How to Make Money on TikTok Without a Single Follower (2025 Playbook)

Key Takeaway

I'll show you how to make money on TikTok, even if you have zero followers. You can make money by creating videos for brands, running ads, promoting affiliate products, or selling digital goods.

TikTok's algorithm rewards great content, not big accounts. There are 16,000 videos uploaded every minute, read this guide to get noticed.

Let's break down the exact steps that actually work.

Quick Stats That Matter

TikTok engagement rate: TikTok leads all major social platforms with a 2.5% engagement rate. That makes it the most active and responsive audience online right now (Sprout Social, 2025).

Instagram comparison: While Instagram averages just a 0.50% engagement rate, TikTok comes in at 2.5%, giving it a clear 5x advantage. If you're looking for real user interaction, TikTok is where it happens (Social Insider, 2025).

Nano-influencer power: Nano-influencers with 1K to 10K followers see standout engagement, 18.36% in food & drink and 14.32% in lifestyle. That's a level of interaction most big accounts can't match (Sprout social, 2025).

Digital product sales growth: In 2024, TikTok (including Douyin in China) made $6 billion from in-app purchases, up from $4.4 billion in 2023. That's a 36% increase. It shows that more people are buying digital products and services through the app, and TikTok's e-commerce is growing fast (Social Discovery Insights, 2025).

User Generator Content (UGC) rates: UGC creators usually make between $50 and $750 or more for each video. The price depends on how much experience you have, how complex the video is, and how the brand will use it (PPC, 2025).

For example, Helena from @startabusinesswithme on TikTok once charged £700 (about $880) for a 30-second video.

According to Helena, shorter videos (like 30–60 seconds) usually cost less. Prices go up if the brand asks for multiple hooks, custom messages, or wants to use the video in ads. She also says that creators with a strong portfolio can charge much more (@Startbusinesswithme Tiktok, 2025).

Daily uploads: Around 34 million videos are uploaded every day. That's about 16,000 per minute. This shows just how big the demand for new content is and how much opportunity there is for videos to go viral (Motion Play Studio).

Zero-Follower Monetization Strategies

TikTok doesn't care if you have followers, great content gets views. Here's how to use that to start earning from day one.

1. User-Generated Content (UGC) Creation

The global UGC (User-Generated Content) platforms market was worth about $7.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $109.2 billion by 2034, according to Zion Market Research.

More and more brands are using UGC. Because it feels real and connects better with people. Also UGC is often cheaper to make than traditional ads. As a result, UGC is becoming a big part of how companies promote their products.

What You'll Create:

As a UGC creator, you're essentially providing authentic, genuine relatable content for brands. This often means you don't post the content to your own TikTok, but rather, you deliver it to the brand for their use.

• Product demos: Show how a product works and what it can do.
• Unboxing & reviews: Share your first thoughts and honest opinions about a product.
• Lifestyle videos: Show how the product fits into daily life and makes it better.
• Before & after: Show the results of using a product, great for beauty, fitness, or home changes.

Current Market Rates:

UGC creator rates are very dynamic and depend on several factors, including your experience, the complexity of the video, and the usage rights granted to the brand.

• Beginners: Starters can charge $50–$150 per video. A strong, varied portfolio will help you raise rates quickly.
• Experienced Creators: If you have a strong portfolio and good reviews, you can charge $150 to $500 per video for quality work.
• Specialized Niches: For advanced editing or industry-specific content, rates can go up to $750+ per video (rates source). Extra fees may apply for multiple hooks, usage rights, or raw files.

Where to Find Work:

The demand for UGC creators is high, and here is how you can find work:

• Freelance sites: Websites like Fiverr and Upwork are popular starting points. It allows you to create profiles and offer your UGC services to a wide range of clients.
• UGC marketplaces: Sites like Trend, UGC Shop, and Influee are built to connect creators like you with brands that actually want user-generated content. It's like Fiverr, but only for UGC.
• Reach out to brands: This one's underrated. Find small brands in your niche. Reach out with a short email, a killer portfolio, and a clear "here's how I'll help you grow" message. Most creators skip this step. That's why you'll win.

Success Tip: According to Qr Code Tiger, 93% of marketers say UGC outperforms traditional branded content.

That's not a small number, it's a landslide.

If you're creating real, authentic videos as a user, not a brand, you have what brands are desperate for: trust.

Leverage it. Charge it. Scale it.

2. TikTok Ads Management Services

Market Reality: In 2025, many small businesses see the value of TikTok ads but don't have the skills to run them.

This opens a big opportunity for anyone who understands TikTok Ads Manager. You don't need a large following, just the ability to run effective campaigns.

