How to Make Money on TikTok

TikTok has rapidly become one of the most popular social media platforms, with millions of users creating and sharing short, engaging videos daily. But beyond its entertainment value, TikTok offers numerous opportunities for influencers to earn money. Whether you have a small or large following, understanding how to monetize your content can turn your TikTok hobby into a lucrative career. Let’s explore various strategies for making money on TikTok and provide real-life examples of successful TikTok influencers.

How Do TikTokers Make Money?

TikTokers can make money through several channels, including brand partnerships, the TikTok Creator Fund, live gifts, merchandise sales, and more. Here’s a closer look at these revenue streams:

Brand Partnerships and Sponsored Content

One of the most lucrative ways to make money on TikTok is through brand partnerships and sponsored content. Brands are eager to collaborate with influencers to promote their products or services, leveraging the influencer’s reach and engagement to drive awareness and sales.

Example: Charli D’Amelio rose to fame with her dance videos and has amassed over 140 million followers. She makes money through brand deals, the Creator Fund, and merchandise sales. As one of TikTok’s biggest stars, D’Amelio has partnered with brands like Dunkin’, Morphe Cosmetics, and Hollister. These collaborations involve creating sponsored posts that feature the brand’s products, often with a unique and engaging twist that resonates with her audience.

TikTok Creator Fund

The TikTok Creator Fund is an initiative by TikTok to pay creators for their content based on views and engagement. To be eligible, you need to have at least 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, and meet the platform’s community guidelines.

Example: Spencer X, a popular beatboxer on TikTok, earns money from the Creator Fund by consistently producing high-quality, engaging content that attracts millions of views. His collaborations with brands like Monster Energy and Nickelodeon demonstrate the potential for influencers with unique talents to monetize their content effectively.

Live Gifts and Tips

TikTok users can earn money during live streams through the platform’s gifting feature.

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Followers can purchase coins and send virtual gifts to their favorite creators, which can then be converted into real money.

Example: Bella Poarch, who gained fame for her lip-sync videos, often goes live on TikTok. During these live sessions, her fans send her virtual gifts, which contribute to her earnings. Poarch’s collaboration with brands like HyperX and Fashion Nova showcases how influencers can diversify their revenue sources.

Merchandise Sales

Selling merchandise is another effective way to make money on TikTok. Influencers can create their own branded products and promote them through their videos and bio links.

Example: Addison Rae, a well-known TikTok star, has her own line of merchandise, including clothing and accessories. She promotes these products in her videos, encouraging her followers to purchase them. With over 88 million followers, she earns from brand partnerships, her own makeup line (Item Beauty), and the Creator Fund. She has also ventured into acting and music, expanding her income streams beyond TikTok.

Affiliate Marketing

TikTok influencers can earn commissions by promoting products through affiliate marketing. This involves sharing unique affiliate links in their bio or video descriptions. When followers make a purchase using these links, the influencer earns a commission.

Example: Influencer @alexis_ren often shares beauty and fitness products in her videos, including affiliate links for her followers to purchase these items. She earns a percentage of the sales generated through these links.

Creating and Selling Online Courses

If you have expertise in a particular area, creating and selling online courses can be a profitable venture.

Featured Influencer: Jordan Hornsby
Hi everyone! I am one who can not pin point a simple description for myself, I have many personalities and I always dare to be different! I can notate that I enjoy the vegan/natural lifestyle. I always uphold positive energy, I strive to always do better and better and I am very generous. I have businesses but I am always open to helping others and their businesses as well. There is so much undiscovered talent rather its common or uncommon I truly believe that it should all be shown, there are also many talents people don’t even realize they have! I love to be the one to help unfold that!

TikTok is an excellent platform for promoting these courses, using short videos to showcase your knowledge and drive traffic to your course website.

Example: An influencer with a large following in the fitness niche might create a series of workout plans and sell them through a dedicated website. They can use TikTok to share workout tips and direct followers to purchase the full plans.

Strategies for Small and Large TikTok Followings

While having a large following can open more doors for monetization, TikTokers with smaller followings can also generate significant revenue. Here are strategies tailored to both:

For Small Followings

1. Niche Content: Focus on creating content that caters to a specific niche. Brands often seek micro-influencers with highly engaged audiences in particular niches.

Example: @nate.lives, a micro-influencer specializing in personal finance tips, attracts a dedicated audience interested in money-saving strategies. He partners with finance-related brands for sponsored posts.

2. Engagement Over Numbers: Prioritize engagement over follower count. Brands value influencers who can drive high engagement rates, even with a smaller audience.

Example: A TikToker with 5,000 followers but a high engagement rate can still attract brand deals, especially if their audience is highly interactive and responsive.

3. Affiliate Marketing: Utilize affiliate marketing to earn commissions from product recommendations. This can be particularly effective if you build trust and credibility within your niche.

Example: A beauty influencer with a modest following can promote makeup products through affiliate links, earning commissions on sales.

For Large Followings

1. Diversified Income Streams: Leverage multiple revenue streams, including brand deals, merchandise, and the Creator Fund, to maximize earnings.

Example: @brittany_broski, known for her comedic content, earns from brand partnerships, the Creator Fund, and selling her own merchandise.

2. Premium Content: Offer exclusive content through platforms like Patreon, where followers can pay a subscription fee for access to additional content.

Example: A travel influencer might offer exclusive travel guides and behind-the-scenes footage to subscribers on Patreon.

3. Large-Scale Collaborations: Partner with major brands for large-scale campaigns, leveraging your extensive reach to secure higher-paying deals.

Example: @dixiedamelio collaborates with high-profile brands for significant campaigns, earning substantial revenue from these partnerships.

Putting it all Together

Getting paid on TikTok requires a strategic approach and understanding the various monetization methods available. Whether you have a small or large following, opportunities abound to turn your TikTok presence into a profitable venture. By focusing on niche content, engaging with your audience, leveraging brand partnerships, and exploring diverse income streams, you can successfully navigate the world of TikTok monetization.

TikTok users can join Intellifluence for free and post custom TikTok offers. Additionally, brands can collaborate with Intellifluence influencers and send them pitches. As an Intellifluence TikTok influencer, you will keep all of your earnings and there are no fees for using our service – ever! Successful TikTok influencers like Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, Bella Poarch, and Spencer X illustrate the potential for earning significant revenue through creative and consistent content creation. With dedication and strategic planning, you too can discover how to get paid on TikTok and transform your passion into a sustainable career.