With over one billion active users, TikTok stands a huge chance for its users to make money right on the platform. While influencer marketing and selling products are popular ways to make money on TikTok, these aren’t the only options. The short video format of TikTok allows businesses with creativity and video editing skills to monetize content in different ways.
So, how to make money on TikTok? This guide will discuss the 12 best ways to make money on the platform. They are:
- Sell and advertise your products directly on TikTok
- Join affiliate programs to earn commissions
- Partner with trusted brands
- Work with other TikTok influencers
- Apply for the TikTok Creativity Program
- Consult for other brands and businesses
- Collect gifts and coins from your live streams
- Refer your friends to make money with TikTok
- Build and sell TikTok accounts
- Raise money through crowdfunding
- Promote songs
- Collect “tips” from your audience
Keep scrolling to learn the top strategies for earning money through TikTok!
How to Make Money on TikTok? – 12 Easiest Ways
Your TikTok earnings are influenced by the number of income sources you explore. (Hint: The more, the better!) Then, how do you start making money on TikTok? There are numerous avenues to make money with TikTok, from selling products to live streaming. Let’s explore these options.
1. Sell and advertise your products directly on TikTok
If you ask how to make money on TikTok, we can say selling on TikTok is the most straightforward way to do so. TikTok has a shopping feature allowing brands to sell their products and services on the platform. It’s much like other top marketplaces for selling products like Amazon or Etsy. So, what is TikTok Shop? How to sign up to make money on TikTok. If you have no idea, you can click the link for more information.
With TikTok shopping, you can display and offer your products via your product shop tab. It also allows you to tag product links on videos or live streams, simplifying how viewers purchase products.
However, not everyone can sell on TikTok. To check whether you are eligible to sell on TikTok, you can read our guide on how to set up TikTok shop. With that guide, you can also learn detailed steps to open a shop on TikTok for your brand.
Once you have a shop to make money with TikTok, you can use eCommerce strategies and best practices to promote your goods. TikTok offers excellent organic marketing chances, and if you’re open to some spending, you can utilize paid ads. These ads help ensure your videos reach the most interested audiences for your products.
2. Join affiliate programs to earn commissions
Selling items on TikTok is not always the only way to make money with TikTok. So, how to make money on TikTok without having a TikTok Shop? You just need to use affiliate marketing links to earn a percentage of sales.
If you are considering earning money through TikTok by doing affiliate marketing, you should mind these several important actions to maintain your brand reputation:
- You should openly declare your use of affiliate links;
- You should choose products with high quality;
- You should opt for products that align with your followers’ interests.
How much can you earn from doing this? With strategic affiliate marketing plans, some can earn thousands monthly through judicious use of affiliate links on TikTok. Disclosure, authenticity, and relevance are key to both integrity and income success.
3. Partner with trusted brands
Another easiest way to make money on TikTok is doing some sponsored content for the brands you trust. On TikTok, sponsored content means making videos or posts when you get something in return. The goal is usually to earn money or other benefits.
For example, a cosmetic company might pay you to make a video talking about how well their foundation looks on your face. Then, you will earn some money back after posting a video reviewing their product.
If you want to know how to make money on TikTok with other brands, you should be honest about sponsors and reviews. You should ensure any sponsored content feels authentic to you and your followers. Their trust is important, too.
Just because companies offer you paid opportunities, it doesn’t mean you have to accept them. Even if the money sounds good, you shouldn’t work with brands whose beliefs don’t match your own. Instead, you can actively reach out to brands you want to sponsor. You can join TikTok’s Creator Marketplace to find sponsorships with brands matching your interests.
4. Work with other TikTok influencers
Collaborating with another influencer can significantly boost your TikTok reach and engagement. Partnering up allows you to share audiences and make creative joint content that entertains both of your follower groups. With a larger combined audience, you become more attractive to brands looking to partner with influencers. That can lead to more sponsored content deals.
How do you start making money on TikTok by partnering with other influencers? You can seek out influencers whose content aligns with your own. Those with a similar target audience and values are ideal. You can also explore influencers in your industry or with a compatible style.
Once you’ve identified potential partners, initiate contact and introduce yourself. Then, you explain why a collaboration could be mutually beneficial and share your content ideas. Don’t forget to request their input and ideas, as successful collaboration thrives on reciprocity.
