Forget YouTube, Can You Really Get Paid on TikTok in Kenya?

How Does TikTok Pay in Kenya? 8 Easy Ways To Earn

Last updated on October 24th, 2024 at 12:30 pm

TikTok is an explosively growing social media application that allows users to create, share, and discover short-form videos typically ranging from 15 seconds to 10 minutes in length.

With its simple interface, vast array of sounds and song snippets to leverage, and advanced creative tools, TikTok has become massively popular among young audiences worldwide.

As of 2023, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users and has been downloaded over 3.7 billion times globally on the App Store and Google Play.

It’s the 7th most visited website in the world.

Particularly in Kenya, TikTok has seen massive growth recently with around 1 in 4 Kenyans now actively using the app each month.

A key reason for the rapid adoption is how TikTok empowers everyday people to easily create fun videos using their smartphone and share those videos on an app tuned to quickly determine what types of content individual viewers will find entertaining.

The platform allows popular video creators to monetize their content in various ways, including:

  • Sharing advertising revenue through the TikTok Creator Fund
  • Charging monthly subscription fees to fans in exchange for exclusive content and perks
  • Receiving monetary “tips” or “gifts” from fans during LIVE videos
  • Getting sponsored by brands to produce promotional content and campaigns
  • Partnering on merchandise, events, or other money-making collaborations with other creators and enterprises

This provides talented creators the opportunity to turn their passion, creativity, and influence into a financially-viable income stream.

TikTok aims to share the wealth from revenues driven by creators’ content.

How does TikTok pay creators in Kenya?

Let’s explore exactly how TikTok pays Kenyan creators by looking at the payment programs available to them.

Monetization Features Available in Kenya

How does TikTok pay creators in Kenya?

TikTok currently offers Kenyan creators main three ways to monetize their loyal fanbases and quality content.

These include the TikTok Creator Fund, LIVE Subscription payments, and monetary “Gifts” sent from fans.

TikTok Creator Fund

TikTok launched its Creator Fund program in late 2021 as a way to share advertising revenue directly with top video creators on the platform.

To qualify for payouts from the fund, Kenyan creators must:

  • Produce original and high-quality videos
  • Maintain an account in good standing without violations
  • Garner at least 10,000 authentic views in the last 30 days

Those meeting these standards get a cut of the ad money that TikTok earns from placing advertisements amid videos in the Kenyan market and beyond.

The actual payment amount depends on factors like the number of views, how well the creator engages audiences, adherence content guidelines, and the current funds available in that month.

But for top Kenyan talents, this can become a sizable income stream directly from TikTok.

Is Tiktok Creator Fund available in Kenya?
Is Tiktok Creator Fund available in Kenya?

Unfortunately as of now, TikTok Creator Fund is not available in Kenya. According to their official website, the Creator Fund is currently available to creators in the U.S., UK, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain.

LIVE Subscription

TikTok also allows popular Kenyan creators to charge a monthly subscription fee in exchange for offering fans exclusive content and perks.

This LIVE Subscription feature unlocks things like:

  • Custom emoji packs
  • Exclusive LIVE content
  • Badges to identify subscribers in comments

Fans pay either $2.99 USD or KES 319 per month for this access. Of that the creator receives an undisclosed cut on a monthly basis.

Digital Gifts

Kenyan creators generating income from TikTok can also accumulate monetary “Gifts” from devoted supporters.

Fans purchase these virtual gifts to show appreciation for their favorite creator’s LIVE video performances. Just like an in-person concert or show.

Various digital gifts are available at different real money price points. Creators can cash out the share they receive from TikTok without any minimum thresholds.

Monetization FeatureDetails
TikTok Creator FundShare of ad revenue, over 10K views/30 days
LIVE SubscriptionMonthly subscription fee from fans
Digital GiftsCut of gift revenue from fans

This table summarizes the current money-making options accessible to Kenyan creators directly within TikTok.

TikTok gifts and their worth in Kenyan shillings

Here is a table presenting some popular TikTok gifts and their worth in Kenyan Shillings (KES):

GiftWorth (KES)
Whale Diving8000
Leon the Kitten2000
Rose134
Lion1700
Panda670
Italian Hand670
Love Bang3350
Sun Cream1340

These values represent the worth of various gifts that users can send during live streams on TikTok, providing a financial incentive for content creators in Kenya. The conversion rates used are based on current market values for TikTok coins and their equivalent in KES.

How much is 1 coin on TikTok in Kenya shillings?

Currently, 1 TTcoin is worth about KES 0.0161. To withdraw from TikTok, a minimum of 10,000 coins is required, which is approximately $100 or around Kshs. 11,000. Therefore, the value of 1 coin on TikTok in Kenya shillings is approximately Kshs. 1.1.

