How to Make Money on TikTok: 20 different ways to monetize your videos
In this post, I’m going to go over 20 different ways to make money on TikTok. Let’s get to it!
1. Join the TikTok Creator Fund
When you become eligible, you can join the TikTok Creator Fund and start making money directly from TikTok. Your earnings depend on racking up views and keeping your audience engaged. On average, TikTok pays out $0.20–$0.40 for every 1,000 views.
TikTok also launched its TikTok Creator Academy in early 2023, which is even more profitable (potentially ten times more) mainly because the program encourages longer videos.
2. Publish Sponsored Posts
The bread and butter for many TikTok creators is sponsored content. Brands will pay you to feature their products and services in your videos, giving you a cut of the marketing spend. You don't need to be a mega-influencer, either. Even smaller brands are willing to pay well for the chance to get in front of loyal, engaged micro-communities.
You can reach out to brands or wait for them to contact you once you've built up a sizable following.
3. Sell Your Merch
Got a knack for design? Catchy catchphrases? Memorable logos? Turn your personal brand into a merchandising empire by creating your own products. Show them off in tutorials or alongside trending content to spark interest from your fans who can't get enough of your unique style and personality.
4. Try Affiliate Marketing
You don't need to be a merchant to cash in on TikTok. Affiliate marketing allows you to earn a commission by promoting other companies' products and services. Share affiliate links in your bio or videos, then sit back and collect a percentage of any sales you drive.
5. Start a Patreon Account
Platforms like Patreon give you the opportunity to earn money through fan memberships where you can offer exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage, custom videos, merchandise, and more for your most loyal followers. Keep your subscription fees low to attract new patrons and reward them with can't-miss bonus content. Don't forget to use TikTok to promote your Patreon and drive sign-ups.
6. Set up a TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop brings the popular social shopping experience directly into the app. Brands can tag products in their videos, complete with product details and a checkout flow that keeps users engaged. Load up your Shopify catalogs, give your TikTok store a shoutout, and turn your audience into customers with just a few taps.
7. Run TikTok Ads
Relying solely on organic views and traffic is a surefire way to stunt your growth on TikTok. If you want more followers, website clicks, or e-commerce purchases, TikTok's rapidly improving ad platform has got you covered. Run in-feed video ads, spark branded hashtag challenges, utilize their powerful interest and behavioral targeting capabilities, and more to get your message amplified.
8. Become a Brand Ambassador
Even more lucrative than one-off sponsored posts, brand ambassadors enter into longer-term partnerships with companies. In exchange for consistent promotion through a set number of videos and posts, you'll earn a steady paycheck and enjoy free products. Scout brands that align with your niche and values, then check their website for ambassador program details.
9. Receive Donations Through Live Gifting
Going live on TikTok gives your followers the opportunity to show their appreciation by sending you real money in the form of coin donations. Focus on delivering ridiculous value and entertainment, and the gifts will start rolling in. Just don't ask for them directly.
To start live streaming, you'll need at least 1,000 followers and to be 16 or older. However, you must be 18+ to cash out any gift points received.
10. Build and Sell TikTok Accounts
A unique hustle for the truly skilled audience builders out there: growing popular TikTok accounts from scratch with the sole intention of flipping them for profit. Many businesses are desperate to buy their way into taking advantage of TikTok's cultural cachet but don't have the expertise or patience to do it themselves. If you can identify and dominate a specific niche, there's money to be made acting as an account broker.
11. Partner With Other Creators
Collaborating with complementary creators allows you to cross-promote to each other’s audiences in an authentic, non-salesy way. Look for potential partners who share your niche and values but don’t directly compete with you. Then, work together on brand integrations, product placements, account shoutouts, and more to capitalize on the engagement upside while growing together.
12. Collect Tips
Particularly popular among younger audiences, creators are increasingly leveraging digital tipping platforms like Venmo, Buy Me a Coffee, and Tipeee to monetize their loyal followings. Be transparent that your content creation is a labor of love, and simply ask fans to chip in if they enjoy what you produce and want to support your ability to create more. Small recurring donations can really add up.
