SocialTikTok ranks 5th among global apps and 1st regarding non-Meta apps with 3.5 billion downloads. With over a billion active users monthly, it is considered a “new gold mine” for influencers or anyone looking to monetize available online resources.
So how to make money on TikTok? There are many opportunities to increase your earnings with simple yet well-planned strategies. Scroll down to discover how content creators can exploit their abilities and hit the jackpot.
Can You Make Money On TikTok?
The quick answer is YES.
Despite being a latecomer in the battle between social media platforms, TikTok monetization strategies look as familiar as those on Instagram or Facebook. However, it requires more creativity to set yourself apart from opponents.
Whether you are an influencer or a casual user, you can take advantage of the opportunities available and gain extra income. One thing is for sure: There is always at least one method to benefit from your account.
Unlike other social networks, TikTok provides good support for new and inexperienced content creators from the start. That’s how you get into the game and fight!
How To Make Money On TikTok – 16 Proven Strategies
Enroll In TikTok Rewards
TikTok Reward is a referral program that offers outstanding benefits to participants. It does not pose any barriers to entry with simple requirements. Hence, it is considered the best way to make money even if you do not have any followers.
What this program asks for:
- Head to your TikTok profile and copy your exclusive referral link.
- Send it to your acquaintances and invite your friends who have never used the platform before to join through your link.
- When they successfully create their accounts, the rewards run into your pocket.
TikTok also launches random events or tasks (e.g., watching videos) on the activity page. The more you complete, the more rewards accrue. Users then convert their fortune into real-time benefits regulated by TikTok.
Go Live
Have you ever heard of TikTok Coins? As the name suggests, it is the official currency used in the app. Then how to own? Users can buy as much as they want and exchange them for real money.
It is pointless to do it yourself, though. Instead, expect to receive donations from people who fall in love with your content. Simply put, you go live on TikTok with interesting topics to attract as many audiences as possible.
These people may send gifts or diamonds if they appreciate your broadcasts. After that, you can convert these items to cash and withdraw through payment partners such as PayPal.
As a flexible approach to monetizing and engaging with your fans, there are many ideas to organize your live streams, such as unboxing, traveling, game walk-throughs, or reporting. For instance, do not hesitate to negotiate with a coffee shop to advertise their services while walking around.
On the downside, retaining viewers isn’t easy if your goal focuses on product promotion only. The absence of an analytics system also makes it hard to measure the conversion rate. The effectiveness of this method for small sellers is still ambiguous.
Besides, not all content creators could carry out this strategy. TikTok sets out strict regulations in controlling live broadcasts, including:
- You must be at least 16 to go live and 18 to receive the gifts.
- You must have at least 1,000 followers.
- Active solicitation of gifts violates TikTok’s community guidelines. The donation should be voluntary and organic.
Join The Creator Fund
Founded in July 2020, the Creative Fund encourages participants to unleash their creativity and spread inspirational ideas. This noble purpose quickly gained traction, and the initial investment jumped from 200 million USD to 1 billion USD in just 1 week.
In simple terms, this program is considered a pool of money that TikTok distributes to content creators based on their great efforts.
You must register to participate in this campaign by tapping on Account Settings > Creator Tools. Under “Creator Next,” click on “Creator Fund.” There is no limit on the number of participants, as long as you are qualified. Check all the boxes below to validate your application:
- Be a legal resident of the UK, USA, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain
- At least 18 years old
- Have a minimum of 10,000 followers
- All your videos in the last 30 days have attracted at least 100,000 views
- Have a valid TikTok account that ensures compliance with the Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
You can choose between “Informative Content” and “Live Broadcasts” programs. Besides the fundamentals, content creators need to achieve these following monthly goals:
| Informative Content | Live Broadcasts |
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The platform then verifies your eligibility and delivers the prizes to the qualified participants the following month. Those who fail to meet the terms have the opportunity to reapply.
So how much should you expect to earn? It is not straightforward to answer. TikTok has made it clear that their payouts involve several factors:
- How you meet basic requirements and general goals
- Number of the published content
- The number of views and their authenticity (it means your videos get interested from real accounts, not fake bots)
- Engagement rate (comments, shares, and likes)
Don’t expect too much, though.
Keira Jones (@thekeirajones), a TikToker from Phoenix, confessed that she only earns coffee money – a few cents or dollars a day through this program. “Unless you’re rushing or publishing a viral video, this fund is not your main source of income,” she said. Though the cash figure is not much, seeing your efforts pay off is gratifying, anyway.
