TikTok, despite being a relatively young platform, has become a cultural powerhouse, influencing trends in everything from entertainment to commerce. With projections estimating 113 million US TikTok users by 2025, and a significant portion being Gen Z and active shoppers, TikTok presents a massive opportunity for creators and marketers alike.
If you’re looking to tap into TikTok’s vast audience, build a strong presence, and ultimately, monetize your content, you’re in the right place. This guide dives into 13 effective strategies used by top TikTok creators and marketers to earn money on the platform. From selling merchandise to leveraging subscriptions, discover the diverse ways to get paid on TikTok and turn your creativity into income.
13 Ways to Make Money on TikTok
Unlocking monetization on TikTok, and other social media platforms, becomes significantly more effective when you have a solid grasp of your target audience. Understanding who you’re creating content for is the foundation for building a profitable TikTok presence.
There isn’t a single, foolproof method to earning on TikTok. Instead, the most successful creators diversify their income streams by utilizing a combination of TikTok’s various monetization features and external strategies.
1. Join the Creator Rewards Program
Remember the viral sensation Nathan Apodaca, known as doggface208, who charmed the internet skateboarding, drinking cranberry juice, and vibing to Fleetwood Mac? That’s the kind of viral magic TikTok loves to reward. If you consistently create engaging videos that capture attention like Nathan’s, TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program could be your direct path to earnings.
This program is designed for creators who produce original, longer-form video content, specifically videos exceeding one minute, which TikTok data indicates generates higher engagement rates.
Participating in the program allows you to earn boosted rewards based on your content’s originality and popularity. While specific earnings can fluctuate, discussions on platforms like Reddit suggest creators might earn anywhere from 2¢ to 15¢ per 1,000 views. Program members also gain access to enhanced analytics dashboards, providing valuable insights into video performance.
To be eligible for the Creator Rewards Program, you need to meet several criteria: a minimum of 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, videos must be original and over one minute long, and you must be at least 18 years old and reside in an eligible country.
To apply, navigate to your profile, tap “TikTok Studio,” and then select “Creator Rewards Program.”
2. Sell Merchandise
Whether your TikTok channel features dance routines, insightful book reviews, or comedic sketches, selling merchandise offers a tangible way for fans to support you and deepen their connection to your brand. Creators across all niches can make and sell merch to their audience.
The market offers a plethora of print-on-demand companies, providing a vast selection of merchandise options. Consider selling t-shirts, tote bags, pillowcases, hats, coffee mugs, stickers, notebooks, and more – all customizable to reflect your unique channel aesthetic.
Selling print-on-demand products provides more than just revenue. Merchandise strengthens the bond between your fans and your personal brand. Every follower who wears or uses your merch becomes a walking advertisement, extending your channel’s reach and visibility.
3. Leverage LIVE Gifts During Livestreams
Livestreaming is a common feature across social media platforms, but TikTok distinguishes itself with its real-time virtual gifting system. Followers can express their appreciation during LIVE sessions by sending virtual gifts, which creators can then convert into cash. LIVE Gifting is a powerful monetization tool for creators who engage with their audience through livestreaming.
Live interaction is invaluable for nurturing strong relationships with your fan base. Audiences who feel a personal connection to a creator are more invested in their success, and this engagement can positively impact other monetization avenues.
If you create or sell products online, TikTok LIVE offers a dynamic platform to showcase your offerings. Many ecommerce businesses find that TikTok LIVE generates greater shopper interest compared to livestreaming on other social media platforms.
For example, Dasha Derkach, founder of the hair accessory business Enchanted Scrunch, experienced a significant sales surge after shifting her social media marketing focus from Instagram to TikTok.
“It has significantly boosted our sales,” she states. “Before TikTok, we were getting around two orders per week, and after starting, it jumped to approximately 100 per week. Now, with nearly daily TikTok LIVEs, we get almost 500 orders a week!”
TikTok frequently introduces new features to enhance creator engagement during livestreams, including monetized elements. Explore features like the “airdrop” option, a random gift effect allowing viewers to send you virtual supplies during your LIVE broadcasts.
