Though TikTok is relatively young, having emerged less than a decade ago, it has swiftly positioned itself as a cultural powerhouse—dominating trends in fashion, politics, and beyond. By 2024, its influence continues to grow, boasting nearly 108 million users in the U.S. alone, with a substantial presence of Generation Z and countless eager consumers.
If you’re looking to harness the vast potential of TikTok to cultivate an audience and generate revenue, these 13 methods, employed by top-tier creators and marketers alike, can guide your efforts. From selling fan merchandise to establishing paid subscription services, the opportunities are plentiful.
13 Ways to Generate Revenue on TikTok
- Enroll in the TikTok Creator Rewards Program
- Merchandise Sales
- Livestream for Virtual Gifts
- Collaborate with Affiliates via Creator Marketplace
- Launch a TikTok Shop
- Create In-Feed Advertisements
- Crowdfund Your Projects
- Receive Tips
- Offer Subscriptions—On and Off TikTok
- Exclusive Content with TikTok Series
- Grow and Sell TikTok Accounts
- Personalized Shout-Outs
- Refer New Users to TikTok
Mastering the art of monetizing TikTok and other social media platforms becomes far simpler once you fully understand your target audience.
1. Enroll in the TikTok Creator Rewards Program
Remember Nathan Apodaca—better known as doggface208—cruising along on his skateboard, sipping cranberry juice, and vibing to Fleetwood Mac? That type of viral phenomenon is precisely what TikTok thrives on. If you can craft engaging videos that capture such moments, TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program could be your golden ticket to earnings.
The program caters to creators who craft unique videos longer than one minute—a format TikTok says sparks higher engagement.
As part of the program, you’ll receive enhanced rewards tied to the originality and popularity of your content. According to Reddit chatter, earnings range from $0.02 to $0.15 per 1,000 views. You’ll also gain access to an advanced analytics dashboard to keep track of your video performance.
Eligibility requires a minimum of 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the last 30 days. Your videos must be original and exceed the one-minute mark. Moreover, you need to be at least 18 years old and reside in an eligible country.
To join, visit your profile, tap TikTok Studio, and select the Creator Rewards Program.
2. Merchandise Sales
Whether you’re into dancing or book reviews, TikTok creators across the spectrum can craft and sell merchandise to their followers.
With a plethora of print-on-demand services available, there’s no shortage of product options. You might sell custom t-shirts, tote bags, pillowcases, hats, mugs, stickers, or notebooks, all tailored to fit your channel’s aesthetic.
Selling merchandise not only provides a stream of income but also fosters a deeper connection between you and your audience. Every follower who dons your merch becomes a walking advertisement for your channel.
3. Livestream for Virtual Gifts
While most social platforms have a livestream feature, TikTok stands out by allowing followers to express their appreciation in real-time via virtual gifts, which can be redeemed for real-world payments. TikTok’s LIVE Gifting feature is invaluable for creators looking to monetize their livestreams.
Engaging with your audience in live broadcasts helps build stronger relationships with your followers, which can fuel other revenue streams. Fans who feel personally connected to a creator are more likely to support them financially.
If you’re an online seller, livestreams also offer an opportunity to showcase your products. Many e-commerce businesses find that TikTok LIVE generates more customer interest than other social media platforms.
Take, for instance, Dasha Derkach, founder of the scrunchie brand Enchanted Scrunch. After switching her social media marketing efforts from Instagram to TikTok, her sales skyrocketed.
“It significantly boosted our sales,” she says. “Before TikTok, we received about two orders a week. Once we started TikTok, we received around 100 weekly. Now, with TikTok LIVE, we’re processing nearly 500 orders a week!”
TikTok frequently introduces new features to make livestreams more engaging. Try the Airdrop feature, where viewers can send you gifts spontaneously while you’re broadcasting.
4. Collaborate with Affiliates via Creator Marketplace
TikTok’s Creator Marketplace is a pioneering platform that enables creators to collaborate with brands and earn money through sponsored content.