Take Advantage Of TikTok Ads
Besides organic marketing, TikTok Ads is a must-have tool for businesses who are willing to pay more for greater effectiveness. Some prominent perks include expanded reach, increased engagement, and higher sales and profits.
You can implement this strategy at multiple levels, such as in-feed image ads, brand hashtag, or TopView full-screen takeover. Another suggestion is to insert your TikTok account as the top channel in the SMS or email promotional campaign.
Paid ads often appear in the “For You” section of the user interface and play as regular content. Your payment ensures the video reaches a potential audience who can afford the highest conversion rate.
Those basic features give TikTok a huge competitive edge in boosting the growth of brands. Businesses are no longer unfamiliar with this form of marketing, but individual content creators have not paid due attention to it. You should know it is a moderate product promotion without disturbing the buyers.
Join The Tiktok Creator Marketplace
As another great user support launching in 2020, the TikTok Creator Marketplace is an exchange connecting brands and creators. In other words, the sponsor and the recipient both benefit from this tool.
By entering this market, the platform gives you precise directions to grow your profile in the current niche. The created content becomes more valuable to serve a specific audience group, thereby building your reputation in the community.
You are trusted by relevant brands to speak for their products as a result. Such a partnership lays the groundwork for higher levels of coordination as content sponsorships or brand ambassadors. To be a part of this promising market as an influencer, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Attract more than 10,000 followers
- Publish 3 videos in the last 28 days that get at least 100,000 likes
- More than 18 years old
On the business side, TikTok Creator Marketplace first builds bridges with trusted creators for marketing campaigns. It reduces access barriers so that marketers quickly connect with influencers and develop a win-win relationship.
The best part is that TikTok launches a built-in analytics tool to narrow the search and increase efficiency. Specifically, corporate marketers can access a vast and detailed trove of data, such as content growth trends in niches, a summary of a potential creator, core metrics, and creative tendencies of a specific profile, etc.
This way, businesses can identify the right accounts that add value to certain campaigns and overall brand image.
This is also how Peace Out Skincare – a startup owned by Enrico Frezza, markets its products to consumers and generates 15,000 sales daily. The founder connected with micro-influencers who struggle with acne and pores and sent them free products.
The key selling point here is “the right type of engagement” – the chosen people feel genuine and confident to share their honest feedback and interact with their followers.
In the end, Frezza’s efforts were paid in full. A viral video with over 12 million views cleared his inventory for 6 months in just 3 weeks. Enrico is surprised by TikTok’s sales boost compared to other platforms. “With TikTok, as things trend, they can be trending for six months to a year,” he shared.
This feature is well worth your investment as you only need to make every effort once, and your content goes a long way before reaching its final destination.
Act As A Tiktok Consultant
You do not need a large fanbase to make money from TikTok. Instead, use your creative mind to build wise strategies and sell them to others. This labor market has never cooled down in recent years. There are many positions to develop your strengths as a TikTok scriptwriter, influencer manager, account manager, or brand consultant.
Depending on your desired career path, you can provide services in various ways. For example, act as an intermediary connecting your customers with brands if you have amassed a wide network of contacts in the current market.
As you work for individuals, the job description may include scripting to optimize engagement and managing other content creation fields. Your support makes a lot of sense for influencers who do not have time or knowledge to get the best results.
Businesses are also a large potential customer fragment to consider, even though they often have a marketing team already. The explosive development of TikTok leads them to channel a separate budget for outsourcing to diversify or differentiate marketing ideas on this channel.
Some corporate clients aim to increase brand awareness, while others want you to stay active most of the time to engage with their existing followers.
Anyway, reach and growth are the clearest metrics for your competence. These proofs also help to strengthen your credibility and profile. Once you get the community’s trust, you can earn up to $150,000 a year.
Stream TikTok Video On Other Apps
This job does not happen directly on TikTok, but its resources play a major role. Third parties allow you to monetize by watching TikTok content. Some partners may ask participants to summarize the main points, whereas others are willing to pay based on the completed videos.
On the bright side, you can find many legitimate platforms to start, such as Zynn, Coinbase, Swagbucks, etc. The idea behind these apps is that TikTok creators often yearn for proper ways to boost views on their accounts. If you often browse interesting short videos to while away the time, why not do what you love and make money simultaneously?
