TikTok’s explosive popularity has transformed it into more than just a social media platform; it’s a vibrant marketplace brimming with opportunities to generate income. If you’re looking to tap into the earning potential of this short-form video giant, you’re in the right place. This guide, tailored for aspiring and established creators alike, dives deep into actionable strategies on How To Make Money On Tiktok in 2024.
From leveraging creator programs to mastering affiliate marketing and beyond, we’ll explore proven methods to monetize your TikTok presence. Whether you’re aiming to build a side hustle or a full-time income, understanding these strategies is your first step to success on TikTok.
1. Maximize Earnings with the TikTok Creativity Program (Formerly Creator Fund)
TikTok’s commitment to its creators is evident in its monetization programs. Initially known as the Creator Fund, TikTok has evolved this initiative into the Creativity Program. This program, designed for creators in the US, UK, Germany, and France, aims to reward longer, high-quality video content.
To be eligible for the Creativity Program, you need to meet specific criteria: a minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 views within the last 30 days. Earnings are calculated based on video views and various engagement metrics, encouraging creators to produce content that truly resonates with their audience. For creators in Italy and Spain, the original TikTok Creator Fund may still be available, offering a similar avenue for monetization based on content engagement.
2. Reach Millions with Strategic TikTok Ads
TikTok boasts a massive user base, particularly among younger demographics like Gen Z, with a significant portion of 18-29 year olds active on the platform. This makes TikTok advertising an incredibly effective channel for brands targeting this demographic. TikTok ads offer powerful tools to reach your ideal audience through personalized targeting based on age, location, interests, and more.
Several ad formats can be utilized to maximize impact:
- In-feed video ads: Seamlessly integrated into the “For You” page, these ads capture attention within the organic content flow.
- Brand takeover ads: These immersive ads dominate the screen for a few seconds, making a bold initial impression before transitioning into in-feed video formats.
- Hashtag challenge ads: Encourage user-generated content and community engagement by creating branded challenges that appear in TikTok’s Discovery section. (Note: Typically requires collaboration with TikTok sales representatives).
Exploring the diverse TikTok ad formats is crucial to finding the best fit for your brand and marketing objectives.
A screenshot of TikTok
3. Collect Tips and Donations to Support Your Content
TikTok provides direct avenues for fans to support their favorite creators through tipping and virtual gifts. The tipping feature allows viewers to directly send monetary appreciation. Video gifts and Live gifts further enable viewers to send virtual tokens of support, which creators can then convert into TikTok Diamonds and eventually, real currency.
Beyond TikTok’s native features, platforms like Tipeee, Ko-fi, and Buy Me a Coffee can be linked to your TikTok profile, acting as external “tip jars” and providing alternative avenues for fans to contribute directly to your work.
4. Amplify Your Brand with Creator Collaborations
Authenticity reigns supreme on TikTok, and collaborations with content creators offer a potent way to tap into established audiences. Creator collaborations leverage the trust and engagement creators have built with their followers, resulting in branded content that feels organic and impactful. Studies show that creator-made branded content on TikTok achieves significantly higher engagement rates compared to traditional ads.
The TikTok Creator Marketplace serves as a hub to connect brands with relevant creators. This platform allows you to search for influencers based on your business goals, budget, and industry, offering comprehensive data and metrics to guide your collaboration decisions. Eligibility requirements for creators on the Marketplace ensure you are partnering with established and influential TikTok voices.
5. Boost Revenue Through Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing presents a commission-based revenue model where creators promote another company’s products or services. Success in affiliate marketing hinges on promoting products that genuinely resonate with your target audience. Create engaging videos that highlight the value and benefits of affiliate products, sharing trackable links or codes.
While TikTok restricts clickable links in video descriptions for personal accounts, you can strategically guide viewers to copy-paste links or use provided codes. Services like Beacons offer solutions by creating landing pages with multiple affiliate links that can be linked in your TikTok bio (especially beneficial for business accounts). For brands, establishing an affiliate marketing program and inviting relevant TikTok creators can be a highly effective strategy.
6. Strategic Account Growth and Sales
Building a thriving TikTok account organically requires time and consistent effort. For those seeking a shortcut, purchasing established TikTok accounts can provide an immediate follower base. The key to success in selling TikTok accounts lies in focusing on niche topics that are sustainable and appealing to potential buyers.
Buyers, particularly brands, should conduct thorough due diligence. High follower counts without corresponding engagement may not deliver the desired ROI. Platforms like 123accs, Accfarm, and Fameswap facilitate the buying and selling of TikTok accounts.
A screenshot of account listings on Accfarm
7. Monetize Content with Sponsored Posts
Sponsored posts offer a direct route to monetization, especially for smaller activations. Brands pay creators to feature their products or services within organic posts on the creator’s profile. These campaigns can range from single sponsored posts to ongoing series. Trending sponsored content can be further amplified through post boosting for wider reach.