Service Rates:

Your rates will vary based on your experience and services.

• Beginners usually charge $25–$45/hour and may start with small projects to build a portfolio.
• Experienced managers can earn $50–$85/hour by showing strong results.
• Specialists in niches like e-commerce or lead gen can charge $100+ per hour.

Services to Offer:

Here is A full TikTok Ads Management service usually includes:

• Campaign setup and management: Plan, launch, and monitor ad campaigns.
• Content strategy: Guide clients on video styles, trends, and creative ideas.
• Trend integration: Use current TikTok trends to boost ad performance.
• Optimization: Track results, run A/B tests, and adjust for better ROI.

Getting Started:

If you want to build a real business managing TikTok ads, don't just "wing it." Here's how to do it right:

1. Set Up TikTok Ads Manager: It's free. No excuses. Learn the layout, test ad formats, and get comfortable with the platform. You can't sell what you don't understand.
2. Reverse-Engineer Winning Ads: Go to TikTok Creative Center. Study top-performing ads. Look at the hooks. CTAs. Targeting. Then ask: Why did this work? You'll start spotting patterns and that's how you learn to build your own.
3. Offer Free Audits (To Get Clients Fast): Small businesses are clueless about TikTok ads. That's your edge. Offer a free audit of their marketing. Point out missed TikTok opportunities. Show them what they're leaving on the table. Bonus: Run your own small campaign to use as a proof-of-concept. Instant credibility.
4. Start Networking Like It's Your Job: Join local business groups. Facebook communities. LinkedIn. Talk to people. Give value. Build trust. Most businesses want TikTok ads but they just don't know who to trust. Be that person.

3. Affiliate Marketing (No Followers Needed)

TikTok's Secret Weapon: It's the best platform for affiliate marketers right now. Why? Because nearly 30% of all affiliate sales on social media are happening right here.

Even better? You don't need TikTok's official program (which requires 10,000+ followers) to start.

Here's how to do it independently:

• Post valuable, niche-focused videos
• Drop your affiliate link in your TikTok bio
• Funnel traffic from your content to your offer

Simple. Scalable. Repeatable.

High-Commission Niches to Focus On

If you're going to promote, promote what pays. Here are four killer niches that combine demand and high payouts:

1. Digital Tools: SaaS, apps, plugins. These are gold. Recurring commissions: 20–40% for life
2. Online Courses: People pay big to learn. Commission range: 15–45% per sale
3. Beauty Products: TikTok's obsessed with skincare, makeup, and glow-ups. Earn: 5–15% per sale
   Tip: Use networks like Skimlinks or join retailer programs (e.g. Sephora)
4. Fitness Programs: Apparel typically pays 5–15%; major brands like Nike/Lululemon fall in that bracket. Equipment, supplements, and programs can go higher, sometimes up to 30%+ (Source: Creator Hero).

Link Strategy:

TikTok doesn't allow clickable links in captions (unless you're using TikTok Shop). That's why your link-in-bio game needs to be airtight.

Here's how to make it work:

• Use Linktree or Beacons for multiple links: In order to be able to link more products or brands, use services like Linktree to have multiple links behind the link in your bio. On the top of your links you should pin your best performing product.
• Track performance with analytics: You can use analytics features within your affiliate programs and link-in-bio tools. You can monitor clicks, conversions, and revenue so you know your numbers
• A/B test different approaches: You can change your hook. Try different CTAs. Tweak your link placement. Let performance, not guesswork, guide your strategy.

Content That Converts:

If your videos scream "affiliate ad," users will scroll right past. What is the trick here? Lead with value, not the offer.

• Problem → Solution: Show a common problem. Drop the product as the easy fix. It's storytelling 101.
• "Day in my life" featuring products: Subtly feature products as part of your daily routine.
• Before/after transformations: Visual proof hits hard. Especially for beauty, fitness, and home products.
• Quick tutorials: Teach how to use the product. Show how easy or helpful it is. Make it punchy. Keep it under 30 seconds.

4. Digital Product Sales

The digital product market on TikTok is booming. Sales up 156% in 2024.

Why?

Because TikTok is built for direct-to-consumer selling and it's perfect for impulse buys.

You can create templates, presets, or guides once and sell them endlessly. High profit. No inventory. 100% scalable.

Hot Products:

I know it can be a lot at first, so I pulled together a few digital products that are selling well and easy to start with.

• Notion Templates help students, professionals, and productivity enthusiasts stay organized and focused. They're easy to customize and sell for $5–50.
• Lightroom Presets give photographers and content creators a quick way to enhance their visuals. Each pack usually sells for $10–75.
• Mini-Courses let you share your knowledge through short, actionable videos. Most go for $20–200, depending on depth and value.
• Digital Planners make daily organization easier with clean, aesthetic designs. They're popular among busy users and usually sell for $8–40.

