Here’s how I prepared for a month’s worth of social media content in one day.
You probably won't have to scroll TikTok for more than a few minutes before stumbling upon a video about how someone has just quit their day job to become a full-time creator. (Not just my algorithm, is it?)
It makes for great content, of course, but there really are loads of ways to earn on TikTok — and I don’t just mean through sponsored posts. TikTok is a standout social media platform when it comes to the sheer volume of ways you can earn — without even leaving the app.
The platform is constantly experimenting with new ways creators can monetize their content, from participating in challenges with cash incentives to receiving rewards for high-performing content.
Whether you're looking for a modest income boost or are ready to become a full-time creator, TikTok can be a rewarding way to monetize as a creator.
Plus, if you’re a creator with a small business, you’ll be pleased to hear TikTok is popular for shopping, too — 71% of consumers say they have bought something after stumbling across it on TikTok. That's good news, whether you want to engage in brand partnerships or sell your own products and merch.
Suffice it to say, there are many ways to make money on TikTok. Most are built right into the platform, others allow you to make money through partnerships or directly from your followers — great if you have a presence on other platforms, too.
Consider what suits your content and audience, and try out some of these effective methods for making money on TikTok.
An important consideration: At the time of writing, TikTok's fate in the US is still in limbo after a ban on the app was extended. But with an increase in ad spend and only a small dip in active users, it appears businesses and TikTok users alike are still scrolling, even in the face of uncertainty.
If you're a creator in the US looking to make money on TikTok, we recommend diversifying your efforts and growing your following simultaneously on TikTok alternatives like Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and Pinterest. You can crosspost your TikTok videos to these other social media platforms so you're not reliant on a single network — a smart choice regardless of a potential ban.
10 ways to make money on TikTok
There are plenty of ways to earn money on TikTok for creators at any stage of their journey. Some in-platform methods require specific follower counts or content types, but others are accessible even to those just starting out.
Here are 10 of the best ways to make money on TikTok to help you find the right fit for your content style and audience:
Jump to a section:
- Join the TikTok Creator Rewards program
- Partner with brands on sponsored content
- Submit video ads to brands' Creative Challenges
- Tap into affiliate marketing
- Receive virtual gifts by going LIVE and turning on Video Gifts
- Launch a TikTok Subscription to give your most dedicated fans exclusive perks
- Set up a virtual tip jar to collect donations from your audience
- Get paid to promote music artists' work
- Crowdfund a project with your fans
- Sell your own products or merch on TikTok Shop
Many TikTok creators combine several revenue streams for a consistent income. Learn how each of these works and decide which ones feel authentic to your personal brand.
1. Join the TikTok Creator Rewards program
One of the best-known ways to get started making money on TikTok is to join the TikTok Creator Rewards program, which rewards creators for their engaging content.
TikTok's Creator Rewards program pays content creators based on factors like video length, views, engagement, and region-specific performance. TikTok isn’t clear on exactly how much, but some sources say creators could earn $0.40 – $1 for every 1,000 views, and others say the range is $4 – 8. Either way, it's an upgrade from the now-defunct TikTok Creator Fund. TikTok says creators are now making 250% more from this new and improved program.
Still, there are some requirements you’ll need to meet if you hope to join the Creator Rewards program. For starters, it’s only available for creators in the U.S., Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, though it seems likely the platform will continue expanding to other countries. As long as you're in the right location, you must also:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have at least 10K TikTok followers.
- Have a minimum of 100K video views in the last 30 days.
- Have a personal TikTok account in good standing (meaning you follow the platform's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service).
- Post high-quality, original content that's at least one minute long and aligns with TikTok's mission of inspiring joy and creativity.
Review TikTok's full program FAQ to ensure your content is eligible.
2. Partner with brands on sponsored content
In 2025, 77% of brands are planning to use TikTok for influencer marketing. So, promoting a brand's products or services is another great way to make money on TikTok. You don't have to have a large following to get sponsored on TikTok, either.