5. Apply for TikTok Creativity Program (TikTok Creator Fund)
Another best way to make money on TikTok is by applying for the Creativity Program. In September 2023, TikTok greatly expanded where the Creativity Program was available. It now reaches popular creators in the United States and major social media markets like Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
When you join the previous program, TikTok Creator Fund, you can make videos at any length. In contrast, the TikTok Creativity Program requires you to upload videos longer than one minute.
TikTok has noted earning money through TikTok via the Creativity Program is much more than the previous Creator Fund. This is because payments are on a per-view basis, providing more money each time a video gets watched.
One example of the increased earning potential comes from the influencer couple Devin and Hunter Cordle. In June, after joining the program, they reportedly gained $24,000 from their content being viewed. Remarkably, just one month later, in July, their earnings had jumped even higher to a little over $87,000.
If you have already joined the original fund and want to level up to the TikTok Creativity Program, you will receive a message encouraging you to switch. If you’re not part of the TikTok Creator Fund, you can apply for the new program directly.
Here is what you need to know before learning how to make money on TikTok with TikTok Creativity Program:
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Have a minimum of 10,000 followers;
- Receive at least 100,000 valid video views within the last 30 days;
- Use a personal TikTok account, not a business one;
- Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines;
- Be located in a region where the program is currently available.
6. Consult for other brands and businesses
If you’re skilled at creating popular content on TikTok, you have valuable abilities to make money with TikTok. Skilled TikTokers can use their accounts as a portfolio to showcase their capabilities. Many companies are willing to invest in outsourcing their social media content to someone who understands the platform and can navigate the algorithm effectively.
7. Collect gifts and coins from your live streams
Live streaming is not only TikTok trends for businesses to sell products but also a chance for creators to receive money from their supporters. The LIVE gifting feature allows TikTok creators to monetize through live streaming. While most platforms offer live videos, TikTok uniquely monetizes them with virtual gifts viewers can send in real-time.
So, how to make money on TikTok by using the live streaming feature? During a live event, watchers can give donations like gifts and coins to show appreciation for the host. Gifts range from coins to hundreds of coins. The host can exchange these coins for actual currency, which can be withdrawn from an app like PayPal.
However, you should bear in mind that TikTok prohibits directly requesting donations. As a creator, you should avoid third-party payments, too, letting the built-in gifting function drive monetization during engaging lives.
8. Refer your friends to make money with TikTok
TikTok offers creators a way to earn through referrals with its Rewards program. By sharing your unique download link, you and anyone using your referral are rewarded for app activities. The more people refer to your link, the more incentives are earned.
Here’s how to make money on TikTok with a referral program:
- Access your unique referral link on your TikTok profile;
- Share this link with friends who don’t already have a TikTok account;
- When they use your link to sign up and create a new profile, you both earn rewards instantly.
How much money can you make money with TikTok Rewards program? Your earnings depend on the points you accumulate. Typically, you’ll receive approximately $5 in gift cards for every 1000 points and around $15 for 3000 points.
9. Build and sell TikTok accounts
If you have proven success developing audiences on TikTok, you may be able to profit from your skills. Since cultivating followers takes effort, some companies will buy already established accounts.
To sell your account, you should focus your content around a narrow niche that attracts a certain group of followers. Specializing in this way allows someone else to take over seamlessly. That makes it an attractive purchase for brands looking to cut corners in TikTok strategy.
10. Raise money through crowdfunding
If you’re seeking funds for a startup or a new product launch, think about using TikTok for crowdfunding. TikTok can help you promote your crowdfunding campaign effectively. You can engage your followers on TikTok by setting a funding goal and hosting live fundraising events.
11. Promote songs
Audio promotion offers an often-overlooked avenue for earning on TikTok. Audio-related businesses and music labels often seek opportunities to promote their new tracks and sound effects. So you can make use of the need to earn money on TikTok
How to start earning on TikTok by promoting songs? You can approach these companies to incorporate their songs or sound effects into your videos. The earnings can be substantial, as you have the flexibility to negotiate your fee based on the exposure potential for their music. If a song reaches thousands of listeners through your videos, audio companies are willing to pay generously.
12. Collect “tips” from your audience
The last method in this ‘how to make money on TikTok’ guide is utilizing TikTok’s native tipping feature. This feature mirrors real-life tip jars, letting viewers express appreciation through small donations. It’s entirely up to fans, not obligatory, and they can donate any sum at their convenience.
By joining TikTok Creator Next, you can access the built-in tipping feature once it’s available in your country. To enable Tips, you must link them to a Stripe account. After activating TikTok Tips, your audience will spot a Tips button. If they appreciate your content, they can click this button to send you either a preset or personalized tip amount.