Sales Platforms:

You can pick a platform that feels right for you and start selling your products at your own pace.

• Gumroad is suitable for beginners. It's simple to set up, easy to use, and lets you start selling digital products in minutes.
• Stan Store offers a clean storefront. It links with TikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms.
• Shopify is ideal if you're ready to scale. It gives you powerful e-commerce tools and tons of customization for long-term growth.

Success Formula:

To maximize your digital product sales on TikTok, follow this formula:

1. Create a product people want: Make a digital product that solves a problem or fits a specific interest. It should be useful, clear, and made for a niche audience.
2. Demo your product in short video: Make short, fun videos showing how your product works and why it helps. Use trending sounds and hashtags so more people see it.
3. Add a Link to Buy: Put your product link (Gumroad, Stan Store, Shopify, etc.) in your bio. In your video, clearly tell people to click the link to buy.
4. Build an email list for repeat sales: Ask buyers to join your email list. This helps you stay in touch, share new products, and give special offers.

Future Growth Strategies (Require Followers)

Once you start building a following, more ways to make money open up on TikTok. Things like Live Gifts and the Creator Rewards Program become available. The more people follow and engage with your content, the more you can earn.

TikTok Live Gifts

Once you hit 1,000 followers, you can go live and receive virtual gifts from viewers. People buy these gifts with real money and send them during your livestream as support. TikTok turns these gifts into "Diamonds," which you can cash out. How much you earn depends on how often you stream and how engaged your audience is. Active streamers can make good money this way.

Creator Rewards Program (formerly Creator Fund)

TikTok pays creators for making engaging videos over one minute long. To join, you typically need 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the last 30 days. Earnings range from $0.02 to $0.15 per 1,000 qualified views, depending on how original and engaging your content is.

Sources: (Metricool, 2025), (TikTok Support)

2025 TikTok Statistics Deep Dive

Understanding the current landscape of TikTok is crucial for any creator or marketer. These statistics provide context for the platform's reach, user behavior, and e-commerce potential.

TikTok Platform Performance

• 1.6 billion monthly users worldwide (Cool Nerds Marketing, 2025)
• 170 million users in the US alone (Statusphere Blog, 2025)
• Users spend an average of 95 minutes per day on the app (Amra & Elma, 2025)
• TikTok made $23 billion in revenue in 2024, up 42.8% from the year before (Demand Sage, 2025)

TikTok Influencer Engagement Rates (2025)

TikTok Influencer engagement on TikTok tends to decrease as follower count grows, but there are sweet spots brands can take advantage of:

The takeaway? Right when you start you will be able to offer potential advertisers higher engagement rates than big accounts. This is what many content sponsors are looking for!

Source: (Influencer Marketing Factory, 2025)

TikTok Shop Performance:

TikTok Shop is rapidly transforming into a major player in social commerce, driven by its seamless in-app shopping experience.

• Consumer engagement: 67% of TikTok users say the app made them want to buy something they weren't planning to.
• Purchase behavior: 55% of TikTok users say they've made impulse purchases after seeing products on the app.
• Discovery method: 78% of TikTok shoppers find products through influencer content
• Music impact: In the U.S., TikTok music fans are 68% more likely to pay for music apps than other people.

Want to Start Earning Even Without TikTok?

If the whole "build a following first" thing sounds exhausting, you're not alone. I've been there too. That's why I gave Moincoins a shot.

It's a free platform where you can earn real rewards by doing simple tasks. No fancy skills. No social clout. Just real effort, real payout.

Here's what you can do:

• Answer quick surveys
• Binge short videos
• Try trending apps & games
• Discover cool tools — and get paid
• Even test free products (and keep some!)

Bonus: There's a monthly leaderboard. Top users each month win bonus rewards.

I mean… if you could earn rewards just by playing games or answering questions, why wouldn't you try it?

Give Moincoins microtasks a try, it's free, it's simple, and honestly? Weirdly fun. No audience needed, just you and a few minutes a day.

Final Thoughts

You don't need a huge audience to start making money online. From UGC and affiliate marketing to simple microtasks and offerwalls on Moincoins, the opportunities are real. All you need is a little dedication.

Create short videos, test out new apps, take surveys, or just spend a few spare minutes a day earning rewards.

Start small. Stay consistent. You might be surprised how fast it adds up.

The creator economy isn't just for influencers anymore, it's open to anyone who's ready to take action.