RedNote aka Xiaohongshu, a Chinese Social Media platform, is quickly becoming the primary alternative to TikTok. While the short TikTok ban is lifted, diversification is still the best way forward.
The recent ban on TikTok has shown that platforms can be subject to regulatory changes. By maintaining a presence on both TikTok and RedNote, you can hedge against the risk of future restrictions or bans on either platform. This diversification can protect their career stability.
And you can easily shift your content between the two platforms.
You can not only import all of your videos from TikTok to RedNote, but there are ways to monetize your content from the US as well.
While direct advertising isn’t available to non-Chinese users, there 3 ways to monetize your account and content on RedNote while creating videos from the US and other regions.
Related: How to transfer content from TikTok to RedNote
#1: Affiliate Marketing and Product Review/Unboxing Videos
One of the most accessible ways to monetize your RedNote presence is through affiliate marketing and sponsored content for Chinese e-commerce brands.
Many brands and factories are eager to collaborate with influencers, even those with small but engaged followings.
How It Works:
Brands send you free products to create content (e.g., unboxing, reviews, tutorials). You earn through affiliate commissions or upfront payments via PayPal or bank transfer.
For example, a haircare brand may send you their products tailored to your audience and niche in exchange for content. Every sale made through their affiliate link could earn you a percentage.
The percentage is decided by the brand.
The best thing to do is to choose brands that align with your niche and audience. Make sure to negotiate your terms clearly (e.g., payment structure, content deadlines).
To track your sales, use affiliate tracking tools to monitor your sales performance.
Platforms like ShareASale and CJ Affiliate often partner with Chinese brands, offering creators more affiliate marketing opportunities. Consider listing yourself on these platforms to increase your visibility to potential partners.
#2: Personal Franchising and Dropshipping
If you manage to successfully establish an online presence, RedNote (Xiaohongshu) can be a steppingstone for creating your own branded products or launching a dropshipping business.
This monetization method will have you partnering with affordable Chinese suppliers to produce white-label products under your brand. Use your RedNote account to market and sell these products to a U.S. audience.
You will be identifying trending products through RedNote’s content and user behavior. Source these products from platforms like AliExpress or CJ Dropshipping and sell them online without holding inventory.
Look for tutorials and case studies on dropshipping tailored to Chinese products. This will help you better understand shipping logistics, customer service, and branding.
#3: MCN Agency Partnerships
Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs) are companies that partner with content creators to help them grow and monetize their presence. On RedNote, partnering with an MCN agency can provide a steady income stream.
MCNs hire content creators that produce videos for their brand clients or campaigns. Creators are paid per video or based on agreed deliverables.
Make sure to avoid creating free content for MCNs during the onboarding process. Legitimate agencies will pay you for every piece of work. RedNote is all about creating your niche, a targeted approach is best, something that sets you apart from other creators.
MCNs may also assist with cross promoting your content on other platforms, helping you expand your audience.
Audience Requirements
RedNote’s audience requirements are more about quality than quantity. You can have very little following yet be making a ton of money. Before you can start earning on RedNote, it’s essential to reach at least 1,000 followers.
While the follower numbers are just a starting point, the key to success is in the niche persona you create, and it must resonate with your audience.
Focus on a specific niche that aligns with your expertise or interests. For example, fashion, beauty, gaming, or tech.
A small but highly engaged audience is more appealing to brands on Xiaohongshu than a large, passive follower base. Brands prioritize demographic accuracy over sheer numbers on RedNote so things are a bit different than how social media works in the West.
Sponsorship deals on RedNote typically follow a straightforward formula: 10% of your total follower count can be a baseline rate for a single sponsored post.
Example:
- 10,000 followers → 1,000 RMB (~$130 USD) per post.
- 100,000 followers → 10,000 RMB (~$1,300 USD) per post.
That’s pretty much everything you need to do to get started on RedNote.
