TikTok’s explosive growth has solidified its place as a leading social media platform, captivating users with its engaging short-form video content. This immense popularity has transformed TikTok into a fertile ground for revenue generation, presenting significant opportunities for creators and brands alike. If you’re looking to tap into this potential, developing a robust TikTok strategy is crucial to effectively navigate the platform and monetize your presence.
Beyond viral trends like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt and vibrant niche communities such as #BookTok, businesses are discovering inventive and authentic methods to showcase and market their offerings directly to TikTok’s diverse audience. By crafting compelling and informative short videos that resonate with specific interests, you too can unlock the platform’s monetization potential.
But where should you begin your journey to earning on TikTok? This article will dissect 15 effective strategies that will guide you on how to make money on TikTok in 2024.
1. Leverage the TikTok Creator Program
Since 2020, TikTok has empowered its prominent content creators to monetize their work through dedicated programs. In a significant shift announced in November 2023, TikTok is evolving its approach. For creators in the US, UK, Germany, and France, the original Creator Fund is transitioning to the new Creativity Program, launched on December 16th.
According to TikTok, this revamped program aims to boost earning potential for creators in these regions, particularly for video content exceeding one minute in length. To qualify for the Creativity Program, creators need to meet specific criteria: a minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 views accumulated within the last 30 days. Earnings are calculated based on video views and various TikTok engagement metrics, rewarding high-performing content.
For creators based in Italy and Spain, the TikTok Creator Fund remains active, providing a pathway to monetization. Similar to the Creativity Program, creators must fulfill certain prerequisites to join and start earning from the platform. The Creator Fund compensates members based on the engagement levels their content achieves.
2. Implement TikTok Advertising Campaigns
TikTok’s demographic landscape is heavily skewed towards younger generations, with approximately 67% of 18-19 year olds and 56% of 20-29 year olds actively using the platform. This makes TikTok marketing an exceptionally effective advertising avenue for brands targeting Gen Z consumers. TikTok Ads Manager provides user-friendly yet powerful tools to facilitate advertising campaigns reaching millions of users. While ad formats may vary across regions, they all offer granular targeting options, allowing you to tailor your audience based on age, location, interests, and other demographics. You can then select the ad format(s) that best align with your brand objectives.
Popular TikTok ad formats include:
In-feed video ads: These ads seamlessly appear on the For You Page (FYP) of TikTok users whose profiles match your defined targeting parameters.
Brand takeover ads: These immersive ads dominate the user’s screen for a few seconds upon opening the app before transitioning into an in-feed video ad.
Hashtag challenge ads: Brands can initiate engaging hashtag challenges to stimulate user-generated content. These challenges are prominently featured in TikTok’s Discovery section. Note that this option is typically reserved for managed brands working directly with TikTok sales representatives.
Beyond these, TikTok offers a range of other ad formats to explore, although availability might depend on your account type and region.
3. Enable Tips and Donations
TikTok has integrated a tipping feature, allowing viewers to directly support their favorite creators financially through tips and donations. This feature allows fans to express their appreciation and contribute to creators they admire.
Video Gifts further enhance this system, enabling viewers to send virtual gifts and coins to creators. Certain creators can also receive gifts during live streams. These virtual gifts are convertible into Diamonds, TikTok’s in-app digital currency.
Accumulated Diamonds can then be exchanged for real currency, providing a direct revenue stream for creators.
A screenshot of TikTok
For alternative tipping methods, creators can utilize third-party platforms like Tipeee, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee. These platforms can be linked to your TikTok profile, acting as a virtual tip jar and providing fans with additional avenues for support.
4. Partner with TikTok Creators for Collaborations
The Sprout Social Index™ consistently highlights the importance of positive word-of-mouth and authentic endorsements from influencers and creators in building consumer trust, often outweighing overtly “salesy” marketing messages.
TikTok’s vibrant ecosystem of content creators presents a prime environment for collaborating with influential figures who have cultivated highly engaged communities.
The key to successful creator collaborations lies in identifying and partnering with creators who can genuinely and effectively represent your brand to their audience. Creator-generated branded content demonstrably achieves 83% higher engagement rates, underscoring the value of authentic partnerships.
TikTok’s Creator Marketplace serves as a dedicated platform for connecting brands with creators on the network. This marketplace streamlines the process of identifying and engaging influencers for campaign collaborations. You can filter creators based on business objectives, budget parameters, and industry relevance, and access comprehensive performance and audience metrics to inform data-driven decisions.
TikTok has established specific eligibility requirements for the Creator Marketplace, ensuring that marketers partner with established and reputable influencers within the TikTok landscape.
5. Explore Affiliate Marketing Opportunities
Affiliate marketing programs provide a commission-based revenue model for creators and businesses. By promoting and selling products or services from other companies, affiliates earn a percentage of each sale generated through their unique referral links or codes.
