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