In fact, according to a recent report by Influencer Marketing Hub, 88% of TikTok influencers are nano-influencers (creators with 1,000 – 10K followers), and an additional 8% are micro-influencers (those with 10K – 50K followers. Many brands flock to nano- and micro-influencers for their high engagement rates, niche audience, and more personal follower relationships. So there's plenty of opportunity here for you if you're just starting out.
Disability educator Tiffany Yu has earned six figures from TikTok brand partnerships and started monetizing on the platform while she was still within the micro-influencer range.
There are several ways to find brands to partner with as a TikTok influencer. You can start by joining the TikTok Creator Marketplace, now baked into TikTok One, a platform that allows brands to connect with creators and collaborate on TikTok marketing campaigns.
Creators need to meet certain eligibility requirements to be invited to the platform, including a 10K follower minimum. But once you are you'll be added to the database so brands can find you.
You can also find brand partnerships outside the platform, particularly if you don't meet the Creator Marketplace's follower minimum yet.
An easy way in? Think about the products you already use and love that your audience would also be excited to hear about. Your followers are more likely to resonate with something you genuinely like using. Put together a media kit and pitch these brands on a potential sponsorship.
For example, sunny.tsao is a skincare influencer who frequently talks about the product she uses, like this morning skincare routine video:
@sunny.tsao happy Sunday morning! Products: @Fresh Beauty soy face cleanser, @SkinCeuticals CE ferulic vitamin c serum, @Summer Fridays jet lag mask, @URIAGE bariederm cica cream, @KraveBeauty beet the sun spf, @Versed Skin tinted lip serum in bake #skincare #makeup
This kind of content would be easy to turn into a sponsored ad for any of the products she uses.
3. Submit video ads to brands' Creative Challenges
TikTok’s Creative Challenges (now also a part of TikTok One) effectively let creators skip ahead a couple of steps in the partnership process. No pitching, no waiting around for approvals before filming — you jump right into the content creation.
You choose a campaign from a list of active challenges, create and submit your video, and get rewarded based on how well it performs.
Each Creative Challenge comes with a brief that outlines what the brand is looking for, the rules, and the potential reward pool. Your video doesn’t appear on your profile — it becomes part of the brand’s ad campaign and is run on the For You feed if approved.
TikTok recommends submitting original, high-quality content that’s well-edited and sticks to the challenge brief. Rewards are based on performance factors like views, clicks, and conversions.
Once your video is live, you’ll be able to track its performance and check your monthly earnings within the app.
To be eligible, you’ll need:
- A U.S.-based TikTok account
- At least 50K followers
- To be 18 years or older
- Content that aligns with TikTok’s Community Guidelines
4. Tap into affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a powerful strategy to monetize your TikTok account by promoting products or services and earning a commission on sales generated through your unique affiliate links.
While affiliate marketing can be considered a form of brand sponsorship, you can also join affiliate programs independently for more control and less back-and-forth brand interaction.
The TikTok for Business affiliate program is run through impact.com and enables creators to apply to be an affiliate for a brand.
The cool thing about joining this native affiliate program is that you'll get access to a special Shop tab in your TikTok profile where you can showcase all your featured products — as lifestyle creator Nicki Marie does:
Some other popular affiliate marketing platforms you can join include:
- Amazon Associates: Offers a wide range of products to promote.
- AvantLink: A platform that boasts a vigorous vetting process for a high-quality partner directory.
- CJ Affiliate: Features many well-known brands and products.
- Rakuten Advertising: Provides access to global brands and products.
After signing up for an affiliate program, you'll get unique affiliate links that will track the sales generated through your promotions, ensuring you earn your commission.
You can add affiliate links to your TikTok bio, but you'll likely want to feature multiple links over time. So you can consider using a landing page tool like Buffer’s Start Page to include multiple affiliate links. In your TikTok posts, prompt viewers to visit the link in your bio to buy the products you're promoting.
Here are a few ways to incorporate affiliate links into your TikTok content effectively:
- Product reviews: Create engaging and honest reviews of the products you're promoting. Highlight their benefits and how they solve problems for your audience.
- Tutorials and how-tos: Demonstrate how to use the product in a tutorial or step-by-step guide.
