What are the best ways to make money on Twitter (X) now?

This blog post has been written by the person who has mapped all the strategies and examples in our cheatsheets

Making money on X (Twitter) has evolved significantly since Elon Musk's takeover, with the platform now offering multiple monetization pathways for creators of all sizes.

Within weeks, creators with even a few hundred followers can generate income through affiliate marketing, Tips, and direct service sales, while native monetization features like Ad Revenue Sharing and Creator Subscriptions unlock larger, recurring payouts for those meeting stricter requirements.

And if you need to fast-track your growth on X, check all our cheatsheets.

What are the fastest ways to start making money on Twitter (X) right now even with a small following?

The fastest income streams require zero follower thresholds and can generate revenue within days of implementation.

Affiliate marketing through DMs and threads represents the quickest path to monetization. High-converting programs like Fiverr ($30-$150 per referral), Bluehost ($65 per sale), and ConvertKit (30% recurring commissions) allow immediate earnings upon first conversions. Success comes from targeting niche audiences with relevant product recommendations rather than broadcasting to everyone.

Tips Jar activation takes under 30 seconds and accepts payments from $1 upward with no platform commission. Creators sharing valuable insights, tutorials, or advice can request tips directly through the button feature. Service sales via DMs capitalize on existing expertise - ghostwriters, consultants, and designers regularly secure $500-$12,500 contracts within weeks of active outreach.

Not sure what content to post? We've already collected what works in our cheatsheets.

Ticketed Spaces require only 1,000 followers and three hosted Spaces within 30 days. Creators can charge $1-$999 per attendee while retaining up to 97% of revenue until $50,000 lifetime earnings, then 80% thereafter. Educational workshops, industry insights, and Q&A sessions perform exceptionally well in this format.

How does the ad revenue sharing model work on X, and what are the exact eligibility requirements today?

Ad Revenue Sharing pays creators a portion of advertising revenue generated from verified user impressions on replies to their posts.

The system calculates payments based on organic impressions from X Premium subscribers and Verified Organizations viewing ads in reply sections. Typical earnings range from $0.50 to $2 per 1,000 qualified impressions, with variation depending on engagement quality and advertiser demand. Importantly, viral posts don't automatically generate higher revenue unless verified users engage specifically in the replies.

Current eligibility requirements include an active X Premium subscription ($8/month) or Verified Organization status, minimum 500 genuine followers, at least 5 million organic impressions over the past three months, account age of 3+ months with complete profile and two-factor authentication, verified Stripe payout account, and identity verification via government-issued ID. Accounts must maintain compliance with X's monetization policies and Creator Standards.

Revenue accrual begins immediately upon meeting requirements, with payouts processed monthly at a $10 minimum threshold. Creators access the program through Settings > Monetization > Ads Revenue Sharing, where Stripe connection enables automatic fund transfers.

How do affiliate marketing strategies work specifically on X, and what are some top-performing product types and average commissions in dollars?

X affiliate marketing leverages the platform's conversational nature and character limits to drive targeted clicks through strategic link placement and compelling copy.

High-ticket digital services and B2B tools consistently outperform physical products due to higher margins and recurring revenue potential. SaaS platforms, hosting services, and educational programs offer the most lucrative opportunities for X affiliates.

What are the most effective monetization options on X currently, from easiest to hardest to implement?

1. Tips Jar - Zero requirements, instant activation, direct payments
2. Affiliate Marketing - No follower minimum, immediate earnings potential
3. Service Sales via DMs - Leverages existing skills, high-value transactions
4. Ticketed Spaces - 1,000 followers + 3 Spaces requirement, premium pricing
5. Creator Subscriptions - 500 followers + X Premium + consistent content
6. Ad Revenue Sharing - 500 followers + 5M impressions + verification requirements
7. Brand Sponsorships - Requires audience growth, negotiation skills, relationship building
8. Product/Course Sales - Demands product creation, marketing funnel development

How much time does it realistically take to build an account that earns at least $1,000/month, and what are some recent examples?

Building to $1,000+ monthly earnings typically requires 6-12 weeks of focused effort, depending on chosen monetization mix and content consistency.

Recent case studies demonstrate accelerated timelines: Santrel Media earned $9,637 in 17 days promoting Fiverr affiliate links through strategic DM campaigns. One ghostwriter secured a $12,500 contract within three weeks of active networking. A creator with 13,000 followers and 2% subscription rate at $4.99 generates approximately $900 monthly through Super Follows alone.

The fastest path combines immediate income streams (affiliate marketing, Tips, services) with strategic growth toward native monetization. Creators posting daily, engaging authentically, and optimizing content for impressions typically achieve 500 followers and 5 million monthly impressions within 6-8 weeks. This threshold unlocks Ad Revenue Sharing and Creator Subscriptions, creating multiple income streams.

