish yourself as an authority before sharing your reels.

Follow Each Group’s Rules

Review the group guidelines regarding self-promotion. Respect the norms to avoid being labeled as spam.

Share Your Best Performing Reels

Post reels that were hits among your main profile audience. The pre-validation improves reception.

Encourage Others to Share as Well

Inspire group members to reshare your reels with their own networks for greater amplification.

Give Reels Context for The Group

Customize captions to resonate better with the group’s interests when sharing your reels.

With a strategic, value-driven approach, Facebook groups can expand your reach and viewership substantially.

Diversifying Your Income With Facebook Stars

Once you’re earning well through ad revenue on reels, you can amplify your income with Facebook Stars. This is a feature that allows fans to pay and send stars to their favorite creators.

As a creator, you keep 100% of the Star earnings. Here are some tips for maximizing this income stream:

Activate Facebook Stars

Make sure the Stars feature is enabled on your profile. Facebook activates Stars automatically for top creators.

Thank Senders During Live Videos

Showing appreciation when receiving stars during live broadcasts promotes more gifting by making senders feel recognized.

Share Star Milestones

When you hit milestones like 1000 stars received, share the news with your audience. This builds excitement.

Offer Exclusive Content for Top Star Senders

Consider direct messaging extra content like blooper reels or sneak peeks to your biggest Star supporters.

Suggest Gifting Ideas

Casually suggest occasions when gifting stars would be meaningful — birthdays, big premieres, special announcements

With its celebratory nature, Facebook Stars enables monetization through deeper supporter engagement.

Security of Facebook Monetized Account: How to make money on Facebook reels without showing your face.
Photo by Dan Nelson on Unsplash

Maintaining Account Security For Monetized Profiles

When earning through a monetized profile, it’s crucial to keep your account secure. Here are some key precautions to take:

Use a Strong Unique Password

Avoid easily guessed passwords. Use unpredictable long passwords and a password manager for security.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Require an additional login step like an SMS code to add a protective layer on your account.

List a Recovery Email and Phone Number

Keep these updated so you can regain access if ever locked out of your account.

Use Login Approvals

Require your permission on new logins from unrecognized devices to prevent unauthorized access.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Beware of phishing attempts. Never enter your login credentials through third-party sites.

Limit Old Content Access

Restrict the visibility of old posts and videos if they no longer represent your brand appropriately.

Monitor New Followers

Assess follower quality over quantity. Block any suspicious or bot-like followers.

Review Privacy Settings

Control what personal info like phone number and email are publicly visible in the About section.

Staying vigilant is necessary when your livelihood depends on your Facebook presence.

My Top Tips for Reels Success

After earning over $5000 a month consistently from Facebook reels, these tips represent the core insights from my journey:

Post Patiently and Consistently

It takes time and sustained effort to gain traction. Stay motivated in posting multiple reels per week. I started with 1–2 reels per day and I upscale by posting 4–6 reels per day.

Obsess Over Captions

Craft engaging captions focused on invoking curiosity, emotions, and urgency for maximum impact.

Interact Genuinely With Followers

Reply to comments, answer questions, and thank new followers. This level of care builds loyal communities.

Always Experiment With New Content Angles

Keep innovating visually and exploring trending topics. Avoid stagnating in one style.

Make The Most of Facebook Analytics

Let data guide decisions on timing, captions, visuals, topics, and more. Metrics matter.

Persist Through Plateaus

Progress fluctuates. Push through slower periods consistently and breakthroughs will come.

You can absolutely succeed without showing your face. Master these fundamentals and turn reels into a lucrative income stream.

Final Thoughts

As I continue to earn an extra $5000+/month, I must balance my time between my family, patients, and online endeavors. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. If you’re looking to earn extra online, brace yourself for a challenging yet rewarding journey. Be prepared for the difficulties and the pain. It’s all part of the path to success.

The key is consistency. Keep creating valuable reels that provide entertainment or solutions for people. Study the data to keep improving. Interact authentically with your growing community. And diversify your income utilizing all of Meta’s monetization options.

Stay patient through the ups and downs, and you can build a profitable presence on Facebook over time. Of course, do also ensure your content aligns with Facebook’s Content Monetization Policies.

I hope my story and tips help you unlock the income potential of Facebook reels. The opportunities to earn are out there, with the right strategy and mindset.

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