I quit boring 9-5 job & make £40K a month on TikTok shop working 3 days a week… I didn't even use social media before
LIKE most parents, Jordan Payne was always keen to find ways to bring in a bit of extra cash.
But when she decided to start promoting items for TikTok shop, she never expected to make £40,000 in just ONE month.
13
Mum-of-two Jordan Payne earns thousands by promoting items on TikTok shop
Credit: Jordan Payne
13
Her posts are focused around her family life and children
Credit: Jordan Payne
13
Jordan sometimes promotes clothes on her TikTok account
Credit: Tiktok/@jordanpayne25
And she reckons she's made a staggering £150,000 since opening up her profile on the video-based platform in 2020.
The mum-of-two barely used any of her own social media when she first began posting on the app, hoping she might make a few extra quid.
By December 2023 she was earning thousands a month - and 18 months later she managed to quit her 9-5 job as a technical product manager to focus full-time on her new TikTok career.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, she said: 'When I first realised I'd made £40,000 in a month, it just seemed crazy.
READ MORE REAL LIFE
'You can't quite believe that it's even possible. Most people just don't manage that.
'I did it in November last year around Black Friday. I normally bring in around £10,000 a month, but it's taken me years to build up to this.'
TikTok Shop is a marketplace on the social media app, selling everything from beauty products to clothes and garden items, often at bargain prices.
When Jordan started you had to have 1,000 followers before you could promote items on the shop. You'd then earn a commission on each sale that came from people clicking through a link on the post.
Most read in Fabulous
To gain followers Jordan posted tips for brides, as she had got married the month before.
Now you need just 500 followers to start doing work for TikTok shop.
I've made £18k on Vinted - my clever tip means your photos will stand out
13
Initially Jordan found making the promotional videos awkward
Credit: Supplied
13
She spends hours filming content three days a week to promote online
Credit: Supplied
Commission ranges from two per cent up to 25 per cent, depending on the product and the creator's following and previous success.
Jordan, who is appearing in Channel 4's Secrets of TikTok Shop, first considered joining the app to make money in 2020, after a friend who'd been furloughed during lockdown told her how much money they'd been making from it.
The Kent-based mum, 33, was initially a little sceptical about if she'd be able to do the same, as she didn't really use social media like Instagram or Facebook, nevermind TikTok.
'At first, it was really awkward making the videos,' she said.
'In the first week, I felt uncomfortable talking to the camera, and I was focusing on that rather than who I though might be watching the content.
'After a bit, you just forget about it. Once I got my first sale, I was like, 'This is all worth it, so worth putting the time and effort in.'
'I do look back at my old videos now and think, 'Wow that's different'. I've just learnt what works and what doesn't.'
Jordan's account, jordanpayne25, focuses on family life, as she has two boys aged one and three with husband Lance, 36.
It took her a while to find her niche, but now she reviews kids toys, clothing and items for the family home like air fryers and parasols.
Booming business
13
Jordan promotes easy beauty hacks that mum's can use
Credit: Tiktok/@jordanpayne25
13
The mum mainly focuses on childrens items as they're relevent to her
Credit: Tiktok/@jordanpayne25
Once she'd found products that sold well, it took a few years for her to start making around £10,000 per month from
'This time last year, it started really booming,' she said.
'It is life-changing. It's enabled me to quit my job, and I had a good, quite highly paid job before. Now I get to be at home with my kids a lot more.
"I tend to work three days a week. I spend all day creating content, editing it, looking on TikTok to see what is doing well.
'I do get more time with my kids but I worry they don't realise that when I'm on my phone, I'm working.'
Jordan revealed the most important element of a TikTok video is the opening three seconds - called 'the hook' by creators.
It's the short time period it takes TikTok users to decide if they want to watch the video or not.
'One I found worked was saying 'I'm buying this for my nan', because it got people intrigued,' she said.
'It worked so well that I repeated it across several videos. It's one of the important things I've learnt over the years.'
Jordan always viewed working with
Storage rooms of products
13
Jordan has a storage room full of products she's been sent by brands
Credit: Supplied
13
She says that she doesn't like getting rid of things incase she can promote them again
Credit: Supplied
She pays herself a set salary of £1,048, plus dividends, every month, and resists spending every penny she earns on her ongoing home renovation project.