4. Partner with Brands Through the Creator Marketplace
TikTok’s Creator Marketplace provides an innovative avenue for creators to monetize their influence by connecting them directly with brands.
The Creator Marketplace acts as a bridge, facilitating paid collaborations between brands seeking sponsored content and creators who are open to partnerships.
Brands initiating affiliate marketing campaigns can easily navigate the marketplace, filtering through content from creators who are actively seeking collaborations.
Effectively, the marketplace functions as an influencer agency, streamlining the process of establishing partnerships between brands and influencers, removing much of the traditional outreach and negotiation hurdles.
Shopify Collabs offers a similar platform, connecting creators with brands aiming to amplify their brand awareness. Utilize both the TikTok Creator Marketplace and Shopify Collabs to discover sponsorship opportunities that align with your TikTok content and brand partnerships with relevant companies.
5. Launch a TikTok Shop
Another direct method to make money on TikTok is by establishing a TikTok shop. TikTok Shop is the platform’s native in-app shopping solution, empowering users with business accounts to create shoppable videos and livestreams.
The core advantage of TikTok Shop is minimizing friction for your audience. Viewers can explore and purchase products without ever leaving the TikTok app, creating a seamless shopping experience.
Utilize TikTok Shop to tag products directly within your videos. This provides a natural and engaging way to highlight items you wish to promote.
With TikTok Shop, you can sell your own products or promote items as an affiliate partner. Simply add product details and “Buy” buttons to your content to drive traffic to your partner brand’s offerings.
If you manage your product inventory using a Shopify store, you can integrate it with TikTok Shop. This integration allows users to browse your Shopify product catalog directly within the TikTok app.
Simplifying product discovery and purchasing within TikTok has been instrumental in the viral success of numerous brands.
Consider Peace Out Skincare, a brand born from its founder’s personal skincare struggles. Enrico Frezza, after dealing with acne and hyperpigmentation, embarked on developing his own skincare solutions, eventually launching Peace Out Skincare. The brand gained early momentum through strategic partnerships with TikTok influencers, building brand authenticity and driving sales.
These content creators also monetized their accounts through paid collaborations. Enrico discussed Peace Out Skincare’s TikTok success story on the Shopify Masters podcast, highlighting the power of influencer marketing on the platform.
Once your TikTok Shop is set up, an efficient way to expand your product offerings is by sourcing relevant items from a dropshipping supplier. Dropshipping providers handle order fulfillment and shipping, streamlining your operations.
6. Create In-Feed TikTok Ads
While TikTok offers significant organic marketing potential, investing in paid advertising can significantly amplify your content’s reach. Consider utilizing in-feed ads through the TikTok Ads Manager to expand your audience.
TikTok ads seamlessly integrate into users’ “For You” feeds, autoplaying like standard TikTok videos. Paid ads ensure your videos are delivered to audiences most likely to be interested in your products or services, based on targeted demographics and interests.
TikTok’s ad manager offers seamless integration with Shopify. This allows you to create TikTok ads, define target audiences, and track ad performance directly from your Shopify store dashboard.
7. Crowdfund Projects with Your Audience
Often, followers are eager to support creators whose content they enjoy and value. Providing straightforward donation methods is crucial.
Crowdfunding provides an accessible donation avenue, adaptable to various funding needs. If you’re seeking startup capital for a specific project, TikTok can be used to rally your followers. Set a funding goal and consider hosting live fundraising events to engage your audience.
For project-based funding, explore crowdfunding platforms that align with your needs and project scope.
8. Collect Tips Directly From Viewers
For a quick and easy way to receive donations, consider utilizing a tipping platform. Tipping platforms function like a virtual tip jar, allowing viewers who appreciate your videos to express their gratitude with small donations. Tipping is a voluntary option for fans, enabling them to donate any amount, at any time.
Depending on your follower count and account standing, you may be eligible to receive tips directly through TikTok’s built-in tipping feature. Alternatively, several established tipping platforms can be linked to from your TikTok profile.
