How To Start Earning Money On TikTok

Starting a TikTok account? You may be wondering how to turn your creative content into a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time income stream.

TikTok's massive user base and high engagement rates make it an attractive platform for monetizing your talents and passions. But where do you begin?

With the right strategies and tools, earning money on TikTok is more accessible than you might think. This guide will walk you through the essentials of monetizing your TikTok presence and growing your earnings potential.

Want to calculate your potential TikTok earnings? Check out our TikTok Money Calculator and get an estimate based on your views, engagement, video length, and followers.  

How Do You Earn Money On TikTok?

Earning money on TikTok involves leveraging your creative content and engaged following to generate income through various monetization methods offered by the platform and third-party partnerships.

As a TikTok creator, you can earn money by:

• Joining the TikTok Creativity Program: Creators who meet eligibility criteria can earn money directly from TikTok based on views and engagement of their videos.
• Securing brand sponsorships: Partner with brands to create sponsored content, product reviews, or endorsements in your niche.
• Selling your own products or services: Promote your merchandise, digital products, or services to your TikTok audience and drive sales.
• Receiving virtual gifts: During TikTok live sessions, viewers can send virtual gifts that can be converted into real money.

Want to turn likes into sales? Grab our free "How to Monetize Your Social Following" guide and learn how to turn your followers into a revenue stream.

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Why Earn Money on TikTok?

TikTok's reach makes it a prime platform for monetizing your talents. With over 1 billion active users worldwide, TikTok offers access to a vast and engaged audience, particularly in the coveted Gen Z and Millennial demographics.

Turning your passion into profit on TikTok is a realistic goal. Whether you're a dancer, comedian, artist, or expert in your field, there's a niche for you on the platform. TikTok's unique algorithm rewards engaging content, allowing even small creators to go viral and build a dedicated following.

Some benefits of TikTok include:

• Massive potential for exposure: TikTok's "For You" page can catapult your content to millions of viewers, helping you gain followers and attract brand attention.
• Low barrier to entry: Unlike other platforms that prioritize polished content, TikTok values authenticity and creativity. You can start creating with just your smartphone and a good idea.
• Diverse monetization options: From the TikTok Creativity Program to brand sponsorships and product sales, there are multiple avenues to earn money that cater to different creator styles and goals.

How To Start Earning Money On Tiktok 

To start earning money on TikTok, focus on building an engaged following by consistently posting high-quality, original content that resonates with your target audience. Utilize TikTok’s monetization features such as the Creator Fund, Live Gifts, and branded content partnerships. 

Additionally, consider expanding your income streams by leveraging your TikTok presence to sell merchandise, promote affiliate links, or direct traffic to paid content on platforms like Patreon or Kajabi. Stay updated with TikTok trends and algorithm changes to optimize your content and maximize your earning potential.

Check the steps to start earning money on TikTok:

Join The TikTok Creator Fund

The TikTok Creator Fund rewards eligible creators for their engaging content. To qualify, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years old: The Creator Fund is only available to adult creators.
2. Meet the follower requirement: Your account must have at least 10,000 followers.
3. Reach the video views threshold: You need at least 100,000 authentic video views in the last 30 days.
4. Adhere to TikTok's Community Guidelines and terms: Your account must be in good standing and comply with all platform rules.

To apply, access the Creator Tools within the app and submit your application. Once approved, you start earning money based on factors like views, engagement, and adherence to platform guidelines.

Creator Fund payouts vary and are calculated based on a combination of metrics. While specific earnings are not publicly disclosed, many creators report receiving a few cents per thousand views. However, the potential for earnings grows as your content reaches more users.

To maximize your Creator Fund payouts:

• Post high-quality, original content regularly: Consistency and creativity are key to keeping your audience engaged and attracting new followers.
• Encourage interaction: Likes, comments, and shares boost your engagement metrics, which can positively impact your earnings.
• Hop on trends: Participating in viral challenges and trends can quickly expand your reach and views.
• Optimize your content for the platform: Use relevant hashtags, catchy captions, and eye-catching thumbnails to make your videos more discoverable.

Secure Brand Partnerships And Sponsored Content

As your TikTok following grows, brands may start to take notice of your influence and reach. Securing brand partnerships and sponsored content deals can be a lucrative way to monetize your TikTok presence.