Jordan is one of the top 120 sellers on TikTok in the UK - and as a result, she has to dedicate rooms in her home to storing products.
She said: 'I've got content rooms which are just storage because I've so much stuff that I try to keep to promote.
'I've got about eight air fryers in there. Obviously I can't use them, because nobody needs that.
'But I keep them all because the brand sent them to me... it could be that one of them's on sale tomorrow, one's on sale in a few weeks, and I can promote the different ones, because they're all good for different reasons.'
While promoting items from the shop is all about getting sales, Jordan does give her honest opinion when she feels an item isn't up to scratch.
'I have given negative reviews as well, which is a bit of a controversial one,' she said.
'Some people do it, some people don't. Mine blew up, which was a bit difficult for me, because it was a Mystery Toy Box, and they are a nice company.
'But I just really didn't think the particular Paw Patrol box was good value for money, so I said that.
'It mainly just had paintings in it and not much variety, and I think a kid receiving that would be disappointed.'
Top tips
13
Jordan sometimes sells clothing items on her TikTok
Credit: Tiktok/@jordanpayne25
13
Jordan has the full support of her husband Lance who is still working full time
Credit: Jordan Payne
Jordan is keen to encourage others to replicate her success on the platform.
She's helped family and friends set up accounts - including her sister, who promoted products on an account that didn't feature her face.
Jordan has also noticed a number of people using the app have told how much they are battling financially with the cost of living crisis.
She said: 'I see a lot of people online talking about how they struggle. I saw one lady, who was a nurse, saying that she and her husband were struggling despite both having full time jobs.
Jordan's 5 top tips for bossing TikTok Shop
Jordan has been encouraging family and friends to start selling things on TikTok Shop. She offers these top tips to budding sellers...
1. Just go for it. I think that's where most people get stuck, they're too scared to even start it. So just give it a try, even if it's faceless, just try. You can always stop doing it.
2. Follow other creators that are doing well in the same kind of products that you're interested in. If you're beauty, follow them. If you're home, follow accounts that do that, because that'll give you lots of ideas.
3. Look at your analytics. We get lots of information, our watch times and all sorts of stuff. Look at which videos have done the best and repeat that if you had a good 'hook' (first three seconds). If you've got a video that's done particularly well, do that exact thing again, on the same product or different ones.
4. Buy the product. Don't always wait for free samples or worry about not spending the money (within reason!) because if you miss the early stages of it being viral, you're probably going to miss out on sales. Someone else will get it. If you get to it too late, it's probably not going to go viral for you, even if it was a trending product.
5. Make sure you are using good lighting. The visual of the video matters. If it's dark or blurry, that video won't get pushed by TikTok. Plus, no one's going to want to watch it.
'Everybody at the moment is looking for a side hustle or a way to just get by with the current cost of living.
"TikTok shop is just a great way for people to earn an extra income.
'It doesn't have to be £10,000 a month if you don't want to put time in.
"Some people just want a little extra to help out. My sister-in-law makes about £500 a month, which makes a big difference to paying bills and things.'
UNTOLD: Secrets of TikTok Shop is now streaming on Channel 4
13
Prior to starting her TikTok account, Jordan barely used social media
Credit: Jordan Payne
13
Jordan's TikTok is helping fund the family's house renovation
Credit: Jordan Payne
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
TikTok Boom: The rise and reign of viral dance trends
TikTok hasn't just reshaped social media; it's rewritten the rules of cultural fame. With a tap and a twist, a bedroom video can go global. From CMAT's 'Woke Macarena' to unexpected dance-floor icons, Sarah McIntyre and Laura Delaney ask: What does it really take to go viral in 2025? Unlike traditional platforms, virality on TikTok doesn't hinge on follower count - anyone can break through. At its core, the app thrives on participatory trends, with dance challenges leading the charge, turning everyday users into cultural contributors overnight. In recent weeks, CMAT's Take a Sexy Picture of Me, aka the 'Woke Macarena', has become a global trend, inspiring over 39,000 videos to date, with over 100 million views. Lola Young, Julia Fox, Cher Lloyd and Amelia Dimoldenberg are among the high-profile names who have given the fun and sassy dance a whirl. TikToker Sam Morris (@justsammorris) is the creator behind the viral dance sensation. Last month, he posted a video showcasing his original choreography to the track, proudly dubbing it his "Apple dance TikTok choreographer moment." According to Rebecca O'Keeffe, Head of Content Operations at TikTok, what makes this particular trend interesting is its grassroots origin. "It only really became a thing in the last week or two, and that's all down to one man making a video in his bedroom," she