9. Offer Subscriptions for Exclusive Content
Crowdfunding is suitable for specific projects, and tipping offers immediate, one-off donations. However, if you aim to establish a more consistent passive income stream, subscriptions are a powerful tool.
Subscriptions transform occasional viewers into long-term supporters. TikTok’s Subscription feature allows fans to pay a recurring monthly fee in exchange for perks such as subscriber badges, exclusive livestreams, and access to members-only videos.
Whether you’re sharing behind-the-scenes content, early access to new videos, or exclusive tutorials, subscriptions make your most dedicated fans feel valued and special.
Keep subscription costs accessible to encourage widespread adoption. Offering modest rewards at a lower price point can be more effective in attracting a larger number of subscribers. A $1 subscription can be an easy decision for a dedicated fan to make, and these small contributions accumulate significantly as your subscriber base grows.
You can also promote subscriptions on external platforms like Patreon to your TikTok followers. Patreon enables creators and influencers to generate revenue through tiered paid memberships, offering varying levels of exclusive perks for different membership tiers.
10. Provide Premium Content with TikTok Series
TikTok Series empowers you to place up to 80 videos behind a paywall, enabling you to directly monetize premium content. Viewers pay a one-time fee to access these curated video collections.
Series videos can be up to 20 minutes in length, allowing for in-depth exploration of your channel’s niche. Consider creating themed packages of related content, such as a 30-day fitness challenge, a multi-part narrative series, or a comprehensive set of cooking tutorials.
To unlock TikTok Series, you need at least 10,000 followers and 1,000 views within the past 30 days from a minimum of three original posts.
To set up your first Series, go to TikTok Studio, locate the “Series” option, and follow the provided steps to create and price your premium content collection.
11. Grow and Sell TikTok Accounts
A more unconventional approach to making money on TikTok involves strategically growing accounts and then selling them. If you possess a talent for building engaging profiles and understand audience growth dynamics, you could start a business as a TikTok account reseller.
The process involves: creating a TikTok account, selecting a popular niche where you can consistently produce content, and dedicating time to cultivate a following and engagement. Once the account reaches a desirable follower count and engagement level, you can sell it to businesses or influencers seeking a pre-established online presence.
Several online marketplaces facilitate the buying and selling of TikTok accounts.
When listing an account for sale, clearly demonstrate its value by highlighting key metrics such as follower count, engagement rates, and demographic data that showcases the quality and target audience of the channel.
12. Offer Personalized Shout-Outs
Personalized shout-outs provide a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience, and they can also be effectively monetized. Birthday greetings, congratulatory messages for milestones, and personalized greetings make followers feel valued, and many are willing to pay for this personalized interaction.
Platforms like Cameo have popularized this concept, allowing influencers to offer custom messages for a set fee. You could promote a Cameo profile link on your TikTok profile or offer shout-outs directly during your livestreams in exchange for virtual gifts. Consider prompting viewers to submit shout-out requests with a suggested virtual gift amount per message.
13. Refer New Users to TikTok
All active TikTok users who meet the minimum age requirements can participate in the TikTok referral program, earning TikTok Rewards by inviting new users to join the app. Rewards are virtual points earned by successfully encouraging people to sign up for TikTok, engage with videos, and create their own content.
These Rewards can be converted into small cash amounts at a rate determined by your geographic location. Accumulated earnings can be withdrawn to your bank account or PayPal account. In certain regions, Rewards can also be redeemed for benefits like coupons and mobile data top-ups.
Check the “Task Rules” page within your TikTok app to view the specific TikTok Rewards points available and the actions referred users can complete to earn additional points for both themselves and the referrer.
To generate a referral code, navigate to your Profile, then either “Discover” or “For You.” Tap the “TikTok Rewards” banner, followed by the coin icon in the upper left corner. You will then find your unique referral link and invitation code.
New users must enter the referral code within 24 hours of signing up to ensure you receive invitation reward points. When new users watch videos through the “Activity” page, both they and you will earn bonus points.