Payment Threshold and Frequency

For Kenyan creators to withdraw earnings from TikTok, there are some thresholds and timelines to be aware of:

  • Creator Fund
    • Must earn a minimum of around $37 USD to request a payout
    • Takes up to 30 business days to receive payment
  • LIVE Subscription & Gifts
    • No minimum thresholds
    • Revenue delivered more rapidly after requesting

So while neighborhoods and gift revenue offers faster access to money, the Creator Fund should provide Kenyans with the largest long term earning possibilities based on content performance.

Payment Methods

When TikTok creators in Kenya withdraw money, popular local payment methods include:

  • Mobile money transfers via services like M-PESA
  • Direct bank account deposits to Kenyan bank
  • PayPal deposits especially for LIVE gifts!

For the Creator Fund, TikTok utilizes Pesapal to process payments.

So in summary, Kenyan creators have a clear path towards earning an income from TikTok stardom with money-making features tailored locally including ad share, subscriptions, and gifts from fans.

Tips to Maximize TikTok Earnings in Kenya

Kenyan creators on TikTok now have tremendous money-making possibilities directly within the high-growth social media app.

But competition is rising with more talents jumping to capitalize on TikTok’s booming local userbase.

So how can Kenyan creators stand out from the pack and maximize their earnings potential?

Here are the top tips and strategies to focus on:

Create Highly Engaging Content

The most foundational tactic is concentrating your efforts on crafting content optimized for TikTok’s unique format and audience.

Aim to produce videos that get strong organic engagement through things likes, comments, reshares, etc from current viewers – while also appealing widely enough to be discovered by new fans.

Best practices include:

  • Concepts tailored to TikTok’s short video style
  • Leveraging popular music, effects, stickers, templates
  • Encouraging comments and reactions with questions, calls to action
  • Posting consistently 1-2X per day to remain top of mind

Test out a variety of trending topics and niche interests to determine which types of content resonate best with your personal strengths as a creator.

Then refine your strategy over time based on performance data and audience responses.

Build a Strong Following

Once you zero in on effective content formats – the next step is expanding your follower base.

More followers equals more potential viewers, reactions, and shares to each piece of content you publish which all contributes to better discoverability on TikTok.

Tactics to gain followers include:

  • Hashtags: Strategically use relevant tags to appear in topic-based feeds
  • Cross-promotion: Drive followers from other social profiles
  • Interactions: Reply to comments, do collab videos
  • Consistency: Post 1-2X daily to keep engaging current audience

Don’t get fixated strictly on vanity metrics though. 100K highly engaged followers is better than 1M fake or bot accounts.

Focus on legitimately interesting target audiences that actively enjoy your content style.

Go “Viral” on TikTok

Landing a truly viral hit video that gains astounding popularity beyond one’s normal viewer base can transform a creator’s profile.

Viral hits significantly accelerate account authority and followers.

But precisely engineering a viral moment is often elusive.

Still there are some best practices you can follow to improve chances including:

  • Try viral effects, filters, trending meme formats
  • Comment on trending topics early in the hype cycle
  • Encourage shares, reactions, stitches, and duets
  • Appeal to wide range of viewer psychographics
  • Experiment prolifically

Even one smash viral success can enormously impact long term prospects. But don’t get discouraged if efforts don’t immediately explode as virality contains a strong element of luck.

Leverage Brand Partnerships

Finally, established creators can convert popularity into revenue by collaborating with brands.

Possible examples include:

  • Creating sponsored video ads
  • Product seeding and reviews
  • Affiliate commissions & links
  • Giveaways or contest promotions
  • Merchandise co-designs
  • Event appearances or workshops

When negotiating deals, consider potential viewer reaction along with financial return.

Prioritize partnerships which feel like a natural fit for your personal brand – rather than pure money grabs.

The most lucrative deals often come after you’ve built substantial proof of audience relevance and a strong creative track record.

TikTok Shop Kenya: Your Shortcut to E-commerce Gold

Want to explode your sales and tap into a massive, engaged audience?

Forget clunky websites and expensive ad campaigns. TikTok Shop Kenya is your golden ticket to e-commerce success.

This isn’t some fluffy theory. This is about getting real results.

What is TikTok Shop Kenya?

tiktok shop kenya 1

Think of it as QVC meets the attention span of Gen Z.

TikTok Shop Kenya lets you sell products directly through your TikTok videos.

No more “link in bio” gymnastics. Customers can buy with a single tap, right within the app.

Why should you care?

