Have you been thinking about going all in on TikTok, but you’re not entirely sure if it’s a good idea? After all, as a creator, you both need to showcase your creativity while earning enough moolah to keep creating.
TikTok is a favorite of many creators, especially because of its creative and innovative ways of creating content and earning money. Did you know that the average annual income for TikTok influencers is $131,874 a year? That’s more than enough to cover your entire creator life!
But how do you start making money on TikTok? Read on to find different ways to monetize your content and estimate your potential earnings. Whether you’re already growing on TikTok or just starting out, this blog is perfect for you.
Why Make Money on TikTok?
TikTok stands out for creators, especially for those growing their subscribers. Here’s why investing time and creativity into TikTok can be more rewarding compared to other platforms:
TikTok’s Quick Wins
If you’re looking for a quick win, TikTok is your best bet. The platform’s unique algorithm could propel your next post to viral status.
Additionally, with direct monetization tools such as the Creativity Program Beta and TikTok Shop, you can start earning from your content immediately.
This stands in stark contrast to Facebook, where organic reach has become increasingly restricted. TikTok, theoretically, levels the playing field by giving every video the potential to be noticed and appreciated widely without the prerequisite of advertising.
Long-Term Benefits
As your presence on TikTok expands, so does your potential for steady income, thanks to features such as LIVE gifts and brand collaborations that provide a continuous revenue stream.
This growth also paves the way for building a robust personal brand derived from your TikTok success. This opens doors to other opportunities, including merchandise sales and exclusive memberships.
Pro tip: To gear up and give your TikTok a super boost, you can utilize the benefits offered by TikTok recharge to engage with your favorite creators and appreciate their work!
A Platform for the Future
TikTok is positioning itself as a platform for the future. They continuously introduce cutting-edge technologies, such as generative AI, to make it easy for creators to produce content.
TikTok is also known for releasing and experimenting with different models for creators to earn money from their content.
In the next section, you’ll actually see the different ways you can natively make money from your TikTok videos. Each option has different levels of entry points, difficulty, and eligibility.
Built-in Monetization Features on TikTok
Now that you know you want to go all in on TikTok, it’s time to learn the different built-in monetization features. The great thing about TikTok is the variety of options to make money, depending on your follower count and long-term goals.
As you continue your journey into TikTok, it’s best to understand which options are right for you.
Creativity Program Beta
The Creativity Program Beta is designed to reward creators for producing original and engaging content. It offers a new way to earn based on the performance of your videos. It was originally called the TikTok Creator’s Fund but was shut down in November 2023. And thus, Creativity Program Beta was born.
Requirements:
- At least 10,000 followers
- 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a US-based account
Earnings Potential
It’s reported that earnings can vary significantly, with some creators earning between $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views, although this can fluctuate. For example, a creator with a video with 1 million views could earn around $20 to $40 from that single video under the program.
This program is perfect for creators who consistently produce viral content and want to monetize their creativity directly.
LIVE Gifts
LIVE Gifts allow creators to earn money as a form of appreciation from their audience during TikTok live streams. Viewers can send virtual coins or gifts, which can be converted into diamonds and then real money in your bank.
Requirements
- At least 1,000 followers
- Creators must be 18 years or older
- Must be in a location where Live gifts feature is available
- Already activated the ability to go live
Earnings Potential
The value of virtual gifts varies, and TikTok takes a cut from the gifts’ value. There are around 100 gifts available. The cheapest is around $.12, and the highest is $500. If eligible creators receive gifts worth $100, they might keep around $70 after TikTok’s commission.
LIVE Gifts are ideal for creators who engage with their audience in real time and have a strong live presence on TikTok. It encourages interactive and spontaneous content creation.
Tiktok Shop
TikTok Shop integrates e-commerce directly into the app, allowing creators and brands to sell products through shoppable videos, LIVE streams, and a dedicated shop tab on their profile.
Requirements
- Compliance with TikTok’s commerce policies
- Account in good standing
- Sellers should be 18 years or older
- Currently rolling out in the US, with plans for other regions
Earning Potential
Creators earn based on the margin between the product cost and the selling price. For example, selling a product with a $10 profit margin 100 times would earn $1,000. @maryxm.mx has an exclusive line, The Beauty Crop, which was a phenomenal success. She has sold more than 22k units and earned more than $185K in revenue.
TikTok Shop is suitable for creators and brands looking to leverage TikTok’s massive audience for direct sales. It’s a game-changer for e-commerce on social media, offering a seamless shopping experience.
Tiktok Marketplace
The Creator Marketplace connects creators with brands for partnership opportunities. It facilitates collaborations and sponsored content, helping creators monetize their influence.
Requirements
- Based on content quality, engagement rate, and followers (specific counts vary by country)
- Must be 18 years or older
- Available in 24 countries, including the US, UK, Japan, and more
Earning Potential
Deals can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars based on the creator’s influence. For example, a creator with 500,000 followers might negotiate $2,000 for a single post, while those with millions of followers can command five-figure fees.
The biggest one we’ve heard so far is from Alex Ojeda, who has over 8.4 million followers. One sponsored video can cost brands a whopping $20,000.
The Creator Marketplace streamlines finding and securing sponsored content deals, making it easier for creators to earn through brand partnerships.
Series
Series allows creators to publish collections of videos that viewers can purchase access to. It’s a way for creators to offer exclusive content to their most dedicated fans.
Requirements
- Application and approval by TikTok
- Must be 18 years or older
- Initially launched in select markets, with a broader rollout expected
Currently, you can post up to 80 videos with a maximum length of 20 minutes. Each series can be priced between $0.99 and $189.99.