These apps usually pay in digital currencies or gift cards. Most do not require subscription money or incurring fees. Beware of scams! Plus, it is just a part-time job since you do not usually make too much money.
Promote Paid Audio
A TikTok video is more than just visual content; creativity reaches a new height with effects and music. Viewers are no longer unaccustomed with dancing or transformation trends on different tracks. And it’s always your chance to get rich!
Music producers do not hesitate to pay you to get their new products on your famous channel. All you need to do is combine music into your video and expose it to more listeners. When your video goes viral, the influence of the song also increases. That means more downloads or concert tickets for the musician or singer.
This little-known idea also applies when you are an aspiring artist. Feel free to use TikTok and promote your artwork. Chances are your catchy beat will become the talk of the town one day.
Affiliate Marketing
Old but gold! Let’s say you have a fair number of viewers and a steady engagement rate; it is the best condition to become an affiliate marketer. In detail, you place links that lead your followers to the products requested by your partner in your posts.
You receive an amount corresponding to the agreed commission rate for each successful purchase. If you’ve established a considerable fanbase and credibility, don’t be surprised if well-known brands reach out to you for affiliate marketing.
You can insert affiliate links in many positions like bio, post description or comment below your videos. Another idea is to direct traffic to an aggregator site that contains more specific information (e.g., discount codes, extra links, etc.)
Publish Sponsored Content
As part of influencer marketing, brands seek content creators to publish sponsored posts promoting their products or services. This strategy does not work for famous accounts and big corporations only. Small companies still have a similar need for cooperation to increase brand awareness. As long as your voice gains a certain trust from the community, there is always a door open for you!
Depending on the partner, the partnership agreement includes many stages, such as organizing giveaways, promotional posts, unbiased reviews, or videos showcasing key features.
However, it would help if you committed to social ethics so as not to receive negative reactions. This brings you to the key points for long-term effectiveness: Only accept offers from trusted brands relevant to your niche.
Make sure that the sponsored content is not against the main concept on your account. For example, a TikTok channel about vegan cooking would raise suspicion with a promotional post about a pork sandwich shop. Your followers may leave when they get annoyed when their feeds are filled with your salesy and ridiculous posts.
Become Brand Ambassador
Brand ambassadors rank higher in the business and influencer partnership agreement. Your responsibilities still revolve around sponsored content, but it often develops as a long-term commitment.
You will work toward increasing the brand presence in social media to drive sales. In return, you get a salary (similar to a regular job), bonuses, free products, or other attractive deals.
The greater the impact you achieve, the more benefits your title of an ambassador brings you. Besides the material value, you also benefit from expanding your professional network.
Though it seems a long shot to make your profile stand out, plan to build an excellent personal image and earn a reputation now. Being a brand ambassador is a top goal of every influencer since it is a treasure trove.
Charli D’Amelio – a TikTok star – has proved that effort (and a little luck) pays off one day. She joined the platform in 2019 with lip-syncing and dancing videos, but her adaptability to trends took her to the top in less than a year.
Fame quickly came along with many ambassadorial opportunities. For instance, the collaboration with Sabra Hummus in the 2020’s Super Bowl commercial added $1 million to her property. Not just laying her hands on high-value contracts, Charli’s TikTok videos are also more lucrative, estimated to be worth around six figures per post.
Sell Merchandise From Your TikTok Account
Commercializing a TikTok account is not new, but it is uncertain that you have covered all its aspects. What you can develop from this idea:
- Link your established shop to your account
- Use TikTok to promote your brand or product
- Join TikTok Shopping
- Sell merchandise to your fans
Three first options make sense for most content creators, while macro-influencers commonly adopt the remaining method – merch trading. Feel free to combine these measures as long as it is not overselling.
For instance, Luxe Collective, a luxury fashion store in Liverpool, strived to develop a famous TikTok account with a huge fanbase as soon as they noticed its potential popularity. The marketing team has built a social media account to update breaking news and useful tips for high-end fashion.
This directs the audience to their sales page to make a purchase.Their smart move also works wonders for the official Instagram page – one of their core selling sites. Their Instagram followers tripled after the TikTok content rose to fame.
A good example of “the success of merch production” is Julia Roblin – an artist from Winnipeg. She owns a renowned TikTok account known for her illustration of tiny tattoos.
