Ever thought about making money on TikTok just like those water park influencers? Well, if you’re someone who loves making short and snappy videos, you’re in for a treat. TikTok isn’t just for fun anymore – it’s a way to earn real cash!
Imagine this: lots of people hang out on TikTok, and they’re looking for cool videos to watch. Some of them might even want to buy stuff you recommend. In 2023, TikTok is super popular, with over 3 billion downloads and 50 million people using it every day. That’s a huge crowd!
Loads of smart folks have already learned how to make money on TikTok – some even do it as their job. Whether you want to make a lot or just a bit of extra money, you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how top TikTok creators and experts do it. Get ready to learn the secrets of selling fan goodies and getting paid for your cool content!
Table of Contents
8 Ways to Start Making Money on TikTok
- Join the TikTok Creativity Program (formerly TikTok Creator Fund)
- Sell Your Own Merchandise
- Go Live and Get Virtual Gifts
- Create Your Own In-Feed Ads
- Collect Tips from Your Awesome Audience
- Partner with Brands and TikTok Influencers
- Offer Exclusive Content with Patreon
- Crowdfund Your Dreams with Fan Donations
1. Join the TikTok Creativity Program (formerly TikTok Creator Fund)
One of the most exciting avenues for making money on TikTok is through the TikTok Creativity Program, previously known as the TikTok Creator Fund. This program offers a golden opportunity for creators who have amassed a substantial following to monetize their content. Introduced in February 2023 and launched in May, the Creativity Program is designed to replace the Creator Fund. This initiative is currently in beta but aims to expand its availability to a broader user base in the upcoming months.
To be eligible for the Creativity Program, users need to meet specific criteria:
- Users must be at least 18 years old.
- A minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 authentic video views within the last 30 days is required.
- Accounts should be in good standing.
- Creators already enrolled in the Creator Fund can transition to the Creativity Program.
This program taps into the vibrant creativity of content creators by offering them a pathway to monetization. While it’s still in its initial stages, the potential to generate income from your TikTok content is promising, particularly for those who have been diligently building their audience.
2. Sell Your Own Merchandise
Another exciting avenue for generating income on TikTok is by selling your own merchandise and products. This monetization method is versatile, applicable to a wide array of content types. Whether you’re a dancer, singer, comedian, or in any other creative field, you can leverage your dedicated fan base to boost your earnings.
The beauty of this approach lies in its flexibility. With the multitude of print-on-demand companies available, creators can choose from a diverse range of merchandise options. From t-shirts, tote bags, and pillowcases to hats, coffee mugs, stickers, and notebooks, the possibilities are virtually endless.
Moreover, the benefits of selling print-on-demand products extend beyond revenue. Branded merchandise fosters a deeper connection between creators and their fan base. Every follower who proudly wears or displays your merch becomes an ambassador, inadvertently promoting your brand.
3. Go Live and Get Virtual Gifts
Going live on TikTok offers creators a direct way to engage with their audience in real-time, and it also presents an opportunity for monetization through the LIVE Gifting feature. This distinctive feature sets TikTok apart from other social platforms when it comes to real-time audience interaction.
LIVE Gifting allows followers to express their appreciation by sending virtual gifts during live streams. These virtual gifts can later be converted into actual payments. Beyond its financial benefits, live engagement contributes to building strong connections with fans.
Audiences that feel a personal connection with creators are more likely to have a vested interest in their success, indirectly enhancing other revenue streams as well. Going live is not just a way to monetize; it’s a method of nurturing a dedicated community.
4. Create Your Own In-Feed Ads
While TikTok presents a wealth of organic marketing possibilities, those willing to invest in expanding their content’s reach can explore in-feed ads through TikTok Ads Manager. These ads appear in users’ “For You” feeds and automatically play like regular TikTok videos.
Investing in paid ads enables creators to target audiences specifically interested in their products or content. The unique advantage here is TikTok’s integration with Shopify, which enables you to create, target, and track ad performance directly from your Shopify store.
TikTok Ads Manager provides a seamless and effective means to increase visibility. It’s a valuable tool for creators looking to enhance their online marketing strategy and reach a broader audience. By capitalizing on paid ads, TikTok becomes more than just a creative outlet; it transforms into a powerful marketing avenue.
5. Collect Tips from Your Awesome Audience
Offering your audience a simple and fast way to contribute, tipping platforms provide a virtual tip jar for your content. Viewers who appreciate your videos can express their gratitude with small donations. The option is voluntary, allowing fans to contribute any amount at their discretion.
TikTok’s native tipping feature offers a convenient in-app solution, allowing viewers to tap a button on your profile to tip you. Alternatively, platforms like Tipeee, Buy Me a Coffee, and Ko-fi provide similar tipping mechanisms.
Tipeee stands out for its simplicity; creators can set up a page where fans can directly tip any desired amount. Buy Me a Coffee focuses on creators rather than businesses, allowing fans to purchase “coffees” for you, each translating into a $1 payment via PayPal or online banking. Ko-fi extends its offerings to memberships and commissions for personalized content, giving creators a variety of options to engage their supporters.
Tipping platforms provide an instant way for fans to show their appreciation, fostering a sense of direct support. This engagement not only boosts your earnings but also strengthens the bond between you and your audience.
