Facebook has just announced a new set of tools for creators and influencers to make money on their platforms. The new tools include affiliate marketing programs, a change to the storefront for selling directly to followers as well as a revamped mechanism for making money during live streams.
The bulk of the changes are focused on Instagram, with all of the accompanying imagery showing the new features in action in the Instagram user interface. The Affiliate Marketing program will allow creators to sell affiliate goods directly through Instagram with an icon informing buyers that the creator will receive a commission.
The updated storefront will allow creators to link their business and personal pages and sell directly through their personal pages to fans as well as direct integration with Bravado/UMG, Fanjoy, Represent, and Spring for US sellers for quickly opening new shops.
The changes being made to Live Stream monetization will affect both Instagram and Facebook. For Instagram, the changes will allow users to buy multiple "badges" during the stream. The changes will also allow for Facebook fans to leave "Stars" on offline videos and Facebook's Stars program expands into nine new markets. On top of that, they will be offering extra payouts to creators who achieve certain milestones like streaming from additional accounts.
These seem like positive improvements for creators looking to monetize their social media following, we shall see if they do end up with more revenue at the end of the year.