How to Make Money on TikTok Without Followers?
TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most used social media platforms globally. With its large audience base and engaging content, TikTok offers major money-making opportunities even if you don't have a huge following.
So how exactly can you make money on TikTok without followers? This comprehensive guide covers multiple effective methods, best practices, and tips to start earning as a small TikTok creator.
Getting Started on TikTok
Before diving into money-making strategies, having a strong foundation on TikTok is key. Here are a few tips to optimize your TikTok presence and account even as a new user:
Make Money on TikTok Without Followers Through TikTok Creator Fund
The TikTok Creator Fund allows creators to earn income from their videos without needing a large fanbase. Here is how it works:
As your views increase over time, the Creator Fund can become a reliable source of passive TikTok income without requiring followers.
Leverage TikTok LIVE to Get Paid
TikTok LIVE allows creators to broadcast real-time videos to fans, unlocking several money-making avenues:
TikTok LIVE greatly accelerates earning potential per video relative to regular uploads, so leverage it even without many loyal followers.
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Make Money Through Influencer Marketing Campaigns
Brand sponsorship deals via influencer marketing do not always require massive, established audiences on TikTok either:
Building out an influencer profile focused around a niche/demographic brands want to reach and directly pitching to them can unlock earnings through a range of marketing formats.
Sell T-Shirts & Merchandise
Creating and selling custom apparel, phone cases, mugs and other hot merchandise associated with your brand is a largely untapped opportunity without big followings on TikTok:
Offering niche, good quality and reasonably priced merchandise can generate recurring TikTok income through passive sales even with lower follower counts.
Cross-Promote Affiliate Links & Programs
If focusing on a definable niche like fitness, gaming, fashion etc, highlighting relevant affiliate programs offers another easy revenue stream requiring no TikTok followers:
As you demonstrate expertise around a topic, recommending select worthwhile products or services earns reputable commissions over time.
Conclusion
Generating real earnings as a small TikTok creator with low followers is very achievable through Creator Fund payments, LIVE gifting/promotions, micro-influencer campaigns, merchandise stores and affiliate links.
Consistently producing engaging, high-quality content optimized around trends and hashtags will continue expanding your audience. This magnifies your income potential through all the above methods, eventually transitioning into a full-time income stream from TikTok.
The key is patience and consistency. Trust the process and leverage all possible income avenues to maximize how you make money on TikTok without followers right from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to join the TikTok Creator Fund?
Creators can apply for the Creator Fund through the ‘creator earnings’ tab in their TikTok account settings once they cross the 10,000 video view threshold over the past 30 days. Those under 18 currently cannot apply.
How much money can I make on TikTok?
Depending on consistency, content quality and monetization methods used, creators can make anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month on TikTok. Top creators easily earn 5-6 figure incomes over time.
Can people see when you go live on TikTok?
Yes, TikTok notifies all your current followers when you begin a LIVE video broadcast via notifications. LIVE streams also temporarily feature towards the top of follower’s For You Pages to attract an initial audience.
Who pays you on TikTok LIVE?
Viewers purchase digital coins from TikTok to gift creators during a LIVE video, with gift values starting at 100 coins ($0.01). After the LIVE session ends, creators can redeem coin totals earned for actual money via PayPal/bank transfer.
How do you get followers on TikTok?
Posting frequently, participating in trends/challenges, optimizing relevant hashtags and engaging with larger accounts in your niche helps expand TikTok followers organically over time. Cross-promoting TikTok content on other social platforms also drives follower growth.
Can you make money posting TikTok videos?
Yes, TikTok creators early on can leverage income sources like LIVE gifting, the Creator Fund, micropayments from influencer marketing campaigns and affiliate link promotions requiring no major established fanbase initially.
What jobs can I do to make money on TikTok?
Making money via channels like LIVE and the Creator Fund just require you to post quality content consistently. Separately many brands hire niche TikTok influencers for promotional contracts involving creating sponsored video ads.
How many views do you need to make money on TikTok?
The TikTok Creator Fund requires 10,000 lifetime video views to qualify to start earning through the program. However other income sources have lower barriers, like being able to go LIVE with just 1,000 followers. Having more daily views though results in higher earnings.
Can you truly go viral on TikTok without followers?
Yes absolutely. TikTok's powerful algorithm routinely picks up and widely distributes great content from creators with very limited followings, kickstarting viral fame. Success depends on video quality + optimizing discoverability more than existing fans.
How to Make Money on TikTok Without Followers?