- Lena Sernoff
- Mar 23
- 15 min read
Instagram went from an app for millennials sharing photos of their morning coffee and cute dogs to one of the most recognizable and monetized social platforms. In recent years, we've seen TikTok follow suit.
And despite the latest headlines, TikTok continues to be a launch pad for many creators and small businesses. If you're looking to cash in on the app, there are a few different paths you can consider taking. We’ve narrowed down the possibilities to eight main options, but even within each one lies a world of creative monetization opportunities.
For all options, we recommend creating an eCommerce website or landing page to give potential customers more information than your bio can hold (but more on this later). Keep reading for more ideas on how to make money on TikTok.
How to make money on TikTok in 10 ways
01. Link to your website or other platform
The classic way to monetize your TikTok account is to create a website and direct traffic to it via a link in your bio (note: tools like Hopp provide a space where you can promote multiple links at once).
You can use this type of TikTok marketing to direct followers to eCommerce stores, portfolio, a monetized YouTube channel or affiliate site. No matter what you choose, be sure to highlight something valuable from your site in your videos and bio to entice people to click. Instead of just saying, "Check out my website," make it more engaging with a playful hook like "Warning: Addictive content inside ⬇️" or a hard-to-refuse offer like "Join my 7-day challenge—free access here!"
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02. Partner with brands
It's no secret that many brands are foaming at the mouth for a good influencer marketing campaign. If you'd like to catch their eye, focus on a building a distinct collection of unsponsored content.
Establish your niche and a consistent content style—just like sound effects artist Josh Harmon did before partnering with Wix. Having a clearly defined style can help you attract the right brand partnerships and produce sponsored content that feels natural rather than forced.
Remember to engage with your followers regularly, jump on trends and occasionally tag brands in your videos—sometimes, that’s all it takes to get on their radar. Once you’ve built a solid following, put together a media kit showcasing your stats and audience demographics. Start pitching yourself to brands you genuinely love and show them why you’re a good match.
Check out our guide for more ways to use TikTok for business.
03. Join TikTok's Creator Rewards Program
The Creator Rewards Program is TikTok's way of helping you make money while promoting creativity. Here's the gist of how it works:
You make videos that meet certain requirements
The more people who watch and engage with your videos, the more rewards you can earn
TikTok calculates your earnings based on qualified views and RPM (or rewards per 1,000 qualified views)
To join the program, you must:
Be in a country where the program is available
Have a good record on TikTok, following all the rules
Have a personal account (business and political or government accounts are not eligible for this program)
Be at least 18 years old (19 in South Korea)
Have at least 10,000 followers
Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
Post videos that are original, high quality and at least one minute long
You can apply for the Creator Rewards Program directly from your account following these steps. Note that the program only rewards original content, not duets, Stitch videos or videos involving another creator's content.
04. Earn money as a TikTok Shop Creator
Promote your favorite products on TikTok—and get paid for doing so. By joining as an official TikTok Shop Creator (a.k.a. "affiliate"), you can earn commissions by featuring and selling products directly in your videos.
You'll want to read through TikTok Shop's content policies carefully and ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. Basic requirements include:
You must be at least 18 years old
Have a minimum of 5,000 followers
Not be a Government, Politician or Political Party Account (GPPPA)
Have no prior record of having eCommerce permissions revoked by TikTok Shop or share similar login information with such accounts
You can submit an application through your TikTok profile page. Once accepted into the program, you'll be able to add product links to your videos. You'll additionally gain access to other perks, such as the Shoppable Video Hub and the Creator Product Marketplace.
05. Sell your own products
If you're looking to start your own brand, you can sell your products directly through TikTok by opening up a TikTok Shop in the Seller Center. TikTok Shop puts your products in front of an already engaged audience. Meanwhile, shoppers can purchase your products without ever leaving the platform. Plus, with TikTok’s affiliate program, other creators can tag your products and promote them in their videos, making sales feel more natural and engaging.