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Successful creators focus on one primary monetization method while building toward others. Starting with affiliate marketing or service sales provides immediate cash flow while growing the audience for subscription-based models later.

Which types of content (threads, videos, spaces, etc.) generate the most income today and why?

Video content dominates X's algorithm and monetization potential due to higher engagement rates and premium ad revenue sharing.

Native videos receive 10x more distribution than text-only posts, with horizontal format videos under 2:20 minutes performing optimally for retention. Long-form videos over 2 minutes currently benefit from aggressive algorithmic promotion. Video posts qualify for ad revenue sharing at higher RPM rates compared to text content.

Affiliate-driven threads excel at conversion through storytelling and detailed product explanations. Multi-tweet threads allow comprehensive product reviews, tutorials, and case studies that naturally incorporate affiliate links. Placement in the first or final tweet maximizes visibility and click-through rates.

Ticketed Spaces command premium pricing for live audio workshops, industry insights, and exclusive Q&A sessions. Educational content, market analysis, and skill-building workshops regularly sell tickets from $25-$500 per attendee. The live, interactive format creates urgency and perceived value.

Subscription-exclusive content performs best when offering genuine value unavailable elsewhere - behind-the-scenes insights, early access to strategies, personalized advice, and community access. Visual content with branded imagery creates professional perception and higher conversion rates.

How do paid subscriptions (like Super Follows) work now on X, and what kind of content performs best for recurring revenue?

Creator Subscriptions (formerly Super Follows) enable monthly recurring revenue through tiered pricing at $2.99, $4.99, or $9.99 per month.

Subscribers receive exclusive badges, subscriber-only tweets, direct access to creators, and premium community features. Creators retain up to 97% of revenue until reaching $50,000 lifetime earnings across all X monetization products, then 80% thereafter. Monthly payouts require a $50 minimum threshold, with amounts below rolling over to subsequent months.

Eligibility requires 500+ active followers, X Premium subscription, account age of 3+ months, complete profile with verification, and compliance with monetization policies. Applications process through Settings > Monetization > Subscriptions, with approval determining waitlist placement.

High-performing subscription content includes in-depth industry analysis, exclusive trading insights, advanced tutorials, early access to strategies, personalized advice, and private community access. Educational creators teaching specific skills, financial analysts sharing market insights, and business coaches offering actionable advice achieve the highest retention rates. Behind-the-scenes content from established creators and early access to products/services also drive strong subscription growth.

What are the most successful ways people are selling their own products or services on X right now, and how much are they making?

Direct service sales through DM outreach generate the highest per-transaction values, with ghostwriters, consultants, and agencies regularly securing $2,500-$25,000 contracts.

Digital product sales through bio links and DM automation achieve consistent revenue streams. One creator generated $21,672 in 12 months selling Gumroad templates and guides to 206,000 followers. Course creators leverage threads for educational content, driving traffic to paid programs priced from $97-$2,997.

Software-as-a-Service founders use X for product validation, customer acquisition, and feature announcements. Many report 20-40% of new signups originating from X engagement, with monthly recurring revenue growth correlating directly to posting frequency and community building.

Consultants and coaches book discovery calls through strategic content demonstrating expertise. Business consultants charge $150-$500 per hour, marketing specialists command $2,500-$10,000 monthly retainers, and specialized coaches price premium packages from $5,000-$50,000. Success depends on consistent value delivery through free content before introducing paid offerings.

Agency owners showcase client results, case studies, and industry insights to attract prospects. Digital marketing agencies report acquiring $5,000-$50,000+ monthly retainer clients directly through X relationship building and thought leadership content.

Can multiple monetization strategies be combined effectively on X, and if so, what are the most profitable combinations today?

Successful creators typically combine 3-4 monetization methods to maximize revenue while reducing dependence on any single income stream.

The most profitable combination pairs affiliate marketing with Creator Subscriptions and Ad Revenue Sharing. Affiliate links provide immediate income while building audience, subscriptions create recurring revenue from engaged followers, and ad revenue sharing generates passive income from content performance. This approach can yield $2,000-$15,000+ monthly for creators with 10,000-50,000 engaged followers.

Service providers effectively combine Ticketed Spaces with direct service sales and affiliate marketing. Educational Spaces at $25-$200 per ticket create immediate revenue while showcasing expertise for higher-value consultations ($150-$500/hour). Relevant affiliate promotions for tools and resources add supplementary income without diluting the primary service offering.

