Social media is all the rage, and making money on social media platforms is a viable way to earn money these days.
If you want to become a content creator or influencer, specifically on TikTok, this article is for you!
Did you know that there are 1 billion TikTok users worldwide? While that may sound as though the ship has passed for growing an account and making money, it really hasn’t. In this article, we’ll discuss more about making money on TikTok. TikTok is still a great platform to build an audience and grow an income!
In case you aren’t familiar with TikTok, it’s a short-form video platform. Although they do now allow up to 10-minute videos, most people use it in short form.
Users enjoy short-form video content from users all over the world and those whom they choose to follow. TikTok now has a shop feature, as well, where users can purchase items directly from the app.
If you’re intrigued and want to know more about making money on TikTok, keep reading! I share all sorts of exciting monetization opportunities you have with TikTok.
16 Ways To Make Money on TikTok
In this article, you’ll discover 16 ways to make money on TikTok, including the TikTok Creativity Program and affiliate marketing, which are two profitable options. There are also some lesser-known ideas, like creating UGC content and making digital content for sale.
No matter which method of making money you try, this article has several great options!
If you’re ready to become a TikTok influencer and learn how to make money on the TikTok app then let’s get to it!
1. TikTok Creator Fund
Since 2020, TikTok has had a creator fund for its more popular users; however, since late 2023, TikTok has all but stopped the creator fund and introduced the Creativity Program, which is still in beta at the time I’m writing this.
While the creator fund is still available in some countries, like Italy and Spain, users in countries like the US will need to apply to the newly formed TikTok Creativity Program.
Requirements to join the program are currently as follows:
- Have a US-based account
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
How do you make money with the program?
According to Buffer, you can potentially earn $4.00 to $8.00 per 1,000 views. If you have a large following, which is required to join the creativity program, and you’re likely receiving great views and could potentially make good money from TikTok.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a big way to make money on TikTok. If you’ve ever used the app, you’ve likely seen people using and demonstrating how to use their favorite Amazon finds and other products from popular stores.
This has been very popular with the users that I follow. They create engaging content showing off the features of each product, and when you click through their special affiliate link, they make a commission from that sale at no extra cost to you.
I can’t even tell you how many fun new products I’ve discovered because of TikTok users making videos all about their favorite products and gadgets.
Some popular affiliate programs are Amazon, Target, and Walmart, but you can also sign up for sites like CJ.com, Impact, and Shareasale.com to find even more options.
3. TikTok Shop for Sellers
If you’re an e-commerce seller, look into opening a TikTok shop.
With TikTok for sellers, you can apply for a shop, selling directly to users on TikTok. To get started, fill out an online application and provide TikTok with the appropriate documentation. There are no fees to get started, but TikTok will take a referral fee from the total amount of each sale made.
With TikTok Shop for sellers, you can sell merch like T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags, or other items like toys, candles, apparel, and more. TikTok does have a list of prohibited products (like meds, hazardous items, and personal care products), so be sure to read through all of their terms when you apply.
TikTok Shop for sellers allows easy integration with most e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Printify, Etsy, Amazon, and more!
4. TikTok Shop for Creators
Like affiliate marketing in general, being an affiliate marketer for the TikTok shop is the same. You’ll make money with your TikTok content that is promoting products at the shop with your special link.
As an affiliate marketer, you’ll want to focus on authenticity, as people will see through anything spammy and fake.
For this program, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have over 5,000 followers, and meet all the TikTok community guidelines.
If you use the product and love the product then when promoting it on your TikTok accounts, people will trust your recommendation and purchase through your special link.
5. Sponsored Content
Sponsored content is when a business pays you to talk about their product or service in your TikTok video.
You’ve probably seen this a lot on YouTube, but you aren’t limited to sponsored content on that platform. You can work with brands on your TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook accounts as well.
If you’re interested in sponsored posts, this could be a really nice way to make money via TikTok, as you aren’t limited by how many followers you have.
Some brands will only work with large accounts, but there are brands that work with smaller to medium-sized accounts as well.
Typically, the more followers the more a brand is willing to pay for the sponsored content but that doesn’t mean you can’t make money with a smaller account.
You’ll be paid to talk about the product or service, the features, what you like about it, and share details of the business – it all just depends on what the business/brand wants from you.
What you make from a sponsored post is very much dependent on the brand’s budget and desires, your desires, the size or reach of your account, and so forth.
6. UGC
UGC stands for user-generated content and essentially means you would make videos for the brand’s social media channels, like TikTok.
The brand you’d work with would use the video or content you made on their platforms.
If you’d like to make money in this way, you could start social media accounts, like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, to spread the word about your services.
You could also join UGC or freelance marketplaces like Fiverr or UGC Planet to get connected to brands that hire creators for this kind of work.
If you don’t have a large following or don’t want to be TikTok famous but would still like to cash in on the TikTok craze, this is a great way to do that.
Your earnings would be determined by each brand and what they need from that particular project with you.
7. TikTok Ads
If you’re a business owner, you can place ads on TikTok. With so many viewers on the platform, your reach may be incredible.
As the user scrolls, ads will show up in their feed every so many videos. This allows your product or service to get out in front of TikTok users and potentially bring in sales from those ads.
TikTok generally attracts a younger audience, so you’ll want to keep that in mind for the product you’re advertising. If your business fits the younger demographic and fits the with a younger niche, it could be a great way to increase your product sales.
Now, it isn’t just younger people on the app. I’m in my middle 40s and use the app as well, and you can see by these stats that while 67% of TikTok users are 18-19 years old, there are users in older age ranges as well.