Once you create a TikTop Shop, you can promote your products via LIVE shopping, shoppable videos, a Shop page (which is accessible from your profile) and the Shop Tab (TikTok's marketplace). You can also link your products from a TikTok's ads campaign, which lets you run native ads on users' feeds.
Before choosing this option, do some research into your target market to understand the types of products they'll be open to finding on TikTok. If you're new to selling, you can try your hand at dropshipping or entertain print-on-demand services. You can look into Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) as well, if you'd like help with warehousing, packing and shipping products.
06. Offer coaching or consulting
If you're already savvy with social media, consider opening up your social media marketing services to other users. Take a page from Elise Darma, a marketing consultant who shares useful social media marketing tips for businesses on TikTok.
The reality is that many brands struggle to navigate TikTok and don't know where to start. In other cases, some highly creative users go viral overnight but struggle to turn their newfound success into sustainable income.
If you know how to create content strategies, liaise with other creators and optimize content, then use your channel to demonstrate your knowledge. Work as a TikTok account manager for someone else or invite followers to participate in workshop and/or personalized coaching sessions. You could even offer a low-cost digital product, like an eBook, templates or subscription-based content.
Discover the latest trends in video marketing with these video marketings statistics.
07. Collect Gifts on TikTok
Just like in real life, your followers can choose to send you gifts to express their appreciation. To send a Gift, viewers must buy Coins and then gift them on For You or LIVE videos. These Gifts allow you, the creator, to accumulate Diamonds, which can translate to real income.
To turn on video gifts, you must meet certain requirements:
Be in a location where Video Gifts or LIVE Gifts are available
Be 18 years of age or older (or 19 in South Korea)
Have an account in good standing that adheres to the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service
Have a personal account (business accounts and public interest accounts are not eligible for this program)
For LIVE Gifts, be eligible to go LIVE
For Video Gifts, have at least 10,000 followers and an account that is at least 30 days old
For Video Gifts, have published a public video in the last 30 days
It's estimated that 1,000 diamonds are worth $5. Generally the more followers you have, the more likely it is that you'll receive diamonds. That being said, you'll want to offer something in return—like a special collaboration with another creator or real-time interaction with your viewers.
08. Offer premium paid content
Many creators use platforms like Patreon to offer exclusive content to their most dedicated fans. This could include things like behind-the-scenes footage, early access to new content or even personalized messages. You get to set your own prices for this type of premium content, and fans can subscribe for a monthly fee.
TikTok offers a similar, native solution called Series, which allows you to post premium content behind a paywall. Series can include a collection of up to 80 videos that are each 30 seconds to 20 minutes long—and just like with other premium content, you can set your own price.
Offering premium content is a great way to generate additional revenue from your longer form videos and get closer with your followers. To take advantage of Series, you must:
Be at least 18 years old (or 19 in South Korea)
Have an account that's been active for at least 30 days
Use a public personal or business Account (political and private accounts aren’t eligible)
Have posted 3 or more public videos in the past 30 days
Have at least 10,000 followers (though there are exceptions to this if you meet the other requirements)
Have gained 1,000 or more views in the last 30 days
Post original content
Have an account in good standing that adheres to the Community Guidelines
09. Run TikTok ads
Running TikTok ads is an effective way to expand your reach and connect with your target audience. With TikTok’s Ads Manager, you can easily create engaging campaigns to promote your products, services or grow your brand. Choose from a variety of options like in-feed ads, branded hashtag challenges or TopView ads, which instantly capture attention when users open the app. These adaptable formats let you align your strategy with your goals and budget.
TikTok ads are designed to feel natural on the platform, blending seamlessly with organic content. Start by creating short, captivating videos that grab attention in the first few seconds. Track your campaign metrics like click-through rates and conversions to understand what works and optimize your strategy. Even small businesses and first-time marketers can achieve measurable results with TikTok ads.
Sync your product catalog on Wix with your TikTok ad campaigns—simply download the TikTok Ads app from the Wix App Market.
10. Offer personalized shoutouts
Personalized shoutouts are another great way to connect with your audience while generating income. Whether it’s celebrating a milestone, giving advice or simply thanking fans, shoutouts create meaningful, one-on-one interactions. TikTok’s built-in features make it easy to offer shoutouts and handle requests.
