Quick answer: Real Telegram income comes from a channel or group people value. Telegram shares 50% of ad revenue with owners of public channels that have at least 1,000 subscribers (withdrawals via Fragment); you can also sell paid posts and subscriptions, sponsored posts, affiliate links and your own products. “Earn by watching videos” or “task” groups on Telegram that ask you to deposit money are scams.
Ways to Earn on Telegram
| Method | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Channel ad revenue share | Public channel, 1,000+ subscribers | 50% of ad revenue shown in your channel; see Channel Settings → Statistics → Monetization |
| Paid content and Stars | An engaged audience | Check Telegram’s current rules and withdrawal limits in the app |
| Sponsored posts | A niche audience | Price per post; label it as an ad |
| Affiliate links | A shopping or deals channel | For example the Buy More Mall affiliate programme |
| Sell products or services | Something to sell | Catalogue posts, orders by DM, M-Pesa till |
| Paid private group | Valuable expertise | Courses, coaching, job alerts (never “guaranteed” returns) |
How to Grow a Telegram Channel
- Pick one useful topic: jobs, deals, farming tips, study notes, tech news.
- Post on a schedule (for example 3 times a day) and keep posts short.
- Pin a welcome message explaining what members get.
- Share your channel link on {shn("whatsapp", "WhatsApp")}, TikTok and Facebook.
- Swap shout-outs with channels of a similar size in a related niche.
Scams to Avoid on Telegram
- “Task” jobs: like videos, then deposit money to unlock bigger tasks. You will lose the deposit.
- Fake investment or trading groups promising fixed daily profits ({shn("pyramid", "pyramid schemes")}).
- People pretending to be Telegram or M-Pesa support asking for codes.
- Buying a channel with fake members.
Example: A Job-Alerts Channel
A graduate posts verified job openings from official company pages 3 times a day, never charging applicants. After reaching several thousand members, he earns from Telegram ad revenue, sponsored posts from training colleges and a paid CV review service (CV guide).
Your First 30 Days
- Week 1: choose a niche and create the channel with a clear name.
- Week 2: post daily and share in your networks.
- Week 3: add a simple product or service.
- Week 4: track growth; plan to reach 1,000 subscribers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Charging people for job alerts.
- Copying posts from other channels.
- Fake members.
- Promising returns.
Pricing Sponsored Posts
Look at your average views per post (shown under each post), not your subscriber count. Brands care about how many people actually see the message. Offer a single post, a pinned post for 24 hours, and a weekly package, and always mark sponsored posts clearly.
Stay safe: never pay a "registration", "activation" or "withdrawal" fee to get paid, and never share your password or M-Pesa PIN. Real online income comes from people paying for your content, products or skills.
Create your free Stay Home Network account, or log in with H-MAIL on app.stayhomenetwork.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make money on Telegram?
Yes, through ad revenue share, paid content, sponsored posts, affiliate links and selling products.
How many subscribers do you need for Telegram monetization?
At least 1,000 on a public channel for the ad revenue share.
How does Telegram pay channel owners?
Ad rewards are withdrawn through Fragment; check current options in the app.
Is “make money on Telegram by watching videos” real?
No. Groups that ask you to deposit money for tasks are scams.
Can I sell products on Telegram in Kenya?
Yes. Post a catalogue and take payment with an M-Pesa till.
Do Telegram Premium users see ads?
Telegram lets Premium users turn off ads, which reduces ad income.
Cover photo: Two people reading messages on their phones. Photo: Chat time by Street matt, CC BY 2.0.
