How to make money on TikTok in Kenya

What started as a viral app is now bigger than ever. And there’s no way it can be ignored further. Last year, it was the most visited site on the internet, and even beat YouTube in average watch time.

A lot of Kenyans are increasingly signing up and using the app. We are at a time when everyone – musicians, creators, doctors, teachers, and so many more – are using one single platform to reach audiences.

Unlike platforms like YouTube, TikTok doesn’t have a one-for-all approach to monetisation, i.e. AdSense. On YouTube, you enable monetisation once you hit a certain threshold. And those with more subscribers and more views, and in specific countries get to make more money.

On TikTok, anyone can go viral and build a following thanks to that crazy algorithm. But there’s still no stable way to point out as a means of making money. This has been changing in the past few years, with TikTok working towards ensuring creators stay on the site.

So how do you make money on such a platform? Here’s a quick guide on making money on TikTok in Kenya.

Let’s break it down in to two:

1. Are you a creator ?
2. Are you a business?

Making Money as a TikTok Creator in Kenya:

The most important rule of course to help you make any money on any platform is to ensure you have good content. Tailor your content well, to ensure you build a following. Once you have a significant flow of new followers, you’ll know you’ve gotten a good thing going on.

So before chasing the money, create the content. In 2022, content is anything that will keep audiences addicted for more, it seems. We’ve seen viral sensations like Khaby Lame who’s not uttered a single word but is the most followed person on TikTok. He kept at it with his unique-style comedy.

With a steady flow of content, and a good amount of reach, here are ways you’ll be able to make money:

• Brand partnerships – you reach people, and brands want that. You will either see them approach you, or you can approach them. This is the thing where you get to be called an ‘Influencer’.
• Personal promotions – you can add to your videos promotions of your personal items you sell or services you offer.
• TikTok Gifts – With this option, users who watch your videos can send you gifts as appreciation for your content. These gifts are redeemable as cash. You need to meet TikTok’s threshold to enable gifts. You’ll also need to have a PayPal account to withdraw gift coins as cash. This is explained down below.
• TikTok Live – Once you meet the threshold required to go live, users can gift you stuff when you’re live. You can thereafter redeem the gifts as cash through PayPal.
• TikTok Creator Fund – this isn’t yet live in Kenya, but keep eyes on it if you’re a huge creator on the platform.
• Other means – People are doing a lot other things to make money with TikTok. There are those who build significant followings only to thereafter sell these accounts for between KES 10,000 and KES 100,000.

Important things to do on TikTok to enable you make money:

• Use the Creator Tools and Creator Portal to see Analytics on who follows you, how your videos perform and more. This is data that can be shared with potential brand partners.
• If you’re a business, switch to Business Account. And add links to your shop which can be on Shopify or Instagram.
• Linking your TikTok to other platforms for example: YouTube, Instagram etc. This allows followers to see you on other platforms thus contributing to overall growth, reach and possible partnerships.
• You can also add affiliate links to third-party sites like Amazon, Jumia, etc. which pay you when people buy anything using your link.

How to withdraw TikTok Gift Coins as Cash:

1. Once you’ve received a significant set of coins whether through videos or by going live, you will be eligible to withdrawing. The minimum amount is currently $100.
2. Make sure you have a verified PayPal account. Link your PayPal to your M-Pesa phone number, soy can thereafter withdraw to M-Pesa.
3. On the TikTok App on your phone, go to the ‘Profile’ Tab in the bottom right. Click on the Menu on the Top Right.
4. Click on ‘Settings and Privacy’ on the bottom.
5. Click on ‘Balance’
6. Click on ‘Gift Revenue’
7. If you’ve reached the allowed withdrawal threshold, you will be able to click on the ‘Withdraw’ Button.
8. Click ‘Withdraw’ and provide the necessary PayPal details.
9. You will be able to withdraw your gifts as cash to your PayPal account.
10. You will thereafter be able to withdraw from your PayPal account to your M-Pesa.

Making Money as a Business on TikTok in Kenya:

If you’re a business, your main aim is obviously to sell. And the same sort of approach applies:

• Link your profile to platforms where you can sell.
• Create videos that tell potential customers about your products and services.
• Make sure your videos are enticing and relatable.
• Reach out to TikTok Business to setup ads for your business on the platform.

Please share any other ideas on making money to be included in this article. Also, remember to share this with friends who’re looking for means to earn while being creative.