How to Make Money Teaching What You Know on TikTok:
The Ultimate Guide
Quick Guide to TikTok Teaching Success
1. Choose your niche based on your expertise and TikTok trends
2. Create a professional TikTok account and optimize your profile
3. Develop a content strategy mixing educational and entertaining videos
4. Use TikTok features like duets, challenges, and live sessions to engage your audience
5. Monetize through TikTok’s Creator Fund, brand partnerships, and selling your own products or services
Time to implement: 1-3 months
Potential earnings: $500-$10,000+ per month (varies widely based on niche, audience size, and monetization strategies)
Introduction
Hey there, future TikTok teacher! If you’ve ever thought about turning your knowledge into cold, hard cash, you’re in the right place. I’m about to walk you through the ins and outs of making money by teaching on TikTok. Trust me, I’ve been down this road, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned.
When I first started on TikTok, I was just a math tutor looking for a new way to reach students. Fast forward a year, and I’m now earning a full-time income sharing math tips and tricks with millions of followers. It’s been a wild ride, and I want to help you kick off your own TikTok teaching journey.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from finding your niche to monetizing your content. Whether you’re a guitar guru, a coding wizard, or a master chef, there’s a place for you in the TikTok teaching world. So, let’s dive in and turn that knowledge of yours into a thriving TikTok career!
1. Finding Your Niche
a. Assess Your Expertise
Before you start creating content, take a moment to reflect on what you truly know and love. What skills do you have that others might want to learn? What subject can you talk about for hours without getting bored?
For me, it was all about math. I’d been tutoring for years and had a knack for breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized pieces. But your niche could be anything – language learning, fitness, coding, personal finance, or even niche hobbies like origami or birdwatching.
Pro Tip: Don’t just think about what you’re good at – consider what you’re passionate about. Teaching on TikTok requires consistency, and it’s much easier to stay motivated when you genuinely love your subject.
b. Research TikTok Trends
Now that you have some ideas, it’s time to see what’s already out there. Spend some time on TikTok exploring hashtags related to your potential niches.
Look for:
– Popular educational creators in your field
– Trending hashtags related to learning and education
– Types of content that get high engagement (e.g., quick tips, day-in-the-life videos, challenge videos)
When I was starting out, I noticed that while there were some math creators, many were focusing on advanced topics. I saw an opportunity to create content for students struggling with basic and intermediate math concepts.
Popular educational niches on TikTok include:
– Language learning (e.g., @lingodeer, @languagesimp)
– Coding and tech skills (e.g., @koolkenshiro, @techhackguy)
– Fitness and nutrition (e.g., @blogilates, @nutritionbabe)
– Personal finance (e.g., @humphreytalks, @yourrichbff)
– Arts and crafts (e.g., @alexisnikole, @artrayce)
– Academic subjects like math and science (e.g., @iamthattypeofnerd, @chemteacherphil)
c. Validate Your Idea
Before you go all-in on a niche, it’s smart to test the waters. Here’s what I did, and what I recommend you do too:
1. Create 5-10 test videos in your chosen niche
2. Post them over the course of a week or two
3. Analyze the engagement: Which videos got the most views, likes, and comments?
4. Read the comments carefully: Are people asking for more? Do they have questions?
5. Use TikTok’s Q&A feature to directly ask your audience what they want to learn
When I did this, I found that videos explaining common math mistakes got way more engagement than straight tutoring videos. This insight shaped my entire content strategy moving forward.
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Remember, the goal here isn’t to go viral (though that would be nice!). It’s to confirm that there’s an audience interested in learning what you have to teach.
2. Setting Up Your TikTok Teaching Account
Create a Professional Profile
Now that you’ve got your niche, it’s time to set up your TikTok account. If you already have a personal account, I strongly recommend creating a new one specifically for your educational content. Here’s how to make it shine:
1. Choose a memorable username: Make it relevant to your niche and easy to spell. I went with @MathMadeEasy, which clearly communicates what my channel is about.
