Twitter is moving forward with the next phase of monetization for YouTubers with users Apply now to test the upcoming Super Follow and Ticketed Spaces options.
As per Twitter:
“At Twitter, we want to help people make money and give them tools that will reward them for their work and feel supported by their audiences. We’re looking for a small group of people to be the first to try out Ticketed Spaces and Super Follows with their audience and give feedback. Help us test and improve these experiences before they roll out more widely in the coming months. “
Twitter has been developing both options for some time, with the platform first announcing the advanced monetization tools on its Analyst Day dashboard in February. Since then, various running iterations of the design and layout have been shared for each by reverse engineering experts Jane Manchun Wongto preview what we can expect from the options.
Now Twitter is sharing further insights into the working models of the functions as part of the new application process.
First in Ticketed Spaces – as you can see in this picture, users will soon be able to request exclusive access to Audio Spaces sessions with variable ticket price options.
Audio Social has become a major trend, spearheaded by the sudden rise of Clubhouse, and now Twitter has seemingly taken the lead in the race, with the wider exposure potential of Spaces, based on Twitter’s established network and proving to be strong bait, and Twitter opened the option to all users with more than 600 followers in the app early last month.
Ticketed Spaces is the next step that offers YouTubers more monetization potential. Meanwhile, while Super Follows will also allow users to charge a monthly fee to give fans access to a range of additional content and engagement features, such as newsletters, exclusive live streams, product discounts, etc.
Both of these will open up new opportunities for YouTubers and give them an incentive to build a stronger presence in the app, which will help Twitter improve overall engagement and, ideally, significantly increase its audience over the next few years in line with its stated goals.
However, given the stated cut in revenue sharing, at least in this test phase there could be cause for concern about the longer-term growth impact of the options.
As Twitter explains, YouTubers can take a 97% share of the income they earn from purchasing Spaces tickets and Super Follows, up to a total of $ 50,000.
From then on, there’s a big leap in Twitter’s uptake:
“Twitter will not acquire more than 3% of the shares until you exceed $ 50,000 in lifetime earnings for both products. After that, the share of Twitter increases to up to 20% of future income. ”
That’s a steep increase – but realistically, reaching $ 50,000 won’t be an option for most, and even at this rate, YouTubers can still generate significant revenue from their efforts.
However, it’s not clear why Twitter is driving such a large surge (other than more revenue, of course), and it could limit the option’s growth potential and limit the full scope of revenue for YouTubers from the app. Twitter could of course overhaul this approach in the future, but for now that seems like a barrier to the option’s full potential. At the same time, it’s worth noting that YouTube also charges a 30% fee on membership dues, while Twitch charges 50%.
It is also worth mentioning that the stated 97% percentage does not take into account app store fees, which will already reduce this revenue even further.
In the case of the App Store, this item is currently being used by Epic Games in its Lawsuit against Apple – but the situation as it is now would mean that with additional App Store fees, if you set a ticket price for your Space of, say, $ 5, then $ 2.80 would go to you from every ticket sold, 70c would go to you Twitter and $ 1.50 would go to Apple / Google.
Given the various elements at play, this may not be the path to riches that many had envisioned. But it’s still another opportunity, and it’s still being tested. Many changes in the process could occur between now and a full roll out in the future.
Currently, users in the USA can apply for both Ticketed Spaces (iOS and Android) and Super Follows (iOS only) as part of the test pool.
“Applications to test these products are available separately and are currently available on mobile devices.”
You can apply for Ticketed Spaces Here and super follows Here.
And while many Twitter gurus will no doubt be interested in adding the Super Follower button to their profile to see how many people will sign up, it is important to plan your additional offerings in that regard. People won’t sign up just to read your precious tweets, no matter how valuable basic information you think is on the strength of your community and hope it drives you to your millions.
Because for the reasons listed above, no matter how valuable your content may be, it probably won’t. The real measure will be how much value you are adding to your audience on top of what you are currently doing or the guests you can bring to your rooms, which will attract a crowd, each of which is a challenge in itself.
But applications are now open for those who want to try. Get ready for the prompts to tap the Super Follow button to flow through your tweet stream.
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