8 Ways to make money from WhatsApp?

Since the social media giant Meta (formerly Facebook) acquired the popular messaging app WhatsApp in February 2014, it has gained massive popularity, becoming one of the most downloaded and widely used apps worldwide. The good news is that this also means great opportunities for profit. In this article, we will present the different ways you can earn money using WhatsApp.

WhatsApp boasts a massive user base exceeding two billion people! For this reason, what started as a simple messaging platform has now transformed into a lucrative space where people can earn money, often without any initial investments. Here is a guide on how to start earning money with WhatsApp today, featuring multiple strategies to suit different skills and interests.

How to make money on WhatsApp?

Content

The first thing you need to do to start making money with WhatsApp is to install the app. Head to the Google Play Store if you’re using an Android device, or the Apple App Store if you’re using an iOS device such as an iPhone, and install the app. (This step might be redundant for you as it’s possible that you’ve been using it for a while.)

Next, create an account using your mobile number. Once you’ve done that, you can send messages, documents, files, and many other items to the contacts saved on your phone using the app.

One of the most important steps before attempting to earn money with WhatsApp is ensuring you have good outreach and a comprehensive database of contacts to whom you can advertise.

But what if you don’t have a long list of contacts on your phone? Well, this is where one of WhatsApp’s most amazing features comes into play – WhatsApp Groups.

You can find various groups on multiple topics through a simple Google search or by joining some Facebook groups that list WhatsApp groups by niche and topic.

Simply search for “keyword + WhatsApp groups” in Google’s search engine. This will yield lists of more groups than you can manage. For example, Fashion’s WhatsApp Groups (beauty. fitness..).

Join one (or more) of these groups using the link provided on those websites, and you should have a sufficiently targeted audience.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great way to generate passive income. By sharing products and services through affiliate links, you can earn a commission on every sale made through your unique link.

You sign up as an affiliate marketer (or a regular registration) on one of the websites or platforms that support affiliate marketing programs. Through the website you registered with (created your account), you can obtain unique links (different from others) for products or services. Anyone who buys or requests the product or service through your link earns you a commission (a portion of the money) in return.

Many large marketplaces and online stores usually have an affiliate program (sometimes referred to as partner or referral programs). The best part is that most of these companies’ affiliate programs are free to join.

Being part of highly targeted WhatsApp groups (focused on a specific field rather than general topics) and having broadcast lists and specialized relevant contacts allows you to promote these affiliate links to earn good profits on WhatsApp.

Search for programs that align with your interests. Some popular affiliate marketing networks include Amazon Associates, ClickBank, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate, among others.

It would be unwise to post your affiliate products and links daily, as building trust between you and the group members is essential. Instead, focus on high-quality products and things that provide value to your audience and suit their needs.

Don’t forget to use WhatsApp Status, as it’s a powerful tool for sharing content. Regularly update your status with new products and limited-time offers.

2. Promote Your Business or Services

Whether you own a physical business selling products or have professional skills or freelance services (such as web design, copywriting, photography, etc.), WhatsApp can help you reach a broader audience, keep clients informed, and attract new customers.

If you don’t have a product, you can explore print-on-demand opportunities, pursue affiliate marketing, or look for digital products that suit you and your audience. Alternatively, you can partner with a supplier, company, or store, or purchase products yourself to sell.

Similarly, if you have special skills to sell as a freelancer, WhatsApp can be a great way to spread the word and attract new clients.

Whatever your skill is, you can join WhatsApp groups, create related lists, and find potential clients who may need your services.

Another excellent way to sell your products or services through WhatsApp is by using their dedicated business app, WhatsApp Business.

The official WhatsApp Business app provides businesses with a professional and organized way to interact and communicate with their customers. It includes amazing features designed with business owners in mind, such as creating product/service catalogs, quick replies, contact labeling, and more.

To start using WhatsApp Business, download it from the Play Store or App Store. Once installed, you can set up your profile with all your business details, contact information, automated responses, etc.

If you have a business website, WhatsApp also offers the WhatsApp Business API to seamlessly integrate the app’s features into your website. This gives customers visiting your website an easy way to connect with you.

3. Referrals

There are dozens of apps and websites that will pay you for referring other people to their applications. This is a well-known method on the internet to gain more users by rewarding you for getting your friends to sign up.

These apps and websites offer direct cash payments (sending money to you) or indirect rewards in the form of cashback, gift cards, in-app currency, and more.

This system typically works as follows: First, you register on a specific app or website. Then, go to the referral section (or “refer a friend”), where you’ll find a unique code or link you can share with your friends. Your friends can then use your referral code or link to sign up on the app or website.

Some apps pay a referral bonus for every signup or registration through your link, while others pay only after the referred user makes a minimum payment on the app or performs another action on the website.

This way, the company gains a new user and pays you a small commission in return.

Thousands of old and new apps and websites are launched periodically, and many of them provide referral and earning opportunities.

4. Short links

URL shortening services, as the name suggests, are used to shorten long internet links and present them in a shorter, more appealing format.

