Snapchat, renowned for its ephemeral messaging, has become a veritable goldmine for adept creators who have discovered how to capitalize on the platform’s lucrative opportunities.
There exist multiple avenues through which Snapchat creators are making substantial earnings.
One such avenue is Spotlight, Snapchat’s answer to TikTok, which was launched in November 2020. In a bid to incentivize creators, Snap devised a payment system that considers engagement metrics such as unique video views, “favorites,” and the number of daily users viewing a Snap. As part of its Snapchat Spotlight programs, Snap distributed over $250 million to more than 12,000 creators in 2021, with some individuals amassing fortunes.
Katie Feeney, a content creator, has amassed well over $1 million by sharing a mix of repurposed TikToks and original amusing clips on Spotlight.
Nevertheless, Feeney is not the only Snapchat millionaire. However, the monetary rewards offered by Snapchat have seen a decline. According to a company spokesperson, the payouts now amount to millions per year, a significant decrease from the millions per week in June 2021 and the staggering $1 million per day in November 2020, as reported by Insider in October.
Another lucrative avenue for Snapchat creators lies in designing augmented reality (AR) lenses.
Cyrene Quiamco, a former web designer at Verizon who joined Snapchat in January 2014, struck gold when Snapchat unveiled Lens Studio in late 2017. This feature enables creators to develop AR lenses for free. Quiamco has since crafted Snapchat AR lenses for prominent brands like Hulu, Marriott, Ulta, and her former employer, Verizon, establishing a highly profitable enterprise. In 2021 alone, Quiamco earned approximately $750,000. It is not uncommon for creators like Quiamco to secure lucrative brand partnerships, endorsing products and services within their posted content.
Snapchat has also streamlined the process for businesses to collaborate with creators through its Creator Marketplace, launched in 2021. This platform assists brands in locating creators based on criteria such as location, specialties, Lens category, and budget.
Discover more about how Snapchat creators monetize their content and manage their time:
- Katie Feeney, a creator with over 850,000 Snapchat subscribers, shares her journey to earning $1 million in just two months by leveraging Spotlight.
- Sarah Callahan, an actress, model, and fitness influencer with over 10 million TikTok followers, divulges how she surpassed the $1 million mark through Spotlight.
- Joey Rogoff, a creator with over 80,000 Snapchat subscribers, discloses his earnings of at least $1.2 million through Spotlight.
- Kevin Parry, a stop-motion animator and visual effects artist with over 100,000 Snapchat subscribers, unveils how he earns thousands per Snapchat video.
Unlock the secrets of profiting from Snapchat lenses:
- Cyrene Quiamco, a prolific AR lens creator for brands on Snapchat, reveals how she made around $750,000 in 2021.
- Hart Woolery, a serial entrepreneur specializing in creating or recreating visual effects from movies in his AR lenses, is on track to earn nearly $500,000 in 2022.
- Philip Walton, a former aircraft communication and navigation systems technician, shares his journey of earning over $230,000 in 2021 with his viral potato lens.
- Paper Triangles, a studio co-founded by Frank Shi and Xuan Buddhavong, transitioned from virtual reality to designing Snapchat AR lenses for renowned brands like Adidas and Spotify, amassing nearly $4 million in 2021.
Gain insights into how Snapchat creators strike a balance amidst demanding schedules:
- Jack Settleman, a sports influencer with over 180,000 Snapchat subscribers, offers a breakdown of his daily routine and earnings through his SnapBack Sports account.
