EXCLUSIVE: The TikTok Blueprint, Justin Becker's Path To 6 Million Followers — And How You Can Follow Suit

Hate and love aren’t far apart, according to Justin Becker, the 37-year-old creator from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, who skyrocketed to fame on TikTok, gaining an impressive following of 3.8 million followers in less than a year.

In Benzinga’s exclusive follow-up interview with Becker, we talked about his social media journey, and the developments that have unfolded since our last conversation.

When asked about the evolution of his TikTok following, Becker said, “I’m not really sure how to answer that one, but I mean, it’s grown since 2021. What is it now, around six million?”

With nearly 6 million (5.8 million exactly) followers on the hyper popular short form video app, monetizing his account has become a priority. He explained that TikTok initially paid him through their creator fund, but he found the earnings to be nominal, roughly $1,000 per month.

However, Becker’s focus has shifted towards the lucrative potential of live-streaming on the app. “I probably made $10,000 last month just on that alone,” he revealed.

Becker's newfound revenue stream opened doors, spurring his exploration of monetizing his accounts on other platforms like Meta Platforms Inc META-owned Instagram, where he's seen substantial growth in followers and ad revenue.

Despite his increasing social media presence, Becker maintains a part-time status, continuing to juggle his real estate ventures alongside content creation. Though, the Michigan-based TikToker expressed a desire to build a more substantial career in the social media realm.

"It would be nice [to go full-time], I would say that we’re definitely trying to build it towards making something very lucrative."

While he acknowledged the excitement and potential of his online journey, Becker remains grounded in the business he likened to a startup.

"It is work," Becker quipped. "If you really want to do it, it is a job. It's not just the glamour, it is a legitimate job… I enjoy it, but I can see people who do it full time — it can probably suck the fun out of it."

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Expanding beyond his TikTok presence, Becker made strides on platforms including Instagram and YouTube. Yet, TikTok continues to be his largest and most successful platform.

He admitted that the TikTok algorithm remains somewhat enigmatic, with any given video having the potential to go viral. “TikTok seems to have it where anybody on any given day could be recognized for a video,” Becker remarked, recounting an encounter with a former high level TikTok employee who attempted to shed light on the algorithm’s mystery.

"Say out of ten, with one being the highest, she maybe had level three access and still was nowhere near knowing how the algorithm works. She [said] it’s locked up in a place that nobody really has access to."

Although there is no foolproof posting schedule, Becker has noticed peak engagement during certain hours (5:00-7:00 PM ET). However, he mentioned that timing alone is not the sole determining factor for an account's success.

Brand partnerships and sponsorship opportunities have also come knocking on Becker’s door.

While he has received offers to promote products, he approaches any opportunities with caution. “The videos can’t seem like an ad. Whenever I’ve put out straight-up ad videos, they’re duds.”

The TikToker is also exploring affiliate marketing as a potential revenue stream, focusing on maintaining authenticity while generating income.

Balancing his full-time job, family life, and content creation is a challenge for Justin, who has a wife and twins. However, he attributes much of his success to effective communication with his wife, who supports him wholeheartedly.

“Treating family dynamics as a business partnership allows us to make things work,” he said.

Looking ahead, Becker sees endless possibilities for his brand. While he doesn’t have a concrete plan or projections, he is eager to explore new avenues and create multiple income streams. “We’re formulating plans, and it’s all about working smarter, not harder,” Becker told Benzinga.

He recognizes the need to build a brand that extends beyond his personal presence, enabling him to reap the benefits while having the freedom to choose how he engages with the content creation process.

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Photo: Justin Becker