8. TikTok Ads Manager & Social Media Manager
Suppose you like social media but don’t want to build a following, grow an influence, and make videos of yourself to share on TikTok. In that case, you might want to look into becoming a TikTok ads manager or a social media manager.
With this money-making idea, you’d manage businesses that use TikTok and handle their ads, edit and upload videos, check and respond to comments, and so on.
You’d need to know how to edit videos, create graphics, understand TikTok trends, and manage ads.
One great way to get started with no experience is to either offer your services at a discount or to intern with a business or brand so they can teach you everything you’d need to know to run TikTok accounts.
Another option is to read up on all things video editing and ad management. You could offer your services to businesses on Fiverr or Upwork. Those two sites typically offer a lower rate, so they may be more open to working with someone without a portfolio.
9. Brand Ambassador
A brand ambassador is different than sponsored content because a brand ambassador typically has an ongoing working relationship with the brand/company and not just a one-off deal here and there, like sponsored content.
Brand ambassadors are usually quite involved with a brand and could be the face of the brand on TikTok and other social channels. While it can be about making content for the brand’s accounts and maybe even your account, it isn’t strictly about making videos.
A brand ambassador is often one who is brought on to paint the brand in a positive light, expand the reach and viewers of the brand, increase engagement rate, and even possibly do live chats (live stream) or live in-person events.
While it may be less common to find a gig like this, they do exist.
10. Sell Digital Items
Leverage your audience by creating your own digital products to sell to them. You could make and sell eBooks, courses, printable templates, printable art, and so on.
You could use sites like Canva to make printables or templates and sell them on sites like Etsy, then talk about your printables in your TikTok videos and share your shop name in your bio.
Not sure what kind of printables to create?
Think about your audience’s pain points, what they need help with, and what you know that they need to know, and compile that into an eBook, course, or printable.
Or maybe you are a talented artist; make beautiful art for their homes!
Printables are popular right now so jump on the trend and start making your digital items!
11. Sell a Service
Much like selling digital items you’ve created, why not promote a service you provide?
Whether you’re a business or life coach, virtual assistant or freelance writer, social media manager, or ads manager, you should be talking about your expertise on your TikTok channel.
Share your website in your bio and encourage your audience to buy your services.
The key to promoting any services or products you sell is to be authentic, transparent, and none scammy.
Don’t promise the world unless you can deliver. We’ve all seen those videos that are hyped up, unrealistic, and basically clickbait. While this may attract viewers initially, in the long run, it will hurt your reputation.
Sell your service ethically and authentically, and watch your clientele grow!
12. Creator Marketplace
The TikTok Creator Marketplace is a marketplace on TikTok where creators and brands can connect. To get access, you’ll need a creator account located in one of the 24 countries eligible to participate. Once your account meets TikTok’s eligibility requirements (based on demographics, follower count, engagement, and video type), you’ll receive a notification on the platform inviting you to participate.
Once accepted into the program, you can browse paid projects with brands, create your creator profile, and set your rates and preferred industries.
There are all sorts of campaigns available with varying rates, deliverables, and terms and conditions. If you find something appealing, you can apply directly on TikTok. Sometimes, companies issue payments directly on TikTok and sometimes via other platforms like PayPal. Be sure to read through the entire campaign detail before applying.
13. Video and LIVE Gifts
Video and LIVE Gifts are virtual coins and animated gifts (each worth a varying coin amount) that TikTok users can purchase from TikTok and give to their favorite creators. Users can purchase 20 virtual coins for $0.29. Creators on TikTok can save these virtual gifts, and then trade them in for real cash.
So, how much is one coin really worth? It depends.
TikTok may take a cut for providing this service. If that is the case, one coin is worth less than a penny, so you would need a ton of virtual gifts in order to earn a substantial amount from this method.
14. Create a Series
Series is a TikTok monetization program in which you can create a bundle of content and sell it to users for a small amount of money. For instance, you can create a four-week exercise video series and sell it to users for $1.99.
To make money on TikTok with Series, you’ll need a public TikTok account, at least three public videos in the last 30 days, and at least 1,000 views in the past 30 days.
At the time of writing this post, TikTok is undergoing a system update, so new Series cannot be published as of today. Check your creator profile tools for updates on this monetization method.
15. Work with Artists
With this TikTok monetization program, you can earn money by using certain artists’ songs in your videos. The more engagement your video gets, the more money you can earn! Each artist will have a budget for their campaign and specific video requirements. The pot of money for each song is distributed to creators who meet the video requirements and view reward milestones. One example is an artist who had a max budget of $250 and would pay $10 to a creator for 50,000 views. Another artist had a max budget of $800 and would pay $10 for 5,000 views.
16. LIVE Subscription
If you enjoy making real-time videos on TikTok, LIVE Subscription might be a good way for you to cash in. To use LIVE Subscription, you must have LIVE access, at least 1,000 followers, and at least 60 minutes of LIVE time on three different days.
With this monetization method, you’ll go LIVE to subscribers who have paid for this unique content. The more viewers who sign up for your subscription content, the more money you can earn. According to TikTok, if you have 100,000 followers, they estimate you could earn $210,000 a month. Obviously, this isn’t guaranteed, but if you have a loyal fan base, it could be promising.
Make Money with TikTok Wrapup
As you can see from these ideas, there are many different ways to approach making money with TikTok.
Whether you want to use one of TikTok’s monetization methods, or go out on your own, there are many different ways you can legitimately make money on TikTok!
The key with TikTok, and any social media platform for that matter, is to be authentic and true to who you are, and your people will be drawn to you!
Looking for people to follow on TikTok? Check out Holly’s account at @theworkathomewoman!
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