How One Woman Earns $300/Mo Promoting Brands on Social Media

Most people share photos of their favorite meals, coffee spots, and shopping finds on social media without earning a dime—but what if those posts could put real cash in your pocket?

With the creator economy projected to reach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2027, brands are looking beyond traditional influencers and turning to everyday social media users for marketing. Platforms like Thumzup make it possible for people to earn money by sharing businesses they already enjoy—no massive following required.

For Iman Wims, a content creator and artist in Los Angeles, that’s exactly what happened. While spending a day at Venice Beach, she stumbled across Thumzup and was offered $20 on the spot to make a single Instagram post. Within hours, the payment hit her account.

That one post made her realize she had been leaving money on the table. If she was already sharing places she enjoyed, why not get paid for it?

What started as a casual experiment quickly became a $300/month side hustle. Now, she shares how she earns, what types of posts work best, and how anyone can use social media to land brand deals—whether through Thumzup or beyond.

From a Beach Day to a Side Hustle

Iman wasn’t looking for a side hustle when she first heard about Thumzup. She had been spending the day at Venice Beach when she noticed a crowd of vendors and performers along the boardwalk. “I was curious about what was happening, and I just so happened to run into a Thumzup ambassador,” she said.

The ambassador explained that it was a public event and that she could make $20 on the spot by posting about it on Instagram. “At first, I thought it was too good to be true,” she said. But with nothing to lose, she took out her phone, snapped a quick photo, and uploaded a caption.

“I decided to take them up on their offer, and I made my first post,” she said. “Seeing that first payment hit my account made me rethink everything. If I could get paid just for posting about a place I already enjoyed, what other businesses would be willing to pay?”

That moment shifted how she thought about social media. “Before Thumzup, I was just using my Instagram for fun,” she said. “I was already posting businesses, but not from the perspective of promoting them. Now, I see my Instagram as a way to partner with brands.”

She started using Thumzup regularly, refining her strategy to earn as much as possible while keeping her content authentic. “I noticed that businesses typically present more opportunities if they see you are serious about your work,” she said. “Keeping my content high quality and professional works best for me.”

As she refined her approach, she found ways to maximize her earnings—something that anyone looking to monetize their social media could do as well. But what makes a good post, and how can users earn even more?

Why Thumzup Pays Users to Post on Social Media

With her first few posts, Iman saw how easy it was to make money—but she also realized there was a strategy behind it.

Unlike traditional influencer marketing, where brands pay high-profile creators for sponsored content, Thumzup allows everyday social media users to earn money just by sharing their experiences at local businesses.

“It’s really simple,” Iman said. “I find a business that’s listed on the app—usually a restaurant, boutique, or an event—take a picture, write a short caption, and post it. Once it’s uploaded, I get paid, usually within 48 hours.”

Businesses use Thumzup as a way to increase word-of-mouth marketing, and users like Iman benefit by getting paid for posts they might have shared anyway. Each post typically pays between $10 and $20, with events offering some of the highest payouts. 

For restaurants and boutiques, earnings depend on what the business is offering through the app. Some will compensate users in cash payouts, while others provide free items or meals in exchange for posts. “I also have had some businesses offer me a free meal to make content for them,” Iman said.

“With this, I can get a free meal plus whatever Thumzup offers for that particular business.”

For Iman, the key to making the most of Thumzup has been finding a balance between earning money and keeping her spending low. “I always aim to make more than I spend, and spend less than what I will receive from Thumzup,” she said. “Each post pays typically between $10 and $20, so I try to keep my spending to $1 to $10 on purchases.”

Over time, she’s developed a system for spotting the most profitable opportunities and maximizing her earnings while keeping costs minimal. As with any side hustle, a few simple strategies can make a big difference in how much you earn.

Related: 44 Easy Ways to Make Money Fast

How Iman Maximized Her Earnings

It took Iman a few months to really figure out what worked. At first, she just posted randomly—but then she started tracking which businesses paid the most and which types of content performed best. That’s when she saw her earnings grow.

When Iman first started using Thumzup, she didn’t have a clear Instagram strategy—she simply posted when she came across a participating business. But over time, she realized that some posts paid more than others and that certain businesses were more profitable.

“I was just picking places randomly at first,” she said. “But then I started noticing which businesses were paying the most and which posts got me the best results.”

Through trial and error, she developed a system for maximizing earnings while keeping her spending low.

1. Prioritize high-paying, low-cost opportunities.  Iman quickly realized that not all businesses on Thumzup pay the same amount—and some require a purchase, which eats into profits.

“The businesses that are the most profitable for me are typically the events,” she said.

“You can make $20 at most events without having to make any purchases. Plus, the events are always so fun to attend.” For restaurants and boutiques, where a purchase is often required, she learned to be strategic about what she ordered.

2. Treat it like a business, not just a side gig.  At first, Iman treated Thumzup casually, posting here and there when she had time. But she soon realized that higher-quality posts led to more opportunities.

Instead of snapping quick photos, she started treating each post as a mini-brand collaboration—taking the time to create visually appealing, well-composed images.

3. Build your social media presence for bigger payouts.  While Thumzup pays a flat rate per post, Iman found that having a stronger social media presence helped her attract additional brand deals outside of the platform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Iman 🌟 (@imanwims)

“I started getting messages from small businesses asking if I could make posts for them directly,” she said. “That made me realize that posting consistently and making my content look professional could lead to even more opportunities.”

Here are some of the strategies that helped her improve engagement:

• Use high-quality images: Well-lit, visually appealing photos perform better and help build trust with brands.
• Engage with your audience: Engage with comments to boost visibility and reach.
• Leverage trending audio on reels and stories: Even for still-image posts, adding popular audio increases reach.
• Post consistently: The more frequently you post, the more likely businesses will see you as a reliable content creator.

4. Stay ahead of the competition.   As Thumzup grows, Iman knows that more people will be jumping onto the platform. She believes that those who establish themselves early will have the best opportunities.

“Right now, I think it’s the perfect time to get in,” she said. “The platform is still growing, and businesses are looking for people who can create good posts. The earlier you start, the better.”

By finding high-paying opportunities, keeping her costs low, and maintaining a strong social media presence, Iman has turned Thumzup into a steady source of extra income—one that she can scale as much or as little as she wants.

Related: 7 Best Mystery Shopping Companies to Earn Extra Cash

Is Thumzup Worth It? Who Should Try It?

For Iman, Thumzup has been an easy, flexible way to earn extra cash, but she acknowledges that it won’t be the right fit for everyone.

“It’s a great side hustle if you already like posting about places you go,” she said. “But if you don’t enjoy making content, it might not be for you.”

Based on her experience, here’s who will benefit most from using Thumzup—and who might want to skip it.

A Practical Way to Monetize Social Media

For Iman, Thumzup has been a fun, low-effort way to earn extra cash while doing something she already enjoyed.

“It’s not a full-time income, but it’s nice to get paid for something I was already doing for free,” she said. “I love checking out new places, and now I actually get something back from it.”

“Thumzup has made me look at social media differently,” Iman said. “Now, I see opportunities to turn my content into income wherever I go.”

Since Thumzup is still growing, she believes now is the best time to get in—before competition increases.

“Right now, the platform is still expanding, and businesses are looking for more people to make posts,” she said. “It’s a good time to start before it gets too crowded.”

For those interested in giving it a try, starting early could offer the best opportunities before businesses become more selective. Whether you’re a casual Instagram user or an aspiring creator, platforms like Thumzup prove that social media isn’t just for sharing—it’s for earning.

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