How to Make Money on TikTok: A comprehensive Guide

TikTok is not just a platform for entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for creators and businesses to make money. With over one billion active users globally, TikTok offers a massive potential for content creators, brands, and influencers to generate income. Whether through brand partnerships, live streams, or TikTok’s built-in monetization tools, there are multiple ways to profit from this platform. In this guide, we will explore the various strategies to make money on TikTok and help you navigate the steps to success.

The Basics of TikTok Monetization

To make money on TikTok, there are key elements you need to focus on: viewership, user retention, interactivity, and quality content. These principles form the foundation of a successful TikTok account that attracts followers and generates revenue.

Once you have built an engaged audience, monetization opportunities will arise through different channels. Let’s take a look at the best ways to turn your TikTok activity into profit.

1. TikTok Creator Fund and Creativity Program

The TikTok Creator Fund is one of the easiest ways for creators to make money directly from TikTok. Available in select countries including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, this fund distributes payments based on video views, engagement, and other proprietary metrics.

To be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund, creators must:

• Be over 18 years old.
• Have at least 10,000 followers.
• Garner 100,000 video views within the past 30 days.

To apply for the Creator Fund:

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Go to your profile and tap the menu icon (three lines).
3. Select “Creator tools”.
4. Tap “Creator Fund” and hit “Apply”.

Once accepted, creators earn passive income from their video views. However, due to the growing number of participants, payments from the Creator Fund can be relatively low for many users.

TikTok Creativity Program (Beta)

In response to the limitations of the Creator Fund, TikTok launched the Creativity Program in 2023. This initiative incentivizes creators to produce longer, high-quality videos (over one minute) with the goal of keeping audiences engaged. The longer video format gives creators more opportunities for storytelling and interaction, making it a better option for those looking to increase their earnings.

To apply for the Creativity Program:

1. Go to “Settings” on TikTok.
2. Select “Creator tools”.
3. Tap “Creativity Program Beta” and hit “Apply”.

The eligibility requirements are similar to the Creator Fund:

• At least 10,000 followers.
• 100,000 video views in the past 30 days.
• Good standing on the platform with no violations.

2. Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships

Brand partnerships and sponsorships are one of the most lucrative ways to make money on TikTok. Many companies look to TikTok creators to promote their products or services, especially through the platform’s Creator Marketplace, which connects brands with influencers for collaboration opportunities.

How to Find Brand Partnerships

To secure brand partnerships:

• Build a strong personal brand and carve out a niche. Brands prefer working with creators whose audience aligns with their target market.
• Create a press kit that showcases your profile, follower count, engagement rates, and any previous partnerships. This will help you stand out when pitching to companies.
• Engage in affiliate marketing by partnering with brands you believe in. Authentic collaborations often generate better results than forced promotions.

Micro-Influencers’ Role in Brand Partnerships

Micro-influencers—creators with 10,000 to 50,000 followers—can have an advantage when securing brand deals. Brands often prefer micro-influencers for their higher engagement rates and closer connections with their audience. Research shows that micro-influencers can have up to 60% higher conversion rates compared to traditional digital ads.

Use the Branded Content Toggle

When promoting products, transparency is crucial. TikTok requires creators to use the Branded Content toggle when posting sponsored content. Here’s how to enable it:

1. While posting a video, tap “More options”.
2. Select “Branded content”.
3. Turn on the toggle.

Failing to use this toggle can lead to content removal or account violations.

3. Go Live and Accept Donations

Going live on TikTok is another way to earn money directly from your audience. During live streams, viewers can donate TikTok coins, which are later converted to real money. The key to earning through live streams is creating interactive content that resonates with your audience.

To go live on TikTok:

1. Open your TikTok profile.
2. Tap “Go Live” in the settings.
3. Share your stream link to other social media platforms to attract more viewers.

Be cautious not to ask for donations directly during your stream, as TikTok’s community guidelines prohibit soliciting money.

4. Create Non-Sponsored Content for Small Businesses

Creating non-sponsored content for local or small businesses can help you build your portfolio and demonstrate your influence. These unpaid collaborations can lead to bigger partnerships with larger brands once you’ve built a reputation for promoting businesses effectively.

Focus on providing value to your audience through informative and engaging content. By promoting businesses you genuinely believe in, you’ll gain trust from your followers, making it more likely for future paid sponsorships to come your way.

5. Sell Merchandise or Products

Another way to make money on TikTok is by selling merchandise or your own products. Creators who have a loyal fan base can profit by offering personalized goods, such as apparel, accessories, or digital products (e.g., e-books or courses).

You can market these items directly on TikTok using the TikTok Shop feature, which allows creators to sell products within the app. By integrating e-commerce with content, you can generate sales while continuing to engage your audience.

6. For Businesses: Use TikTok Ads Manager

If you run a business, TikTok Ads Manager is a powerful tool to drive traffic and sales. TikTok’s vast user base allows businesses to target specific demographics based on age, location, interests, and behavior.

Here’s how to set up TikTok ads:

1. Set up an account on TikTok Ads Manager.
2. Create a Web Event to track interactions with your site.
3. Choose the Campaign tab and select Create.
4. Design and launch your ad.

TikTok ads are effective because they target a highly engaged audience, often resulting in higher conversion rates compared to other platforms. You can link these ads to your e-commerce store to track performance and optimize for better results.

7. Become a TikTok Consultant

With businesses recognizing the importance of TikTok for marketing, there is a growing demand for TikTok consultants. These professionals help brands develop a presence on TikTok, create engaging content, and optimize campaigns for the best results. If you have experience with TikTok growth strategies and analytics, offering your services as a consultant can be a profitable avenue.

8. Participate in Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing allows creators to earn commissions by promoting products or services through their TikTok videos. When followers make a purchase using your affiliate link, you receive a percentage of the sale.

To get started with affiliate marketing:

• Join affiliate programs for brands or products you genuinely use.
• Include your affiliate links in your TikTok bio or within the video description.
• Create authentic content that highlights the benefits of the product, encouraging viewers to make a purchase.

Building a Strong TikTok Presence

Now that you know the monetization strategies, it’s important to build a strong TikTok presence to maximize your earnings. Consistency and creativity are the keys to success. Here are some tips to grow your TikTok account:

• Post regularly: The TikTok algorithm favors accounts that post frequently and consistently. Aim to post at least once per day to stay relevant.
• Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, participate