6. Partner with Brands and TikTok Influencers
TikTok’s innovative Creator Marketplace offers an avenue for creators to earn money by collaborating with influencers and brands. This streamlined platform facilitates connections between the right influencers and brands, making partnership opportunities efficient and accessible for both parties.
The Creator Marketplace simplifies the process of creating valuable sponsored content. Brands seeking to launch affiliate marketing campaigns can easily search the marketplace for creators open to collaborations. This approach eliminates the potential awkwardness that can arise in influencer outreach on other platforms.
TikTok’s Creator Marketplace acts as a bridge, allowing influencers and brands to indicate their mutual interest in working together. This method streamlines influencer marketing, enhancing the overall experience for creators seeking monetization opportunities.
7. Offer Exclusive Content with Patreon
If you’re aiming for a consistent and reliable income stream, consider exploring the world of fan subscriptions through platforms like Patreon. This method is particularly effective for content creators, allowing them to offer exclusive content to their most dedicated supporters.
Patreon, the pioneer in this space, empowers creators to generate revenue through paid memberships from their loyal fans. By setting up different membership tiers, you can cater to various supporter levels while providing unique benefits to each tier. This could include early access to content, behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive Q&A sessions, and more.
The beauty of subscription-based models is that they cater to fans at all levels of commitment. Even a nominal subscription fee, such as a dollar a month, can add up when you have a dedicated fan base. This approach fosters a community of supporters who believe in your work and are eager to invest in it.
While alternative platforms like Ko-fi also offer subscription options along with tipping features, Patreon enjoys significant brand awareness, giving it an edge in terms of credibility. This sense of trust can be instrumental in attracting and retaining supporters.
As you consider fan subscriptions, keep a few best practices in mind. Offer enticing rewards to incentivize fans to join different tiers, express gratitude to your supporters to enhance their sense of value, actively promote your Patreon page to ensure fans are aware of the opportunity, keep subscription costs affordable to encourage wider participation, and consistently deliver fresh content to maintain engagement.
Fan subscriptions through platforms like Patreon provide a dependable source of income while allowing creators to cultivate a close-knit community of dedicated supporters who share a passion for their content.
8. Crowdfund Your Dreams with Fan Donations
Crowdfunding serves as a accessible and meaningful avenue for creators to generate income on TikTok. It’s a platform where creators can rally their loyal following to support specific projects or even establish a steady income stream. Crowdfunding can take diverse forms, depending on the funding goals.
For creators seeking startup funds for a particular project, platforms like Kickstarter come into play. Kickstarter, a widely recognized crowdfunding platform, lends credibility to your fundraising efforts. On the other hand, Indiegogo offers more flexibility with fundraising goals, allowing you to collect funds even if you don’t hit a predetermined target.
For startups seeking investors, Fundable offers a unique approach by letting startups offer equity in exchange for funding. Although Fundable is limited to the United States currently, it can be an excellent tool for attracting investors.
Crowdcube is another notable platform, offering successful fundraisers exclusive benefits from partner organizations. It creates a sense of camaraderie between creators and backers, enhancing the crowdfunding experience.
How Much Do TikTokers Make?
TikTokers have various avenues to earn income based on their content and following. One significant source is brand partnerships, potentially yielding over $80,000 per collaboration.
High-profile creators with substantial and engaged audiences can even afford luxurious purchases from the earnings of a single video.
In addition, TikTok’s Creator Fund offers another income stream, providing creators with approximately 2 to 4 cents for every 1,000 views on their videos. For instance, hitting a million views could translate to earnings ranging from $20 to $40.
These diverse monetization options empower TikTokers to generate substantial earnings based on their content’s popularity, engagement, and ability to attract brand deals and views.
Making Money on TikTok FAQs
How do TikTok creators actually earn money?
Successful TikTok creators leverage a diverse range of income streams to monetize their content. These avenues include sponsorships, fundraising campaigns, direct product sales, and even receiving tips from appreciative followers.
Another effective strategy is to feature products through affiliate links, allowing creators to earn direct payments from collaborating brands.
For creators with larger followings, programs like TikTok’s creator funds provide an opportunity to earn a share of ad revenue.
Do I get paid just for posting videos?
TikTok does not have a direct payment system for creators solely based on video uploads. However, TikTok’s Creativity Program offers a form of financial support. Payments from this program are influenced by various factors, including the number of views on your videos, engagement rates, and the authenticity of interactions with your content.
While brands may sometimes pay well-known micro-influencers to create content, the most successful TikTok earners typically establish multiple income streams to ensure stability.
Who are the highest-paid influencers on TikTok?
As of 2022, Hopper HQ reports the following individuals as the highest earners on TikTok:
- Charli D’Amelio: Earning $105,770 per post (147.6 million followers)
- Khabane Lame: Earning $92,270 per post (150.2 million followers)
- Bella Poarch: Earning $66,829 per post (91.1 million followers)
- Addison Rae: Earning $65,194 per post (88.7 million followers)
- Will Smith: Earning $53,741 per post (72.1 million followers)
How Can I Receive Payment on My TikTok Account?
The method of receiving payment depends on the monetization strategy you choose. Generally, your earnings will flow through the specific platform you use for monetization.
This could include a tipping service, TikTok’s Creativity Program (formerly known as the Creator Fund), a crowdfunding platform, or even your personalized online store where you sell merchandise or products directly to your followers.
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.