says. "It wasn't some massive creator doing a collab with CMAT. He spotted the clue and jumped on it. If you think something is going to work, give it a go, because it probably will." What actually makes a TikTok go viral? If there's one question TikTok's content team hear daily, it's this: How do I go viral? We ask the experts. Arthur Gourounlian, Dancing with the Stars judge, dancer and choreographer, is known for his joyful and engaging content on social media - he believes the first three seconds are everything. "Grab attention right away," he advises. "Use something surprising, relatable, or visually engaging. People connect with real, unfiltered moments. Being yourself makes you memorable." From a production standpoint, he recommends sharp editing, strong lighting and a clear message. The dancing pro also gives a shout-out to trending sounds or topics, as "using popular audio or participating in trends boosts discoverability". "Whether it's funny, emotional, or informative, the video should have a clear purpose," he adds, saying "engagement – asking a question, using on-screen text, or prompting comments can encourage interaction." For Matthew Gardiner, one half of the Irish dancing duo The Gardiner Brothers (3.9 million followers and over 85 million likes on TikTok), it's about consistency and patience. "It feels almost random sometimes what gains traction. We do think that consistency is a huge thing, because you don't know what's going to go viral," he says. "Sometimes we have a feeling like 'OK, this one's good, this one's going to do well,' but then it doesn't. And you don't really have an answer for that, and you've just got to keep trying. "If you enjoy it, some people out there are going to enjoy it, and it doesn't have to always go viral." He recalls a tip from a social media guru he watched online during the pandemic that stuck with him. "You know the phrase 'quality over quantity', he actually flipped it and said 'quantity over quality', because quality is subjective. "Somebody out there is going to enjoy your content, so just keep putting it out and then the odd one will grow." Rebecca reckons that the key to being successful on the platform is "nailing the engagement side of things" and admits "everyone with a phone who has access to the app is a creator". Interestingly, when it comes to being successful on the platform, she says you don't need big numbers to make an impact. "You don't need to have millions of followers to become a sensation on the platform. It's all about spotting that creative niche and jumping on it, and those kinds of trends can start from anywhere – me in my kitchen has as good a chance at going viral as the Kardashians in LA. "You can start from zero and grow this incredible, engaged audience quite quickly if you just nail the engagement side of things". What sounds and moves work best? So what does it really take to go viral on TikTok and capture the attention of millions? "The algorithm is a fickle little thing. We can't predict its behaviour - it would be great if we could," Rebecca laughs. "I work really closely with creators, and I'd say at least every day, I get asked 'how do I go viral?'. It's really down to how engaging the content is as opposed to having a million followers. "The likelihood being that if you have a million followers, you're probably quite an interesting and engaging human by default. My advice if you are starting from zero is to scroll and see what people are interested in, jump on those trends when you spot them, don't wait for them to become massive trends." Matthew, who was born in Denver and raised in Galway, says it's "the classic songs" that consistently do well for The Gardiner Brothers on TikTok. "Things like The Bee Gees have always done well. Those songs are timeless - the younger generation loves them as well." Some dance routines are destined for virality, but they are rarely the most complex ones. "The most viral dances are usually simple, repeatable, and don't require pro-level skills," shares Arthur. "They should be visually fun and expressive. Think hand movements, body rolls and hair flips." He reckons that songs with a strong beat, catchy hook, or dramatic moment, especially early on, tend to perform best. The key is that "people of all ages and skill levels feel confident trying them". "If people can learn it quickly and feel cool doing it, they're way more likely to recreate it - and that's what spreads it!" he adds. Has TikTok changed the dance world? Absolutely. And for the better, according to both Matthew and Arthur. "Dance is all over people's For You pages and reels feeds all the time," Matthew says. "I don't think people were constantly seeing dance and interacting with dance every day of their lives before social media, which is great because dance is obviously something positive. "Continuing to put any form of dance in the spotlight every day, even if it's just a quick 10 to 15-second snippet, I think that's great." Arthur agrees and points out that the platform has made dance much more accessible to people all over the world. "TikTok has completely transformed the dance world - it's made it more accessible, more inclusive, and more global than ever before. You don't need to be a professional dancer or have studio space to make an impact. All you need is a phone, a catchy song, and a bit of creativity." The TV star continues: "What I love most is how it's