How to Make Money on TikTok and Instagram with 1,000 Followers
Most creators don't earn much from the platforms themselves at first. Some of the platforms' own programmes, such as TikTok's Creator Rewards, need 10,000 followers, so many smaller creators start earning another way, such as by making videos for brands.
Here's how the main options compare, and how to get paid with around 1,000 followers.
The Main Ways Creators Get Paid
- Platform programmes: TikTok and Instagram pay some creators directly, based on views or fans.
- Brand campaigns: a brand pays you to make and post a video about its product or service.
- Affiliate links: you earn a commission when people buy through your link.
- Your own products or services, from coaching to merchandise.
For many people with a smaller audience, brand campaigns are a good place to start.
TikTok's Creator Rewards Programme
At the time of writing (October 2026), TikTok's Creator Rewards Programme is open in the UK to creators who are 18 or over, with at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. It pays for original videos that are at least a minute long, posted from a personal account, and ads and sponsored videos, including brand campaigns, don't earn rewards. TikTok changes these rules from time to time, so check its own pages for the latest.
So if you have 1,000 followers, TikTok's own programme isn't open to you yet, but brand work can be.
TikTok LIVE and TikTok Shop
Two other TikTok options open up sooner. At the time of writing, you need to be 18 or over to go LIVE on TikTok, and usually 1,000 followers (TikTok says this varies by region). You must also be 18 or over to receive gifts. TikTok Shop's affiliate programme, which pays commission on sales from your videos, is open to UK creators who are 18 or over with at least 500 followers. Check TikTok's own pages for the latest rules.
Instagram's Own Tools
Instagram offers its own ways to earn, such as subscriptions and gifts, but what's available depends on your account, your country and your follower numbers, and Instagram updates them regularly. You'll find what's open to you in your professional dashboard.
Brand Work: Where Smaller Creators Can Start
Many brands work with lots of everyday creators, not just a few famous faces, because recommendations from real people can feel more trustworthy. That's good news if you have a smaller, engaged audience.
On Brief72, you can apply for paid campaigns once you're 18 or over, have 1,000 followers on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, and our team has approved your account. Each brief shows what you'll be paid before you apply, and your fee is fixed when you're approved. See how it works for creators.
How to Make Your Account Brand-Ready
- A clear focus: brands look for creators whose content fits their product, whether that's food, beauty, fitness, tech or family life.
- A tidy profile: a recognisable photo, a short bio that says what you post, and a link.
- Regular posting: it shows brands you're active and gives them more to look at.
- Real engagement: reply to comments and keep the conversation going.
- Good basics: natural light, clear sound and a strong first few seconds.
Staying on the Right Side of the Rules
When a brand pays you, gives you something or pays you commission for a post, it's an ad, and UK rules say it must be labelled clearly at the start, for example with “#ad”. That includes free products, even if you weren't asked to post about them. Labels such as “#spon” or a thank-you to the brand aren't enough. The ASA's guidance for influencers explains how.
Can you make money on TikTok with 1,000 followers?
Not from TikTok's Creator Rewards Programme, which at the time of writing needs 10,000 followers. But other options open up sooner: in the UK, TikTok Shop's affiliate programme needs 500 followers, and going LIVE to earn gifts usually needs 1,000. You can also earn from brand campaigns: on Brief72 you can apply once you're 18 or over with 1,000 followers.
Is TikTok's Creator Rewards Programme available in the UK?
Yes, at the time of writing. Check TikTok's own pages for the current rules.
What's the easiest way to start earning as a small creator?
There’s no single easiest way, but brand campaigns are a good place to start, because you don’t need the 10,000 followers that TikTok’s Creator Rewards Programme asks for. Each Brief72 brief shows its fee before you apply.
Do I need to label paid posts?
Yes. UK rules say paid posts must be labelled clearly as ads, at the start.
