I Was Paid Ksh. 114,010 For My First TikTok Video. I Had Zero Followers.

Last year I was persuaded to join TikTok and after joining, I was paid Ksh. 114,010.00 for my first TikTok video. I had zero followers at the time it was published, no likes, and no idea how TikTok worked.

Sounds like a fairy tale, right? Well, it is not.

If you’re wondering how I managed to land such a large paycheck for such a small video, keep reading! In this blog post, we will discuss the strategies that I used to get paid for my very first TikTok video.

It All Started on YouTube.

Have I already mentioned that besides TikToking, I also have a Youtube channel? Nowadays it is a common practice that a creator will have a presence on more than one platform.

In my case, I wasn’t a creator, I was just some bored ape doing trading videos for YouTube.

Videos that I thought no one was watching. At least that’s the vibe I got from YouTube analytics. But secretly, someone was watching.

The Deal

After some talks, this person decided that it would be worth it to sponsor my next video on YouTube. And we agreed on a sum of $1,500 for this partnership. The amount was paid on 3/11/2021 at 5:05 PM.

But it didn’t end there. Do you know what followed after doing this first video? Which by the way I need to say, impressed them, I was offered an opportunity to do one more video to be posted on TikTok.

For this next project, I would be paid $1,000 (equivalent to Ksh. 114,010.00 if today’s rates are anything to go by).

There were no conditions attached to this project except creating a TikTok account and doing my first video for this company.

Short story, I took the money, created my TikTok account, and did the video.

Looking back at this entire process I realize that there are a couple of things I did right to get this opportunity without seeking it.

I have since gotten more projects from this company and others alike.

8 Strategies That I Used to Earn Ksh. 114,010.00 For My First TikTok Video.

Here’s how I managed to land such a large paycheck for such a small video,

1). I Showed My Potential on YouTube.

The TikTok deal didn’t come out of anywhere. I had been posting videos on YouTube for months before this and had built a small but engaged audience.

When the TikTok sponsor saw my videos, they knew that I could produce quality content. This gave them the confidence to invest in me.

If you want to get paid for TikTok videos, start by building a following on another platform like YouTube or Instagram while readying yourself for monetization.

2). Communication.

Have I already mentioned that there were talks for months before the TikTok deal was closed? I was in constant communication with the TikTok sponsor.

They got to know me and I got to know them. This way, when the time came to do business, we had already built trust.

If you’re looking to get paid for your TikTok videos, start by building relationships with potential sponsors in your niche.

Have your contacts on the description of your videos and let people know how they can contact you for sponsorship.

3). Ask people to sponsor your videos or to advertise on your videos.

While I did not ask anyone to advertise on my videos prior to getting this TikTok deal, it’s something you could do.

You can either reach out to brands that you think will be a good fit or use services like Famebit or Grapevine to connect with sponsors.

Remember, the more people who know about your skills as a content creator, the higher the chances of getting sponsored.

4). Stick to a specific niche.

During the TikTok sponsorship process, I was told that one of the reasons I was chosen is because I have a specific niche.

My YouTube channel is dedicated to trading and investing. This made me an ideal candidate for a TikTok sponsorship deal from a company in the same industry.

If you want to get paid for your TikTok videos, start by finding a niche and sticking to it. This will help you build an audience that is interested in what you do.

It will also make it easier for sponsors to find you.

You can use tools like Google Trends or YouTube’s keyword planner tool to determine the best niche for you.

5). Be patient.

Getting paid for TikTok videos doesn’t happen overnight. Not every sponsor will take a gamble on you as they did on me.

And not everyone will have the same luck as mine. I had been posting videos on YouTube for months before this deal came through.

You have to be patient and put in the work if you want to get paid to make videos.

Remember, sponsors, are looking for creators who can produce quality content consistently. So make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

6). Create a Rate Card for Your Video Business.

Though I did not have this then, I now have a rate card for my TikTok video business.

This is a document that outlines the services you offer, your rates, and your contact information.

A rate card makes it easy for potential sponsors to see what you’re offering and how much it will cost them.

It also shows that you’re serious about your business.

If you don’t have a rate card, you can create one using a template or by reaching out to other creators in your niche for rates.

Just make sure you’re including all the important information that potential sponsors need to know.

7). Use TikTok for Business or TikTok for Creators.

One of the things that any sponsor will consider before throwing money at you is how they will benefit.

Can they get analytics to see the performance of the video? Demographies, audience, devices used to watch the video, and more?

The answer to that is yes if you use TikTok for Business or TikTok for Creators.

Both of these platforms offer features that allow sponsors to see the performance of their videos.

They can also see how many people have viewed the video, shared it, and commented on it.

But most importantly, they will need to see how many people visited their business after watching the video.

This can only be achieved by calling your audience to action and including the link to your sponsor’s business on your bio.

A feature that is only available on the TikTok business.

8). Ask your sponsors if they want to readvertise.

After the video has been live for a while, you can reach out to your sponsors and ask them if they want to readvertise.

This is where you offer them a discounted price or even free advertising in exchange for another sponsored video.

The key here is to make sure that you’re still providing value to your sponsors.

Don’t just offer them a discount for the sake of it. Offer them a discount that will make it worth their while.

I hope these tips help you get paid to make TikTok videos. Just remember, it takes time, effort, and consistency to be successful.

If you put in the work, you will see results.

Tagged With : Entrepreneurship • Make Money • Make Money on TikTok • Make Money With Videos