2. Write a compelling bio: You’ve got 80 characters to grab attention and explain what you do. Use relevant keywords and emojis to make it pop. Here’s mine:
“📚 Making math simple and fun! 🧮 Daily tips for students 📈 Free worksheets in link”
3. Add a professional profile picture: Use a clear, friendly headshot or a simple logo if you’re building a brand.
4. Create an eye-catching profile video: This is your chance to introduce yourself and your content in a few seconds. Make it count!
See example of a nice profile below.
Optimize for Discoverability
Getting found on TikTok is crucial for growing your audience. Here are some tips to boost your discoverability:
1. Use relevant hashtags: In your bio and your videos, use a mix of popular and niche-specific hashtags. I use #LearnOnTikTok, #MathTips, and #MathHelp in most of my videos.
2. Link to your other platforms: If you have a YouTube channel, Instagram, or a website where you offer more in-depth content, add those links to your TikTok bio.
3. Engage with other creators: Comment on videos from other educators in your niche. This can help you build relationships and get your profile seen by potential followers.
Pro Tip: Don’t just use the most popular hashtags. I’ve had videos blow up using niche hashtags like #AlgebraHelp that have less competition.
3. Developing Your Content Strategy
Plan Your Content Mix
Successful TikTok teachers don’t just post lesson after lesson. They mix it up to keep their audience engaged and coming back for more.
Here’s the content mix that’s worked well for me:
– 70% Educational content: Quick tips, explainer videos, problem-solving
– 20% Entertainment and behind-the-scenes: Fun facts, day-in-the-life content, bloopers
– 10% Promotional content: Mentions of your products, services, or collaborations
For example, in a typical week, I might post:
– Monday: Quick tip on solving quadratic equations
– Tuesday: Common mistake to avoid in geometry
– Wednesday: Behind-the-scenes of creating my math worksheets
– Thursday: Math meme or joke
– Friday: Live Q&A session announcement
– Saturday: Step-by-step problem solving video
– Sunday: Promotion for my online course
Create Engaging Educational Videos
The key to TikTok success is creating videos that are both educational and entertaining.
Here’s my formula for videos that teach and engage:
1. Start with a hook (3-5 seconds): Grab attention immediately. I often use questions like “Why do students always get this wrong?” or statements like “This math trick will blow your mind!”
2. Deliver your content (10-50 seconds): Keep it concise and visually interesting. Use on-screen text, transitions, and props to illustrate your points.
3. End with a call-to-action (2-3 seconds): Tell viewers what to do next, whether it’s to follow you, try a technique, or check out your link in bio.
Pro Tip: Use TikTok’s built-in features like text-to-speech, captions, and green screen effects to make your videos more dynamic and accessible.
Leverage TikTok Features
TikTok offers several features that are perfect for educators. Here’s how I use them:
1. Duets: I often duet with students who post videos of problems they’re struggling with. It’s a great way to provide personalized help and show others how to approach similar issues.
2. Challenges: Educational challenges can boost engagement and make learning fun. I created the #15SecondMathChallenge where I solve a problem in 15 seconds and challenge others to do the same.
3. Live sessions: I host weekly live Q&A sessions where students can ask me anything about math. These sessions help build a stronger connection with my audience and often lead to great ideas for future videos.
Remember, the key is to experiment and see what works best for your niche and teaching style. Don’t be afraid to try new things!
4. Growing Your Audience
Post Consistently
Consistency is key on TikTok. The algorithm favors accounts that post regularly, and your audience will come to expect new content from you. Here’s what works for me:
– Post 1-3 videos per day
– Stick to a regular posting schedule (I post at 7am, 2pm, and 8pm) [you can decide your time]
– Use TikTok’s scheduling feature to plan your content in advance
Pro Tip: Don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. It’s better to post one great video a day than three mediocre ones.
Engage with Your Audience
Building a community around your content is crucial for long-term success. Here’s how I engage with my audience:
1. Respond to comments: I try to reply to as many comments as possible, especially questions. This shows that I value my audience’s input and encourages more engagement.
2. Follow back: I follow users who consistently engage with my content. It makes them feel appreciated and often turns them into loyal supporters.
3. Use audience input: I regularly ask my followers what they want to learn next. This not only gives me content ideas but makes my audience feel heard.
