Monetize your content without video using images, carousels, and text

Many creators don’t make videos every day. Maybe you’re camera-shy, short on time, or your audience prefers quick posts they can read and swipe. The new Content Monetization Beta program helps with this by paying you for static images, carousel posts, and written text updates. That means you can earn money from the content you already make without filming.

Problem it solves
• You no longer need to rely on video to make income.
• You can post faster and more often, because images and text are quicker to create.
• You can test ideas cheaply. If a post hits, you can later turn it into a bigger project or video.

This week’s step-by-step checklist

1) Confirm access  
• Check the platform’s eligibility page in your account settings (look for Monetization or Professional Tools).  
• Ensure you meet basic rules: age, country, policy compliance, and any follower or engagement requirements.

2) Turn it on  
• Enable the Beta in Monetization settings.  
• Review content guidelines to stay brand-safe (no prohibited topics, misleading claims, or reused content you don’t own).

3) Pick one clear topic  
• Choose a simple theme your audience cares about (e.g., “Beginner meal prep,” “Daily drawing prompts,” “Budget travel hacks”).  
• Aim to teach one small thing per post.

4) Plan a 3-day sprint (measurable outcome)  
• Day 1: 1 static image (a bold tip) + 1 text update (a short story or quick win).  
• Day 2: 1 carousel (5–8 slides: hook, steps, example, recap) + 1 text update (question to spark replies).  
• Day 3: 1 static image (summary or checklist) + 1 text update (call to action: “Save and share”).  
Goal: Publish 6 monetized posts in 3 days.

5) Create fast, clean assets  
• Images: high contrast, large readable text, consistent style.  
• Carousels: slide 1 = big promise; slides 2–7 = steps; last slide = recap + “Save this.”  
• Text updates: short, clear, one idea, invite a response.

6) Post smart  
• Use niche tags (not the biggest ones, the most relevant ones).  
• Add alt text for clarity and accessibility.  
• Pin the best comment and reply to early comments to boost reach.

7) Measure and iterate  
• Each night, check impressions, saves, shares, and earnings (if shown).  
• Keep what worked (topic, hook, slide style) and fix what didn’t (too long, weak first slide).

Success metric for the week
• Target: 5,000 total impressions or a 20% lift over your last 7 days, plus at least 1 post with above-average saves.  
• If you hit it, repeat the winning format next week and scale to a 5-day schedule.

1) TikTok launched a seven-month Trusted Creators Lab in Southeast Asia to improve fact-checking.
Action: Share verified explainers with sources cited in captions.
Metric: completion rate and comments mentioning credibility or sources.

2) Instagram released a dedicated iPad app with a sidebar and video-first Reels launch.
Action: Edit Reels on iPad and design carousels with bigger canvas.
Metric: Reels watch time on iPad sessions.

3) You can now pin your own comments on Instagram posts.
Action: Add a top comment with key info, timestamps, or a call to action, then pin it.
Metric: saves and click-throughs.

4) TikTok Shop added Creator Policy Quizzes, a Violation Snapshot, and Video Pre-Check.
Action: Pre-check shoppable videos and fix issues before publishing.
Metric: policy violations per video and appeal success rate.

AI-Powered Content and Digital Assets

1) Pick your niche  
Choose one problem to solve. Maybe people want cool art, a friendly avatar for their brand, quick video edits, snappy scripts, or simple data summaries.

2) Choose your tools  
Use AI tools that fit your offer: image generators (for art), avatar/voice tools (for personas), AI video editors, writing assistants, or spreadsheet/analysis helpers.

3) Define clear offers  
• Products: art packs, avatar sets, prompts, templates.  
• Services: AI video editing, scriptwriting, data dashboards.  
• Faceless channel: a digital persona posting helpful content on a schedule.

4) Make a tiny portfolio  
Create 5–10 strong samples. Show before/after, style variety, and one mini case study with a simple result (more views, faster edits, cleaner reports).

5) Set simple prices  
Offer three tiers: Starter, Standard, Premium. Explain what’s included, delivery time, and usage rights (where buyers can use the work).

6) Pick where to sell  
List products on a creator shop (e.g., digital download platforms). Offer services on freelance marketplaces. Add a “Work with me” link in your bios.