To attract brand deals:

• Establish a strong niche and brand identity: Focus on creating content that showcases your unique style, expertise, or personality. Brands are more likely to partner with creators who have a clear and consistent brand image.
• Engage with your audience: Foster a loyal and active community by responding to comments, creating interactive content, and encouraging user participation. Brands value creators with high engagement rates.
• Create a media kit: Develop a professional media kit that highlights your TikTok stats, audience demographics, content themes, and past collaborations. This will make it easier for brands to evaluate your partnership potential.

When negotiating brand deals, consider factors like the scope of work, exclusivity, usage rights, and compensation. Don't be afraid to advocate for your worth as a creator.

Sponsored content best practices include:

• Align with brands that fit your niche: Choose partnerships that genuinely resonate with your content style and audience interests. Authenticity is key to maintaining trust with your followers.
• Integrate products naturally: Avoid overly promotional or scripted content. Instead, find creative ways to showcase products or services that feel organic to your usual content.
• Provide value to your audience: Ensure your sponsored content offers entertainment, education, or inspiration to your viewers. Focus on creating content that your audience will appreciate and engage with, even if it's branded.
• Disclosure: Disclosing sponsored content is not only an ethical practice but also a legal requirement in many countries. Use hashtags like #ad, #sponsored, or #paidpartnership to clearly label your branded content. TikTok also offers the Branded Content toggle to help creators disclose partnerships transparently.

Sell Your Own Products Or Services

As a TikTok creator, you can monetize your audience by promoting your own products or services that resonate with their interests. Consider the unique value you offer and how it aligns with your niche.

Here’s how to do it:

• Identify your offerings: Reflect on your skills, expertise, and passions to determine what products or services you can provide. Digital products like eBooks, courses, templates, or presets are popular choices for TikTok creators, as they are easy to create and deliver.
• Validate your idea: Engage with your audience to gauge their interest in your proposed offering. You can create polls, ask for feedback in comments, or share teasers of your product to assess demand.
• Create a compelling offer: Develop a product or service that solves a problem or fulfills a desire for your target audience. Focus on delivering high-quality, valuable content that showcases your unique perspective and expertise.

To effectively promote your products or services on TikTok:

• Integrate product mentions naturally: Share tips, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content that seamlessly showcases your offerings. Avoid overly salesy or promotional content that may turn off your audience.
• Leverage your bio link: TikTok allows one clickable link in your bio. Use this valuable real estate to direct followers to a landing page or website where they can learn more about your products and make a purchase.
• Offer exclusive discounts: Incentivize your TikTok followers to purchase by providing special discounts or promotions exclusively for your TikTok audience. Use unique discount codes or limited-time offers to create urgency.
• Showcase social proof: Share testimonials, reviews, or user-generated content from satisfied customers to build trust and credibility for your products or services.

When it comes to hosting and selling your digital products, consider using a platform that streamlines the process, like Kajabi. Our platform handles payment processing, content delivery, and customer management, allowing you to focus on creating and promoting your offerings.

Digital products are an excellent fit for TikTok creators because:

• They are scalable and can be sold repeatedly without additional production costs.
• They allow you to package your knowledge and expertise into a valuable resource.
• They provide a passive income stream that complements your TikTok content.

With Kajabi, you can create customizable landing pages, send emails, and get analytics to help you optimize your sales funnel.

By creating and promoting your own products or services, you can diversify your income streams and build a sustainable business around your TikTok presence.

Utilize TikTok's Live Gifting Feature

TikTok's Live Gifting feature allows viewers to send virtual gifts to their favorite creators during live streams. These gifts have monetary value and can be converted into real earnings.

Here's how it works:

1. Go live on TikTok: To receive gifts, you need to host a live stream. Engage with your audience, showcase your personality, and provide entertaining or informative content.
2. Encourage engagement: Interact with your viewers by answering questions, giving shoutouts, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. The more engaged your audience is, the more likely they are to send gifts.
3. Promote your live streams: Let your followers know when you'll be going live. Share teasers on your TikTok feed, post stories, and cross-promote on other social media platforms to maximize viewership.
4. Offer incentives: Consider providing special perks or recognition for top gifters. This could include personalized shoutouts, exclusive content, or even physical merchandise for your most generous supporters.
5. Be consistent: Establish a regular live streaming schedule to build anticipation and loyalty among your audience. Consistency helps foster a sense of community and encourages repeat gifting.

