How Do Influencers Make Money in 2025? (Simple Guide)
Years back, I wanted to be like the influencers I follow, but I thought there was no way they were making money. I did not even know that it was an occupation. I thought they were doing it, solely, for the love of it. I remember discussing with my friend, hoping they would encourage me. None of them did because none of us understood how influencers make money. We thought they were rich kids or people who inherited generational wealth. Before I explain how influencers earn a fortune, let me first ask you: How do influencers make money?
I’ll also share some tips with you on how to become an influencer without showing your face with AI tools like VidAU’s virtual avatar creator.
How do Influencers Make Money: Facts at a glance
Before diving into the money-making tactics, it’s essential to clarify what an influencer is. An influencer is someone who has built a following, large or small, on digital platforms and can influence the purchasing decisions, opinions, or behaviours of their audience. They often focus on specific niches, such as beauty, fitness, fashion, gaming, technology, or lifestyle. In essence, an influencer is a digital content creator who has gained a significant and engaged audience, and their influence can be leveraged for various monetisation strategies.
- TikTok Creator Rewards pays for original 1-minute+ videos using an optimized formula, which entails: originality, play time, search value, and engagement. Its requirements are: minimum 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days.
- TikTok Shop Affiliate lets creators earn commission on sales, with sellers setting commission rates. These are often boosted with TikTok Shop ads
- YouTube: ad revenue (now includes YouTube Shorts), fan funding (Memberships, Super Chat/Thanks), and Shopping Affiliate for product tagging.
- Instagram: Subscriptions and Gifts; brands run Partnership Ads to scale creator posts.
- Snapchat: unified program with ad-revenue share on eligible Stories & Spotlight
- Twitch: Partner/Plus paths with higher subscription revenue share, and earnings on streams
- X (Twitter): Creator Revenue Sharing available globally. Eligibility entails: X premium membership, a minimum of 5million organic impressions, 2,000 verified followers, policy-compliant account, completed X monetisation settings, and subscription to Stripe.
Tools like VidAU’s AI avatar generator are helping aspiring influencers define their niche and start publishing experienced content, even without being on camera.
How Do Influencers Make Money – What Actually Pays?
Influencers generate income through multiple streams. Here’s a breakdown of the most common ways:
1) Brand deals, Ambassadorship & whitelisting
Brands pay for posts, then boost your content as ads. Examples are: IG Partnership Ads / TikTok Spark Ads. You get to earn on the post and still upsell usage rights. What you should do is: add “Spark/Partnership Ads usage rights” to your rate card.
2) Platform payouts
- YouTube: Ads + Shorts share; Memberships, Super Chat/Thanks; Shopping Affiliate. What you should do is: accept YPP Shorts & Commerce modules.
- TikTok: Creator Rewards (1-minute videos), LIVE gifts, Pulse (ad revenue for top inventory). What you should do is: aim for 1-minute, high viewing time across your videos; join Shop Affiliate for commission.
- Instagram/Facebook: Subscriptions, Gifts, brand deals amplified via Partnership Ads. What you should do is: turn on Gifts; pitch to brands with ad code access.
- Snapchat / Twitch / X: Explore revenue-share programs if these are your core channels.
3) Affiliate & social commerce
Use Amazon Associates, LTK/ShopMy, YouTube Shopping Affiliate, and TikTok Shop Affiliate. Share links in your bios, descriptions, and pinned comments. What you should do is: start with 2–3 programs that fit your niche.
4) Subscriptions & communities
Patreon has moved to a 10% platform fee for new creators as of Aug 5, 2025.
Substack paid newsletters and private Discords. What you should do is: start a paid tier with a weekly perk.
5) Digital products & courses
Host on Kajabi or Gumroad (Gumroad now MoR with a transparent fee model). Start with one mini-product (templates, presets, guides).
Thanks to VidAU’s AI video creator, you can showcase your digital products or brand partnerships with engaging, avatar-led videos.
How Much Money Do Influencers Make?
The earnings vary widely. Some nano-influencers (under 10,000 followers) make a few hundred dollars per month. At the same time, mega-influencers and celebrities rake in six to seven figures. Here’s a rough idea:
- Nano-influencers (1K–10K): $50–$250/post
- Micro-influencers (10K–100K): $250–$2,000/post
- Macro-influencers (100K–1M): $2,000–$10,000/post
- Mega-influencers (1M+): $10,000–$100,000+/post
Platform monetisation, such as TikTok Creator Fund or YouTube AdSense, contributes to the income. Courses, affiliate links, and merch sales further boost overall revenue.
Platform cheat sheet
- YouTube: Turn on YPP (ads + Shorts); add Memberships, Super Thanks; apply to Shopping Affiliate to tag products.
- TikTok: Aim for 1-minute original videos to qualify for Creator Rewards; layer Shop Affiliate and go live for Gifts. Use Spark Ads allowlisting for brand deals.
- Instagram/Facebook: Offer Subscriptions, turn on Gifts, and include Partnership Ads usage in your media kit.
- Snapchat: If eligible, join the unified monetization to earn from ads on Stories/Spotlight.
- Twitch: Check Plus/Partner for 70/30 subscription share.