given people from all walks of life the chance to express themselves through movement. "Dances can go viral overnight, and suddenly you've got people all over the world - from kids in their bedrooms to celebrities on red carpets - doing the same routine. It's created a sense of shared energy and connection, which is really powerful. "It's also reshaped how we see choreography. It's not just about technical perfection anymore - it's about vibe, personality, and originality. In a way, TikTok has democratised dance, and I think that's beautiful." The Irish flair for viral moments Arthur believes that Irish audiences connect with dance trends that "blend fun, energy, and a bit of cultural flair". "Anything that brings people together - like group dances, easy-to-follow routines, or ones with a bit of humour - tends to do really well here. We love a good laugh and a shared moment, so trends that feel inclusive or playful often take off. "Also, any trend that includes Irish music or nods to Irish culture tends to strike a chord. We've seen some TikToks where traditional Irish dance gets a modern twist, or Irish songs go viral with creative choreography, and people absolutely love it. It's that mix of pride and playfulness that really resonates." He adds: "At the end of the day, we're a nation that loves storytelling, rhythm, and a good time - so if a trend taps into that spirit, it usually finds its way into Irish hearts (and TikTok feeds) pretty quickly." Matthew says that fans of The Gardiner Brothers love to see them giving Irish dance a modern edge. "They love to see us go back to the traditional Irish music, which we love to do as well because we want to hold on to that tradition, "he said. "We love modernising it, but we love holding on to what Irish dancing really is and having a balance of both." "I think it's something in all Irish people, when you hear the trad tunes come on, your shoulders get moving and your feet get moving." Is going viral something you can plan, or is it luck? When it comes to blowing up on TikTok, it seems to be a mixture of planning, elbow grease and some good old-fashioned luck. "Going viral is a bit of both - strategy and luck," Arthur explains. "You can definitely plan your content with the right ingredients: a catchy hook, trending sounds, relatable themes, good timing, and engaging visuals. "But at the same time, there's no exact formula. Sometimes the most unexpected, off-the-cuff videos are the ones that blow up. That's the magic of social media - there's always an element of unpredictability. You never really know what's going to resonate or when the algorithm will suddenly pick up your video. "So yes, you can prepare, be consistent, and stay creative - but sometimes, it really is just about being in the right place at the right time with the right vibe." Matthew adds: "The app seems to be in control most of the time because they're constantly changing their algorithm. They're changing the times that you're supposed to be posting at, so you're at the mercy of a little bit of luck for sure. "It's also fun to hop on the trends and put our own spin on it, because they won't have an Irish dancing aspect to it, but we love to chime in on that with some Irish flair. "You just have to keep trying to put out your best self all the time." A launchpad for Irish artists TikTok's power as a music discovery platform is hard to overstate. In fact, last year, 84% of songs that entered Billboard's Global 200 chart went viral first on TikTok. The platform has played a pivotal role in identifying and elevating emerging artists, providing them with a platform to attain global recognition. "TikTok has broken down barriers for a lot of emerging artists that maybe didn't necessarily get the label recognition prior to TikTok's accessibility. It's allowed the community to discover who's worthy of a record deal or the No1 hit on the Billboard charts," says Rebecca. One such success story is KhakiKid from Crumlin in Dublin. The Irish alt-rapper, known for his jazz-infused hip-hop and introspective storytelling, found fame earlier this year with his single Date Nite featuring Saint Demarcus. The track gained massive traction on TikTok and even caught the attention of Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez. Thanks to its TikTok virality, Date Nite has been streamed over 500,000 times on Spotify and was a Top 40 Single in Ireland, solidifying KhakiKid's status as a rising star in the Irish music scene. The spotlight on Irish musicians, especially those embracing the Gaeltacht culture, signals a broader appreciation and demand for authentic, homegrown artistry on the world stage. "For the last two years, it's been all about Irish actors, and it took over the Oscars last year," Rebecca says. "But it's Irish musicians that are at the tip of everybody's tongue at the moment - especially those embracing Gaeltacht culture. "We've got so many strong ones like Florence Road, Khaki Kid, all these incredible artists who are slowly but surely carving out a space for themselves, which wouldn't have been available to them if they didn't have the platform." So, what's the secret? There may not be one. But what's clear is that TikTok has redefined what it means to connect, perform and create. It's given a voice - and rhythm - to people who may never have stepped onto a stage, and a spotlight to artists who might otherwise have gone unheard.
