The SomaApp Creator Growth Handbook

A practical, mobile-first guide to help creators grow audience, improve quality, and monetize effectively on SomaApp.


1) Why should you write on SomaApp?

SomaApp is built for African readers. SomaApp’s audience is local, mobile-first, and culturally tuned. Your stories are more likely to resonate here than on a global platform that doesn’t understand Kenyan/African vernacular or mobile-money behaviours.

Monetisation that works with M-Pesa. Many Soma users pay with M-Pesa — the payment friction is low, so readers convert more often.

We are running a creator-first model. SomaApp rewards writers for reads and engagement using a token economy and revenue shares.

Low technical barrier — publish from your phone, use free AI tools, and promote via WhatsApp and social platforms you already know.


2) Making Money on SomaApp — the clear rules

SomaApp rewards unlocks using tokens. Here’s the earning rule you’ll use:

Story length-based token reward for authors:

Story length (words)Tokens per unlock/read
< 5001
500 – 9992
1,000 – 1,4993
1,500 – 1,9994
≥ 2,0005+

Important notes on tokens

  • Tokens are SomaApp’s internal currency, redeemable for payouts.
  • A token is earned when a paying reader unlocks the story.

3) The quality gate — what converts to tokens

  • Strong opening (50–150 words).
  • Clear structure with short paragraphs.
  • Local flavour without clichés.
  • Polished grammar using AI tools.

4) Titles, subtitles, and thumbnails

  • Title: 5–10 words promising emotion or curiosity.
  • Subtitle: 1 sentence explaining the payoff.
  • Cover image: Clear, bright, with optional text overlay.

5) Images — why they matter

Articles with images get higher engagement.

  • Format: JPG/PNG
  • Cover: 1200×675 px
  • Size: Under 500 KB
  • Use free AI/stock image tools

6) Using AI tools responsibly

  • Use AI for ideas, not whole-story generation.
  • Add your unique voice and lived experience.
  • Ask AI for summaries, hooks, or rewrites.

7) Sharing tactics (Kenya-focused)

WhatsApp is the #1 channel — use broadcast lists + teaser text.

“New short story about Nairobi nights — read the first 200 words here: [link]”
  • Screenshots are optional; the link is essential.
  • Post in evenings and weekends.
  • Cross-post to FB groups, X, Instagram Stories, Telegram.

8) Community & growth strategies

  • Publish weekly or biweekly.
  • Engage comments.
  • Run serials.
  • Collaborate with creators.

9) Legal & platform policies

  • Avoid copyrighted material.
  • No hate speech or illegal content.
  • Track payouts for tax compliance.
  • Welcome bonus mis-use can revoke writer status.

Quick Reference (Cheatsheet)

  • Titles: short + promise.
  • Proofread: always.
  • Best channels: WhatsApp groups.
Token tiers:
Word CountTokens
<5001
500–9992
1000–14993
1500–19994
≥20005+
  • Timing: evenings + consistent posting.