You’ve probably seen those “TikTok money-making” videos with people dancing in front of their Tesla or pointing at text floating around their head. This isn’t that kind of post.
Instead, let me tell you about the weird side of TikTok that’s actually making money – and no, you won’t have to learn a single dance move or show your face once.
Did you know that right now, people are silently building $100+ daily income streams on TikTok just by selling products through TikTok Shop? We’re not talking about influencers. This is different. This is smarter.
Here’s the thing that blows my mind: TikTok has somehow turned into this massive shopping mall where 70% of users are discovering and buying new products. Think about that. While most people are obsessing over getting views, others are quietly turning those views into actual dollar bills.
And get this – Gen Z isn’t just using TikTok for entertainment anymore. A mind-boggling 97% of them are using it to find products to buy. That’s not just a trend – that’s a gold mine for people who know what to do with it.
The best part? You can tap into this without:
- Showing your face
- Making cringe content
- Begging for followers
- Learning stupid dances
- Being “internet famous”
The Lazy Person’s Setup Guide
Let’s get real about what you actually need to start. And no, it’s not some $997 course or fancy equipment:
The Bare Minimum Stack:
- TikTok Shop account (Free)
- Gelato account (Free)
- Canva free version
- A pulse (hopefully you have this)
That’s literally it. Anyone trying to sell you more is probably trying to fund their own failing TikTok career.
What’s Actually Selling Right Now
Here’s where it gets interesting. The biggest winners on TikTok Shop aren’t the obvious products.
Hot Products That Print Money:
- Custom phone cases ($15-25 profit each)
- Personalized posters ($20-30 profit)
- Custom t-shirts ($12-18 profit)
- Trending mugs ($15-20 profit)
You don’t need to store any of these. Gelato prints and ships everything for you while you’re binge-watching Netflix.
The “No-Face” Content Strategy
Here’s how to create TikTok content without ever showing your beautiful face:
Product Showcase Style:
– Close-up product shots – Text overlay explaining features – Trending sound in background – Simple transitions
Problem-Solution Format:
– Show common problem – Present your product – Add customer reviews – Drop that link
Creating Videos That Actually Sell (Without Being Cringe)
Let’s talk about content that makes people whip out their credit cards. Here’s what’s working:
Simple Video Formula:
0-2 seconds: Hook (“Wait until you see this” or “Watch until the end”) 2-5 seconds: Product showcase 5-10 seconds: Features/benefits 10-15 seconds: Price reveal + call to action
Setting Up Your Money Printer (I Mean, TikTok Shop)
The 30-Minute Setup Process:
TikTok Shop Account:
- Apply for seller account
- Verify your identity
- Connect payment method
- Set up shop profile
Gelato Connection:
- Create free account
- Link to TikTok Shop
- Upload your first designs
- Set your prices
Pro Tip: Start with prices ending in .99 or .95 – weird psychological thing, but it works.
Your First Week Game Plan
Day 1:
- Set up accounts
- Create 5 basic designs
- Upload first products
Days 2-3:
- Make 3-5 simple videos
- Post throughout the day
- Test different sounds
Days 4-7:
- Track which products get views
- Double down on what works
- Create variations of best sellers
The Secret Sauce (What Actually Makes Sales)
Here’s what’s really moving products:
Trending Sounds + Simple Text
– Use viral TikTok sounds – Add easy-to-read text – Show product from multiple angles – Drop price at perfect moment
The Hook Strategy
“POV: When you realize this exists…” “I can’t believe no one talks about this…” “The product TikTok made me buy…”
Scaling Beyond $100/Day
Once you’re making consistent sales:
Product Expansion:
- Test new categories
- Create themed collections
- Add seasonal items
Content Multiplication:
- Repost winning videos
- Try different angles
- Test new formats
Simple Automation:
- Schedule posts
- Batch create content
- Let Gelato handle fulfillment
The No-BS Success Timeline
Week 1: Setup and learning
Week 2-3: First sales trickle in
Week 4-6: Consistent $50-100 days
Month 2+: Scale to $200-300 days
Quick Reality Check
This isn’t:
- Get rich quick
- Completely passive
- A dance competition
- Rocket science
This is:
- A real business
- Actually doable
- Pretty damn simple
- Something you can start today
Next Steps (Like, Right Now)
- Open TikTok Shop
- Sign up for Gelato
- Create your first design
- Post your first video