What is Facebook's professional mode?

All creators on Facebook can now use Meta's professional mode to make some extra cash. 

Meta announced the global expansion of professional mode on Monday, Oct. 31, a product it began testing with select creators nearly a year ago, in December 2021. Now, anyone can use it.

This comes at a time in which Meta appears to be doubling down in its investment in its creator user base — by the end of 2022 it plans to "invest over $1 billion in programs that give creators new ways to earn money for the content they create on Facebook and Instagram." The company might be looking for loyalty as it sets its sights on the metaverse, which is in dire need of creator support. 

What is professional mode?

Professional mode is, in its most basic sense, a page for individual creators. It's similar to making your Instagram account a professional one instead of a personal or business account. 

"If you would like to build a public presence to represent your personal brand using your Facebook profile where you connect with friends and family, professional mode is the way to go," Facebook wrote in a blog post. "If you would like to create a public presence for a business, product or for yourself that’s separate from your personal profile, we suggest you create a Page."

Professional mode on Facebook is designed for creators to maintain their personal page while also building a public presence on the app. In line with Pages, this allows creators the ability to build their presence on Facebook with a separate profile. Once you turn professional mode on, you can use more monetization and analytics tools.

How to set up professional mode on Facebook

Setting up professional mode is pretty simple. Start off by heading to your Facebook profile.

1. Click the three dots next to "Edit profile." This is the menu for your profile.

2. You'll be faced with a punch of profile setting options. Below "memorialization settings" but above "create another profile," you'll see "Turn on professional mode."

3. Confirm by tapping "Turn on" and voila! 

It's remarkably simple Credit: Mashable composite / Facebook screenshots

How can creators use professional mode to make money on Facebook?

Professional mode makes creators eligible for Facebook's Reels Play program, in which creators earn money for the Reels they share. Creators can also access Stars, which lets users give money directly to creators on Reels, live video, and video on-demand. With professional mode, you can also access subscriptions, in which users pay a monthly fee and receive a small badge showing that they're a supporter that pops up next to their name when they interact with the creator, in addition to in-stream ads for longer videos and on-demand on Facebook.