It’s true that TikTok influencers make tons of money from the platform! Don’t let the lack of followers stop you. I’m here with secret tips to help you make money without TikTok followers.
How To Make Money On TikTok Without Followers
Digital stars like Addison Rae, Dixie, and Charli Damelio collectively made a whopping $40.5million in 2023, according to Forbes. What’s stopping you from making TikTok a platform that generates constant earnings for yourself? Is it a lack of followers?
Well, it’s true that the highest-earning TikTok creators have millions of followers. But let me assure you that it’s not the only criterion for earning! TikTok offers multiple avenues to earn. All you need is talent and creativity. And of course, knowing how to use these channels as a TikTok creator. That’s what I’m here for!
TikTok influencers are typically categorized into four tiers based on their follower count:
1. Nano influencers: 1,000 to 10,000 followers
2. Micro influencers: 10,000 to 100,000 followers
3. Macro influencers: 100,000 to 1 million followers
4. Mega influencers: Over 1 million followers
Of course, it goes without saying that the earnings of a nano TikTok creator would be less as compared to a mega influencer. However, they’re still making money through collabs and some freebies.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into how you can earn on TikTok with a small fanbase.
Ways To Monetize On TikTok
The following are the ways in which TikTok content creators monetize and make a living:
TikTok Creator Fund
Received 100,000 authentic views on your content in the 30 days? Then, you can apply for the TikTok Creator Fund or Creator Rewards Program as it is now called. Launched in 2020, the TikTok Creator Fund rewards you for posting engaging content that grabs eyeballs.
An additional requirement is 10k authentic, organic followers which isn’t too big a number if your content is good!
Here are the complete requirements you need to fulfill to join the creator fund:
Age: Be at least 18 years old
Account type: Have a personal account in good standing
Followers: Have at least 10,000 followers
Video views: Have at least 100,000 views on your videos within the last 30 days
Content: Publish original content that isn’t repurposed or cross-posted
Location: Be located in a region where the TikTok Creator Fund is available
Community guidelines: Adhere to TikTok’s community guidelines and best practices
TikTok Creativity Program
Launched in 2023, the TikTok Creativity Program pays even better than the Creator Fund! You must have a minimum of 100,000 valid video views in 30 days to be eligible.
Remember to follow the community guidelines. Make sure your videos are more than 1 minute in length and in landscape mode. That’s it. You are set to start earning!
TikTok Affiliate Marketing
Got sales skills? Put them to use in your unique influencer marketing content on TikTok. Simply pick an affiliate program, create engaging content around it, and share it with an affiliate link.
With the right hashtags and trending music, you can get users to click on the link and buy the product. The more you sell, the more you earn. No massive followers needed!
Sell Products or Merchandise
Did you know that no followers are required to earn through influencer marketing and selling on TikTok Shop! Even if you are a new TikTok account holder you can join the program.
The TikTok shop is an online retail platform that features products and merchandise.
Use a brand’s affiliate program to partner with them. Then create engaging product reviews, recommendations, or other related videos to drive sales. Simple, right?
Online Courses and Coaching
TikTok is not just about entertainment, it’s about information too! Share your knowledge on TikTok and begin earning like a pro.
However, there are some fundamental steps you need to be aware of to gain followers on the platform. The step that worked for me was optimizing my TikTok profile. It instantly makes you more discoverable on the platform.
You can make TikTok videos based on how-to tutorials, reviews, Q&A, etc., and grow your business without a lot of followers.
Sponsored Content
If you thought brands only worked with mega influencers on social media, it’s time to ditch your thought! Why?
Well, more and more brands are leveraging nano and micro-influencers these days to put up every sponsored post they create.
If you can prove your worth and content creativity then brand partnerships are possible with even 1k followers!
TikTok Ads
If you can create catchy ads that resonate with your target audience, then TikTok Ads is right for you. These ads are the best ways to promote products or attract people to your affiliate link. You can get exciting brand deals on such ads.
TikTok Ads have the potential to reach millions of users even if they are not following you. This way, you can also build a huge user base!
Live Gifts and Donations
I have used TikTok Live several times to make a few quick bucks. When you go Live with your content, viewers have the option to send virtual gifts as well as diamonds. You can collect these and redeem them for money!
