Here’s an open secret: Telegram is amazing! It has everything you want from a social media app (and more!). From groups and scheduled messages to animated stickers and world-class security — it’s easy to understand why the platform has a whopping 800 million monthly active users. But did you know it’s also an excellent way to make money? 

Some legal ways to make money on Telegram include creating paid groups, building bots and selling products directly to your audience. However, you can also monetise the platform by creating stickers for a fee, crowdfunding, or partnering with brands to post sponsored content.

In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to make money on Telegram in Nigeria by exploring seven bona fide (and proven) options you can try today — whether you own a smartphone or prefer using Telegram on the web. Then, we’ll see if (and how) you can receive money directly on Telegram. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

How to make money on Telegram in Nigeria

In 2021, we shared the first-ever episode of Money Mistake — a series that explores unfortunate money mistakes by real Nigerians. In it, we spoke to a creative who lost over ₦900,000 to dubious investments and online Ponzi schemes propagated on social media apps like Telegram. Unfortunately, Telegram fraud is still a big problem today. However, the platform remains a goldmine for Nigerians looking to make legitimate money. 

Here are seven proven ways to make money legally on Telegram in Nigeria:

1. Create paid groups and channels
2. Build Telegram bots for a fee
3. Sell products directly  to your audience
4. Create and sell stickers
5. Partner with brands and post sponsored content
6. Crowdfund via Telegram groups and channels
7. Sell your Telegram channel or group

While Telegram is easy to monetise, it’s possible to feel overwhelmed by its many features. Don’t worry — we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through each of the seven methods we shared above.

Let’s start with groups and channels.

1. Create paid groups and channels

Telegram groups are an excellent way to build a community and share exclusive content. If you offer valuable insights (say, relationship tips), training (maybe you teach people how to make money with their phones), or premium discussions (think exclusive communities about topics like football or Big Brother Naija), people will pay to join your group or channel.

Here’s how you can create a Telegram group:

1. Open Telegram and tap the “New Message” icon.
2. Select “New Group” and add as many members as you want.
3. Set a group name and profile picture.
4. Choose the privacy settings (private or public).
5. Customize as much as you want.

Voilà! Now, you’re ready to go. Simply ask people to pay for access to your group and then add them afterwards. Easy!

Telegram channels are similar, but these are perfect for broadcasting your content to large audiences. You can make money with them the same way you’d do with groups or use both to reach as many people as possible. Your choice! 

Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating a Telegram channel:

1. Open Telegram and tap the “New Message” icon.
2. Select “New Channel” and add as many members as you want.
3. Set a channel name, description and profile picture.
4. Choose a channel type (private or public).
5. Add a channel link.
6. Customize as much as you want.

Now you can start broadcasting!

2. Build Telegram bots for a fee

Telegram allows you to create bots that automate tasks — everything from moderating groups to processing payments. Whether you have coding skills or not, you can build bots for businesses and content creators (and make good cash while you’re at it!).

Here are a few bot ideas to try:

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• Create customer support bots for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Build content scheduling bots for media houses and content creators. 
• Develop poll and quiz bots for Telegram group moderators and administrators.

There’s so much more you can do, so take some time to research popular (or profitable) problems to create a solution that people will love! 

Here’s how you can build a Telegram bot right now:

1. Search for “BotFather” on Telegram.
2. Start a chat and follow the instructions to create a bot.
3. Write the bot’s functionality using Telegram’s Bot API.
4. Deploy and monetise your bot by offering custom solutions to businesses and creators.

Now you’re in business!

You can also check out this comprehensive guide by Telegram if you want a more thorough tutorial for creating your first bot.

3. Sell products directly to your audience

If you’ve read our other articles on how to monetise social media platforms like Facebook, you should know where this is going. Just like with WhatsApp and Instagram, Telegram can be an excellent sales platform if you have an online business. You can sell anything there — including digital products like e-books and courses, services like plumbing and writing, as well as physical goods like clothes and skincare products.

Here are a few ways you can sell products on Telegram:

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• Create a Telegram group and market your products directly to your audience. Your customers can message you to complete their orders and pay you before you ship their products. 
•  Set up a dedicated sales channel on Telegram and use it as a shop.  Your channel can work the same way a group does, and you can sell just as easily on it.

You can also experiment with bots to automate responses and conversations, but be careful — some bots can be sketchy. 

4. Create and sell stickers

Custom Telegram stickers might seem niche, but they are in high demand. From businesses to communities, there is a large market of people that are willing to pay for branded or obnoxious stickers — you just need to create them. This method is especially perfect if you’re an artist or graphic designer looking for work.

Here’s how you can create stickers on Telegram:

1. Design stickers using tools like Adobe Illustrator or Canva.
2. Search for “Stickers Bot” on Telegram and follow the instructions for importing stickers.
3. Upload your stickers and set a price for paid access, or share the work with your clients.

You can also check out Telegram’s Sticker Editor if you don’t have design skills. This tool allows you to turn images and videos into stickers using only Telegram.

5. Partner with brands and post sponsored content

If you have a popular Telegram channel or group, brands may pay you to promote their products. In fact, many brands — especially Web3 businesses — actively seek out communities, and they’ll work with you if yours is aligned with their business or brand goals.

Here’s how you can monetise these partnerships:

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• Charge for sponsored posts.
• Run affiliate marketing campaigns.
• Promote services relevant to your audience.

Need inspiration for building an excellent community? Then check out our article on HackSultan (co-founder of AltSchool/TalentQL) where he shared how he built various communities offline and online.

6. Crowdfund via Telegram groups and channels

Crowdfunding is another way to earn money on Telegram. Whether you’re a content creator or activist, you can ask your audience for support.

Here are a few ways to receive crowdfunding donations:

• Ask for direct donations to your Flex Naira account on Piggyvest so you can earn up to 12% annual interest on your funds — paid monthly.
• Allow direct contributions to your bank account.
• Use third-party platforms like Buy Me a Coffee.

7. Sell your Telegram channel or group 

If you’ve built a large and engaged audience, you can sell your Telegram channel for a profit. Brands, individuals and other communities may be interested in your group or channel and you can charge a tidy sum in exchange.

The downside is that you lose your Telegram account. But at least you made good money, yeah?

How to save and invest your Telegram earnings with Piggyvest

Making money on Telegram is great, but managing your earnings wisely is even more important. Fortunately, Piggyvest has the perfect tools to help you save and grow your income.

Here’s how you can maximise your Telegram earnings with Piggyvest:

• Use Flex Naira to build your savings: Save your earnings in our flexible wallet that allows easy deposits and withdrawals with an annual interest of 12%.
• Automate your savings: Set up automatic transfers with PiggyBank to ensure consistent savings and up to 18% annual returns.
• Invest in low-risk opportunities: Grow your income by investing in low-risk and high-yield opportunities on Investify — earn up to 35% interest on your money every year.

Want to learn more about Piggyvest? We got you covered! Check out our comprehensive explainer to learn exactly how to use Piggyvest to grow your Telegram earnings.

Final thoughts

Telegram offers multiple ways to make money legally in Nigeria. Whether you’re selling products, running a paid group, or offering virtual services, the platform provides a unique opportunity for almost anyone to earn cool cash.

But don’t forget to manage your earnings wisely! With Flex Naira, PiggyBank and Investify, you can save and grow your Telegram income effortlessly.

Ready to start earning? Pick one method and start today!