Success in affiliate marketing hinges on driving online sales. Focus on promoting products that are genuinely relevant and appealing to your target audience. Create engaging video content that showcases affiliate products, highlighting their value proposition and articulating why you recommend them. Prioritize promoting brands you personally endorse and trust. Share affiliate links or unique discount codes to track purchases originating from your TikTok account.
While TikTok’s platform limitations restrict clickable links in video descriptions for personal accounts, you can guide followers to copy and paste links into their browsers or utilize provided codes at checkout. Services like Beacons offer a solution by enabling you to create a free landing page consolidating affiliate links and product details. Business accounts on TikTok have the added advantage of directly embedding a link in their bio.
For in-house marketers, establishing a structured affiliate marketing program is crucial. Define clear guidelines and participation instructions for interested TikTok creators. Invite TikTokers whose brand alignment and target audience overlap with yours. Encourage affiliates to promote products or services that best match your shared audience and marketing goals. Crucially, implement a robust tracking system to monitor affiliate performance and manage commission payouts effectively.
6. Build and Sell TikTok Accounts
Organic growth on TikTok can be a time-intensive process, often spanning months to cultivate a substantial following. However, acquiring an established TikTok account can provide an immediate boost in follower count and platform presence.
To effectively monetize TikTok account sales, creators should concentrate on developing accounts within specific, sustainable niches. This niche focus makes the account more appealing to potential buyers, enabling them to continue posting relevant content and maintain follower engagement.
Brands considering purchasing an existing account must conduct thorough due diligence. An account with a high follower count but low engagement metrics might not deliver the desired return on investment. Verify that the account’s audience aligns with your target demographic and that the existing content resonates with your brand identity and marketing objectives.
Platforms such as 123accs, Accfarm, and Fameswap facilitate the buying and selling of TikTok accounts with established follower bases.
A screenshot of account listings on Accfarm
7. Publish Sponsored Content
For smaller-scale brand activations, sponsoring individual posts directly on creator profiles offers a streamlined approach. Similar to broader creator collaborations, sponsored posts involve brands compensating content creators to promote their products or services within organic content. Brands can sponsor single posts or curate a series of sponsored content. If a sponsored post gains traction and starts trending, boosting its reach can further amplify its impact.
@christinanadinx#Ad My new favourite primer leaving my skin hydrated and glowy @maccosmetics #MACstudioRadiance #TalkPrimerToMe
8. Establish a Patreon Membership
Creating a Patreon account enables creators to generate recurring revenue from their fanbase through membership subscriptions. Patreon allows fans to become patrons and gain exclusive access to content, fostering a closer creator-fan relationship while providing a sustainable income stream. Utilize TikTok to actively promote Patreon membership sign-ups.
@darastarrtucker#patreon #becomeapatron #patronofthearts #supportcreators #supportcreatorsofcolor #joinmypatreon #creatorsupport @darastarrtucker
To incentivize subscriptions, consider offering tiered membership levels with varying benefits and price points. Keep subscription costs accessible to encourage broader participation. Reward new subscribers with exclusive perks, such as merchandise giveaways or access to bonus content, to cultivate loyalty. Include a direct link to your Patreon page in your TikTok videos or prominently feature it in your bio for easy access.
9. Sell Branded Merchandise
Merchandise remains a consistently effective strategy for creators to monetize their brand, and this principle extends seamlessly to TikTok. Transform original artwork, memorable quotes, or your brand logo into tangible merchandise and actively promote it on TikTok. Integrate your existing product line into engaging tutorials or feature your merchandise within trending video formats.
@useloom🕯 New from Loom: Lighten your calendar and brighten your day with Cancelled Meetings by Loom — the first candle designed to help you get back your time. Featuring:✨ 8oz, hand-poured candle✨ “Peace on Earth, Peace at Work,” a free zine✨ The relief of knowing you can cancel a meeting with Loom #loomunlocks
If you’re uncertain about what type of merchandise to offer, actively engage with your audience. Conduct polls or directly solicit feedback to understand their preferences and identify potential product ideas that resonate with your followers.
If you operate a personal TikTok account, establish an e-commerce website to handle sales transactions and promote your store through your TikTok content. Integrate your store link into your videos and encourage followers to explore your product offerings.
For TikTok Business accounts, seamless integration with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, Square Online, and Ecwid allows you to directly connect your online store to your TikTok profile.
10. Set Up a TikTok Shop
TikTok’s partnership with Shopify has introduced TikTok Shopping, a feature enabling brands and creators to become official TikTok merchants and sell products directly within the app environment.
A screenshot of the TikTok shopping feature.
By establishing a TikTok Shop, you can showcase products directly within in-feed videos, live streams, and dedicated product showcase tabs on your profile. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can register as a seller through the TikTok Seller Center, providing a centralized hub for managing inventory, orders, creator collaborations, promotions, and more. Note that the Seller Center’s availability is currently limited to select regions.