As soon as her popularity spread, she knew that was the prime time for a business. Julia started her online store that served stickers, “tattoo tickets” (pre-designs to show off to your favorite tattooist), and temporary tattoos. She brings her designs to life and sells them to viewers.
Grow And Sell TikTok Accounts
Since it takes time to build a TikTok account, some individuals/brands prefer to buy an existing one from the market for an immediate presence. The biggest benefit of this deal is an increase in organic followers in a particular industry. If you have a talent for developing impressive profiles, that’s how you get in!
The list of potential buyers is longer when you focus on one niche and clearly define the interactive goal. Look for a potential market before diving in. For example, an account about cat GIFs tends to sell slower than one focusing on women’s fashion or cars.
Never turn your trading account into a world of personal shares and secrets. No partner wants their personal/brand image tied to your particular role model or reputation. They always consider the possibility of maintaining the engagement after they have taken over the profile.
Collect “Tips”
This approach works similarly to tipping jars at street concerts. You open a platform where your fans contribute as much as they want at any time. It means you do not need a specific project or idea to get support. You can raise funds to keep your account active or the continuous content flow. Some viewers just “tip” you since they love what you’ve created. And that’s it!
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a form of donation but on a larger scale. The main difference with the strategy above is that the person in charge often sets up a specific project. You can also develop a financial goal to turn your idea into reality and organize fundraising events.
Depending on the type of funding you are looking for, you should have a detailed plan for implementing relevant activities. For instance, if you are in need of resources for your startup, you can raise capital through pre-orders and take the proceeds as your initial investment.
Show Your Expertise And Attract New Clients
Your knowledge and experience are the most sustainable source of wealth. Not just limited to TikTok management, nothing could stop you from becoming a consultant in your industry.
First, you should demonstrate your abilities through expert content. People interested in your field are drawn to it, and then your name comes out on top whenever they need help with related matters.
This is exactly how Connie Rietdyk (@conniegooglequeen) makes 80% of her income. She has been a website designer for years and gained expertise in search engine optimization as a side job.
During unemployment, she leveraged TikTok to deliver business tips for SEO. Some of her viewers later became real-life customers and paid a huge sum of money to access her services.
Tips To Get Higher Income
Know Your Audience
Start by asking why people should follow your account. What sets your content apart from the rest – entertainment or expertise? The answers help you define your customer base and respond to their needs. Satisfying a specific audience group is more effective than publishing random videos.
Develop Your Profile
As a creator, your profile is the “opening page in a book,” determining whether your target audience and partners should go the extra mile with you. Besides transparency in the basics, you should pay attention to the engagement metrics of your account.
A large community of followers is your biggest advantage in making money. You can achieve this through basic marketing and production principles, but extra interactions result in faster and stronger impact.
Go live sometimes, respond to comments, reward your fans, and send your appreciation with video shout-outs. Your sincere expression is your supporters’ soft spot, and they will be more likely to stay with you longer.
Produce Consistent Content
Shape your style, and be patient! Being a “one-hit-wonder” never brings you long-term wealth. If you maintain a consistent tone, the people who love your standard content are always excited for the sequels and stay with your account. They can also help to recommend your profile to people with similar interests.
You may switch to different niches to spice things up, but it shouldn’t be too often. This tip especially makes sense for business TikTok accounts where managers don’t want to distract buyers’ attention with other useless things.
For instance, Partly Sunny Projects is a botanical distributor from California. Founder Sonja Detrinidad has used TikTok as a promotional tool for her brand by producing content around gardening. Her channel only focuses on topics that Sonja knows viewers will like for sure to increase conversion rates. Just imagine some day, she keeps uploading mix-and-match fashion videos. Her audience will surely turn their back on her.
Be Authentic And Fun
Remember that viewers have become smarter and more alert. Don’t spread false or flattering information, especially when you produce sponsored content. Your genuine experience with a service or product contributes to your credibility in the niche.
After all, people come to TikTok mostly for entertainment purposes. Hence, it is best to deliver authentic, appealing, and positive content only. Users rarely scroll back to a sad or dark video in their leisure time.
Conclusion
How to make money on TikTok? As you have seen, there are many ways to make money from this platform. However, the work requires effort and creativity (sometimes even luck) to become a star.
Most of the ideas above cannot guarantee a steady income because it depends on your reputation. It takes time and patience!
Fortunately, Leading’s Tik Tok marketing service comes to streamline this process. Our professional advertising is committed to bringing your content to 800+ million TikTok active users each month. Give it a try today!
