
How to Make Money on Bluesky
Published: 12/23/2024
Only in recent years has social media established itself as a potential source of income, leading to content creators around the world dreaming of their next big break. With the rise of any trending social media platform like Bluesky comes business-minded individuals wondering if and how profit can be made. With Bluesky still in its early stages, now is an important time to put your foot in the door and make a name for yourself. In this article, we’ll explore the monetization of Bluesky and what options creators have to start generating profits.
Can Bluesky Content Be Monetized?
Currently, Bluesky does not allow creators to directly monetize their content. Unlike platforms like YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, which pay creators for high-engagement content, Bluesky does not offer any monetary compensation for the content users create.
However, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of monetizing Bluesky content in the future. Many major platforms, including Twitter/X, started without monetization before introducing ad revenue sharing and paid creator programs. This leaves the door open for Bluesky to evolve significantly throughout its lifetime, and it’s entirely possible that monetization options will become available down the line.
How to Make Money on Bluesky in 2025
Monetization is the most straightforward way influencers and content creators profit from their social media presence, but it’s not the only method available. In fact, many influencers and creators will say that monetization doesn't provide enough income relative to their views and engagement. Furthermore, revenue generated through monetization is inconsistent. The amount paid depends on the success of the content and whether the platform deems it monetizable. For this reason, nearly every influencer and content creator has leveraged alternative income streams, many of which are outlined below.
Patreon
Patreon is a popular monetization platform that allows content creators to offer fans a paid subscription service. There are very few limits to what these subscription tiers can include, as it’s ultimately up to the creator. Common subscription offerings include early access to content, exclusive Patreon-only content, and content requests.
Platforms like Patreon enable content creators to generate recurring income by receiving funding directly from fans. If you’re a Bluesky creator with a loyal fanbase, Patreon may just be the key to actively generating revenue from your work.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a common practice for content creators and influencers looking to generate passive income through their social media audience. An affiliate earns a commission when promoting a company’s products or services using a personalized affiliate link. The creator then receives a commission for each sale made through their link. This arrangement benefits both the affiliate and the company, gaining consistent publicity and promotion.
To become an affiliate, a company typically reaches out to you directly, but some companies—like Amazon—allow creators to join their affiliate programs openly. If companies have yet to contact you for affiliate marketing opportunities, consider promoting open affiliate programs to your Bluesky audience.
Sponsorships and Advertising
Have you ever scrolled through your favorite content creator’s social media account and found a post labeled “Paid Sponsorship with [Company]”? That’s an example of a social media advertisement or sponsorship. Essentially, an influencer or content creator is paid by a company to promote a specific product or service to their audience. Unlike affiliate marketing, content creators will usually be paid before making the post, with commissions not often included. Many brands employ individuals dedicated to influencer marketing, including outreach. As Bluesky continues to grow, companies will inevitably seek influential voices in the Bluesky space to promote their products or services.
Host Virtual Ticketed Webinars
If you have a substantial audience, consider hosting virtual webinars with affordable ticket prices. Choose webinar topics that resonate with your audience and provide enough value to justify the ticket cost. Before hosting a paid webinar, start with free sessions to gauge demand. Ask yourself: Are there enough attendees? Would they have attended if it wasn’t free? What attracted them to join, and how can you capitalize on that for a ticketed event? These questions are crucial for a successful webinar strategy.
Here are some common types of influencer webinars you can host:
- Educational Webinars: Designed to provide information and insights on a particular topic. They may feature expert speakers and include presentations, demonstrations, or lectures.
- Workshops: Interactive and hands-on, workshops allow participants to learn by doing, often involving exercises, group discussions, and practical applications.
- Panel Discussions: Featuring multiple experts, panel discussions offer diverse perspectives on a specific topic and typically involve discussions and Q&A sessions.
- Q&A Sessions: Focused on audience engagement, these sessions allow participants to ask questions and receive answers from an expert or host.
- Thought Leadership Webinars: Led by industry leaders, these webinars share valuable insights or trends in a specific field, positioning speakers as thought leaders.
Should you start making money on Bluesky?
As an early adopter of Bluesky, you possess a competitive advantage that isn’t easily found on established platforms. With Bluesky’s rapid growth over recent months, this lack of competition won’t last. If you’re interested in starting a career on Bluesky, we recommend beginning as soon as possible.
That said, generating revenue on Bluesky isn’t without challenges. The real difficulty of having a social media career lies in maintaining your influence and relevance within the community. In today's fast-paced digital world, trends shift rapidly, and success is never guaranteed—not just for your own account but for Bluesky as well. If your content creation solely takes place on Bluesky, your income will largely depend on the platform's ability to thrive and maintain relevance.
So, what can you do to mitigate this risk? Every social media content creator should master understanding and keeping up with social media trends. This means your content will likely evolve throughout your career to remain relevant. A great example is The Try Guys, a YouTube group that originally started at BuzzFeed. They have successfully maintained their industry relevance while BuzzFeed itself has struggled. The Try Guys evolved their concept from videos like “Try Guys Try Drag for the First Time” to “Try Guys Make Ramen Without a Recipe” and “Try Guys Would You Rather.” Successful creators start with a simple yet effective concept and expand it over time.
Another essential strategy is cross-posting. Even if your primary platform is Bluesky, sharing the same content on other platforms like Instagram, X, YouTube, and Facebook can increase visibility and growth opportunities. By analyzing your content’s performance on each platform, you may find that certain audiences engage with your content more than those on Bluesky.