13. Sell Digital Products
In addition to physical merchandise, consider packaging up your expertise and selling digital goods. E-books, online courses, downloadable templates or tools, premium videos, and other virtual offerings can bring in passive income from your TikTok audience. Just make sure you’re providing legitimately valuable and high-quality products related to your established area of authority.
14. Offer Premium Content
TikTok’s Series feature allows you to paywall exclusive bonus content only available to subscribers. Give fans a taste through your regular videos, then deliver even more through premium Series episodes packed with advanced tips, behind-the-scenes extras, and other can’t-miss material that justifies the added cost.
15. Offer Personalized Shoutouts
As your TikTok fame grows, you can start selling personalized shoutout videos where you give a quirky birthday wish, pump up a friend or family member, or simply give a fan their 15 seconds of fame. Set and test different price points, promote shoutouts through your other channels, and use TikTok to drive traffic to your booking flow.
16. Find Clients Through TikTok
For freelancers, consultants, and service providers, TikTok presents a unique opportunity to showcase your expertise and attract new clients organically. Share insightful tips, advice, or behind-the-scenes looks related to your field. As you build an engaged following, make sure to promote your available services and drive viewers to your website or booking platform.
17. Do a Wardrobe Cleanout
Why let those gently used clothing items, pieces of furniture, or knick-knacks collect dust? TikTok has emerged as a surprising hotspot for product discovery. Show off your underutilized goods through styling videos or simple clothing hauls, then include details on how viewers can purchase the items directly from you.
18. Start Your Own Brand
For the entrepreneurially inclined, there’s no better way to maximize your TikTok influence than launching your own product line or branded merchandise. With an existing captive audience, you’ll have a head start promoting items that authentically align with the personality and values you’ve already cultivated on the platform.
19. Become a Consultant
The fake gurus are a dime a dozen, but creators who’ve legitimately cracked the code of TikTok success can spin that into a lucrative consulting business. Whether it’s content creation, paid advertising, community building, e-commerce, or any other relevant expertise, there’s no shortage of brands and businesses desperate for guidance in mastering this new frontier.
20. Drive TikTok Traffic to Your Site
While TikTok offers myriad monetization avenues, the real money is often offsite. Use your viral videos as top-of-funnel awareness plays, consistently driving viewers to your owned website, e-commerce storefront, or other primary revenue streams. TikTok’s strength is discoverability—capitalize on that visibility by converting casual scrollers into loyal customers and fans.
How to Make Money on TikTok FAQ
Pinning down an exact average income for content creators is tricky, as earnings can fluctuate wildly depending on audience size and engagement levels. However, let’s dive into some real numbers to get a better sense of the potential earnings in this field.
Can You Make Money on TikTok?
Yes, you can make money on TikTok through various methods like joining the TikTok Creator Fund, publishing sponsored content, selling merchandise, affiliate marketing, subscriptions via Patreon or channel memberships, offering personalized shoutouts or consultations, and leveraging your following to drive traffic to your own products or services.
How Much Does TikTok Pay?
TikTok pays creators through its Creator Fund program, which averages around $0.20-$0.40 per 1,000 views on a video. However, earnings can vary substantially based on factors like view count, engagement levels, location, and your overall influence on the platform.
How Many Views on TikTok to Get Paid
There is no set minimum number of views required to get paid on TikTok. Once you join the Creator Fund program and meet its eligibility criteria, you start earning from the very first view. However, hitting at least 10,000-100,000 views is generally needed to earn any meaningful income.
How Much Does TikTok Pay Per 1000 Views?
On average, TikTok pays around $0.20-$0.40 per 1,000 views through its Creator Fund program. However, this rate can fluctuate based on factors like your location, video engagement, content niche, and overall presence on the platform.
How Much Money Do You Get on TikTok for 1 Million Views?
If we take TikTok’s average payout of $0.20-$0.40 per 1,000 views, a video with 1 million views could earn you anywhere from $200 to $400 through the Creator Fund program alone. Of course, this income can be supplemented by other monetization strategies like brand deals, merchandise sales, and more.
Final Thoughts
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