Earning Potential
Earnings from Series depend on the price set for the collection and the number of purchases by viewers. If a creator sets a price of $5 for their Series and 1,000 followers purchase access, the creator would earn $5,000, minus any TikTok fees.
One of the most popular series in TikTok is Gen Z Teaches History.
Series is designed for creators with a strong follower base interested in premium content. It offers a unique way to monetize exclusive videos and deepen engagement with the audience.
All of these monetization features require that you meet the TikTok Community Guidelines. Plus, make sure to check TikTok’s newsroom for the most updated details. They often change the requirements and eligibility.
Each monetization feature caters to different types of creators, from those just starting to build their audience to established influencers looking for new revenue streams. By understanding and meeting the requirements, creators can leverage TikTok’s built-in monetization options to grow their income and audience.
There are more native ways to earn money from your TikTok videos. But so far, these are the most popular.
Other Ways to Monetize TikTok
While TikTok provides a solid foundation for building an audience and starting to monetize, looking beyond the platform can enhance financial stability and control over your content. One effective way to diversify is through a membership platform.
Memberships
Using a membership platform lets creators offer special and exclusive content to their fans for a monthly fee. Even moving a small part of your TikTok audience to a membership platform can greatly increase your earnings and give you a more predictable income.
This method provides a steady and reliable way to make money that doesn’t depend on social media platforms. It’s all about creating a space where your biggest fans can find unique types of content, connect more closely, and support you with their wallets.
When you build your own memberships, you can enjoy these benefits:
- Steady Income: Creates a reliable stream of money not tied to social media changes.
- Exclusive Content for Fans: Gives your most loyal fans access to content just for them.
- Stronger Connections: Helps build a tighter community and a stronger bond with your audience.
- Control Over Your Content: Lets you control your content and how you make money from it, away from social media limits.
- Increased Loyalty and Value: Having your own space can make fans more loyal and valuable over time.
This approach gives you more ways to make money and strengthens your relationship with your audience.
Sell Your Services
Selling your services, such as freelance work or business offerings, through TikTok marketing is another smart way to make money. If you’re a freelancer or business owner, TikTok is a great place to showcase your skills and attract new clients.
Here’s how you can use TikTok videos to sell your services:
- Show Off Your Skills: Post quick tips and how-to videos, or take people behind the scenes to show what you do.
- Case Studies: Share stories of how you’ve helped others. This shows potential clients what you can do for them, too.
- Educate Your Followers: Teach something useful related to your services. This shows your expertise and helps people understand why they might need your help.
For example, if you’re offering SEO services, you can showcase videos on which SEO tools to use.
While TikTok itself won’t pay you for this, it’s a great way to lead people to your business. You can tell followers to check out your website or get in touch through your video captions or bio, turning viewers into clients.
Promote Your Merch
For creators who have successfully built a strong personal brand and amassed a substantial following on TikTok, selling your own physical products can be a lucrative way to monetize your presence. This strategy transforms your brand into a tangible product that fans can purchase.
Steps to Selling Merch on TikTok:
- Decide What Merch to Sell: Choose products that resonate with your brand and audience. Popular options include apparel (t-shirts, hoodies), accessories (hats, bags), and custom items related to your niche.
- Design Your Merch: Ensure your designs align with your brand and work with your target audience. They should be something your followers would be excited to wear or use.
- Choose a Production and Fulfillment Service: Platforms like Teespring, Printful, or Merch by Amazon can handle everything from production to shipping.
- Promote on TikTok: Showcase your merch in your videos. This can be done subtly through wearing or using your merch in content, through explicit promotion, explaining the story behind the item, or offering limited-time discounts.
With more than 80 million followers on TikTok, Zach King has been successfully promoting his merch on TikTok.
Promoting and selling merch on TikTok offers financial benefits and strengthens the bond with your audience by providing them a way to show their support offline. To maximize success, focus on creating high-quality, desirable products that your followers will be proud to own and share.
Build Affiliate Income
If creating and selling your own merchandise doesn’t align with your goals or brand, another viable monetization strategy on TikTok is promoting other people’s products through affiliate marketing (sometimes referred to as a referral program).
For example, Teresa Caruso earns approximately $80,000 per month from promoting affiliate products from Amazon. She currently has 3.5 million followers who are always excited to watch her latest Amazon finds.
This approach allows you to earn commissions by recommending physical or digital products or services to your audience.
Steps to Promote Affiliate Products on TikTok:
- Choose the Right Affiliate Products: Select the best product that your fans are actually going to use and love. This ensures authenticity in your promotions.
- Join Affiliate Programs: Platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Commission Junction offer a wide range of products with affiliate programs.
- Create Engaging Content: Incorporate the products into your TikTok videos naturally. This can be through product reviews, unboxings, tutorials, or simply showcasing the product in action.
- Use Your Bio Link Wisely: Since TikTok doesn’t allow clickable referral links in video descriptions for all users, place your affiliate link in your bio and direct viewers there in your video captions.
- Disclose Affiliate Links: This builds trust and complies with legal requirements.
Affiliate marketing on TikTok can be a lucrative way to monetize your following without needing inventory or customer service. By selecting products that align with your content and engaging your audience effectively, you can create a significant source of income while adding value to your followers.
Wrapping Up
TikTok is great for creators who want to make money from their hard work and creativity. The different monetization features allow you to reap short-term rewards while you’re working on the big payouts. You can also get creative and use the platform to indirectly earn money from your videos by building your own membership site, selling your services, or promoting other people’s products.
The combination of making money on TikTok is almost endless as long as your creativity never runs dry and you can continuously produce engaging videos.
