How to Make Money on Telegram in 2023? Best Strategies & Methods [Complete Guide]

Telegram now boasts over 800 million users worldwide, a number that continues to grow. This makes it one of the most popular messaging apps and social media platforms, offering numerous opportunities to earn money online, from selling ad space to conducting online courses. 

Depending on your niche and strategy, you can earn from $1,000 to $10,000+ per month on Telegram.

Telegram’s vast user base and advanced features, such as bots and chatbots, automate many tasks, making it an excellent channel for monetization. 

Additionally, the app is known for its strong privacy features, which can be further enhanced by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, allow users to access Telegram securely and privately, especially in regions where the app might be restricted.

With 55.2 million users using the app daily as of May 2024, Telegram is one of the most popular messenger apps in the world.

Most Popular Global Mobile Messenger Apps as of April 2024, source: Statista 

Why do people use Telegram? 

• User-friendly interface.
• No phone number required for sign-up.
• Custom usernames for easy searchability.
• Capability to send videos, audio, and text messages and make unlimited voice and video calls.
• Fast message delivery and reception.
• No limits on media size and chat length.
• Chats can be organized into folders.
• Available on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac OS, and any browser.
• Cloud storage for messages and files.
• Creation of Channels, Groups, and Secret Chats.
• Custom Telegram bots using the Bot API.
• Push notifications in channels.
• Pinning important messages at the top of a channel.
• Free usage with unlimited messaging and calls.

These features contribute to Telegram’s rising popularity, with millions of downloads each month.

Most Popular Messenger Apps Worldwide in April 2024 by Monthly Downloads, source: Statista 

For marketers, Telegram’s huge audience and features make it a promising advertising space. Anyone can create, promote, and monetize channels through paid ads, affiliate links, and more.

Read also: How to Use Telegram to Promote Your Business in 2023 & Telegram Ads Cost: What’s the Minimum Budget to Boost Your Reach & Revenue 👈

Let’s dive into the best strategies making money on Telegram in 2023.

Unlike TikTok and YouTube, Telegram doesn’t pay any money to content creators for views. So, when it comes to earning online, Telegram is typically used for selling products, services, and advertising space in channels. 

Below, we will discuss eight ideas on how to start making money on Telegram and increase your online income.

1. Sell Ads or Paid Posts on Your Channel

If you have a substantial number of subscribers, you can accept ads relevant to your topic and earn money. It’s one of the most popular methods of monetizing Telegram channels in 2024.

The National Geographic channel is advertised in the Open Library channel.

While Telegram Ads are an option, many marketers prefer to post in manually selected channels to achieve better results, especially in niche markets or small local businesses. Adding your channel to a PR platform catalog like Collaborator can help you receive more ad orders.

Join Collaborator 👈

How Much Can You Earn With Collaborator?

Earnings depend on your channel’s category and number of subscribers. Yaroslav Beshta and Marko Fedorenko analyzed Telegram channels on Collaborator and published their findings in the Shozashum channel.

You can read the full study on the platforms of Telegram channels (in Ukrainian) 👈

They found out that most popular categories for Telegram channels in Collaborator are:

• Media/News;
• Cryptocurrencies;
• Entertainment & hobbies;
• Education & science;
• Business & finance.

In the picture below, you can see the average cost of Telegram posts based on the category. 

Your channel’s price will vary based on subscriber count and activity level. Active channels post 1-3 times daily, while less active ones post 1-3 times weekly.

How to monetize Telegram channels with Collaborator?

• Add your channel to the catalog (minimum 500 subscribers, non-forbidden topics).
• Analyze other channels in your category to set a competitive price.
• Accept orders and publish posts.
• Withdraw funds.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves earning a commission for each visitor redirected through your affiliate link. It’s one of the easiest and most lucrative strategies on Telegram.

Companies offer various affiliate programs with different commission structures. For example, Collaborator's affiliate program offers lifetime earnings from referrals.

Make a quick Telegram channel search. You'll see many channels from various niches offering affiliate products. Some of them offer products from different companies. Below, you can see an example of such a channel. It informs about discounts on sneakers from different brands, including Adidas, Nike, and New Balance, available in online stores.

The Sneakers on Sale channel

There are two ways to implement this strategy, which are better to combine for the best results:

• Create a Telegram affiliate marketing channel: Post affiliate links and generate income. Promote your channel to attract interested subscribers.

  Place ads on relevant Telegram channels: Negotiate with channel owners to place a post with your link. This can be time-consuming but effective.

Benefits of using Collaborator for your affiliate marketing strategy:

1. Over 3K hand-moderated channels with engaged audiences from various industries and countries.

How to filter Telegram channels in Collaborator’s catalog

2. Detailed analytics of channels, including subject, follower count, post coverage, involvement, subscriber cost, and CPM.So, you can avoid using Telegram analytics tools. 