To withdraw your earnings from live gifts, you need to accumulate a minimum balance of $100 in your TikTok account. Once you reach this threshold, you can request a withdrawal, and the funds will be transferred to your linked PayPal account within 3-5 business days.

It's important to note that TikTok takes a percentage of the gift value as a service fee. 

Live gifting can be a lucrative revenue stream for TikTok creators who have a highly engaged and supportive audience. Focus on delivering value, nurturing connections, and showing appreciation for your viewers' generosity.

Participate In TikTok Challenges And Trends

Participating in popular TikTok challenges and trends is a powerful way to increase your visibility and reach on the platform. When you create content that aligns with what's currently trending, you tap into an existing audience that's actively searching for and engaging with that specific type of content.

Capitalize on the viral nature of trends. TikTok's algorithm favors content that generates high engagement, and trending challenges often have a viral component that can quickly propel your videos to a wider audience. 

By joining in on a trend early, you maximize your chances of being discovered by new viewers who are interested in that particular challenge or theme.

You can also put your own unique spin on trends. While it's important to participate in trends, you also want to stand out from the crowd. Infuse your own personality, style, or creative twist into the trend to make your content memorable and shareable. 

Think about how you can adapt the trend to your niche or add an element of surprise or humor that sets your video apart.

For example, creator Kris Collins often participates in trending challenges but adds her own comedic skits and relatable storytelling to make the content uniquely hers. By putting her own spin on trends, she's amassed over 45 million followers on TikTok.

If you’re gonna use hashtags, it’s important to use them strategically. When you post a video that's part of a challenge or trend, be sure to include the relevant hashtags in your caption. This makes your content discoverable to users who are browsing that specific hashtag. 

However, avoid overloading your caption with too many hashtags, as it can appear spammy. Focus on a few key hashtags that are directly related to the trend and your niche.

Collaborating with other TikTok creators who are participating in the same trend can help expose your content to their audience and vice versa. Duet or stitch with creators in your niche, or put together a group video with multiple participants. Collaborations can create a sense of community and encourage cross-promotion, leading to increased visibility for all involved.

Short-form video content, like the kind popularized on TikTok, has exploded in popularity in recent years. There are several reasons why this format resonates with audiences:

• Digestible and engaging: Short-form videos are easy to consume and hold viewers' attention in a world of diminishing attention spans.
• Authentic and relatable: The unpolished, often user-generated nature of short-form content feels more authentic and relatable compared to highly produced, long-form videos.
• Endless variety: With a constant influx of new trends, challenges, and creative ideas, there's always something fresh and entertaining to discover in the short-form video space.

The Benefits Of Diversifying Your Income Streams

Diversifying your income streams means not just relying on TikTok's monetization features. While live gifts, the Creator Fund, and brand deals offer great starting points, expanding your monetization methods ensures more stability and growth potential for your online presence. 

Here are reasons to consider diversifying:

• Reduced dependency: TikTok algorithms and policies can change, impacting your earnings. Having multiple income sources reduces risks.
• Increased revenue: Different streams open up various earning potentials, often leading to a significant increase in overall income.
• Greater creative freedom: Diversifying allows you to explore different content formats and platforms without the pressure of platform-specific performance metrics.

Kajabi offers a powerful solution for creators looking to build a more sustainable business around their TikTok presence. 

With Kajabi, you can create and sell your own digital products, such as courses, memberships, and digital products, directly to your audience. This approach not only enhances your earning potential but also strengthens your relationship with your followers.

Final Thoughts

Remember these tips for making money on TikTok: create engaging content regularly, diversify your income sources, and use your unique style and voice. Being adaptable and persistent is important as the platform changes. Keep trying new content ideas, trends, and ways to make money to see what works best for you and your audience. Start making money from your passion on TikTok today. 

Kajabi helps TikTok creators by offering tools to sell digital products and manage online businesses effectively. With Kajabi, you can enhance your TikTok success by building a diverse and sustainable income stream.

Try Kajabi for free with our 14-day free trial.