Boasting more than 1.5 billion active monthly users, TikTok drives the market. In the last few years, the creator economy has exploded in growth, and TikTok has led the charge, becoming a viable source of income for creators of all sizes and niches. By harnessing the power of the app, some (like creator Miss Excel) have even managed to turn their TikTok account into a full-blown business.
With billions of dollars on the table, now’s the right time to start monetizing on TikTok. You’re probably eager to get started but wondering just how to go about it. Well, you’re in the right place. Read on as we break down how to make money on TikTok.
Want to start earning? Get a little help with our free guide on How To Make Money on TikTok!
Can you make money on TikTok?
Yes! If you’re familiar with the platform, you’ve likely heard of TikTok influencers like Addison Rae and Khaby Lame, who boast millions of followers and rake in millions of dollars. Making that kind of cash might seem like a pipe dream, but the reality is anyone can earn something on the platform. All you need is an audience — of any size!
That’s right, even small-scale creators with as few as 1,000 followers can earn a decent chunk of change through the app.
How much money can you make on TikTok?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on how much effort and intentionality you want to put into building your TikTok account as a business.
Creators’ revenues vary widely depending on a few factors, including how many TikTok followers they have, and how high their engagement rate is. Creators with more followers and higher engagement will earn more money; their reach and influence make them more desirable to brands and marketers. A larger and more engaged following also means more potential buyers if you’re selling your own digital products or merch.
Want to know how much money you stand to earn on TikTok? Just punch a few simple metrics or your TikTok username into our handy TikTok Money Calculator to calculate your estimated earnings per TikTok video, as well as how much you can make every month in digital product sales.
8 Ways to make money on TikTok
How much money you make on TikTok also depends on how many revenue streams you want to tap into. (Hint: the more the merrier!) From in-app programs like the Creator Rewards Program to selling your own digital products, there are plenty of ways to make money on TikTok. Let’s dive in!
1. Join the TikTok Creator Rewards Program
In 2023, TikTok responded to creators’ concerns about its original (and now discontinued) TikTok Creator Fund and its low payouts by launching a brand new monetization tool called the Creator Rewards Program. Now that the TikTok Creator Fund is defunct, this new program has become one of the app’s main monetization tools for creators.
According to TikTok, the Creator Rewards Program was developed to “generate higher revenue potential” for creators. In other words, it promises to reward creators with a lot more cash than the original TikTok Creator Fund — former Creator Fund users rejoice!
So, how much does TikTok pay you? As usual, TikTok is keeping mum on the exact dollar amounts of its Creator Rewards payouts. However, TikTok recently claimed that creators can earn 20 times the amount of their original TikTok Creator Fund earnings.
Want to know exactly what kind of payouts to expect from the Creativity Program? Get our How to Make Money on TikTok guide for the full scoop.
2. Go live on TikTok
Did you know you can make money by going live? TikTok’s LIVE Gifts feature lets creators earn diamonds, part of the platform’s virtual currency that can be exchanged for IRL cash. Simply sign up, go live, and watch the diamonds — and dollars — roll in.
Through TikTok’s LIVE Gifts, creators earn money from TikTok’s internal virtual economy. Here’s how it works:
- First, TikTok users use real-world cash to purchase in-app coins, which can be exchanged for virtual Gifts.
- Your viewers can send these Gifts to you during LIVE videos.
- TikTok then converts your Gifts into Diamonds, which can be exchanged for cold hard cash. Essentially, more Gifts equals more Diamonds equals more cash.
Want to earn rewards via LIVE Gifts? Visit TikTok’s website to find out whether you’re eligible and how to enable this monetization feature.
3. Sell products on TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop allows you to create pages for your products right in TikTok and add links to those products in your content whether you’re selling merch, your own brand of designer clothes, perfume, or beauty products. You can even have TikTok fulfill your orders for you, meaning you’re only responsible for making the product; TikTok takes care of storing and shipping products to customers.
You don’t need a minimum number of followers or views to start selling through TikTik Shop, but you can only sell some products. For example, digital products — like templates and courses — can’t be sold through TikTok Shop.
Producing a physical product is a serious investment of time and money, so make sure to do your research before you start!
4. Create UGC content for brands (+ Join the TikTok Creative Challenge)
UCG creators are paid by brands to create TikToks that capture the authentic look and feel of true user-generated content. Unlike creators who partner with brands for sponsored posts, UGC creators make content that gets posted to the brand’s TikTok account rather than their own account.
UGC content is a fast-growing money-maker in the creator economy, with TikTok recently (and quietly) launching its own UGC program called the Creative Challenge. The program pays creators to make ads for brands and, allegedly, the payouts are pretty impressive.
Creating UGC can be incredibly lucrative. But that doesn’t mean it’s a cakewalk. Your success as a UGC creator hinges on the quality of content you create (rather than, say, your follower count.) So you’ll need to take time to build your photography, video, script writing, and editing skills. But after that, your hard work is likely to pay off in a big, big way.
Want to know exactly how much you can make with TikTok’s UGC program? Get our free How to Make Money on TikTok guide to find out. Plus, we’ll tell you where you can find your next gig as a UGC creator.
