Facebook, the app that started off as a place for people to socialise with their family members and reunite with old schoolmates, has now become a real source of income for creators. Who would have thought that the day would come when what you post for fun or to grow your brand would also help you make a few extra coins.
Yes, content is turning into cash.
The catch however, is that while many people know that Facebook pays creators, only a few understand how to actually qualify. Some people do not even know that there are requirements, for example, how many followers do you need? And how do you even get paid in Kenya?
I have tailored this article for Kenyan beginners so they can understand exactly what it takes to qualify for Facebook monetization and start their journey towards earning online.
Before you can start earning, you need to understand that there are clear requirements you must meet. The three basic requirements to be met are ;
- You must have a Facebook Page. This means that having just a personal profile won’t make the cut.
- Your Page must comply with Facebook’s Partner Monetization Policies. The policies require that you should not post misleading or violent content and neither should you post copyrighted content.
- You need to meet minimum thresholds for followers and watch time, depending on the monetization program you’re applying for.
Basically what this means is that if you truly are serious about earning, then you have to play your part and treat your profile with the seriousness it deserves. Turn it into a proper Page and treat it like a brand.
Since this is a guide for beginners, you might be wondering, how do I create a facebook page?
This is the first big step to monetizing on Facebook. A personal profile is fun and all, great for connecting with friends, but it cannot be monetized. But because a Page is designed for creators and businesses (even public figures), that means it comes with the tools you need to grow and earn.
To create a page, go to the menu and select pages, then click on create new page. The next step will be choosing a name that reflects your content, and it is quite an important stage. e.g., Mama’s Kitchen KE if you intend on doing videos about food. Or, mahaba yetu if you plan on writing erotic stuff. You get the drift. After which you can go ahead and pick a category (Creator, Blogger, Comedian, etc.)
Add a profile picture and cover photo that looks professional and finally fill in your bio with a clear description of what your page is about. It is important to always have in mind that your page is your brand. To build a brand you need consistency. Keep the name and visuals consistent so your audience can easily recognize you.
Hit the Required Follower & Watch Hour Thresholds
Now that your page is ready, you need to find a way for your content to reach enough people..
As per this requirement, you need to have at least 10,000 followers or 60,000 total watch minutes in the last 60 days, although this varies depending on the monetization program.
The numbers might sound discouraging but there are a few ideas that might help you get there quicker than you think. You just need content that is both engaging and shareable and you will be there before you can spell the word monetization.
Use Reels. People love reels because they are short and data-friendly…and statistics show that reels get the highest reach in Kenya.
Another tip is to tap into local trends that often spread quickly because of relatability. While at it, do not forget to collaborate with other creators, even if they are your fellow beginner creators. Ofcourse if they are big names the better for you, just a shoutout or joint video from them can introduce you to a whole new audience. Most importantly, and I cannot emphasize this enough, you need to stay consistent. Posting once in a while won’t get you there.
You might have hundreds of thousands of followers, but if your content is not authentic and engaging, well….facebook hates when people post unoriginal content.
Why originality matters:
- Facebook will detect when you repost someone else’s video.
- Copyrighted music or clips will get your monetization blocked.
- Original content builds your brand. It is original posts that will determine whether people will follow you or not, not recycled posts.
As a kenyan creator, always Keep your reels short and mobile-friendly because most Kenyans watch on phones. For the same reason, make sure you stick to posting vertical (portrait) format. Another small (not so small, tbh) detail is adding subtitles. Many people (myself included) watch with the sound off, especially when at work or in matatus. For my case, it is when I am up at 3 am and want to watch something hilarious but I do not fancy too much noise.
A mistake that many beginners make is being all over the place with the content that you post. Yuo might be after different markets, but only loyal viewers make for consistent views. To get loyal viewers, you must find your niche. Is it comedy or are you just a foodie that wants to turn your passion into a hustle? Are you interested in relaying local news or giving lifestyle hacks? All these, plus street interviews, perform especially well in Kenya.
Be relatable, but don’t be afraid to experiment. If that even makes sense.
Now that you are on the right path and getting the hang of things, it would be prudent to put in so much effort only to get denied or removed from monetization simply because you ignored Facebook’s rules. It doesn’t matter if you have 100,000 followers, you won’t earn if your content breaks the rules. Case in point is a famous former radio presenter who got permanently banned from youtube for consistently posting videos bashing women and sharing red pill content. This presenter was banned even though they had millions of youtube subscribers. So no, your follower count won’t even make a difference if you cannot follow the rules.
Some of the common mistakes Kenyan beginners make include using trending songs without checking if they are cleared for use, sharing funny but violent clips in the hopes of going viral and running multiple low-quality pages with spammy content. Just to be on the safe side, you should always check your Monetization Status in Meta Business Suite → Monetization Tab for any yellow or red warnings. If you notice those, you should probably fix the issue immediately before applying.
Apply for Monetization
Congratulations! You have worked hard at building your audience. You have also confirmed that your Page is policy-compliant. It’s now time to officially apply for monetization.
- Open Meta Business Suite (on desktop or app).
- Go to the Monetization tab.
- You’ll see the programs available to you (e.g., In-stream ads, Reels Ads, Stars).
- Click Apply and submit your Page for review.
Now wait for Facebook to review your page and content. Can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Hopefully you get approved and then you can start enabling monetization features.
Do not be too demoralised If rejected. Just check the reasons they gave, fix them and reapply.
If you are a beginner, (if you have read to this point, you probably are) I would advise you to start with reels monetization as it’s often the easiest to qualify for. This is because short videos get a lot of reach as compared to in-stream ads and fan subscriptions.
Set Up Payment (M-Pesa via Payoneer or Bank)
It is now time for you to laugh all the way to the bank….literally. But before then you will need to set up a reliable way to receive your money in Kenya. Because Facebook pays in USD, payouts are handled through third-party processors like Payoneer.
- Create a Payoneer account.
Visit Payoneer.com and sign up, remember to use your real details (name must match your bank/M-Pesa account). - Link Payoneer to Facebook.
In Meta Business Suite → Payout Settings, select Payoneer as your payment method. - Connect Payoneer to M-Pesa or a Kenyan bank.
For M-Pesa: Link via Payoneer’s Global Payment Service (withdraw USD, then convert to KES via M-Pesa). For banks: Link to a Kenyan bank account that supports USD transactions (e.g., Equity, KCB, Co-op).
By the way the minimum payout is $100 and payments are sent around every 21st of each month.
In conclusion, always post consistently and in a way that engages your audience. You could also learn the art of repurposing your content by turning one video into clips, reels and memes for maximum reach.
Facebook monetization is a real opportunity. But for it to be attainable you will have to treat your content like a brand. And the beauty of it all is that you don’t need fancy equipment or a big budget to qualify. You just need a creative mind.