Over time, new users can continue to earn points by posting videos and engaging with content, further contributing to your potential rewards.
Understanding Your TikTok Audience
To effectively monetize your TikTok presence, a deep understanding of your audience is essential. TikTok’s user base is notably younger. A majority of users are under 34 years old, with approximately one-third of active users under 24.
However, surveys indicate a growing presence of millennials on the platform. Social networks often initially gain popularity among younger demographics, suggesting that focusing on catering to TikTok’s expanding older user base could offer a significant advantage in the coming years.
While there’s no universal strategy for TikTok success, combining a strong understanding of your audience with awareness of platform-wide trends will position you for sustainable monetization of your following.
Content First, Monetization Second
A key challenge in using social media for product promotion is balancing promotional content with engaging, non-sales-focused material.
Your audience understands that creators need to generate income to sustain their content creation. However, users are quickly turned off by accounts that feel like constant advertisements.
This is especially true on TikTok, a platform built on fostering genuine connections with audiences through authentic content.
Prioritize a “content-first” approach. Instead of starting with a sales pitch and building content around it, focus on creating valuable, engaging content first and then organically integrate monetization strategies.
This approach proved successful for Parade, a sustainable underwear brand that achieved growth by targeting millennial and Gen Z customers on TikTok. Parade’s growth marketing manager, Darya Dziadzenka, discovered that authentic TikTok marketing content, prioritizing relevance and humor over direct sales pushes, was the most effective.
“The key to success on TikTok is making the content as organic to the platform as it can be,” Darya explains.
Your TikTok posts should provide value to your audience, not just function as sales vehicles. Partly Sunny Projects, an online plant retailer shipping California-grown plants nationwide, provides another excellent example.
Founder Sonja Detrinidad initially started the business as a stress reliever and began documenting the process on TikTok. TikTok audiences quickly connected with Sonja’s engaging personality. Her authentic TikTok videos resonate with her audience’s interests.
Sonja’s successful use of TikTok for her business stems from her focus on creating content that her viewers genuinely enjoy. She covers gardening-related topics, effectively capturing the attention of potential customers and occasionally achieving viral reach.
Embrace the Creator Economy
Creators today are more than just artists; they are entrepreneurs, marketers, salespeople, accountants, founders, and CEOs – encompassing a wide range of roles. In the creator economy, success is self-made, driven by creativity, passion, and the desire to build something unique.
Time is a valuable asset for creators, and generating income from your art allows you to dedicate more time to creation. Beyond the financial rewards, the extra time monetization provides is invaluable. TikTok is one of many platforms empowering creators to make money online. Focus on what you excel at – creating – and get paid for doing it.
Explore further tips on how to make money on YouTube and how to make money on Instagram to diversify your creator income streams.
How to Make Money on TikTok FAQ
Can I make money on TikTok?
Yes, anyone can make money on TikTok with the right strategies and tools. Explore the tips in this guide to identify the monetization methods that best suit your content and audience.
How do creators make money on TikTok?
Successful TikTok creators typically diversify their income streams through a combination of sponsorships, crowdfunding, product sales, tips, and affiliate marketing. They may also get paid directly by brands for sponsored content.
Do you get paid for uploading videos on TikTok?
TikTok does not directly pay creators for uploading videos. However, the TikTok Creator Rewards Program provides funding based on video views, engagement metrics, and content authenticity. While brand sponsorships offer direct payment for content creation, most high-earning TikTok creators utilize multiple income streams for financial stability.
How do I get paid on my TikTok account?
Payment methods vary depending on your chosen monetization strategy. Payments are typically processed through the platform associated with your chosen method, whether it’s a tipping platform, TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program, a crowdfunding site, or your ecommerce platform for merchandise sales.
How many TikTok followers do you need to get paid?
The required follower count for monetization varies by method. The Creator Rewards Program requires 10,000 followers, while TikTok LIVE gifting requires 1,000 followers. Sponsored content and merchandise sales do not have specific follower count requirements.