Collaborate with Other Creators
Collaborating with other educators can help you reach new audiences and create unique content. Here’s how I approach collaborations:
1. Find complementary creators: I’ve collaborated with science and physics teachers to create interdisciplinary content.
2. Propose clear ideas: When reaching out, I always have a specific collaboration idea in mind, like a joint live session or a “math vs. physics” challenge.
3. Cross-promote: We promote the collaboration on both our channels to maximize reach.
Remember, collaborations should feel natural and provide value to both your audiences. Don’t force it if it’s not a good fit.
5. Monetizing Your TikTok Teaching
Now for the part you’ve been waiting for – turning all this effort into income! There are several ways to monetize your TikTok teaching, and I recommend diversifying your income streams for the best results.
Join the TikTok Creator Fund
The Creator Fund is TikTok’s way of paying creators directly for their content. Here’s what you need to know:
Eligibility requirements:
– 10,000+ followers
– 10,000+ views on videos in the last 30 days
– 18 years or older
– Post original content regularly
My experience: I joined the Creator Fund when I hit 50,000 followers. Initially, earnings were modest (about $50-100 per month), but as my audience grew, so did my earnings. Now, with over a million followers, I earn around $2,000-$3,000 per month from the Fund alone.
Pro Tip: Don’t rely solely on the Creator Fund. While it’s a nice passive income stream, the earnings can be unpredictable.
Secure Brand Partnerships
As your audience grows, brands may reach out for sponsorships. You can also proactively seek out partnerships with brands that align with your niche. Here’s how I approach brand deals:
1. Be selective: I only work with brands that are relevant to my audience and that I genuinely believe in. For example, I’ve partnered with calculator companies and educational app developers.
2. Disclose clearly: Always make it clear when content is sponsored. I use #ad or #sponsored in my captions and mention the partnership in the video.
3. Keep it authentic: I maintain my usual teaching style in sponsored videos, integrating the product naturally into my content.
4. Know your worth: As your audience grows, don’t be afraid to negotiate higher rates. I started charging $500 per sponsored video at 100,000 followers and now charge $5,000+ per video with over a million followers.
Pro Tip: Create a media kit that outlines your audience demographics, engagement rates, and previous successful partnerships. This makes you look professional when pitching to brands.
Create and Sell Your Own Products
One of the most lucrative ways to monetize your TikTok teaching is by creating and selling your own products or services. Here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Online courses: I created a comprehensive Algebra course that goes more in-depth than my TikTok videos. I promote it subtly in my content and more directly in my bio link.
2. E-books: I’ve written several math e-books targeting specific areas students struggle with, like “Mastering Word Problems” and “SAT Math Made Easy”.
3. One-on-one coaching: I offer limited slots for personalized online tutoring sessions. These sell out quickly due to the personal connection I’ve built with my audience.
4. Merchandise: I sell branded merchandise like t-shirts with math puns and tote bags with formulae. These are more for brand building than significant income.
My journey: I started with a simple e-book priced at $9.99. As my audience grew and I got feedback, I developed more comprehensive products. My online course, priced at $197, now brings in the majority of my TikTok-related income.
Use TikTok’s Built-in Monetization Features
TikTok continues to roll out features to help creators monetize their content directly on the platform. Here are two to consider:
1. LIVE Gifts: When you go live, viewers can send you virtual gifts that translate to real money. I host weekly live “Math Marathon” sessions where I solve problems rapid-fire, and the gifts from these sessions can add up to several hundred dollars.
2. TikTok Shopping: If you sell physical products, you can set up a TikTok shop to sell directly through the app. I use this for my merchandise line.
Pro Tip: While these features can provide additional income, I’ve found that they work best as supplements to other monetization strategies rather than primary income sources.
6. Measuring Success and Iterating
Track Key Metrics
To grow your TikTok teaching business, you need to understand what’s working and what isn’t. Here are the key metrics I track:
1. Follower growth: I aim for steady, organic growth rather than sudden spikes.
2. Engagement rates: I look at likes, comments, and shares as a percentage of views. A high engagement rate often indicates content that resonates with my audience.