Content creators maximize earnings through Tips, subscriptions, and product sales. Tips provide immediate gratification for valuable content, subscriptions create predictable monthly income, and digital products (courses, templates, guides) generate higher-margin sales. This combination works particularly well for educators, analysts, and industry experts.

If your engagement feels flat, we've mapped all the formats that get traction.

What are the pros and cons of focusing on brand sponsorships versus platform-native monetization tools?

Brand sponsorships offer higher immediate payouts but require significant audience size and negotiation skills, while native tools provide predictable income with lower barriers to entry.

Brand Sponsorships Advantages: Single campaigns can pay $500-$10,000+ depending on audience size and engagement rates. Premium brands offer ongoing partnerships worth $2,000-$25,000+ monthly. Sponsorships allow creative freedom in content format and messaging. No platform dependency reduces risk of policy changes affecting income.

Brand Sponsorships Disadvantages: Requires 10,000+ engaged followers for most opportunities. Income remains unpredictable and campaign-dependent. Time-intensive proposal writing, negotiation, and deliverable creation. Risk of audience perception issues if sponsorships feel inauthentic or excessive.

Platform-Native Tools Advantages: Automated payment processing and predictable income streams. Lower audience requirements (500 followers for most features). Algorithm support for monetized content. Multiple simultaneous income sources through single platform. Built-in discovery through X's monetization features.

Platform-Native Tools Disadvantages: Revenue sharing reduces total earnings potential. Platform policy changes can affect income streams. Limited control over pricing and terms. Dependence on X's continued operation and feature availability.

Which money-making methods on X are best avoided right now due to poor ROI, declining reach, or policy changes?

• Buying Followers/Engagement - Violates platform policies, results in low-quality audiences, and damages credibility. Purchased followers rarely convert to customers or generate meaningful engagement.
• Paid View Farms - Creates inflated metrics without corresponding revenue. X's algorithm increasingly detects and penalizes artificial engagement, reducing organic reach.
• Sole Reliance on Ad Revenue - Recent policy changes increased eligibility requirements to 2,000 verified followers (up from 500), making this less accessible. Payouts remain inconsistent and subject to algorithm changes.
• Low-Quality Affiliate Promotions - Spammy affiliate tactics result in account restrictions and audience loss. Products with poor conversion rates waste time and damage reputation.
• Neglecting Community Building - All monetization methods depend on genuine audience relationships. Focusing solely on immediate revenue without providing value leads to poor long-term results.

How should someone pick the right monetization model on X for their niche, skills, and time commitment today?

Monetization model selection depends on three primary factors: current audience size, available time commitment, and existing skill set.

Small Audience (Under 1,000 followers): Focus on affiliate marketing, Tips, and service sales. These require minimal follower counts while building toward native monetization requirements. Time investment: 1-2 hours daily for content creation and engagement.

Medium Audience (1,000-10,000 followers): Combine affiliate marketing with Ticketed Spaces and Creator Subscriptions. Add Ad Revenue Sharing upon meeting impression requirements. Time investment: 2-3 hours daily for consistent content and community management.

Large Audience (10,000+ followers): Leverage all available options including brand sponsorships, premium subscriptions, and product launches. Focus on highest-value opportunities first. Time investment: 3-4 hours daily or delegate to team members.

Content Strengths Matching: Educational expertise suits Ticketed Spaces and subscriptions. Technical skills work well for affiliate marketing and service sales. Entertainment creators excel with Tips and sponsorships. Business professionals maximize value through consulting and high-ticket services.

No idea what to tweet today? Browse hundreds of real viral examples.

Testing and Iteration Strategy: Launch pilot offers across 2-3 methods simultaneously. Monitor conversion rates, time investment, and audience response. Double down on highest-performing methods while maintaining secondary income streams for stability. Reassess monthly and adjust strategy based on growth trajectory and market opportunities.

Conclusion

Sources

1. X/Twitter monetization 2025: Eligibility & more | Epidemic Sound
2. X vs. the World: How to Monetize Ex-Twitter in 2025 - Hilltopads blog
3. Creator Revenue Sharing | X Help
4. X Updates Requirements for Creator Revenue Share Program | Social Media Today
5. How to Monetize Twitter (X) in 2025: 7 Proven Strategies
6. Affiliate Marketing on X: 9 Monetization Tips for 2025 | Saffron Edge
7. How to make money with affiliate marketing on X (Twitter): 10 steps to success according to experts
8. About Super Follows Creators
9. Twitter Subscriptions: Monetize your Twitter content
10. About Subscriptions creators - Twitter Help Center - X
11. 14 High-Ticket Affiliate Marketing Programs and Expert Tips in 2025 | Publift
12. 40 Best Affiliate Marketing Programs - Highest Paying for 2025 | Reclaim