3. Fast deals. Most deals are completed within two days.

4. Low fees and safe financial transactions.

3. Sell Your Services & Products

It is the best-known strategy on how to use Telegram channels to make money. Many Telegram channels offer a variety of products and services, from home appliances to luxury watches and real estate.

Exclusive Homes Madeira’s Telegram Channel

Promote your Telegram channel and use E-Commerce link-building strategies to reach your target audience, attract more customers, and increase profits. If you offer services, such as online courses, create a channel with valuable content for your target audience.

Udemy4U’s Telegram channel

Read also: TOP-70 Telegram Channels, Groups, and Bots for Learning English. Best Telegram channels to join.

Why use the Telegram app for selling and promoting your products and services? 

• Global audience reach.
• Low competition among marketers.
• Direct communication with customers.
• Push notifications for updates, sales, and promotions.
• Bots to automate sales, collect orders, accept payments, and provide customer support. Surely, before proceeding to it, read how to make Telegram bots.
• Secure payments via Telegram Pay.

4. Paid Subscription

If you’re an expert in a niche or have valuable information, you can charge for access to your content.

To implement this strategy, you should create two Telegram channels: 

• Create a public channel with high-level content tailored to your audience. Promote it to gather subscribers.
• Create a private channel with exclusive content accessible for a fee.

5. Create & Sell Channels 

Channels with a large, engaged audience are valuable — you can sell them on platforms like Payerup. Create and promote Telegram channels to sell them or buy low, grow, and resell at a higher price. Promoting a channel effectively can take months, so be prepared for a long-term effort.

6. Create & Sell Stickers

If you’re creative, you can design unique stickers and sell them. Use Telegram’s open platform to create and distribute your artwork.

7. Make Money With Bots

Creating bots requires basic programming knowledge and creativity. If you have these skills, you can develop bots for businesses and earn money.

You might find our list of the best Telegram bots useful.

8. Consult People on Telegram Promotion

If you’re experienced in promoting Telegram channels, you can offer consulting services or become a virtual assistant to manage and promote channels.

So, you’ve decided whether to sell your services, promote affiliate products, or explore another way to earn money with Telegram. What’s next?

Below, we’ve laid out step-by-step instructions to help you start earning with Telegram. From creating your channel to key tips for building a successful Telegram business, we’ve got you covered.

How to Create a Telegram Channel

Creating a channel is free and easy. First, understand the difference between a channel and a group. We have gathered the main differences in the table for more convenience. 

To create a Telegram channel, you should:

1. Open the Telegram application and click on the pen icon at the bottom of the screen (for Android devices) or click on the message icon in the top right corner (for iPhone).

2. Now, select “New Channel.” 

3. Add your channel name and description.

Tips:

• Create a name that is catchy and easy to remember. Ideally, it should also reflect the topic of your channel.
• Write about the benefits and advantages of your channel in its description.

How to create channels in Telegram.

4. To change the icon of a channel, click on it and then on the pencil icon to edit it. Upload a picture.

Tip: The logo should be memorable. 

How to change the icon of a Telegram channel

5. Choose the type of channel and create a link for it. Again, go to the profile of a channel and click the pencil icon to edit it.

Note: Telegram will suggest you add subscribers from the contacts you already have.

How to choose the type of channel and create a link for it.

6. Toggle on the “restrict saving content” option so that subscribers won’t be able to copy your content, and click the right-pointing arrow (for Android devices) or the “Next” button (for iPhone). And you’re done 😎

Create a Telegram channel.

Define Your Telegram Business Topic & Niche

Choose a topic you’re passionate about or knowledgeable in. Consistently provide valuable content to your audience and avoid radically changing the theme to maintain subscribers.

Telegram Channel Content Plan

Post high-quality content regularly to grow your channel. Determine your target audience, find trending topics in your niche, and create a content calendar. Use various content formats to keep it engaging.

How to Promote Your Telegram Channel

To grow your Telegram channel and increase subscribers:

• Use Telegram Ads to create sponsored messages, which will be displayed on public channels with 1K+ subscribers. 
• Promote on other social media platforms.
• Add your channel to directories.
• Collaborate with bloggers and influencers.
• Engage in cross-promotion with other Telegram channels.

The last two steps can be very time-consuming. Thankfully, the Collaborator platform can save you a lot of time. Once you register, you gain access to a catalog with over 3K Telegram channels and over 32K websites from various industries and countries where you can post your content. Give it a try and grow your channel's audience with Collaborator.

Sign up for free

Note: Track Telegram campaigns to evaluate the results of your efforts and improve your strategy to get better outcomes.

Can you make money on Telegram in 2024? Absolutely. Telegram is no longer just a messaging app — it’s a growing social media platform that offers money-making opportunities for marketers, sellers, and influencers. Use the methods outlined here to monetize your channel effectively, grow your audience, and enhance your content marketing.