TikTok is more than just a platform for viral videos and entertainment. It is also a powerful tool for making money online.
Whether you are a content creator, a business owner, or a marketer, you can leverage the popularity and reach of TikTok to generate income in Kenya.
In this article, we will explore some of the best ways you can make money on TikTok in Kenya, such as brand deals, sponsorships, live streaming, and more.
We will also share some tips and strategies on how to grow your audience and monetize your content effectively.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to turn your TikTok account into a money-making machine.
What do you need to make money on TikTok?
Before you can start making money on TikTok, do the following:
- Set up a TikTok account: Create an account and optimize it by choosing a catchy username, crafting an appealing bio, and selecting a profile picture that represents your brand or persona.
- Create compelling content: The key to success on TikTok is producing engaging and unique content. Choose a niche, create videos that resonate with your target audience, and leverage popular trends and challenges to attract viewers.
- Post consistently: Maintain an active presence by regularly sharing new content. Posting at least once a day or a few times a week helps keep your audience engaged and contributes to follower growth.
- Grow your followers organically: Focus on increasing your followers naturally. Collaborate with other TikTokers, interact with your audience through comments and direct messages, and use relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability.
- Build your brand: Establishing a recognizable and authentic brand is crucial on TikTok. Define your content style, themes, and overall image. Develop a unique persona or voice that resonates with your target audience. Consistency in content, aesthetics, and messaging will help viewers recognize and connect with your brand.
6 genius ways to make money on Tiktok in Kenya
Here are some ways you can make money on Tiktok here in Kenya:
Managing TikTok accounts for brands and celebrities
Another way to earn money on TikTok is by managing accounts for individuals and brands.
In Kenya, celebrities and small businesses are the typical clients seeking account management services.
Occasionally, small brands may require assistance in growing their audience while having their accounts managed.
The tasks involved in account management include responding to private messages, moderating comments, addressing questions in the comment section, sharing links to products and services, posting content, and providing performance reports.
Despite its apparent simplicity, managing social media accounts, especially TikTok, for small brands in Kenya can be challenging.
This role demands creativity and strong production and organization skills.
Freelance social media account managers in Kenya can earn between Kshs. 5,000 to Kshs. 60,000 per month, based on Twitter data.
In-house employees may receive different compensation, and the pay is often determined by the amount of work required. Some companies offer higher pay but may require a full-time commitment.
Click here to also read about Best TV Brands in Kenya: Everything you Need to know.
Sell Products/Services
Utilize TikTok to effectively promote and sell your own products or services, whether you’re an artist, craftsman, designer, or offer any other type of service.
Leverage TikTok’s broad reach and audience to showcase your offerings and boost sales.
In Kenya, you’ve likely come across TikTok users selling various products in their videos or live streams, ranging from electronics to paintings and fashion items.
With a substantial following, you can market almost anything.
To initiate sales, create engaging videos illustrating the value of your products or services. Showcase how they can improve lives or address specific problems.
Take advantage of TikTok features, such as the “link in bio” option, to direct your audience to your online store, website, or other platforms for purchases or inquiries.
Consider collaborating with other creators or influencers to promote your products or services through sponsored content.
Utilizing their audience and reach can enhance your brand visibility and potentially attract new customers.
TikTok brand sponsorships in Kenya
Earning through TikTok brand sponsorships is a significant avenue in Kenya.
Imagine your TikTok content revolves around a specific theme, like raising chickens. Brands related to chicken feed may want to tap into your chicken-loving audience and seek your collaboration.
Typically, brands might send you their product, like a bag of chicken feed, for free. They could request you to feature it in one or more of your videos, sometimes offering additional payment to encourage your audience to purchase from the brand.
In more advanced partnerships, contracts may specify mentioning the product in a certain number of posts for a predetermined amount of money.
Our survey in Kenya revealed creators charging anywhere from Kshs 4,000 to Kshs 300,000 per post, depending on their following, popularity, and engagement.
Surprisingly, even with just 5,000 followers, brands may be interested in collaborating with you. The key consideration for them is the specific interests of your audience.
For instance, an account with 5,000 followers passionate about lipstick might be preferred over an account with 20,000 followers interested in general beauty products.
When sharing sponsored content, it’s a good practice to use hashtags like #ad #sponsored.
This transparency ensures your audience knows which posts are paid promotions, and in some countries, like the US, it is a legal requirement.
Accumulate Virtual Gifts
This stands out as one of the most popular methods for earning money on TikTok in Kenya.
If you’ve participated in a TikTok livestream, you’ve likely heard hosts urging viewers to send virtual gifts, and perhaps you’ve sent some yourself.
But how does one profit from these gifts?
On TikTok, users can buy virtual gifts to send to their preferred creators, who can then convert these gifts into real money. As a TikTok content creator in Kenya, you can generate income by encouraging your followers to purchase and send virtual gifts during your live streams or via your profile.
To optimize your earnings from virtual gifts, actively engage with your audience during live streams, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere.
Additionally, motivate viewers to send virtual gifts by offering shoutouts, special acknowledgments, or exclusive content in return.
The more captivating and entertaining your live streams, the more likely your followers will support you with virtual gifts.
Earn Direct Monetary Support from Your Audience
Apart from virtual gifts, TikTok creators in Kenya have the option to receive direct financial support from their followers through tips.
TikTok provides a feature that enables users to tip their favorite creators directly within the app, offering an additional avenue for monetization.
To encourage tips from your audience, focus on creating compelling content that resonates with your followers.
Showcase your unique talents, skills, or knowledge in your videos. Additionally, actively engage with your audience through comments, direct messages, and live streams.
By cultivating strong relationships with your followers and consistently delivering high-quality content, you can enhance the likelihood of receiving tips from your loyal fan base.
Growing and selling TikTok accounts
A consistent method employed by individuals to generate income on various social media platforms involves building an audience for a new account and then selling it.
This practice is not exclusive to TikTok; it is observed on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as well.
In Kenya, this approach is commonly utilized by businesses dealing with e-commerce products. To start earning, the first step is to identify a niche that targets people with similar interests.
For instance, creating entertaining content about hair, covering topics like hairstyles, hair conditioning, and hair drying without promoting specific products.
Once the account reaches around 5,000 followers, it can be sold for amounts ranging from Kshs 10,000 to Kshs 150,000, depending on the chosen niche.
When a brand buys the account, it becomes easier for them to sell products, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement for all parties involved.
For those skilled at building audiences, offering services on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork can help connect with more people. Additionally, advertising services on other social media platforms can expand outreach.
Conclusion
TikTok is more than just a fun and popular app for entertainment. It is also a platform where you can showcase your creativity, skills, and talents, and earn money from them.
Whether you are a content creator, an influencer, a business owner, or a freelancer, there are many ways you can monetize TikTok in Kenya.
Some of the methods include collaborating with brands, live streaming, selling products and services, promoting affiliate links, and offering freelancing gigs.
However, to make money on TikTok, you need to have a large and loyal following, produce high-quality and engaging content, and post consistently.
You also need to follow the rules and guidelines of the app and respect the community standards. If you do these things, you can turn your passion into profit and enjoy the benefits of TikTok.