@christinanadinx#Ad My new favourite primer leaving my skin hydrated and glowy @maccosmetics #MACstudioRadiance #TalkPrimerToMe
8. Cultivate Recurring Revenue with Patreon
Patreon provides a membership-based platform for creators to generate recurring revenue from their fanbase. By offering exclusive content and perks to paying members, creators can establish a sustainable income stream. TikTok serves as an effective platform to promote Patreon memberships.
@darastarrtucker#patreon #becomeapatron #patronofthearts #supportcreators #supportcreatorsofcolor #joinmypatreon #creatorsupport @darastarrtucker
Offering tiered subscription levels with varying benefits, and incentivizing sign-ups with exclusive content or merchandise, can encourage Patreon adoption. Make it easy for fans to subscribe by including your Patreon link in your videos and bio.
9. Merchandise Sales: Turn Your Brand into Products
Selling merchandise remains a reliable monetization strategy, extending seamlessly to TikTok. Transform your unique artwork, catchphrases, or brand logos into tangible products. TikTok provides a dynamic platform to showcase merchandise through engaging tutorials, product demonstrations, or by integrating them into trending content 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
Engage your audience directly to understand their merchandise preferences through polls and direct questions. For personal accounts, integrate an e-commerce website to handle sales transactions and promote it consistently on TikTok. TikTok Business accounts can directly integrate platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce for streamlined sales.
10. Establish Your TikTok Shop for Direct Sales
TikTok Shopping, in partnership with Shopify, enables creators and brands to establish official in-app stores. Becoming a TikTok merchant unlocks direct selling capabilities within the TikTok ecosystem.
A screenshot of the TikTok shopping feature.
With a TikTok Shop, you can directly showcase products within in-feed videos, live streams, and dedicated product showcase tabs. Eligible creators can sign up through the TikTok Seller Center to manage inventory, orders, creator collaborations, and promotions directly within TikTok. (Note: Seller Center availability may vary by region).
11. Offer Premium Content Through TikTok Series
TikTok Series, launched in June 2023, provides a dedicated feature for creators to offer exclusive, paywalled content. This allows for deeper monetization through exclusive content offerings.
Creators interested in utilizing TikTok Series need to apply and meet eligibility criteria, including being over 18, having an account older than 30 days, possessing at least 10,000 followers, and demonstrating recent content activity and viewership. Creators with smaller followings but a proven track record of selling premium content elsewhere may also be considered. TikTok Series supports up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long, allowing for in-depth educational content or other valuable series offered at price points ranging from $0.99 to $189.99 per series.
12. Enable Virtual Gifts on Your Videos
Virtual gifts offer another direct monetization method. Viewers who appreciate your content can send virtual gifts as a token of appreciation, which you can then convert to real money.
Enabling the gift option displays a gift box icon on your videos, allowing viewers to easily send gifts. TikTok coin packages are available for purchase, and these coins are used to send virtual gifts ranging in value, providing a tiered system for viewer support.
13. Host Interactive Live Events and Workshops
TikTok Live provides a dynamic platform for real-time engagement and monetization. Similar to video gifts, viewers can send live gifts during live streams. The live gift option appears at the bottom of live videos, offering a wide range of gift values.
A screenshot of live gifts in TikTok
Successful TikTok creators have highlighted the income potential of live streaming, with earnings ranging from modest daily amounts to substantial monthly revenue. Creating engaging, valuable live content encourages viewers to tune in regularly and contribute with virtual gifts.
14. Offer Personalized Shoutouts to Your Audience
For creators with a significant following, offering personalized shoutouts can be a lucrative monetization tactic. TikTok users seeking to grow their own accounts may be willing to pay for shoutouts. Experiment with pricing to find a balance between demand and profitability.
Shoutouts can be delivered during live streams or within regular feed videos, potentially offering tiered pricing for different shoutout formats to cater to varying budgets and preferences.
15. Expand Your Income with Digital Product Sales
Selling digital products offers a scalable and high-margin revenue stream. Create a TikTok Shop to showcase and sell digital products directly. Promote these products within your videos and include your shop URL in your profile for easy access. Digital products can range from e-books and online courses to templates and digital art, catering to diverse audience interests.
Elevate Your TikTok Strategy
These 15 strategies provide a comprehensive roadmap for how to make money on TikTok. To maximize your earning potential, focus on building a strong follower base and consistently creating engaging, high-quality content. Explore resources on how to get more TikTok followers to further amplify your reach and income opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Monetization
How many followers do you need on TikTok to make money?
Follower requirements vary by monetization feature. The Creativity Program requires 10,000 followers, while virtual gifts on Live require 1,000 followers. Tips and gifts on regular videos require a higher threshold of 100,000 followers.
How many views do you need on TikTok to make money?
The Creativity Program requires 100,000 views within the last 30 days. For other monetization methods like product links in videos or bios, there are no specific view requirements.
How do you get paid on TikTok?
Once you meet payment criteria, earnings from programs like the Creativity Program will typically appear in your Creator Fund Dashboard within three days of accumulating views. Access your dashboard via your profile settings under “Creator tools.” Earnings are typically payable 30 days after the month they are earned, with a minimum withdrawal amount of $10, payable to your chosen method, such as PayPal or Zelle.
