Back in 2023, our TikTok strategy brought in over $90,000 in revenue, and now I’m revealing the exact content styles that helped us get there inside my 21-Day TikTok Visibility Challenge—kicking off on June 10, 2024. Ready to level up? Join us here. Today, I want to talk about how you can start monetizing your TikTok—even if you’re not part of the creator fund or anywhere near 100,000 followers. Let me be real: I started my TikTok journey in early 2021 but didn’t put much energy into it. I uploaded a few videos, had one go semi-viral, and gained about 1,000–1,500 followers. But because I had no strategy and no clear funnel, nothing came of it.
Also Read: 15 Viral TikTok Challenges to Elevate Your Brand in 2025
When Can You Monetize TikTok?
You don’t need tens of thousands of followers or access to the Creator Fund to start earning on TikTok—despite what many people think. In fact, I believe this is one of the biggest myths in the online world. You can begin planning how to monetize your TikTok right from the moment you create your account. Doing so helps you become much more strategic and purposeful with the content you share.
How Many Followers Do You Really Need to Make Money on TikTok?
When I first started monetizing on TikTok, I had fewer than 5,000 followers. Fast forward to now—with around 12,700 followers—I’ve earned tens of thousands of pounds through the platform.
The reality? You don’t need a massive audience to start making money. If your content connects with the right people and you have a solid strategy in place, you can begin monetizing with just a few hundred followers. Quality always beats quantity when it comes to building a converting audience.
So, How Do You Start Monetizing Your TikTok?
You might be thinking, “That’s great, but where do I even begin?”
Totally understandable—it can feel overwhelming at first. But honestly, the foundation is simple: build a strong TikTok marketing strategy that directs your audience toward your free and paid offers.
One of the biggest advantages of TikTok is its incredibly smart algorithm. It curates content feeds based on individual user behavior, which is why your For You Page probably looks nothing like your friends’.
When you consistently post content, the algorithm begins to understand who your ideal viewer is and starts showing your videos to people most likely to engage. The more your content keeps users watching, the more TikTok will boost it—because the longer someone stays on the app, the better it is for them too.
That’s why creating engaging, binge-worthy content is key. And the more you post, the faster you’ll learn what works. In the early days, I was posting 3–5 times daily to gather as much data as possible.
Creating a Sales Funnel That Converts
My monetization journey began with a simple freebie: a free training linked in my TikTok bio, designed to help people get started with building their online business.
While that specific training is no longer active, I now offer two other free resources to help entrepreneurs grow and scale their online courses.
Back then, the free training funneled viewers into my low-cost digital product, the Biz Clarity Mini Course, priced at just £7.99. It’s packed with value and made it easy for interested viewers to take the first step without a big commitment.
From there, new customers entered my email sequence, where I continued to build trust and provide value—leading many to enroll in my signature program, The Confident CEO Academy.
This funnel worked incredibly well. When I first launched CCA in March 2022, I made over £8,000 directly through TikTok.
Since then, as my account has grown, I’ve sold 1:1 coaching spots, full access to Freedom Course Creator, and see daily sign-ups to my passive income freebie—all from the TikTok platform. Just recently, I made a £7,000 sale from TikTok alone… and I still don’t have a massive following.
If this has sparked some inspiration, let me know in the comments—and feel free to drop your questions. I’m here to help you turn your TikTok into a powerful income stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many followers do I need to start making money on TikTok?
You don’t need thousands of followers. Many creators start monetizing with just a few hundred highly engaged followers and a solid content strategy. Quality and alignment matter more than follower count.
Do I need to be part of the TikTok Creator Fund to earn income?
Not at all. While the Creator Fund is one option, there are many other ways to monetize including digital products, affiliate marketing, coaching, and services—often with higher earning potential.
How often should I post on TikTok to grow and monetize?
Consistency is key. In the beginning, posting 3–5 times a day can help you test different types of content and understand what your audience resonates with. Over time, you can adjust based on performance.
What type of content works best for monetization?
Content that speaks directly to your ideal client’s needs, struggles, and goals works best. Educational, relatable, and value-driven videos tend to perform well, especially when they lead viewers toward a free or paid offer.
What should I put in my TikTok bio to help with monetization?
Use your bio to clearly state who you help and how. Include a link to a free resource or lead magnet that naturally flows into a sales funnel for a low-ticket or signature offer.
Conclusion
The biggest myth around TikTok monetization is that you need a massive following to earn real income. But as you’ve seen from my journey, it’s not about how many people follow you—it’s about attracting the right people with the right content. With a clear niche, valuable offers, and a strategy that moves your audience from viewers to buyers, TikTok can become one of your most powerful platforms for income and impact. So if you’ve been holding off because you think you’re “too small” to monetize—think again. Your success on TikTok starts the moment you show up with intention.