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Sabrina Carpenter hits back at criticism of new cover art
Sabrina Carpenter has responded to criticism claiming the cover art of Man's Best Friend would be 'reducing women to pets'. Carpenter announced the release of her seventh studio record on June 11 via Instagram: 'My new album, 'Mans Best Friend' is out on August 29, 2025.' The cover shows the singer on her knees, dressed in black, with her hair being pulled by an unidentified man. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sabrina Carpenter (@sabrinacarpenter) Glasgow Womens Aid, a charity that supports women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, criticised her choice of imagery on the record cover. In a Facebook post (June 12), the organisation said the following: 'Sabrina Carpenters new album cover isnt edgy, its regressive. Picturing herself on all fours, with a man pulling her hair and calling it Mans Best Friend isnt subversion. Its a throwback to tired tropes that reduce women to pets, props, and possessions and promote an element of violence and control.' In a recent interview with Rolling Stone , Carpenter shared her thoughts on the backlash Man's Best Friend received, saying the criticism is unjustified. 'I don't want to be pessimistic, but I truly feel like Ive never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more, and scrutinised in every capacity. Im not just talking about me. Im talking about every female artist that is making art right now,' said Carpenter. 'I'm living in the glory of no one hearing it or knowing about it, and so I can not care,' she added. 'I can not give a fuck about it, because I'm just so excited.' The singer released the lead single of her new record, 'Manchild' on June 5, with Man's Best Friend coming out August 29.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Gabby Allen lined up for huge reality show just weeks after sad split from All Stars hunk
LOVE Island star Gabby Allen is being 'lined up' for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The fitness enthusiast and personal trainer, 33, is said to be keen to "push herself to the limit" on the Channel 4 show. 5 Gabby Allen is being 'lined up' to appear on Celebrity SAS Credit: Instagram 5 All Stars winners Gabby and Casey O'Gorman split last month Credit: Instagram @gabbydawnallen 5 A source said Gabby is 'fit as a fiddle and keen to push herself to her physical limits' Credit: gabbydawnallen/Instagram A show insider said: 'Gabby has had meetings with bosses to do the Channel 4 show and it looks like she is a shoo-in to do it. "She's really keen, she's fit as a fiddle but she's keen to push herself to her physical limits to see what she is capable of. "After her split with Casey, she's just wants a new challenge and she's also excited by the idea of showing TV viewers a different side to her outside the villa.' READ MORE ON GABBY ALLEN The Sun has contacted a rep for Gabby and Channel 4 for comment. The gruelling C4 show sees the physical and mental capabilities of celebrity contestants tested to the extreme as they attempt to pass the notoriously difficult SAS Selection test. The last series featured the likes of Bianca Gascoigne, Bobby Norris, John Barrowman and Marnie Simpson. Gabby could follow in last year's winner and former Love Island star Georgia Harrison's footsteps. Most read in News TV Reality star and campaigner Georgia and professional boxer Lani Daniels were the two celebrities who passed the selection process and were named winners. Love Island: All Stars Winners Casey and Gabby Split Weeks After Going Official Last month The Sun revealed that A source said: 'Casey and Gabby have both decided to part way. They had a really good relationship and enjoyed each others time but the reality is that they are focusing on different things and they both have realised that. "Neither of them have parted ways badly but they just knew it wasn't going to work anymore. "Both have confided in quite a few friends about this and so it's not really a secret in their circles, but they've made the decision to part ways this week.' It was only in April that fitness pro Gabby, 33, revealed She shared a clip on Instagram showing her having her makeup done for an event and Casey was talking over the video. Gabby said: "Boyfriend does my voiceover. Getting red carpet ready with @maybelline." Up until then, the one time villa lothario had Casey told "But do you know what it is? It's all this like noise of, 'When are you going to ask? When are you going to ask?' I feel like I don't want to now just ask it because people are saying it. I want to just do it.' 5 Gabby is now hoping that signing up will show a different side to her Credit: Instagram 5 Gabby could follow in Love Island star Georgia Harrison's footsteps after she won last series Credit: PA
