Whether showcasing a husky throwing a tantrum or the latest dance trend, Facebook Reels are a fun way to connect with audiences—and, when done right, can earn you the big bucks. Here’s everything you need to know about making money using the short-form video feature.
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Meta’s short-form video feature allows users to post short videos up to 90 seconds in length which they can enhance with special effects and music. Reels are similar to TikTok posts in both form (short videos) and content (trendy, amusing, and driven by sound bites).
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Eligible content creators can embed ads in their Reels or take on monetized challenges, and viewers have the option to tip their favorite artists on the app.
Here’s more info on how to get paid for Reels on Facebook:
Ads: Creators over 18 who make “high-quality, original Reels content,” use Pages or Professional Mode, and are compliant with the platform’s monetization policies can be invited to the Reels ads program, which pays based on performance.
Stars: Meta allows viewers to send stars to a content creator while watching their Reels. For every star received, the creator gets $0.01 from Meta.
How do I create Facebook Reels?
Creating Reels on Facebook is slightly different for classic pages and professional business or creator pages.
Classic page:
- Open your Facebook page.
- Navigate to the bottom of the page under “Create a Post,” and select “Reel.”
- Either hit the record button to add new video, or tap the photo icon in the bottom left corner to add video clips to the Reel.
- Write a description, and be sure to use appropriate hashtags to get your Reel seen by audience members who will like the subject matter.
- Choose an audience for your Reel; unless you’re a minor, it’s set to public by default.
- Hit the “Share Reel” button.
Professional page:
- Open Facebook.
- Hit the create button from the Reels section of your feed, or the camera icon in the top right corner if you’re viewing a Reel.
- Tap “Record for New Video” or the photo icon in the bottom left corner to add video clips to the Reel.
- Add sound effects, text, or other creative tools to your Reel.
- Tap “Next” and write a Reel description.
- Choose an audience for the Reel.
- Tap “Share Reel.”
Once you share a Reel, you can find it in your Reels profile. You can also share Reels in Facebook Stories, from the top of your feed, and from some third-party apps.
How long can Facebook Reels be?
Reels can be as long as 90 seconds, but most are shorter. Reels must be in MP4 format, and must comply with Facebook’s Data Policy, Community Standards, and Terms of Use (no obscene, offensive, or copyrighted content).
What makes a good Facebook Reel?
Meta reports that the most discoverable Reels are ones that are relatable, engage an audience, tell a story, and inspire others to participate.
Relatable: Responding to the latest trending hashtag but adding your own unique flair is a surefire way to get your Reels noticed.
Engaging: Spend some time trying out different content and effects to see what pulls in your audience the most. If you’re getting more views and comments from Reels about your dog than you are from Reels about your career, you may want to focus solely on your dog.
Story-based: Reels that have a narrative encourage viewers to watch until the end.
Inspire others: Hashtag challenges, motivational moments, and asking questions are great ways to inspire your audience to view and share your Reels.
For example, creator Kurt Tocci uses Reels to share comedic skits about his life—particularly his cat, Zeus. One of his viral Reels, “What It’s Like Having a Cat,” is relatable for any cat owner, engages his target audience of comedy fans, tells a story about his experiences with Zeus, and includes a call to action to inspire viewers to post pictures of their own cats.