Brands seeking affiliate marketing opportunities can browse the marketplace to connect with creators who are open to partnerships. In this way, the marketplace acts much like an influencer agency, streamlining the process of forming brand partnerships.
Shopify Collabs is another similar platform, helping creators find sponsorships with relevant companies. Leverage both to find new monetization opportunities for your TikTok content.
5. Launch a TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop allows creators to make money through affiliate links or their own products by featuring them in shoppable videos and livestreams within the app.
The convenience of TikTok Shop reduces friction for potential buyers, as they can explore your products without leaving the platform.
Tag products as they appear in your videos or add Buy buttons to drive traffic to affiliate partners. If you use Shopify, integrating with TikTok Shop allows users to seamlessly browse and purchase products from within the TikTok app.
6. Create In-Feed Advertisements
Though organic growth opportunities abound on TikTok, those willing to invest can boost their reach by running in-feed ads through TikTok’s ad manager.
These ads show up in users’ For You feeds, playing like regular videos, and can significantly extend your reach.
Moreover, TikTok ads can integrate with Shopify, allowing you to manage your ad campaigns directly from your store.
7. Crowdfund Your Projects
Crowdfunding offers a simple way for creators to finance their projects, whether you’re launching a new initiative or simply seeking donations.
Popular crowdfunding platforms include:
- Kickstarter: The most recognizable platform, which adds credibility to your project.
- Indiegogo: A more flexible option without fixed funding targets.
- Fundable: A platform where startups can offer equity in exchange for funding, ideal for seeking investors (available only in the U.S.).
8. Receive Tips
Tipping platforms offer an easy way for followers to support you. TikTok itself allows fans to send tips via gifts with real monetary value, while other platforms like Tipeee, Buy Me a Coffee, and Ko-fi enable creators to receive tips directly from their audiences.
9. Offer Subscriptions—On and Off TikTok
Subscriptions can turn casual viewers into long-term supporters. TikTok’s subscription feature enables fans to pay for special perks, like subscriber-only livestreams or exclusive content.
Alternatively, platforms like Patreon offer a subscription model where followers can support you on a recurring basis in exchange for exclusive perks.
10. Exclusive Content with TikTok Series
TikTok Series allows creators to monetize content by placing up to 80 videos behind a paywall. Videos can be up to 20 minutes long, offering ample opportunity for in-depth content such as workout plans or cooking classes.
11. Grow and Sell TikTok Accounts
If you’re adept at building accounts, you could profit by growing TikTok accounts and selling them. Platforms like Flippa, Fameswap, and PlayerUp facilitate the buying and selling of social media profiles.
12. Personalized Shout-Outs
Monetize your TikTok presence by offering personalized shout-outs to your followers. Whether it’s a birthday greeting or words of encouragement, personalized messages can be a great source of revenue.
13. Refer New Users to TikTok
TikTok’s Rewards Program allows users to earn virtual points by referring new users. These points can be converted into cash or other rewards, depending on your location.
To refer a new user, generate a referral link from your profile and share it. The referred user must enter the referral code within 24 hours to claim their rewards.
FAQ: How to Make Money on TikTok
Can anyone make money on TikTok?
Yes! With the right strategy, anyone can monetize their TikTok presence. Explore the methods above to determine which ones align with your goals.
How do creators earn money on TikTok?
The most successful TikTok creators often diversify their revenue streams, utilizing sponsorships, product sales, tips, and more.
Do you get paid for uploading TikTok videos?
TikTok itself doesn’t pay users for posting videos, but creators can earn through its Creator Rewards Program and other monetization strategies like sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
How do I receive payments?
Your payout depends on the method of monetization you choose, whether it’s through a tipping platform, Creator Rewards Program, or your own online store.
How many followers do you need to earn money?
The follower count required varies by method. For example, the Creator Rewards Program requires at least 10,000 followers, while receiving virtual gifts on livestreams only requires 1,000 followers.
