TikTok has taken the world by storm, and while many users aspire to amass a large following and become influencers, making money on the platform can seem like an unattainable dream for those without a substantial fan base.
However, in Canada, there are lesser-known avenues that offer opportunities to generate income on TikTok without relying solely on follower count.
This article will show you how to make money on TikTok in Canada without followers.
Can you get paid on TikTok without followers?
Yes, it is possible to make money on TikTok without having a large number of followers. There are several ways to do this, such as driving sales with TikTok ads, participating in the TikTok Rewards referral program, and directing followers to a Patreon account.
These methods allow users to monetize their accounts and earn money without a substantial follower base.
Here’s a reality check:
- Most monetization avenues on TikTok have follower requirements. The most notable example is the TikTok Creator Fund, which requires 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days to join.
- Earning substantial income without followers will be challenging. The methods mentioned above are more likely to bring in small amounts of money or free products.
- Focus on building your audience. Creating engaging content, utilizing trending hashtags, and interacting with your viewers are crucial for organic growth.
Overall, while making significant money on TikTok without followers is unlikely, there are still some pathways to explore if you’re creative and dedicated. Remember, building a strong audience is the key to unlocking more lucrative opportunities in the long run.
1. Leverage TikTok Challenges & Trends
When starting out on TikTok with no followers, the easiest approach to get views fast is participating in popular challenges and hashtag trends.
Check the Discover page and tags to see rising concepts aligned with your interests like #BookTok, #SmallBusiness, or #LearnOnTiktok.
Put your unique spin on trending topics to increase visibility quickly.
Use relevant hashtags and engaging captions to signal content relevancy clearly.
Once you make videos that strike a chord, likes, comments, shares and followers will accumulate to unlock monetization pathways.
2. Apply for the TikTok Creator Fund
The TikTok Creator Fund represents the platform’s official way to start earning as a brand-new creator from Canada.
You can apply to join once you cross 1000 followers and 10K video views in the last 30 days.
The Fund pays Canadian cents per video view ranging from 2-4¢ normally.
Over a year, diligent creators can reasonably expect to earn $1000-5000+ from the fund alone with a consistent TikTok presence.
Payments get processed monthly after you hit the $100 payout threshold each period.
Fund availability varies but recheck often as more spots open up regularly.
3. Apply for TikTok LIVE Streaming
Once you build to 1000 followers on TikTok, another money-making avenue opens up – TikTok LIVE streaming.
This lets you broadcast real-time videos to your fanbase and earn rewards seamlessly integrated into the experience.
Fans can purchase and send you “Gifts” during LIVEs that convert into cash earnings.
Gifts might include a drama queen crown, beating heart, rose bouquet and more. Costs range from 5 cents up to $50 each from your loyal viewers.
TikTok LIVE represents an interactive way to engage your niche audience, promote products, take requests, host Q&As, and simply get compensated for fun broadcasts as your following grows.
4. Cross-Promote Affiliate Links
While TikTok prohibits direct promotional content, you can legally feature affiliate links via your profile and videos descriptions.
Find brands relevant to your niche like web hosting services, gear, or software to partner with through networks like CJ Affiliate, Clickbank or ShareASale.
When fans click your tracked link and complete a purchase or desired action, you earn handsome commission percentages.
Show off products more subtly in natural contexts.
Maybe reviewing helpful books in an educational niche. The goal is providing value first.
This tactic works best once you have an engaged audience that knows/likes/trusts you already.
But affiliate marketing can become quite lucrative over time.
5. Offer Shoutouts & Promotions
A creative way to profit with a TikTok following is offering shoutouts and video promotions to complementary brands.
Maybe an indie musician would pay for you to creatively feature their new song release.
Or a rising fashion designer wants the influence power of your style-centric audience.
Price paid endorsements based on your view counts, engagement levels and overall influence.
A reasonable starting rate is $10 for smaller 10-30 second promos.
Expand rates higher incrementally as your popularity rises – especially if you cater to a valuable niche demographic outside mainstream interest spaces.
6. Sell Merchandise Directly
Once your account starts gaining some traction thanks to challenge videos or cross-promotions, consider launching branded merchandise for fans to purchase directly, such as:
- Custom t-shirts and other apparel showcasing notable slogans
- Relevant accessories like phone cases and water bottles
- Niche-specific gear that your audience would appreciate
Promote available merch subtly in TikTok captions.
Set up seamless checkout via Shopify or Teespring.
These platforms handle product fulfillment logistics for you on-demand while you collect profits.
Adding merchandise unlocks another incremental income stream from TikTok’s commercial potential pre-follower base.
7. Redirect to Paid Content Platforms
If you establish authority in a knowledge-driven niche like entrepreneurship, cooking, language learning, or coding over time, consider guiding your growing TikTok following to paid content offerings elsewhere delivering more advanced training.
For example, an educational TikTok account with 25,000 engaged followers could leverage that influence to enroll students into online courses available for purchase on a website linked prominently in your profile.
You’re essentially showcasing the value you offer as a skilled teacher/expert across social platforms, enticing followers with solid previews for free on TikTok.
Then reserving more comprehensive, premium lessons for paying subscribers.
8. Offer Professional Services
If you showcase distinct skills or talents on topics that brands need help with like graphic design, coding, writing, animation, etc. – promote related consultation services on your profile.
For example, an account posting fun videos about graphic design trends, tools and techniques could supplement income by offering custom logo, brochure or social media design services.
List your niche expertise clearly in bios/descriptions.
This attracts inbound business leads when companies need projects completed.
Close deals off of TikTok, but leverage its immense marketing reach.
9. Network with Brands for Sponsorships
Research brands that may benefit from TikTok promotions to your niche target market.
Brainstorm creative ideas tailored to each brand’s positioning – then actively pitch paid partnership proposals fully outlining projected costs and deliverables like guaranteed video views, clicks, conversions etc.
These sponsorships can earn hundreds or thousands based on custom negotiation.
Lock in trial deals with smaller brands first to build case study results.
Then parlay proven success into progressively more lucrative brand deals over time.
10. Promote Affiliate Products and Links
Affiliate marketing works by referring customers to brands you partner with and earning sales commissions in return.
Find affiliate programs in your niche with appealing products to showcase and recommend on TikTok creatively.
The more followers you build in a specific market, the more potential influence you wield to drive conversions via affiliate links – earning you excellent side income over time with minimal effort beyond content creation.
11. Sell Own Video Courses
If you establish deep expertise teaching a valuable skill like language fluency, music mastery or coding techniques on TikTok over time – package your specialized knowledge into a comprehensive video course available for purchase.
Promote course availability subtly in TikTok descriptions and bios.
But focus content on providing free value first and foremost – saving advanced lessons for paying students.
Courses represent scalable income from all hard work spent attracting followers and social proof.
12. Crowdfund Passion Projects
TikTok’s direct audience connection means any account with strong personal branding and engagement can leverage fan funding for passion projects or creative works via crowdfunding campaigns.
Maybe you need help financing an indie album, film, clothing line or other venture.
Rally TikTok supporters to contribute towards clearly defined funding goals and offer backer perks.
Loyal followers who know your work can become your venture’s angel investors to transform creative dreams into reality with communal support.
Key Takeaways
- Leveraging popular TikTok trends and hashtags lets you efficiently access a target audience initially to build momentum without followers upfront.
- TikTok LIVE streaming unlocks viewer “Gifts” that convert into earnings for accounts with 1000+ followers.
- Cross-promoting affiliate links and offering paid shoutouts gives monetization options to profit from a niche audience before reaching massive view counts.
- Selling own merchandise or redirecting to paid content sites leverages TikTok traction into sales.