These services typically operate on a cost-per-click (CPC) model. Once someone clicks on the shortened link, they are taken to a page where they are shown an ad for a specific duration before they can skip the ad and access the actual link (the page they want).

Every time someone views one of these ads, you earn a commission. The more people click your link and the more traffic you generate from it, the more you earn.

Most of these URL-shortening services also provide detailed analytics so you can track how well (or poorly) your shortened links are performing.

The big question here is: how can you drive traffic (visitors or people) to your shortened links to earn a good income in return? The answer lies in creating shareable or valuable content for the recipient of the link. For example, health remedies, fashion, trending news, how-to articles, videos, and so on. Consider content that users would want to forward to their contacts and groups, creating a viral effect.

Some of the top URL shortener services that offer earning opportunities include ouo.io, AdFly, exe.io, shorte.st, FC.LC, CPMlink, and others.

5. Pay per download (PPD)

As the name suggests, pay-per-download (PPD) networks pay you for every download of a file you upload to their site. This file can be of any type, including documents, videos, audio files, software, and more.

Here’s how PPD sites work: First, you need to register on one of these PPD sites. Then, upload a file to the site and share the download link for that file in various WhatsApp groups and broadcast lists.

Every time someone downloads the file, you will earn a certain amount (usually per 1,000 downloads). These sites typically make their money by showing ads or requiring users to complete a survey before providing the download link.

Most of these platforms pay based on the countries generating the downloads. For example, downloads from Tier 1 countries like the United States and Canada pay more per 1,000 downloads compared to Tier 3 countries like some Asian nations.

Country classifications may change in the future.

To achieve more success with these types of PPD sites, target your download links toward relevant WhatsApp groups and contacts. For instance, if you’re part of many meme groups, upload a funny video to one of these sites and share the download link in those meme-related groups.

6. Paid WhatsApp Groups

A paid WhatsApp group is a community where members pay to join and gain access to exclusive content, resources, or advice. These groups provide an excellent platform for creating a private, closed space to share premium materials such as paid courses, exclusive tools, private information, and more.

Access is granted only to paying members, and you can charge subscription fees on a monthly or yearly basis. For example, you can host live sessions to provide personalized guidance to your group members, ensuring that only those in the group benefit from the exclusive content.

To make this successful, you need to offer something that members find valuable and are willing to pay for. You can create courses, e-books, webinars, or share curated exclusive content like paid apps, games, or e-books.

7. Using WhatsApp to Boost Traffic for Content Creators

Are you a content creator on platforms like blogs or YouTube? (Or perhaps both, or even others?)

Having a blog or YouTube channel is one of the best ways to generate passive income online. However, driving traffic to your content is key to monetization. Ranking well on search engines or YouTube is essential, and combining this with ads and social media platforms like WhatsApp can amplify your reach.

Leverage WhatsApp by joining groups relevant to your niche. Whenever you publish new content, such as a blog post or YouTube video, share it in these groups. Ensure the content is highly relevant and informative for your audience. If done well, your content has a high chance of being shared widely, increasing its visibility.

Make sure your content (blogs or videos) is monetized through ads or affiliate links to capitalize on the traffic driven from WhatsApp. Additionally, creating content around trending topics increases the likelihood of virality, as it encourages people to forward it to their contacts and groups, expanding your reach further.

8. Offer Paid Consultation and Coaching

WhatsApp can serve as a powerful tool for offering paid consultations and training sessions in a simple and effective manner. By creating specialized groups or broadcast lists targeting a specific audience, you can connect with individuals interested in your expertise. Promote your services by regularly updating your WhatsApp status with valuable tips or announcements about upcoming training sessions, building trust and attracting clients.

The WhatsApp Business app makes managing consultations more professional by allowing you to set up a dedicated profile showcasing your services, pricing, and automated replies to welcome new clients. You can also create a catalog featuring your training courses or special offers and use direct links to streamline bookings and payments.

To deliver training or consultations, utilize video or voice calls for personalized sessions, or create private groups for hosting group training sessions. You can also share educational materials such as videos and articles directly via WhatsApp, ensuring a comprehensive and accessible experience for your clients. Collecting feedback from participants can help refine your services and meet their needs more effectively.

Finally, build a strong client community through WhatsApp groups, encouraging discussions, sharing updates, and answering questions. With a focus on delivering real value and maintaining consistent engagement, WhatsApp can become a highly effective platform for generating income through paid consultations and trainings.

Conclusion:

Earning money on WhatsApp may seem simple, but it’s not easy you’ll need to put in hard work!

WhatsApp has become an integral part of our smartphones, and if used correctly, it can serve as a great source of passive income.

Some of the methods mentioned above may require more effort than others, but like any other way to make money, patience and hard work are essential to achieving your income goals.

The key to all these approaches lies in building a large audience on WhatsApp by joining relevant groups and adding the right contacts.

If Meta decides to follow in the footsteps of WeChat, we may see additional monetization opportunities in future updates.