7) Build a fast workflow  
Save your best prompts, keep a style guide, name files clearly, and timebox tasks. This helps you deliver more in less time.

8) Launch a 7-day sprint  
Post one sample or tip daily. Show the process, not just the result. Add a clear call to action: “DM to order” or “Buy link in bio.”

9) Be safe and fair  
Use licensed models and assets. Don’t copy real people’s faces or voices without permission. Watermark previews; disclose AI when needed.

10) Track and improve  
Measure views, clicks, messages, and sales (how many visitors buy).
Keep what works, drop what doesn’t, and slowly raise prices as demand grows.

Grow Without Ads

1) Set one clear goal and theme  
Choose what you want fans to post (unboxing, “how I use it,” before/after).
Create a simple hashtag and a short prompt they can copy.

2) Show simple examples  
Share three sample posts (photo, 10–15s video, quick story).
People copy what they see, so make it easy and fun.

3) Make joining effortless  
Add “How to share” in your bio and a Story Highlight.
Include a QR on packaging and a link in order emails or DMs after purchase.

4) Offer light rewards  
Feature the best posts on your page.
Run a small monthly giveaway or give a discount code.
Recognition is a powerful prize.

5) Get permission the easy way  
Ask creators to reply “Yes, you can use this” in DMs, or link to a simple rights page.
Respect their name and credit.

6) Nudge at the right moments  
Send a friendly post-delivery message.
Add a card in the box.
Ask in-store at checkout.
Timing matters.

7) Curate and schedule  
Pick clear, real, and helpful posts.
Tag the creator, thank them, and add a call to action: “Tap to shop” or “Save for later.”

8) Optimize for search  
Use plain keywords in captions (product name + use case), add alt text, and pin your best UGC Reels/carousels.
Create a UGC gallery on your site.

9) Build referral loops  
DM creators a shareable link and ask them to repost.
Their friends see you, and your reach grows for free.

10) Track and improve  
Watch submissions, shares, saves, profile visits, and hashtag uses.
Keep what works, drop what doesn’t, and repeat monthly.

Think of Google Drive as your “content pantry.” You drop one finished file in, and Make.com serves it to all your social channels-fast and safely.

Trigger
Put your finished file in Google Drive > 02_Approved.
Make.com’s “Watch files in a folder” starts the flow when something new appears there.

Action (how to build it in Make.com)

1) Set folders in Drive: 01_Draft, 02_Approved, 03_Posted, 99_Errors, and optional Captions (store a same-name .txt for each file).  

2) In Make.com, create a Scenario: Google Drive > Watch files in a folder (02_Approved).  

3) Get file: Google Drive > Download a file.  

4) Find caption: Google Drive > Search for a same-name .txt in Captions; if missing, build a default caption with Text tools.  

5) Split with a Router: add channels (Instagram for Business, X, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, Pinterest).
Use Filters to:  
Check character limits.  
Pick the right file variant (e.g., files in “Vertical/ Square” subfolders).  

6) After each post, Google Drive > Move file to 03_Posted/platform and rename it with date_time to keep a simple log.

Outcome
You upload once and your content appears everywhere, staying on-brand and on schedule-saving hours each week.

Safeguard
Approval is the gate (Draft to Approved).
Add Delays between channels to avoid spammy bursts, error handlers to move failures to 99_Errors, and email alerts so you can fix and retry with one click.

Day 1: Turn on Monetization Beta, confirm eligibility, pick one micro topic, and post a one-line theme announcement.
Day 2: Publish a high-contrast tip image with niche tags and alt text, then pin your own takeaway comment.
Day 3: Post a 6-slide carousel teaching one small thing with hook, steps, example, recap, and a question in the caption.
Day 4: Share a simple UGC prompt with a unique hashtag and invite replies to participate.
Day 5: Post a before/after portfolio sample from your niche with a clear DM to order call to action and usage rights note.
Day 6: Set Google Drive + Make.com flow (01_Draft, 02_Approved, 03_Posted, 99_Errors, Captions), approve one asset, and auto cross-post it.
Day 7: Publish a recap with impressions, saves, shares, earnings, and one lesson, then pick the winning format for next week.

Start now and ship one small post today; your existing skills are enough to get paid. Turn the Beta on, follow the plan, and let your content work.