5. Become a TikTok Shop affiliate
An affiliate marketer makes money by promoting brands and products they love. Sounds like a sweet deal, right? When creators recommend products through their TikTok posts using a unique affiliate link or promo code, they earn a percentage of that product’s price in commission for each purchase someone makes through that link.
TikTok’s affiliate program connects creators directly with the brands and products they want to promote, allowing you to earn money without leaving TikTok. Simply browse through the platform’s marketplace of over 10,000 products, request samples from brands, and recommend your favorite products in your videos and livestreams. Some of these products are sold through TikTok Shop, meaning your audience doesn’t even have to leave the app to make a purchase — making them more likely to buy.
6. Create a Series
TikTok launched a new monetization tool called Series in early 2023. This new feature allows creators to share exclusive, premium content with their audience — and earn money on TikTok in the process.
Series allows creators to put collections of videos behind a paywall and charge viewers anywhere from $0.99 to $189.99 to access them. Also of note: Series allows you to upload videos up to 20 minutes in length, which is twice as long as the maximum length of your average TikTok video. On top of that, a single Series can include up to 80 videos. So, if you want to monetize your following, get your brainstorming cap on and your (phone) cameras rolling!
7. Apply for the TikTok Effect Creator Rewards
Are you good at creating AR effects? Then you’ll want to get in on TikTok’s Effect Creator Rewards.
As its name suggests, this $6 million fund allows creators to earn money developing the innovative, viral-worthy AR (alternate reality) effects and filters that keep TikTok content on the cutting edge.
If you’ve ever used TikTok’s Effect House tools to create and publish special effects for your fellow creators, then this is the fund you’ll want to keep an eye on. Why? Because if you can create the platform’s next top effect, you stand to earn a ton of dough.
Just how much? Download our free How to Make Money on TikTok guide for a breakdown of how much you can earn through TikTok’s Effect Creator Rewards.
8. Set up a Subscription
In 2022, TikTok launched LIVE Subscriptions, which allowed followers to pay a monthly fee to their favorite LIVE creators in exchange for exclusive perks like Subscriber Badges, Custom Emotes, and Subscriber-Only Chats.
But now, TikTok has expanded its Subscription features beyond live streaming, meaning more creators can get in on them! On top of badges, emotes, and exclusive chats, your subscribers can also get access to:
- Exclusive content, like videos and notes.
- Performance requests.
- Discord roles, shoutouts, and other custom perks.
This new version of Subscriptions is only available to select creators in a few regions right now, but TikTok is planning to expand it to other regions soon.
4 other ways to use TikTok to make money
While TikTok has a ton of built-in monetization options for creators looking to make bank, they’re not the only way you can earn. Here are a few other ideas.
1. Sell digital products or services
With the digital media market set to reach $560 billion in 2023, digital products are some of the hottest commodities out there. And selling them is fast becoming one of the most popular — and profitable — ways for creators to earn a living.
A digital product is anything you can sell online that your customer can download instantly. Think online courses, ebooks, CV templates — the list goes on.
In addition to the over-$500-billion digital media pie, there are other compelling reasons you might want to get into the digital product game. First, digital products require little investment, since digital tools are more affordable than renting a brick-and-mortar store or maintaining an inventory. Secondly, digital products only need to be produced once before they can be purchased ad infinitum; that means higher returns than selling physical products, with a profit margin that increases over time. Even better, selling digital products allows you to avoid the hassle of shipping logistics.
Where should you sell digital products?
While TikTok Shop is great for creators who sell physical products, it doesn’t support digital products. That means you’ll need to use another platform to host your product, handle checkout, and more. While you’ve got a few options, there’s only one that lets you build, host, and sell your product for free.
The Leap.
The Leap is a free AI-powered tool that’s part product builder and part online storefront. Whether you’ve built tons of digital products or none, you can start building and selling on the leap in just a few minutes. Even better, you can use The Leap as a link-in-bio tool, too, since you can put other links right next to your products.
Ready to start selling? Try The Leap for free!
Build, market, and sell digital products all in one spot with The Leap!
2. Partner with brands
The OG moneymaker for creators everywhere, brand partnerships are still flying high with the influencer marketing industry expected to hit $22.3 billion in 2024.
Today, there are numerous ways brands and TikTok influencers can partner with each other. You can publish sponsored posts, host giveaways, hold TikTok takeovers, and more. What’s even better is that you don’t need a massive following to land brand deals. Brands are increasingly interested in collaborating with creators with smaller TikTok audiences, given they usually have higher engagement rates and access to niche communities.
When it comes to these partnerships, the age-old question is always, “How much should I charge?” A few years ago, $100 per 10,000 followers was the standard. But today, creators are commanding more than ever.
Want to know how much you should be charging brands? Get our free How to Make Money on TikTok guide to find out. Plus, learn how to land your first brand deal, and how much TikTok creators of all tiers are charging for sponsored posts. You can also useour free TikTok Money Calculator to estimate your earnings!