6 Tips for Earning Money Through TikTok
Now you know how to make money on TikTok in 12 different ways. But that’s not all. The practical aspect can often vary from the theory. That’s why you need some valuable tips to earn money on TikTok easily.
1. Stay true to yourself
Users value authentic creators on TikTok. Ox Zung garnered millions of followers through genuine videos showing his personality. His audience connects with him as an individual rather than seeking transactions.
Whether sharing interests or jumping on trends, stay true to yourself to build meaningful fan connections over time. Authenticity resonates most with today’s consumers seeking real experiences online. Keeping content personal and unique rather than replicating others ensures followers will appreciate your distinctive presence on TikTok.
2. Share openly and honestly
Authenticity and transparency go hand in hand on TikTok. While policies around sponsored posts are unclear, the best approach is full disclosure. TikTok’s branded content toggle is your ally here, as it automatically adds an #Ad hashtag to your post when it’s appropriate. TikTok users appreciate transparency, so use this feature regularly to inform them when your content is sponsored and avoid potential issues or call-outs.
3. Get advice from other similar creators
You can learn how to make money on TikTok by consulting your favorite creators. If you’re unsure how to begin, simply start scrolling and observing. Chances are, your beloved TikTok creators are earning money through various means. You can look at their activities, such as brand collaborations or promoting merchandise like T-shirts. Then, you can attempt to implement similar strategies in your own TikTok journey.
4. Stick with your usual content
When using social media to sell products, it’s important to avoid excessive promotional content. Your followers understand the need for funding to sustain the content they enjoy, but they don’t want to see constant advertisements on their feeds. This is especially relevant on TikTok, where building personal connections with your audience is crucial to make money with TikTok.
Prioritizing quality content is key. Instead of starting with a sales pitch and shaping content around it, focus on creating content you regularly create. Your TikTok posts should provide value to your audience rather than solely aiming to sell to them.
5. Post at the right time
Knowing how to make money on TikTok is not simply knowing how to create great content to engage users; you should also mind the time. That’s a factor that affects how to go viral on TikTok. To maximize engagement and increase your view count, you should get your content in front of viewers. This involves making thoughtful decisions about when to post, which can be just as vital as the content itself.
Optimal posting times include before a workday begins or after general working hours conclude. These non-conventional time slots tend to coincide with high user activity periods, resulting in enhanced post-engagement.
6. Be patient and keep going
Earning money through TikTok can be challenging. If you face rejection from a brand or influencer, don’t give up since there are many other ways to make money with TikTok. Persistence is key, and your efforts will eventually pay off, literally.
How to Make Money from TikTok: FAQs
- Can everyone make money with TikTok?
Absolutely, TikTok offers various avenues to earn money beyond just selling products. While selling on TikTok is one option, it’s not the sole path to income. You can explore affiliate marketing and referral programs to unlock additional income streams.
- How can I make money on TikTok?
There are numerous methods to assist you in generating income on TikTok, and here are 12 of them:
- Sell and advertise your products directly on TikTok
- Join affiliate programs to earn commissions
- Partner with trusted brands
- Work with other TikTok influencers
- Apply for the TikTok Creativity Program
- Consult for other brands and businesses
- Collect gifts and coins from your live streams
- Refer your friends to make money with TikTok
- Build and sell TikTok accounts
- Raise money through crowdfunding
- Promote songs
- Collect “tips” from your audience
- How many followers on TikTok to make money?
If you want to become a TikTok creator you need to have at least 1000 followers. Top TikTok creators also reported that the platform pays content producers approximately $0.02 to $0.04 for every 1,000 views they generate through TikTok’s Creator Fund program.
- How to make money on TikTok without followers?
While many ways to earn money on TikTok typically require a substantial follower base, there are still opportunities for those with a smaller following. Referring friends to TikTok can be a way to earn money with no need for followers. It allows you to leverage your network and engage in a bit of referral-based income generation.
Start to Make Money with TikTok Today
TikTok has evolved beyond dance and singing videos. It’s now becoming a channel to sell products like other marketplaces and a platform where creators can make money and generate passive income. So, users should not miss this opportunity to learn how to make money on TikTok with different monetization strategies.
If you need more guides on how to use TikTok for business or small business TikTok ideas, do not hesitate to contact us. We’re active around the clock to support you.
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