How to Make Money on TikTok: 8 Proven Strategies
TikTok has evolved from a fun app for lip-syncing and dance videos to a serious platform for creators and brands to earn money. With the right approach, you can monetize your TikTok presence and tap into its vast audience to create a sustainable income stream. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your efforts, here are 8 effective ways to make money on TikTok.
1. Link to Your Website
One of the simplest ways to monetize TikTok is by directing traffic to your website through a link in your bio. This could be an eCommerce store, portfolio, or landing page where followers can learn more about your services. Additionally, by using affiliate links, you can earn commissions when followers make purchases through your recommendations.
2. Promote Brand Partnerships
As a creator, you can partner with brands to promote products and services. TikTok’s video format offers a unique way to engage your audience with authentic, creative content. Start by showcasing products you already love, creating organic content around them. This proves your ability to engage followers, making it easier to land official brand deals. You can also explore niche partnerships like music audio sponsorships, where artists pay creators to feature their tracks in videos.
3. Get Paid by TikTok
TikTok has set up the Creator Fund, a program designed to reward creators for their content. To join, you need to meet specific requirements:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have a minimum of 10,000 followers
- Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Be based in a supported country (US, UK, Germany, Spain, France, or Italy)
Once eligible, you can earn money based on your views and engagement. Additionally, TikTok’s ad platform allows you to run native ads, which can help increase your visibility and earnings.
4. Sell Products on TikTok
TikTok is an excellent platform for promoting and selling products directly. If you already have an online store, use TikTok to showcase your products and get the word out to a larger audience. Incorporate trending music, challenges, and creative visuals to engage followers. Brands like Guess have already successfully utilized TikTok to promote their merchandise. If you gain a significant following, you could also launch your own product line, similar to how the viral dog Tika the Iggy released its merchandise.
5. Offer Your Services
TikTok isn’t just for entertainment—it’s also a platform for showcasing professional expertise. Consultants, coaches, and experts in various fields can leverage TikTok to promote their services. For instance, marketing consultants like Elise Darma share valuable social media strategies on TikTok to attract clients. If you’re skilled in content creation or account management, you could offer your services to brands and individuals looking to boost their TikTok presence.
6. Grow and Sell Accounts
Many brands prefer buying established TikTok accounts instead of starting from scratch. If you’re skilled at creating engaging content and growing an audience, you can create a TikTok account in a specific niche, build a following, and then sell the account to a brand. The more niche and engaged your audience, the more valuable your account becomes.
7. Collect Tips from Followers
TikTok’s tipping feature allows creators to earn money directly from their followers. To activate tips, you need to have at least 100,000 followers and be 18 years or older. Once enabled, your followers can tip you in amounts ranging from $1 to $100. This feature can be a great way to supplement your income and build a stronger connection with your community. Payments are processed via Stripe.
8. Offer Premium Content
For creators with a loyal fanbase, offering premium content can be a lucrative revenue stream. Platforms like Patreon allow you to charge followers a subscription fee for exclusive content. Recently, TikTok launched Series, a feature that enables creators to post longer-form content (up to 20 minutes) that is only available to subscribers for a fee. This can be a powerful way to generate consistent income from your most dedicated followers.
How Much Can You Make on TikTok?
TikTok’s earning potential varies greatly depending on your strategy, audience, and engagement. Some of the highest-earning TikTokers, like Addison Rae and Charlie D’Amelio, make millions per year through brand partnerships, product sales, and merchandise. However, most creators with 100,000 followers can expect to earn between $500 and $2,000 per branded post.
How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money?
While there is no exact follower threshold for earning on TikTok, having at least 10,000 followers qualifies you for the Creator Fund. To attract more lucrative deals, like brand partnerships, 100,000 followers is a more realistic target. As engagement is key, it’s important to focus on building a loyal audience that interacts with your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Make Money on TikTok? Yes, you can make money on TikTok. It takes time and creativity to build an engaged following, but with the right strategy, it is possible to earn a substantial income.
2. How Much Does TikTok Pay Per View? TikTok pays based on engagement and views. The exact payment varies but generally ranges from a few cents per 1,000 views. However, the more creative and engaging your content, the higher your earnings potential.
3. How Long Does It Take to Make Money on TikTok? Earnings on TikTok take time to accumulate. It typically takes several months of consistent content creation to reach monetization thresholds, especially for the Creator Fund or brand partnerships.
4. Can I Make Money on TikTok Without Showing My Face? Yes! Many TikTok creators earn money without ever showing their faces. By focusing on niche content like voiceovers, animation, or curated posts, you can still build an audience and monetize your account.
5. How Do Seasonal Trends Affect My Earning Potential? Seasonal trends can significantly boost your TikTok earnings, especially if you align your content with trending topics, holidays, or viral challenges. Capitalizing on these trends can increase your visibility and engagement.
6. What Are the Implications of Using AI-Generated Content for Monetization? AI-generated content is becoming more common, but using it can be a double-edged sword. While it may help with content creation, platforms like TikTok prioritize authentic, human-driven content. Overuse of AI might hurt your engagement and earnings in the long term.
With patience and dedication, TikTok offers a wealth of opportunities for creators to monetize their talents. Whether you’re selling products, promoting services, or partnering with brands, TikTok is an ever-evolving platform with diverse monetization pathways. Start experimenting with different strategies and watch your TikTok income grow.