3. Promote content from other platforms
TikTok has one of the best algorithms for discoverability right now, and even TikTokers with small followings just need a single TikTok to go viral to get a massive influx of new followers. That being said, it’s not always the best platform for creators looking to make money. But if you have content on platforms like YouTube, then TikTok can be a great way to promote it.
You could start with cross-posting short videos from platforms like YouTube or even turning written content from your newsletter into TikToks, including a link to other platforms in the platform.
If you use a link-in-bio tool, you could pack all your other channels in your bio — or even links for individual pieces of content — to send TikTok viewers to platforms that make you more money.
4. Join other affiliate programs
While TikTok Shop’s affiliate program can be a great source of revenue for TikTokers, it’s not the only affiliate program out there. If you think you can build a strong affiliate engine — because your audience trusts you — then you might want to try your hand at promoting other products.
For many of these programs, the only requirement is that you have a decent following and can bring brands a few sales regularly. Some examples of these other affiliate programs include:
Try starting with just one affiliate program at first so you can get the hang of affiliate marketing. Pick a program that fits naturally with your audience. For example, Fiverr is a great choice if you create content for professionals or freelancers. Once you’ve got the hang of things — and the dollars start to roll in — you can start joining other programs.
6 Tips for making money on TikTok
Want to boost your TikTok income? Keep these tips top of mind:
1. Create engaging content
TikTok users are more likely to engage with valuable content, like videos that teach them something new in a fun way. Creating engaging content doesn’t mean you need to use fancy equipment. Instead, focus on crafting strong hooks and knowing your audience’s needs.
2. Have a consistent posting schedule
The algorithm rewards consistency — and so does your audience. Sticking to a regular posting schedule increases your chances of appearing on the For You page (FYP), all while keeping your followers engaged and eager for more content.
3. Be authentic
You know the old saying, “be yourself”? Sure, it might elicit an eye roll — but it actually does count when it comes to TikTok.
Studies have shown that today’s consumers crave authenticity. And they’re flocking to TikTok to get it. In other words, TikTok users value creators who are creating content that’s original, honest, and true-to-themselves. So, don’t just copy others or rehash what’s trendy. Keep it real on TikTok, and the followers will follow.
4. Be transparent
Speaking of keeping it real… TikTok users value transparency as much as authenticity, so you’ll want to let them know when you’re posting sponsored content.
This is where the Branded Content toggle becomes your best friend. This handy button automatically adds an #Ad hashtag to your post, so your followers know when they’re viewing an advertisement. Use it often — and err on the side of caution or get ready for a call-out.
5. Don’t stop posting your regular content
Sure, you might be excited to promote your latest brand partnership, but don’t forget about your regular content in the process. A little goes a long way when it comes to posting sponsored content. A good rule of thumb is one sponsored video for every four or six that are all you. Remember: that’s who your followers are here to see.
6. Use Patreon (or other membership platforms)
Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to share exclusive content with their audience in exchange for a monthly contribution. It’s been around for ages, and tons of creators still use Patreon to monetize their content. It feels pretty natural, after all. Produce a ton of free content on TikTok, occasionally pitch your Patreon, and you’ll get a few people from your broader audience to sign up each time. Just make sure you have a plan for creating exclusive content that’ll keep them coming back!
So, how do I make money on TikTok?
The world of TikTok is weird, wide, and wonderful (that’s what we love about it.) There are many, many ways to monetize on TikTok, whether you’re a newcomer, a micro-influencer, or already in the game. How much you can make is pretty much limitless — and it’s all up to you. As long as you approach it strategically and with intention, you’ll be able to reap the rewards in no time.
FAQ
Does TikTok pay you?
Yes, TikTok does pay content creators, and there are tons of ways to make money on TikTok.
TikTok pays creators directly through a series of initiatives, including its new creator fund aka the Creator Rewards Program, its UGC program aka the Creative Challenge, the Effect Creator Rewards, the TikTok Shop affiliate program, its LIVE Gifts feature, and its new Series feature.
It’s also important to note that TikTok’s original Creator Fund is now defunct.
Who are the highest paid creators on TikTok?
According to a 2023 report by Influencer Marketing Hub, the highest-paid TikTok creator is Charli D’Amelio, who earns around $17.5 million per year, followed by Dixie D’Amelio, who makes an estimated $10 million annually, and Addison Rae, who makes around $8.5 million per year.
How many followers do you need to make money on TikTok?
There’s no cut-and-dry follower count you need to hit to start making money on TikTok. You can earn decent money with even as few as 1,000 TikTok followers.
According to a 2023 report by Influencer Marketing Hub, TikTok nano-influencers (1,000 to 10,000 followers) typically earn $5 to $25 per video, while micro-influencers (10,000 to 50,000 followers) can earn $25 to $125 per video.
How many views do you need to make money on TikTok?
It depends on how you’re trying to make money. Some methods, like the TikTok Creativity Program, have eligibility requirements, like getting 100,000 views over the last 30 days. But for other methods, like being a TikTok Shop affiliate, you only need to get enough views to start making sales. Depending on how strong your content is, that could be five views or 5,000.
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