- X: Review Creator Revenue Sharing terms and eligibility before investing time.
Use VidAU’s avatar content generator to create monetizable videos quickly, whether you’re just starting out or scaling.
How Do TikTok Influencers Make Money?
TikTok’s short-form content is incredibly engaging and monetisable. Here’s how influencers earn:
- TikTok Creator Fund: Pays based on video views and engagement.
- Brand Collaborations: Paid partnerships via hashtags or sponsored audio.
- Live Gifts: Viewers send digital gifts during live streams.
- Merch & Links: TikTok allows linking out to storefronts or Linktree pages.
TikTok influencers also transition to YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels to cross-monetise their content.
How to Become an Influencer Without Showing Your Face (Yes, It’s Real)
Gone are the days when being an influencer required putting your face in front of a camera. Thanks to AI and avatar-based content, it’s now possible to grow a following and monetise anonymously. Avatar-based content refers to content created and presented by a digital avatar. This computer-generated character can be customised to represent the influencer’s brand or personal style.
Enter VidAU’s AI Influencer Generator
VidAU’s AI avatar creator helps aspiring influencers build and launch content without ever having to appear on camera. Input your niche, write a script, or upload a blog, and VidAU transforms it into a talking avatar video.
Want to be a tech reviewer or fashion advisor without being on screen? The avatar takes care of delivery. You control the messaging, tone, and branding, all while maintaining complete privacy.
This is perfect for:
- Camera-shy creators
- Niche content without a personal brand
- Businesses turning blog content into UGC-style videos
Best Niches to Make Money as a Beginner Influencer
Choosing a niche helps you grow faster. Here are profitable niches in 2025:
- Personal finance
- Fitness and wellness
- Tech and gadgets
- Home organisation
- Fashion and beauty
- Food and recipes
Once you find a niche you love and can consistently post about, monetisation becomes easier.
Growing an Audience from 0 Followers
Every influencer starts somewhere. Here’s how to build from scratch:
- Choose a Platform: Focus on one of the following: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Twitter.
- Post Regularly: Consistency builds trust. Use scheduling tools if needed.
- Engage With Others: Comment, like, and share other creators’ content.
- Use Hashtags & Trends: Stay discoverable by riding relevant trends.
- Collaborate: Team up with others to cross-promote.
Common Misconceptions About Influencer Income
How do influencers make money? Many believe influencer success is instant, but it often takes months or years of work. Another myth is that a significant following guarantees income. In reality, engagement rate matters more than follower count. Nano and micro-influencers often earn more per follower than their mega-counterparts.
Transparency, brand fit, and content quality are what attract long-term revenue, not vanity metrics.
Tools Every Influencer Needs in 2025
Here are essential tools for content creation and monetisation:
- VidAU AI Influencer Generator – For creating AI avatar videos.
- Canva Pro – Design thumbnails, posts, and story templates.
- Notion – Plan and manage your content calendar.
- Later or Buffer – Schedule posts across platforms.
- Linktree – Consolidate affiliate links and products.
With these tools, and now that you have the answers to the question (how do influencers make money?), even a beginner can run a professional-looking influencer business.
Conclusion
So, how do influencers make money in 2025? Through creativity, consistency, and the right tools. Whether you’re a lifestyle guru, gamer, or educator, an audience and an income stream are waiting for you. With VidAU’s AI influencer avatars, you don’t even have to show your face. From sponsored content to digital products and affiliate marketing, today’s influencer economy offers more accessible entry points than ever before. The time to start is now.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do influencers make money?
Influencers make money through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, digital product sales, and platform monetisation tools like TikTok’s Creator Fund or YouTube AdSense.
2. How much money do influencers make?
It varies. Nano-influencers may earn $100–$500 per post, while top-tier creators can make tens of thousands. Income also comes from courses, brand deals, and merch.
3. How do social media influencers make money?
They earn by leveraging their followers’ attention, whether through brand partnerships, paid shoutouts, affiliate links, or exclusive content on Instagram or TikTok.
4. How do Instagram influencers make money?
Instagram influencers generate income through sponsored content, paid subscriptions, affiliate links, Instagram Live badges, and long-term brand ambassadorships.
5. How do TikTok influencers make money?
They monetise through TikTok’s Creator Fund, brand sponsorships, live gifts, and by directing traffic to external storefronts or affiliate links.
6. How do influencers make money today?
They combine brand deals, platform payouts (such as YouTube Shorts, TikTok Rewards, and Instagram Gifts), affiliates, subscriptions, and products.
7. What pays fastest for beginners?
Affiliate links + short video reviews, then add platform gifts/subscriptions as you grow. Use YouTube Shopping Affiliate or TikTok Shop Affiliate.
8. Do I need to show my face?
No. You can use VidAU to create avatar videos and voiceovers for reviews, tutorials, and ads.
9. Which platform pays best?
It depends on your format. Long-form often wins on YouTube (ads + fan funding + shopping). TikTok and Instagram pay via rewards, gifts, and brand deals, boosted with allowlisted ads.
10. What should I set up this week?
Enable YouTube monetization modules; apply for Instagram Gifts/Subscriptions; join an affiliate program (Amazon/LTK/ShopMy); set up a TikTok Shop Affiliate.