- Unboxing videos: Share the excitement of opening new products and giving your first impression.
Transparency is crucial in affiliate marketing. Always disclose your affiliate relationships to your audience. This builds trust and complies with legal requirements. A simple statement like “This video contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase” can suffice.
5. Receive virtual gifts by going LIVE and turning on Video Gifts
Gifts on TikTok are digital icons worth varying amounts of virtual ‘coins,’ which followers buy with (real-life) money. Followers can send in-app gifts to show their appreciation, either on your feed content or during TikTok LIVEs.
To be able to go LIVE on TikTok, you’ll need:
- To have at least 1,000 followers
- Be older than 18
Once you’re there, you’ll be able to start receiving gifts. These gifts are one factor that helps make your content more popular by signaling to TikTok's algorithm that users are enjoying it. TikTok then rewards you with Diamonds (their virtual currency) based on the popularity of your content. Diamonds can then be converted into cash.
To receive gifts on TikTok LIVE, head to your LIVE screen. Tap ‘Settings,’ then turn the ‘LIVE Gifts’ setting on.
LIVE Gifts are delivered in real time and appear on your stream so you can thank followers for the gift.
To enable TikTok Video Gifts for your feed content, turn on video gifts in the ‘Monetization’ section of TikTok Studio:
Then, the ‘Gift’ button will appear on your content in the ‘Comments’ section.
You'll need at least 10K followers to be eligible for Video Gifts.
6. Launch a TikTok Subscription to give your most dedicated fans exclusive perks
TikTok Subscriptions are a great way to strengthen your bond with your most loyal followers — and earn a (fairly) reliable monthly income while you're at it.
Launching a subscription is a bit like having a VIP section (or a Patreon): a place where your most engaged followers can tap into exclusive content, perks, and recognition for their ongoing support.
To be eligible for this feature, you’ll need to have at least:
- 10K followers
- 100K video views in the last calendar month
With TikTok Subscriptions, creators can offer subscriber-only videos, exclusive LIVEs, custom emotes and stickers, and fun bonuses like badges that evolve over time.
While creators only keep around 50% of subscription revenue, TikTok does have some ways to help you boost that:
- Video Creator Bonus: Earn an extra 20% if you’ve hit 10K followers and 1M views in the previous month.
- Growth Bonus: Get up to 15% more as your subscriber base grows.
Setting up is straightforward via TikTok Studio in the app — if you meet the eligibility requirements. Once you’re in, you can choose your subscription tier (starting at $2.99/month) and customize your benefits.
7. Set up a virtual tip jar to collect donations from your audience
Give your followers a way to share their appreciation for you any time they feel like it with a tipping platform. Some popular options to collect tips are:
- Tip Top Jar: A straightforward option that takes your followers to a simple landing page to send a tip.
- Buy Me a Coffee: With this platform, followers can choose to buy you any number of “coffees” for a set price. The platform also offers a membership option for your fans for ongoing income.
- Ko-fi: Consider this if you want more extensive options to offer audiences. Your followers can send tips, sign up for memberships, shop your products, and request commissions for personalized content.
Once you choose a platform, add a link to your TikTok bio and let your fans know they can support you there, like wardrobe stylist Payton Dale has done. This is her "Buy Me a Coffee" page:
8. Get paid to promote music artists' work
TikTok’s Work with Artists feature is rather clever — you create viral content to help boost new music from an artist, and you get paid.
There’s no clear-cut documentation on TikTok on it, though they do explain on the Creator Academy:“Love using popular music in your videos? The Work With Artists program lets you do just that without worrying about demonetization or getting muted. Participate in campaigns using popular songs and earn rewards based on your participation.”
To be eligible, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have 1,000 followers
If you meet those requirements, tap over to the ‘Monetization’ section in TikTok Studio, then ‘Work with Artists.’ Follow the prompts to sign up, then choose a ‘campaign’ (read: song) you like, and create a video featuring that track.
The better your video performs, the more you’ll earn, though payment varies from track to track, as you can see from the screenshot below.
