How to Make Money on TikTok Without a Large Following (UK Edition)

You don’t need to be TikTok famous to earn money online. In fact, some of the most profitable TikTok creators in the UK aren’t going viral — they’re just using smart strategies to turn small audiences into real income.

Whether you’ve got 500 followers or 5,000, here’s how to make money on TikTok without a large following, plus how platforms like Custard can help you earn even more on the side.

1. 🎯 Focus on Niche Content

The algorithm rewards relevance, not just reach. You don’t need 100k followers to succeed — you need the right followers. Whether you talk about fitness, gaming, money-saving, or student life, niche content helps attract engaged users who trust your recommendations.

🔑 A small, loyal audience is often more valuable than a large, passive one.

2. 💰 Join Affiliate Programmes

Even with under 1,000 followers, you can earn by promoting affiliate offers — and platforms like Custard make it simple.

Example:

• Create a video about how you earn cashback when shopping online

• Mention Custard and include your referral link in your Account

• Every time someone signs up & cashes out, you earn real money!

🛍️ Bonus: Custard offers pay for games, surveys, and shopping, so there’s something for every niche.Why not create content focusing on games? 

3. 🎮 Share Rewarded Apps & Cashback Hacks

People love quick wins. Use TikTok to show how you:

• Get paid to play games

• Earn cashback on takeaways or fashion

• Sign up for free surveys and get rewarded

👉 Link to Custard and other referral programs — use your referral link you get rewarded when they join, and they get free money too. Win-win.

4. 📦 Promote Freebies or Budget Tips

If you're in the money-saving or student content niche, talk about how to get:

• Free stuff from FreeClub or Custard offers

• Cashback from online shopping

• Free trials (e.g. Amazon Prime, Smol, etc.)

These kinds of TikToks often perform well because they offer instant value — and they give you a chance to earn through referral links.

5. 🎤 Partner with Micro-Influencer Campaigns

Many brands now run UGC (user-generated content) campaigns where they pay small creators to produce content — even without big followings.

Sign up to platforms like:

• Creator Marketplace (TikTok)

• We Are Social - Get paid to promote top brands' products

• Influenster - Free products, just spread the word! 

💼 Highlight your engagement rate and niche, not just your follower count.

6. 🧠 Sell Your Skills or Side Hustle

TikTok is a great place to promote freelance services, even as a beginner. Try using the following hooks in your content.

• “How I make £150/month from home with no followers”

• “TikTok content ideas for small creators”

• “Make £5/day with apps that actually pay (UK only)”

You’re not just providing value — you’re building trust, which is essential for long-term monetisation.

7. 🤝 Leverage Referrals (Especially High-Converting Ones)

Referral income is ideal for small creators. Why? Because it’s passive and scalable. 

👯 Create TikToks about your own experiences:

• “How I got paid to play a mobile game”

• “This cashback app paid me for ordering Domino’s”

Check out more fantastic referral programs, such as:

• Plum - Earn £15 when a friend opens an account and deposits £10.Plum also has some of the highest rate savings accounts in the UK
• giffgaff - £5 for you & £5 for Friend
• Octopus Energy - £50 credit for you and your friend! 

8. 🕵️‍♀️ TikTok Live = Tip Jar

Even if you’re not huge, going live can boost your visibility. Once eligible (1k+ followers), you can earn Diamonds (TikTok’s currency) from live gifts. Treat it like a casual Q&A or behind-the-scenes chat — and plug your side hustle while you're there.

🎥 Example: “Live update on how much I’ve earned using Custard this week”

Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Go Viral to Get Paid

The truth is, you can make money on TikTok without being famous. It's all about:

• Picking a niche

• Sharing real value

• Using smart platforms like Custard to earn from traffic, not trends

Start small, stay consistent, and don’t wait for a million followers to start earning.

Start Earning Smarter Today

🎯 Join Custard — and start turning your TikToks into passive income with real cashback, rewarded apps, and referral bonuses.