TikTok, the social media platform that took the world by storm, has been gaining immense popularity in Kenya.
With over 2 billion downloads globally, the app has become a hub for creativity and entertainment, and with the right strategies, it can also be an excellent source of income.
In this article, we will explore how to make money on TikTok in Kenya, the various monetization strategies available, and tips on how to grow your TikTok presence to increase your earnings.
So, if you’re looking to turn your TikTok hobby into a profitable venture, keep reading!
How to make money on TikTok
1. Join TikTok’s’ creator fund
Making money on TikTok is attainable if you know how to approach it. Joining the Creator Fund is one of the best ways to turn your passion into revenue.
This fund was formed to promote talented content creators and give them a chance to make money from their videos.
All it takes to become part of this fund is a well-made and entertaining video according to the guidelines specified by TikTok.
2. Grow and sell TikTok accounts
Aspiring social media stars always look for new platforms to grow their following and make money.
TikTok, the short video app that has taken the world by storm in recent years, is a perfect place to start. However, building a following on TikTok can be difficult, especially starting from scratch.
That’s where buying and selling TikTok accounts come in; you can purchase an existing account with a large following and resell it for a profit.
This is a great way to make money from TikTok without creating content yourself.
3. Product placement
Product placement is an effective strategy for making money on TikTok.
Instead of simply creating content, you can feature specific products in your videos, such as clothing or beauty products.
This type of advertising is becoming very popular on the platform and, if done correctly, can become a beneficial income stream.
When including product placement in your videos, clearly mention the product or service by name or demonstrate it through visuals.
4. Make money through affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is becoming increasingly popular on TikTok, and you can make good money through this method.
To get started, you must sign up with a reputable affiliate program and find products or services related to your niche market.
Then, create content around these said products or services and include an affiliate link in the caption of your videos.
You get a commission whenever someone clicks on the link to purchase the product or service you’re promoting.
5. Influencer partnerships
Influencers are in high demand these days, and you can capitalize on this trend by partnering up with brands for sponsored posts and content.
You’ll get paid a certain amount for each post or video you make and share on your TikTok page.
The key to success here is finding the right brand to partner with and creating engaging content that resonates with your audience.
6. Create a product
Another great way of making money on TikTok is creating a product or service that meets your audience’s needs.
With a solid understanding of what your followers are looking for and a clear idea of what you offer, you can tailor content to promote whatever goods or services you’ve produced.
Whether it’s an ebook, online course, physical product, video series, or something else, use TikTok to showcase what you have available and watch the money start rolling in.
7. TikTok consultant
Being a social media expert isn’t just about creating content yourself but also helping others with their own.
As a TikTok coach or consultant, you can use your expertise to help businesses and individuals build their brand presence on the platform.
You could offer services such as content strategies, analyzing analytics, or advice on what type of content works best.
By becoming a TikTok coach and expert on the platform, you can also make money helping others succeed.
8. Become a Brand Ambassador
Finally, you can make money on TikTok by becoming a brand ambassador for a company or product.
This type of promotion involves you representing the brand and creating content that promotes its products or services.
Brand ambassadors are often paid in cash, but some companies may offer free products or discounts in exchange for your content creation.
These are some of the best ways to make money on TikTok and help turn your passion into a successful business venture.
Remember, it takes time. Ensure you create engaging, high-quality content and regularly engage with your followers.
9. Sponsored content
Brands always look for new and engaging approaches to reach their target audiences, and TikTok is the perfect platform.
One way influencers can make money on TikTok is by utilizing sponsored content. This involves creating product-focused posts or stories in exchange for a monetary incentive from the brand itself.
While the process can be a little more involved than other methods, it is worth the effort as it pays considerably well and is relatively easy to produce, given its format of bite-sized videos.
How to create a successful TikTok account
Here are some tips for creating a successful account on TikTok;
- Focus on a niche: Identify a specific area or niche that you’re interested in and create content that caters to that audience. This will help you establish a loyal following and create content that resonates with your viewers.
- Keep it short and sweet: TikTok videos are typically 15-60 seconds long, so make sure your content is concise and engaging. Use attention-grabbing visuals, music, and captions to keep viewers interested.
- Use trending hashtags: Take advantage of trending hashtags and challenges to increase the visibility of your content. Use relevant hashtags in your video captions to make it easier for users to find your content.
- Collaborate with other creators: Collaborating with other TikTok creators can help you reach new audiences and gain more followers. Look for other creators in your niche and reach out to them to see if they’re interested in collaborating on a video.
- Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and direct messages from your followers to build a connection with your audience. Ask for feedback and suggestions to improve your content and engage with your viewers.
- Post regularly: Consistency is key on TikTok, so make sure you’re posting new content on a regular basis. This will help you maintain engagement with your followers and keep them coming back for more.
- Be authentic: TikTok users value authenticity, so be true to yourself and your brand when creating content. Don’t be afraid to show your personality and be creative with your videos.
Highest paid TikTok content creators in Kenya
1. Azziad Nasenya
Azziad who is actually one of the most popular Kenyan Tiktok star makes the highest amount of money in Kenya from TikTok, as an influencer.
She apparently makes almost Ksh 500,000 from sponsorships and paid promotions.
2. Gideon Musau
Gideon (Mr Mbilimbili) Musau is one of the few TikTokers in Kenya who make money from the app.
The Tiktok star once said that he earns an average of Ksh. 400,000 monthly from all the sponsorship deals and campaigns that he gets.
3. Ajib Gathoni
One of the best Kenyan TikTokers Ajib is also among the top influencers of TikTok who make a ton of money by using the app and posting engaging videos.
She is said to make an average of around Ksh 100,000 from TikTok campaigns.
Others include;
- Alma Mutheu
- Cindy Kipsang
- Moya David
- Vick Brandon
TikTok facts
TikTok originally started in China and it is owned by a huge Chinese tech giant called Bytedance, and as of 2022, TikTok had over 900 Million active users worldwide.
That is more active users than Twitter, Linkedin, and Snapchat, the app also has over 2 billion downloads on the App Store and Google Play.
A few years after Tiktok was launched, it was named The World’s Most Valuable start-up with a valuation of over $80 Billion.
TikTok gets Millions of active users in Kenya, and the number keeps growing, in the USA alone, TikTok gets over 35 Million active users.
Kenyans love Tiktok and many enjoy being on the app scrolling down videos or creating content themselves.
The average TikTok user spends more than 50 minutes per day on the app, 34% actively post videos every day.
One of the reasons why Tiktok is very popular in Kenya is because of the localized content on the App.
There are lots of (Kenyan) local contests, challenges, hash tags, local trends which Kenyan users love and enjoy.