3. Video completion rates: This tells me if viewers are watching my content all the way through or dropping off early.
4. Click-through rates: For videos where I promote a product or external link, I track how many viewers actually click through.
5. Revenue from various sources: I keep a close eye on income from the Creator Fund, brand deals, and my own products.
Pro Tip: Don’t get too hung up on vanity metrics like total views. I’ve had videos with fewer views but higher engagement that led to more course sales than viral videos with millions of views.
Continuously Improve
The key to long-term success on TikTok is to keep evolving.
Here’s how I stay on top of my game:
1. Analyze top-performing content: Every week, I look at my best-performing videos and try to understand why they resonated. Was it the topic? The presentation style? The time it was posted?
2. Stay updated on TikTok algorithm changes: TikTok frequently updates its algorithm. I follow TikTok’s official creator accounts and join creator events to stay informed.
3. Experiment with new formats: I regularly try new video styles or features. For example, when TikTok introduced the Q&A feature, I immediately incorporated it into my content strategy.
4. Listen to your audience: Pay attention to comments and direct messages. Your audience will often tell you exactly what they want to learn next.
5. Keep learning: I continuously update my own knowledge in my field. For me, this means staying on top of new teaching methodologies and math curriculum changes.
My experience: When I first started, my videos were very structured and “teacher-like”. After analyzing my performance and audience feedback, I realized that a more casual, conversational tone worked better on TikTok. Adapting my style led to a significant boost in engagement and followers.
Case Studies: TikTok Teaching Success Stories
Let’s look at a couple of educators who’ve found success on TikTok in different niches:
Case Study 1: @ChemTeacherPhil
Phil Cook, known as @ChemTeacherPhil on TikTok, has amassed over 3.5 million followers by making chemistry fun and accessible.
Key strategies:
– Uses household items for eye-catching experiments
– Incorporates popular music and trends into his content
– Balances entertainment with solid educational content
Results: Phil has been able to quit his full-time teaching job and focus on creating content. He’s secured brand deals with major science education companies and launched his own line of educational products.
Case Study 2: @englishbygiovana
Gabriella Vesta, who goes by @iamthattypeofnerd, teaches English grammar and literature to over 3,8 million followers.
Key strategies:
– Uses storytelling to make grammar rules memorable
– Creates series of videos (e.g., “Grammar Tip of the Day”) for consistent content
– Engages with followers through regular Q&A sessions
Results: Gabriella has published a bestselling grammar guide book and launched a successful online course teaching creative writing.
Overcoming Challenges
While teaching on TikTok can be rewarding, it’s not without its challenges.
Here are some common obstacles I’ve faced and how I’ve overcome them:
1. Burnout: Creating daily content can be exhausting. I combat this by batching my content creation – I’ll film a week’s worth of videos in one day, giving me more flexibility in my schedule.
2. Negative comments: As your audience grows, you may encounter negative feedback. I’ve learned to focus on constructive criticism and ignore trolls. Remember, it’s often more about them than you.
3. Platform changes: TikTok frequently updates its features and algorithm. Stay flexible and be ready to adapt your strategy. I view each change as an opportunity to innovate.
4. Balancing education and entertainment: It can be tempting to focus on what’s trendy rather than what’s educational. I always ask myself, “What will my audience learn from this?” before posting.
5. Monetization pressure: Don’t let the pursuit of money compromise your content quality. Focus on providing value, and the monetization opportunities will follow.
Conclusion
Remember, success on TikTok doesn’t happen overnight. It can take you months of consistent posting, engaging with the audience, and refining approach before you can see significant growth. But with patience, persistence, and a genuine passion for teaching, you can build a thriving business presence on TikTok.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, transition to full-time content creation, or simply share your knowledge with the world, I hope this guide gives you the tools and confidence to get started. Your unique expertise and teaching style could be exactly what TikTok learners are looking for.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your phone, start planning your content, and get ready to join the exciting world of TikTok education. Who knows? Your first viral lesson could be just a video away!
Thank you for reading this comprehensive guide. I can’t wait to see what you create and teach on TikTok. Remember, every expert was once a beginner, so don’t be afraid to start your journey today.
Happy teaching, and see you on TikTok!
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