It’s a ritual. You get a new phone, set it up and then download your favourite apps — everything from PiggyVest and Snapchat to Twitter (let’s be honest, nobody calls it “X”) and, of course, WhatsApp. We all use WhatsApp! But besides sending free texts and posting hilarious memes, do you know you can make money on the platform?
You can make money on WhatsApp by consulting for brands, offering social media management services, and using the app as an e-commerce store. Other surefire methods are WhatsApp marketing, tutoring, and paid group memberships.
This article is for Nigerians looking to learn how to make money on WhatsApp. Therefore, we’ll only share tested and trusted methods that work in the country. Ready? Let’s go!
5 surefire ways to earn money on WhatsApp in Nigeria
It’s not news that Nigerians love social media. From Facebook (which Boomers seem to have overrun) to Instagram — which has Gen-Z in a chokehold — we all love the virtual communities that have shaped the 21st century. But there’s nothing quite like WhatsApp — no wonder it’s Nigeria’s most-used social media platform.
Here are five tested and trusted ways to make money on WhatsApp in Nigeria:
- Start an e-commerce store
- Market and sell your services
- Try WhatsApp marketing
- Become a social media manager
- Offer paid status workshops and exclusive group memberships
Almost anyone can make money on WhatsApp using these methods — even students. However, you’ll need a smartphone and internet access to get started.
1. Start an e-commerce store
Using WhatsApp as an online store is probably the easiest and most popular way to make money on the platform in Nigeria today. From perfume oils to clothes, there’s no limit to what you can exchange for cash. You can even use WhatsApp to sell frozen foods and packaged meals!
Thanks to the app’s Status feature, you can easily share your inventory list with your contact list without sending a single text.
Of course, that’s not the only way to reach your target audience. You can use broadcast messages, make the most of the Catalogue feature (if you use WhatsApp Business) and even create groups.
There’s no right or wrong way to do it!
Still, you must develop a marketing and engagement strategy that works for you and your business. This way, you can be sure you’re making money and reaching potential buyers instead of being a popular contact on everyone’s phone.
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You don’t want to lose prospective customers because you only display your goods on your Status and not in the “Products” section.
You can also supercharge your business and simplify sales using PocketApp by PiggyVest. All you have to do is download the app. Then, you can use the store feature to market your goods and receive payment directly.
Happy selling!
2. Market and sell your services
You might not know it, but you can also use WhatsApp to market and sell your services — just like you would on Fiverr and other talent marketplaces). Whether you’re a writer (like this one earning $120k per year) or a designer (like Felix Ayoola), you can tell your contacts about your skills and convert paying customers.
And you can market your skills online—not just digital ones! You can make money on WhatsApp if you’re a tailor, artist, or crochet creator.
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Now, the best way to market and sell your services on the app is via Status Updates, and you can do this by sharing valuable tips or telling stories about your work. You can even shake things up and show your creative process or work equipment. Or you can just create a flyer and tell your contacts what you do — it’s up to you!
Remember: just like with an online store, you want to connect with prospective clients and show how much value you can bring. Therefore, we recommend you take some time to figure out a strategy that aligns with your industry, contacts and personal brand.
3. Try WhatsApp marketing
This method is a guaranteed money-maker, but you’ll need a ton of contacts to pull it off. Say, 1,000 — maybe even more. So, how exactly does it work?
WhatsApp marketing is pretty much like every other type of social media marketing — you get paid to sell products and services to your contact list. You can think of it as influencer marketing, but it’s super profitable. Depending on your location (and the number of contacts on your phone), businesses can pay you up to ₦5,000 daily to post ads on your status.
You can also set your rates, of course.
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The most remarkable thing about WhatsApp marketing is that you don’t have to pick a niche. You can work for multiple brands simultaneously and in as many industries as you like. Plus, you can even get free goodies!
4. Become a social media manager
Social media management is one of those jobs that didn’t exist until social media became mainstream. However, it’s a pretty lucrative way to make money. As a WhatsApp social media manager, you’ll help businesses manage their WhatsApp accounts.
Your day-to-day responsibilities might involve customer relations as well as strategy development. You can decide to freelance — and work for multiple clients (using platforms like Upwork, Fiverr and even LinkedIn) — or just work as an in-house manager.
Whichever you prefer and whatever option brings in the most money!
We recommend taking the Complete WhatsApp Marketing Course (by Udemy) to get started with this method. This way, you can be sure you’re delivering actual value to your clients!
5. Offer paid status workshops and exclusive group memberships
This method of making money on WhatsApp is mainly for professionals, but you can try it if you sell an exclusive item, have a high-value skill or possess sought-after knowledge. You can ask your contact to pay for exclusive access to a group and then offer classes, juicy deals or even products — whatever you want.
This strategy also works if you own a business or are interested in building high-impact communities. Regardless of your reason for doing it, you can make really cool cash from paid groups.
Paid WhatsApp workshops work in almost the same way. You get people to pay for exclusive access to your WhatsApp status updates. Then, you can teach or offer exclusive content — everything from memes to timeless career advice they won’t find anywhere else.
The specifics of making money this way are up to you. However, we recommend you take some time to analyse your contact list and niche to ensure you provide services or products they’ll pay for.
Key takeaways
The methods we shared in this article might seem simple (and they are!), but you’ll need to infuse a little creativity into making money on the popular green app. Be original, be empathetic and throw in a little bit of professionalism, and you should be raking in the Nairas — and maybe even Dollars — in no time!