To get started, decide on the type of shoutouts you want to offer and set a price that’s fair for you and your fans. Promote this service in your bio and videos so your audience knows it’s available. Each shoutout should reflect your unique personality, keeping fans excited and engaged.
For creators who actively connect with their followers, this can be an organic way to grow your revenue while strengthening your community. It’s a simple, authentic step toward building deeper relationships with your audience.
How much does TikTok pay?
Before growing a TikTok account, you might want to know how much you can expect to earn on the platform. Here are some of today’s highest earners on TikTok:
Addison Rae reportedly earned $8.5 million from TikTok in 2021 alone. You might remember the early days, when Addison was best known for her dancing videos. Now, she flaunts a fat contract with Netflix, her own skincare line, brand deals, music and more.
Charli D'Amelio can add Broadway and Dancing with the Stars to her resume. She ended 2024 with $23.5 million across all of her ventures, according to Forbes—with an estimated 30-50% of those total earnings coming from TikTok.
Zach King is known for his YouTube and Vine videos, but the internet personality capitalized on TikTok’s video format and now earns around $53,000 from TikTok. His most popular TikTok, which earned 2 billion views, is estimated to have totaled $14,000. Zach's slick video editing skills have landed him deals with companies like PlayStation and Credit Karma, plus television appearances.
Plenty of other creators earn a living from TikTok, but don’t expect to pocket millions right away. Your financial success on the platform depends on your monetization strategy, as well as your posts and following (check out our guide to learn the best time to post on TikTok). Before being replaced by the Creator Rewards Program (which allegedly pays a higher rate), the Creator Fund paid between $0.02 and $0.04 for every 1,000 views, according to Exploding Topics. The same report found that influencers with 500,000-1,000,000 followers earned between $150-$3,500 for sponsored posts.
How many followers do you need on TikTok to get paid?
There isn’t a specific number of followers you need to get paid. If your audience actively watches, comments on and even recreates your videos, it’s likely you can capitalize on this using the above strategies.
But as mentioned above, if you're interested in participating in programs like the Creator Rewards Program, then 10,000 followers is your magic number. However, if you’re aiming for a more lucrative partnership or influencer marketing opportunity, you’ll want to have at least 100,000 followers.
The Influencer Marketing Hub has a TikTok calculator that estimates how much you can earn based on the number of likes you receive on your videos and your follower count. Naturally, the more followers you have viewing your content, the more you can earn.
How hard is it to make money on TikTok?
Viral videos might get millions of views, but they won’t make you rich. TikTok’s Creator Fund? It pays pennies per thousand views. Brand deals? They take time, a huge following and serious effort. Other income sources like live gifts or affiliate marketing require trust, consistent work and constant grinding. It’s no surprise many creators deal with burnout, algorithm changes and unstable payouts.
Making money on TikTok takes more than just trends and dancing. You need a solid strategy—selling products, creating standout content and building partnerships. But TikTok’s unpredictable nature, strict guidelines and risks like shadowbans or demonetization make it a tricky platform to rely on long-term. To stay ahead, diversifying your income stream is essential for building something sustainable.
Why TikTok monetization isn’t as easy as it seems
Low creator fund earnings: TikTok pays very little per view, making it tough to earn a decent income.
Unpredictable algorithm: Going viral isn’t guaranteed and engagement can drop without warning.
High competition for brand deals: Only creators with solid engagement levels land sponsorships.
Live gifting requires constant streaming: You need to stream often to maintain a steady income.
Strict content moderation: Videos can get demonetized, removed or accounts shadowbanned.
Short content lifespan: TikTok pushes new content, so older videos stop earning quickly.
Monetization rules keep changing: TikTok’s policies shift often, making it tricky to plan for consistent income.
Building trust for sales takes time: Selling products or using affiliate links relies on audience loyalty.
Engagement burnout: The pressure to post regularly can be exhausting.
TikTok shop takes a cut of sales: The platform charges fees when you sell products, which reduces profits.
