If you’ve been running a WhatsApp or Telegram group for a while—maybe for friends, church members, schoolmates, business people, or even just vibes—then you might be sitting on an opportunity to earn some real money.
We often think of side hustles as big, complicated ventures. But what if your next source of income is already on your phone? Let’s talk about how you can turn your chat group into a money-making space—without losing the fun or annoying your members.
Start With What You Have
You don’t need a huge audience to begin. If your group is active and has around 100 people or more, that’s a good place to start. It’s not about the size, but about trust and engagement.
People listen more when they already know you, or when they feel like they’re part of something real. That makes group chats powerful—people are more responsive than they are to random ads online.
So, How Can You Make Money?
There are a few ways to approach this depending on your group type. Here are some that work:
- Promote Affiliate Links
Let’s say you’re part of a group that loves deals, fashion, gadgets, or food. You can sign up for affiliate programs (like Jumia, Konga, Amazon, or even international sites like AliExpress) and share product links in the group.
If anyone buys through your link, you earn a small commission. Some people make daily earnings from just sharing affiliate links the right way.
Tip: Don’t be spammy. Talk about products you genuinely find useful. Add a personal note or story to make it relatable.
- Sell Your Own Products or Services
Do you bake? Sell clothes? Offer proofreading services? Are you a graphic designer? A virtual assistant?
You can share samples of your work in your group. Post testimonials. Run small promos or discount days. Turn your group into a lowkey customer base. Most people prefer buying from someone they already know.
- Charge for Promotions
This one is perfect if your group is niche-focused—say a real estate group, crypto updates, sports banter, or job alerts.
Once the group grows, you’ll start to get inbox messages like:
“Please can I post my flyer in your group?”
Here’s where the hustle kicks in. Instead of letting everyone post for free, you can start charging a small fee for promotions. It could be ₦500, ₦1000, or more depending on your group’s size and activeness.
Some people are making weekly side cash this way, especially during elections, product launches, or sales season.
- Create Premium Subgroups
Let’s say your main group shares general content. You can then create a smaller, more focused group where you share deeper or more valuable content—like business tips, job opportunities, investment guides, or exclusive updates.
You charge a small entry fee to join this new group. Even if only 10 people pay ₦2000 each, that’s ₦20,000 for just curating helpful info and keeping the group tidy.
- Offer Ads in Your Daily Posts
If your group is very active and you post content regularly (news, funny clips, quotes, updates), you can offer short “sponsored by” spaces.
For example:
Today’s quote is sponsored by Kendra’s Kitchen. Try their puff-puff and zobo. Order here: [link]
It’s soft marketing, and it works surprisingly well when done right.
Be Smart With It
You don’t need to turn your group into a full-blown market. People hate spam, and they’ll leave if you get too pushy. The key is balance. Keep sharing what your group came together for, but slowly include little money-making extras that feel natural and useful.
If your audience trusts you, they’ll support you.
Final Thoughts
We spend hours daily chatting away on WhatsApp and Telegram. What if just 10 minutes a day helped you earn an extra ₦5,000 to ₦20,000 a month? That might cover data, bills, or even help you save.
Start small, keep it respectful, and grow gradually. Whether it’s affiliate links, small ads, or premium content, your group can be more than just chats—it can quietly become your soft side hustle.