  • Massive audience: TikTok has over 1 billion active users, many of them right here in Kenya. That’s a huge potential customer base hungry for cool products.
  • Engaged users: People come to TikTok to be entertained. If your content is good, they’ll stick around, and they’ll buy.
  • Low barrier to entry: Setting up a TikTok Shop is easier and cheaper than building a traditional online store.

Still not convinced?

Imagine this:

You post a video showcasing your new line of handcrafted Maasai jewelry. The video goes viral, racking up thousands of views. With TikTok Shop, those views can instantly turn into sales.

TikTok Shop Kenya product page with Buy Now button

No website, no shopping cart, no hassle. Just pure, unadulterated e-commerce magic.

Setting Up Your TikTok Shop in Kenya: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to cash in on the TikTok gold rush?

First, Is TikTok Shop Available in Kenya?

Yes, TikTok Shop is set to become available in Kenya. TikTok has announced plans to establish a regional headquarters in Nairobi, which will facilitate its operations and content moderation in the country. This move follows discussions between TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, and Kenyan President William Ruto, where they emphasized the importance of ensuring that content on the platform adheres to community standards and regulations.

Here’s how to set up your TikTok shop in Kenya in a few simple steps:

  1. Download the TikTok app: If you haven’t already, download the TikTok app and create a business account.
  2. Switch to a Business Account: Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right corner.
    • Select “Settings and Privacy.”
    • Tap “Manage account” then “Switch to Business Account.”
    • Choose the category that best fits your business.
  3. Apply for TikTok Shopping:
    • In your Business Account settings, look for “TikTok Shop.”
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your application. You’ll need to provide some basic information about your business and the products you plan to sell.
  4. Set up your shop: Once your application is approved, you can customize your shop with your logo, banner image, and product listings.
  5. Start selling! Create engaging videos that showcase your products and encourage viewers to tap that “Buy Now” button.

Pro Tip: Make sure your profile is complete and professional. A strong bio, profile picture, and link to your website (if you have one) can boost your credibility and attract more customers.

Creating Killer Content that Converts

Now that your shop is up and running, it’s time to create content that sells.

Forget boring product demos. We’re going for maximum impact.

Here’s the Alex Hormozi approach to TikTok Shop success:

  • Value first: Don’t just talk about your product. Solve a problem for your audience. Show them how your product can make their lives better.
  • Hook them fast: You have seconds to grab attention. Start your videos with a strong hook that makes people stop scrolling.
  • Keep it concise: TikTok is all about short, snappy content. Get to the point quickly and deliver your message with impact.
  • Call to action: Don’t be shy. Tell people what you want them to do. “Tap to buy now,” “Check out the link in my bio,” “Follow for more awesome deals.”

Examples:

  • Instead of: “Here’s our new line of organic skincare products.”
  • Try: “Struggling with dry, flaky skin? This Kenyan-made shea butter cream will transform your complexion in days. Tap to buy now!”
  • Instead of: “We sell the best quality coffee in Kenya.”
  • Try: “Tired of weak, tasteless coffee? This single-origin Kenyan blend will give you the energy boost you need to conquer your day. Click the link in my bio to order!”

Top Tools:

  • CapCut: TikTok’s own video editing app. Easy to use and packed with features.
  • InShot: Another great video editing app with tons of creative tools.
  • Canva: Create eye-catching thumbnails and graphics for your videos.

Riding the Algorithm Wave: TikTok Shop Best Practices

TikTok’s algorithm is a powerful beast. Master it, and your videos will reach millions.

Here’s how to get your content seen:

  • Use trending sounds and hashtags: Jump on trending audio and use relevant hashtags to get your videos in front of more people.
  • Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, answer questions, and build relationships with your followers.
  • Post consistently: The more you post, the more the algorithm will favor your content. Aim for at least once a day.
  • Run TikTok ads: Paid advertising can supercharge your reach and get your products in front of a targeted audience.

Pro Tip: Analyze your video performance. Pay attention to which videos get the most views, likes, and comments. Use this data to create even better content that resonates with your audience.

How To Turn Viewers into Buyers

Getting views is great, but sales are the ultimate goal.

Here’s how to turn those viewers into paying customers:

  • Build trust: Establish yourself as an authority in your niche. Provide valuable content, answer questions, and be authentic.
  • Highlight benefits: Don’t just list features. Focus on how your product will benefit the customer.
  • Create a sense of urgency: Use phrases like “limited-time offer” or “while supplies last” to encourage immediate action.
  • Offer exclusive deals: Give your TikTok followers special discounts or early access to new products.
  • Leverage social proof: Showcase customer testimonials and reviews to build trust and credibility.