If you are raising money for a charity, you can embed a donation link in your video so viewers can donate. You obviously need a few followers at least to get any return out of this one though.
User-Generated Content (UGC)
When as a user, you create content for a brand on a social media platform then it qualifies as User-Generated Content or UGC. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing but on a digital platform.
Anyone can create UGC for affiliate marketing regardless of the number of followers and earn money. Brands are approaching content creators with fewer followers for influencer marketing as they have a niche audience.
How Can You Increase Your Followers Organically?
Consistent Posting
The tricky TikTok algorithm will reward you for consistency! If you post regularly then your content is likely to be on the user’s minds. The more content you post, the more it will show on people’s feeds. Aim for 1-3 high-quality videos per day for optimal visibility.
Quality Content
The one thing that you absolutely cannot compromise on is the quality of content. This applies to the subject, the lighting, the music, and every aspect of the video.
If your video quality is good and the content is engaging, then views are bound to follow! Also, the TikTok algorithm gives more importance to exclusive content.
Engage With Your Audience
When you interact with your audience as a content creator, you make them feel special and acknowledged. You can answer comments, utilize the Q&A feature, and live streaming to stay in touch with your followers.
It helps you build a loyal fanbase and attract more followers too!
Use Hashtags Wisely
Hashtags aren’t just a fancy accessory to your content, they are its identifiers! Think of hashtags as the name of your videos.
It is what the TikTok algorithm and your audience will use to search and find your content. So, be smart and use them wisely.
Collaborate With Other Creators
Not only are collaborations fun, but they can also instantly boost your viewership! You can use cool TikTok features like duet and stitch to begin your collab journey. Trust me, it is one of the simplest ways to increase your follower count.
Leverage Trends
The TikTok algorithm is all about what people like, and trends keep people hooked. So, the math is simple.
Jump on the trends bandwagon and you will find your content going viral sooner. To know the latest trends head to the TikTok Creative Center.
Optimize Your Profile
Optimizing your profile means completing all the details required by your TikTok account. An optimized profile has a greater chance of showing up on the audience’s FYP page and search results.
And as we all know, more visibility means more views and followers!
Promote Across Platforms
Why limit yourself to the TikTok audience when you can attract them from other social media platforms as well? Repurposing and promoting TikTok content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, etc., is a great way to draw a diverse audience to your TikTok profile.
Analyze Your Performance
Did you notice that your handle has a TikTok Analytics Centre? Well, use it to analyze how your content is performing.
By monitoring your growth, audience preferences, etc., you can better understand what works and what doesn’t. This will help you create more successful videos in the future!
Create Unique and Original Content
TikTok is a very competitive platform. . To survive, your content has to be absolutely original and entertaining. The first few seconds especially have to be unique enough to hook the TikTok user.
Also, keep in mind that the TikTok algorithm flags copied content. So, stay away from plagiarism and keep it original!
FAQ
1. What is the minimum number of followers to get paid on TikTok?
As I have said before, there is no minimum number of followers required to earn on TikTok.
You can earn on TikTok with zero followers also by using TikTok shop and other programs as mentioned above. The bottom line is that your content should get views.
If you want to make use of the TikTok Creator Fund or TikTok Creativity Program then you need a minimum of 10k followers to be eligible and start earning.
2. Does TikTok pay for views?
Yes, TikTok pays for the views that you get on your content. If you are enrolled in the TikTok Creator Fund, you can earn between $0.02 and $0.04 per 1,000 views.
The TikTok Creator Fund is now called the Creator Rewards Program. The new program offers an increased pay-per-view to a TikTok creator that ranges between $0.50 to $1 per 1,000 views. It is presently available in the U.S., Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and the U.K.
3. How do I start earning on TikTok?
There are ample opportunities to begin earning on TikTok. You can apply for the TikTok Rewards Program, choose an affiliate marketing program, create ads, enrol in Creator Next, etc., to start earning.
However, the first step is to create an optimized, valid account. Without this, your content will not be visible to a large number of people.
Once the TikTok account is created and optimized, you can instantly begin earning if your content is engaging and meets TikToks Community Guidelines.