11. Offer Exclusive Content Through TikTok Series
In June 2023, TikTok launched TikTok Series, a monetization feature that allows creators to offer premium, exclusive content behind a paywall. This feature enables creators to package and sell collections of videos as a “Series” to their audience for a one-time fee.
Interested creators must apply for access to TikTok Series and meet specific eligibility requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Have an account that is at least 30 days old.
- Maintain a minimum of 10,000 followers.
- Have posted at least 3 public videos within the last 30 days.
- Have accumulated at least 1,000 video views in the past 30 days.
Creators with fewer than 10,000 followers may still be considered eligible if they can demonstrate a history of successfully selling premium content on other platforms.
A TikTok Series can comprise up to 80 videos, with each video having a maximum length of 20 minutes. This format is particularly well-suited for delivering in-depth educational content or exclusive behind-the-scenes access to your audience for a set price. Creators have the flexibility to set the price for each TikTok Series, with options ranging from $0.99 to $189.99.
12. Enable Virtual Gifts on Videos
Another monetization feature available on TikTok is virtual gifts on videos. Viewers who appreciate your content can send virtual gifts as a token of their support, which creators can then convert into real money.
To activate this feature, enable the “gift” option. This will display a small gift box icon near the comment section on your videos. Viewers interested in sending a gift can tap the icon to access the gifting interface.
Coin packages, used to purchase virtual gifts, are available in increments such as:
- 20 coins: $0.29
- 65 coins: $0.99
- 330 coins: $4.99
- … (and larger packages)
These coins can then be exchanged for virtual gifts, ranging in value from 5 to 3,000 coins, which viewers can send to their favorite creators. Enable virtual gifts to offer this direct support option to your audience.
13. Host Live Events or Workshops on TikTok LIVE
TikTok LIVE provides another compelling avenue for generating income on the platform. Similar to virtual gifts on videos, viewers can also send Live Gifts during live streams. A gift box icon appears at the bottom of live videos, allowing viewers to tap and purchase various virtual gifts. The value range of Live Gifts is even broader, spanning from single coins to tens of thousands of coins for more elaborate gifts.
A screenshot of live gifts in TikTok
Numerous TikTok creators have shared their experiences of successfully monetizing through live streaming. One creator reported earning between $20 and $300 per live stream, while another generated $34,000 in a single month solely from live streaming.
To maximize earnings from TikTok LIVE, ensure your live videos are engaging, entertaining, and provide value to your viewers. Consistent viewership is key, as regular viewers are more likely to become engaged and send virtual gifts to support their favorite creators.
14. Offer Personalized Shoutouts
If you’ve cultivated a significant following on TikTok, you can offer personalized shoutouts to other TikTok users who are looking to grow their own accounts. Set a price for shoutouts and market them as a service to your audience. Pricing may require some experimentation. If you’re not receiving much interest, consider lowering your price point. Conversely, high demand may indicate an opportunity to increase your prices.
You can deliver shoutouts during live videos or within regular feed videos. You could also offer tiered pricing, with feed video shoutouts priced higher than live video shoutouts, providing users with options to choose based on their budget and desired visibility.
15. Sell Digital Products Directly
Finally, consider creating and selling digital products to your TikTok audience. You can leverage a TikTok Shop to showcase and link directly to your digital products, simplifying the purchase process for your followers. Promote your digital products within your videos and include your shop’s URL in your profile bio for easy discoverability. Digital products can range from e-books and online courses to presets, templates, and digital art, offering diverse income streams.
Expand Your TikTok Business Knowledge
These 15 strategies provide a comprehensive roadmap for elevating your TikTok presence and establishing a clear path to monetization on the platform. To further enhance your earning potential, learn how to get more TikTok followers and cultivate a larger, more engaged audience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Money on TikTok
How many followers are needed to make money on TikTok?
The follower count requirement varies depending on the monetization method. For the Creator Program, a minimum of 10,000 followers is necessary. To receive virtual gifts during TikTok LIVE, you need at least 1,000 followers. However, for tips and gifts on regular videos, a higher threshold of 100,000 followers is required.
How many views are needed to make money on TikTok?
For the Creator Program, you must have accumulated at least 100,000 views on your videos within a 30-day period. For other monetization methods, such as selling products or affiliate marketing, there’s no specific view count requirement to share links in your videos or bio.
How are TikTok earnings paid out?
Once you meet the payment criteria for TikTok monetization programs, your earnings should be reflected in your Creator Program Dashboard approximately three days after your videos accrue views. To access your dashboard, navigate to your profile, tap the “…” menu to open settings, select “Creator tools,” and then choose “Creativity Program” or “TikTok Creator Fund” if you are in regions where this is still applicable.
Once your balance reaches a minimum of $10, you can withdraw your earnings 30 days after the end of the month in which they were earned. You can transfer the funds to your preferred payment method, such as PayPal or Zelle, depending on your region’s available options.