Example:

  • Instead of: “Our t-shirts are made from 100% organic cotton.”
  • Try: “Imagine feeling cool and comfortable all day long in this soft, breathable t-shirt. Made from 100% organic cotton, it’s good for your skin and the planet. Tap to buy now and get 10% off your first order!”

How To Scaling Your TikTok Shop in Kenya

Ready to take your TikTok Shop to the next level?

Here are some advanced strategies:

  • Collaborate with influencers: Partner with popular TikTok creators to reach a wider audience.
  • Run contests and giveaways: Generate excitement and attract new followers.
  • Go live: Connect with your audience in real time and answer their questions about your products.
  • Offer bundles and packages: Increase your average order value by offering deals on multiple products.
  • Use TikTok’s analytics: Track your progress, identify your top-performing products, and optimize your strategy.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different types of content, hashtags, and strategies to see what works best for your business.

Remember: Building a successful TikTok Shop takes time and effort. But with the right approach, you can unlock massive growth and tap into a highly engaged audience.

So, what are you waiting for?

In closing, be patient and persistent focusing on quality over quantity as you build your TikTok channel into a thriving business.

Test new ideas constantly and learn from performance statistics while playing to strengths.

Read also: Your Guide to TikTok Shop in Kenya (Make Money)

Common Questions About TikTok Payments in Kenya

With TikTok’s meteoric growth across Kenya, more talented creators are exploring how to monetize their content directly within the platform.

Navigating the various revenue models involves lots of questions around eligibility, payment cycles, threshold minimums, and more.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions around earnings payouts for Kenyan TikTok creators:

Do I need a certain number of followers to get paid?

This is a common misconception. TikTok does not directly factor follower counts into monetary eligibility for Kenyan creators.

However, having more followers can indirectly help you earn in two key ways:

  1. Followers increase likelihood of hitting key view count requirements for things like the Creator Fund. 10K+ fans will see content more easily allowing you to potentially cross the 10,000 views per 30 days minimum.
  2. A large audience makes it easier to generate income from LIVE sessions or gifting. More people watching and engaged means higher conversion of followers into paying subscribers or digital gift senders.

So pure follower number isn’t directly important – but it helps indirectly drive money-making opportunities.

Authentic content performance and watch metrics matter far more. Good content and 1K true fans is better than bot followers.

How much does tiktok pay in Kenya?

TikTok’s monetization options for creators in Kenya are currently limited, as the platform has not yet launched its Creator Fund in the country. However, there are several ways through which Kenyan creators can earn money on TikTok.

What’s the Payment Frequency From TikTok?

Payment frequency depends on factors like:

  • Minimum thresholds met: Need to hit plateaus like $37 Creator Funds withdrawal
  • Processing time: Can take ~30 days forCreatorPayouts
  • Payment source: Subscriptions convert faster than ad sharing

Here is a breakdown:

Revenue SourcePayment Frequency
Creator Fund30 days after threshold met
SubscriptionsRapid after manual request
GiftsRapid after manual request

So subscription, live stream, and gift money hit your account the fastest – making these great supplemental income streams between bigger Creator Fund monthly payouts.

Is There a Minimum Payment Threshold?

Minimum earnings thresholds apply specifically to TikTok’s Creator Fund revenue bucket.

To withdraw Creator Fund earnings, you must have over $37 USD accrued. Anything below that cannot yet be cashed out.

Once your Creator Fund income streams cross that ~$37 line, you can request a bank transfer payout which typically appears in 30 some days.

For other income sources like LIVE Subscription fees or gift revenue – there is no formal threshold. Those earnings become available almost immediately with no minimum amounts required.

So even tiny gift or subscription amounts quickly accumulate now with Instant Payouts activated in Kenya. Hitting the Creator Fund threshold takes more effort however.

What Percentage Does TikTok Take?

TikTok does not publicly share their exact company cut percentages or content creator revenue share rates.

Generally though, expect TikTok to take a “platform fee” of at least 30% from Creator Fund and other monetization incomes driven through the app.

The amount left for creators varies based on factors like:

  • Content vertical
  • Viewer region
  • Video performance
  • Seasonal adjustments

Some industry analysts estimate typically creators receive 40 to 60% of total advertising and other revenues derived from their content after TikTok’s os slice.

Of course – TikTok can adjust these ratios at any time as they are not rigidly guaranteed rates.

The key for creators is focusing on maximizing overall views, engagement, subscribers – and the absolute earnings levels then shake out favorably in correlation.

Trying to unravel or pin down precise percentages TikTok allocates can feel opaque.

Instead analyze your total income trend to optimize.

How much money do you get for 10000 followers on TikTok in Kenya?

