Best way to monetize Telegram in 2026
We asked creators earning $1K-10K/month on Telegram what actually works. Here are the strategies, ranked by effectiveness.
"What's the best way to monetize Telegram?" is the most common question we get. The answer depends on what you're selling, who your audience is, and how much time you can invest.
We surveyed 50+ creators earning real money on Telegram. Below is what they told us — ranked by what actually works in 2026.
Monetization methods ranked
Based on real creator earnings and ease of implementation.
Telegram Stars + Paid Media
Sell photos, videos, and exclusive content directly in DMs using Telegram's native payment system.
- + 0% platform fees (keep 100%)
- + Highest conversion (in-chat payment)
- + Personal relationship
- - Requires engaged audience
- - 21-day payout window
- - No organic discovery
Premium Private Channels
Charge for access to exclusive channels with premium content, early releases, or community access.
- + Recurring revenue
- + Scales well
- + Less DM work
- - Harder to sell than 1:1
- - Churn management
- - Content leaking risk
1:1 Paid DMs (Manual)
Charge for personalized content, custom requests, or VIP chat access.
- + Premium pricing
- + High perceived value
- + Loyal fans
- - Time-intensive
- - Doesn't scale
- - Burnout risk
Affiliate Marketing
Promote products/services in your channel and earn commissions on sales.
- + Passive potential
- + No own product needed
- + Can combine with other methods
- - Trust erosion if overdone
- - Variable income
- - Depends on niche
Sponsored Content
Get paid by brands to post in your channel or mention products.
- + One-time payments
- + Good for large channels
- + No fulfillment
- - Needs large audience
- - Can feel inauthentic
- - Inconsistent
Bots & Automation
Use bots to automate sales, drip content, or run paid communities at scale.
- + Scales infinitely
- + 24/7 revenue
- + Less manual work
- - Setup complexity
- - Less personal
- - Tool costs
What's working for real creators
Specific strategies from creators actually making money on Telegram.
"I started with just a free channel for workout tips. Once I hit 2K subscribers, I launched paid 1:1 coaching via Stars. Now 80% of my income is from Telegram DMs. The personal touch converts way better than a website ever did."
"I run a paid signals channel at $50/month. 150 members = $7,500 monthly. The key was building trust with free content first. Took 6 months to get there, but now it's mostly passive."
"Telegram Stars changed everything. Same content, but fans pay more because it feels personal. I do $3K/month now with half the subscribers I had on OF. Quality over quantity."
"I couldn't crack it. My audience was too casual — they followed for free content and didn't want to pay. Had to go back to sponsored posts. Telegram works if your fans are already invested in you."
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ Starting with zero audience
Telegram has no organic discovery. If you don't bring fans from elsewhere (IG, TikTok, Twitter), you're selling to an empty room.
✓ Fix: Build 500+ followers on another platform first, then migrate them to Telegram.
❌ Pricing too low
Low prices attract low-intent buyers and devalue your content. You end up working more for less.
✓ Fix: Start at $10-20 for basic paid media. Premium content can be $50-100+. Test and adjust.
❌ No teasing or preview
Fans won't pay for content they can't imagine. 'Buy my photo' doesn't convert.
✓ Fix: Always show a blurred preview or describe what they'll get. Build anticipation.
❌ Inconsistent posting
Telegram rewards active creators. If you disappear for weeks, fans lose interest and unsubscribe.
✓ Fix: Set a minimum schedule (e.g., 3x/week) and stick to it. Use automation if needed.
❌ Ignoring DMs
The personal touch is Telegram's superpower. If you treat it like a broadcast platform, you lose the advantage.
✓ Fix: Respond to DMs within 24 hours. Even a quick reply builds trust and drives sales.
❌ No upsell strategy
Getting someone to pay once is hardest. Not offering more is leaving money on the table.
✓ Fix: After first purchase, offer a bundle, subscription, or custom content option.
The bottom line
There's no single "best" way to monetize Telegram. But if we had to pick one starting point for most creators, it's Telegram Stars + paid media in DMs. It's direct, personal, high-converting, and scalable with the right tools.
The creators making the most money combine multiple strategies: Stars for direct sales, channels for reach, and automation for scale. Start with one, master it, then expand.
Need help managing it all? Telestars brings everything together — gallery, DMs, paid media, and analytics in one dashboard.