TikTok money moves: insider tips
Post consistently but be strategic: Posting regularly helps TikTok see you as an active creator but quality beats quantity. Focus on engaging content that resonates. In beauty? Skip random makeup looks—track what gets views and lean into tutorials, transformations or product hacks that perform. Check TikTok Analytics to spot trends and adjust. Batch-create videos to stay ahead—film a few at once so you’re not scrambling to post daily.
Hook viewers in the first three seconds: TikTok’s algorithm loves watch time, so if people scroll past your video right away, it won’t do well. Grab attention with a strong hook. Skip “Hey guys, today I’m going to talk about...” and start with something bold, like “This $5 product clears acne overnight—here’s how!” Use quick cuts, text overlays and eye-catching visuals to keep viewers watching.
Connect and captivate: TikTok rewards engagement—more comments, likes and shares mean wider promotion. Focus on connecting with your audience. Reply to comments with video responses, ask questions in captions to spark conversations and encourage stitches or duets to reach new viewers. Building an interactive community makes TikTok more likely to push your content, helping you grow and monetize faster.
Transform your bio into a sales-driving machine: Your TikTok bio is a powerful way to drive traffic and sales, so keep it clear and compelling. Let followers know what you offer (e.g. “Helping creators grow on TikTok”), add a call to action (e.g. “Shop my top picks below!”) and use a link-in-bio tool like Linktree, Beacons or TikTok’s built-in link to direct followers to your products, services or affiliate links. Make it easy for followers to click and buy.
Balance trends with evergreen content: Trends can get you quick exposure but fade fast. Evergreen content helps you build a loyal, lasting audience. To grow, mix in content that stays relevant over time. In fitness, skip just trendy challenges and focus on tips like "Best core exercises for beginners" or "3 mistakes ruining your squats"—topics people will keep searching for. In fashion, balance outfit trends with timeless style advice.
Treat TikTok like a business: To start making money on TikTok, treat it like a brand not a hobby. Use TikTok Analytics to track what works, test content like tutorials, challenges or storytelling and diversify your income streams.
Master TikTok’s algorithm to stay visible: TikTok’s algorithm is constantly evolving but some things remain important. High watch time helps boost your reach while comments, shares and duets improve visibility. Posting regularly keeps you on the algorithm’s radar. The more engaging your content, the more TikTok will share it with new users.
Balance virality with building a legacy: Going viral can give you a quick boost in views but it doesn’t lead to lasting success. To make consistent income, focus on building a recognizable brand. Stick to a niche and consistent content style, use the same fonts, colors and editing style to boost brand recognition and share a clear message—funny, educational or inspirational.
Work smarter and thrive longer: Creating daily TikTok content can be tiring but you don’t have to wear yourself out. Save time by batch-creating videos in one session, repurposing old content with fresh edits and using TikTok scheduling tools to plan ahead.
Stick to TikTok’s rules and stay ban-free: Many creators lose accounts by unknowingly breaking TikTok guidelines. To stay safe, avoid misleading claims (especially for product promos), violating community guidelines like explicit content, or spammy tactics like “comment 10 times to win.” If flagged, your account could get shadowbanned, lowering views, or even permanently banned.
Monetize across multiple income streams: To make the most money on TikTok, don’t stick to just one approach—mix it up with multiple revenue streams. Earn through brand deals, affiliate marketing, live gifts, selling your own products and TikTok Creator Rewards. Diversifying your income helps you stay secure if one method slows down.
Stay adaptable as TikTok evolves: TikTok is always rolling out new features, giving early adopters a big advantage. Recent updates include TikTok Shop, a tool for selling products, TikTok Series which lets creators sell premium content and algorithm updates that can impact content performance. Creators who adapt to these changes can stay ahead and boost their monetization efforts.
How to make money on TikTok FAQ
Can I make money on TikTok?
Yes, you can make money on TikTok. However, it's important to note that you won't get rich overnight. It takes time, effort, and a lot of hard work to build a successful TikTok account that can generate significant income.