The amount of money you can earn for 10,000 followers on TikTok in Kenya varies depending on several factors, including the number of views and engagement rate.

If you have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in a month, you can earn between 2 to 4 cents for every 1,000 views from the TikTok Creator Fund.

Users who have more than 100,000 followers on the platform earn between $200 to $5,000 a month. However, it is important to note that the TikTok Creator Fund is not yet functional for the Kenyan market, as stated in.

Additionally, TikTok pays its users based on things like the number of views, the period of engagement, obeying the terms of service, respecting the community guidelines, etc.

Who is the highest-paid Kenyan on TikTok?

The highest paid Kenyan on TikTok is Azziad Nasenya. She is reported to make over Ksh 500,000 from promoting brands and through paid sponsorships on her social media accounts.

How do you go viral on TikTok Kenya?

To go viral on TikTok in Kenya, you can consider the following tips:

  1. Create content that resonates with the Kenyan audience, especially the younger generation, as they form a significant portion of TikTok users in Kenya.
  2. Use trending hashtags and challenges that are popular in the Kenyan TikTok community. Creating or participating in challenges can help your content gain visibility and engagement.
  3. Collaborate with other TikTok users, especially those who have a large following in Kenya. This can help expose your content to a wider audience.
  4. Stay consistent with your content creation and engage with your audience. Consistency and engagement can help build a loyal following and increase the chances of your content going viral.

These tips can help increase the visibility of your content and improve the chances of it going viral on TikTok in Kenya.

Hopefully these answers help provide more clarity about how TikTok pay in Kenya!

Read also: Dropshipping In Kenya: No. 1 Guide For Beginners

Alternatives for Earning Money with Short Videos Beyond TikTok

While TikTok offers emerging money-making mechanisms, it’s not the only option for Kenyan creators hoping to earn from short-form video content.

Let’s explore a couple leading platforms providing additional monetization potential:

SnackVideo

SnackVideo comes from the same Chinese parent company behind massively viral TikTok – ByteDance.

It essentially replicates TikTok’s core features and UX format presenting a very similar short video experience.

From a creator perspective, SnackVideo now allows users in Kenya to apply for financial compensation directly within the app.

SnackVideo Monetization System

Their current revenue share model works as follows:

  • Creators who produce “quality content” can sign up
  • If you meet eligibility standards, SnackVideo will display non-intrusive native ads amid your video content
  • When viewers engage with those ads, creators earn a cut of revenue

This provides an alternative to augment earnings beyond TikTok itself by essentially duplicating your content across multiple platforms.

Early reports indicate SnackVideo has opened up monetization for more creators faster with fewer hurdles to cross vs TikTok’sCreator Fund.

However – Snack Video lags well behind TikTok for audience size.

Even with exploding growth, it still sits outside Africa’s top 100 most downloaded apps while TikTok ranks firmly #2.

So while SnackVideo offers creators another revenue stream outside TikTok, the considerably smaller userbase limits earnings scale for now.

Worth maintaining a presence – but TikTok still appears more lucrative as the short video leader.

Instagram Reels

When Instagram launched their TikTok-esque vertical video feed dubbed Reels, it opened up expanded earning potential for creators able to build audiences across multiple channels.

Monetization Pathways

On Instagram, Kenyan creators can now earn money directly from fan communities by unlocking features like:

  • Subscriber groups for exclusive content
  • Paid badges to identify top fans
  • Gifting of stars during LIVE broadcasts

Plus opportunities for brand sponsorships, affiliate commissions, etc remain available the same as main Instagram feed.

This presents a way to diversify revenue utilizing Reels’ short video format while cross-leveraging an existing Instagram following.

The 15 to 60-second Reels dynamic apes TikTok’s video style while avoiding direct platform competition.

Pros and Cons

An advantage to monetizing through Instagram Reels includes the ability to tap into an existing follower base on IG rather than just TikTok.

This makes it easier to hit threshold targets like 100K for access to Instagram’s bonus programs.

However – early reports indicate Reels still badly trails TikTok for content recommendations and viewership.

So focusing solely on Reels limits reach vs optimizing across platforms.

Likely best strategy remains harnessing TikTok primarily while simultaneously expanding to every viable social platform possible as a creator.

Summary

While TikTok resides as the central hub – supplementary earning avenues exist by porting short video content concepts and IP wider.

Savvy Kenyan creators actively upload across TikTok, SnackVideo, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and more.

This multiplier effect diversifies revenue streams while maximizing total audience. It does require producing more content – but for full-time influencers – that level creation volume becomes the norm anyway.

Every monetized view and subscriber starts adding up!

Read also: Earn Free M-PESA Cash Viewing Online Ads In Kenya

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