9. Crowdfund a project with your fans
If you're looking to fund a specific project, like developing an app or product, crowdfunding is a great option.
A couple of popular sites to consider are:
- Kickstarter: Consider Kickstarter if you need a lot of eyes and a trusted platform for your fundraising.
- Indiegogo: If you don't have a specific amount you're trying to raise, you might prefer Indiegogo, which offers more flexible fundraising goals and lets you collect funds even after your deadline.
Once you choose your platform, you can use TikTok to help spread the word about your campaign.
Osien Gwynned used TikTok and Kickstarter to launch his denim brand Antur Supply Co:
@antursupplyco AHH! We’re LIVE on Kickstarter! Click the link in bio and grab them early! #denim #antursupplyco #fashiontiktok #business
Before launching on Kickstarter, Osien spent 18 months building his TikTok audience by sharing behind-the-scenes footage. The investment paid off, reaching his £25K goal just 9.5 hours after the campaign went live.
10. Sell your own products or merch on TikTok Shop
Already have an existing line of products or merch? TikTok can help you sell them. You can, of course, link to your online shop in your bio. But if you have a TikTok Business account and are based in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, or Vietnam, you can also set up TikTok Shop for your business via the TikTok Seller Center.
Then, you'll gain access to a whole host of promotional features to sell your products right on TikTok, like:
- Shop Page: A tab on your profile featuring all the products you sell on TikTok.
- Shop Tab: A tab on the TikTok home screen featuring all the products for sale on the platform that recommends relevant items to users.
- Product links: Any time you feature one of your products in your TikTok videos, add a link to take interested shoppers to check it out on your TikTok Shop.
- TikTok Shop Ads: Amp up discovery for your brand with paid advertising on TikTok through shoppable videos, Shop Tab features, and LIVE Shopping Ads.
See The Way I See is a mental health-focused apparel and accessories brand started by creator and artist Sophie Nistico. She credits her success to marketing on social media and currently has a solid 612K followers on TikTok alone.
She takes full advantage of TikTok's shopping features and, as a result, has sold over 43K items.
To effectively drive sales on the platform, you'll want to create content that resonates with specific subcultures and interests within the TikTok community. Understanding and engaging with TikTok audiences is crucial for success.
Sophie nails this with See The Way I See. Her brand's content fits right in with the platform's casual, fast-paced nature:
@seethewayisee a surprise for those who watch until the end 👀 #mentalhealthbrand #sharktankproducts #seethewayisee
Many brands also have success going LIVE on TikTok to promote their business. Packing customers' orders, giving freebies to viewers, offering product demos and Q&As, and giving sneak peeks are a few popular ways brands take advantage of TikTok LIVE.
Diversify your income streams to maximize your TikTok earnings
As you can see, there are several great ways to make money on TikTok — many built right into the platform. But this is just the beginning of what's possible.
- Keep up with TikTok's evolving features: Check the Monetization section in your TikTok Studio for new opportunities. Follow TikTok's Creator Academy, where they detail out the latest monetization features and best practices for using them.
- Look beyond TikTok's native options: Particularly if you don't meet TikTok's eligibility requirements, there are plenty of off-platform options to use TikTok to make money — like brand partnerships, affiliate programs, paid communities, virtual tip jars, and crowdfunding.
Regardless of which monetization methods you choose, providing genuine value to your audience through authentic content comes first. This earns the trust needed to sell products to your audience or earn tips and gifts.
Ready to turn your TikTok creativity into an income source?
Start by exploring one or two methods that feel most natural for your content style and audience. Then expand your strategy once you master those. The most successful TikTok creators typically combine multiple monetization methods for financial stability.
Finally, remember to post consistently, regardless of whether a piece of content will be monetized or not. Regular engagement with your audience is essential for maintaining your presence and ultimately earning money.
Buffer can help you stay consistent:
- Brainstorm and save your TikTok ideas.
- Schedule your videos ahead of time to publish when your followers are most active.
- Crosspost to different platforms to safeguard against individual platform changes.
The best part? You can start scheduling TikTok videos on Buffer for free.
How to make money on TikTok FAQ
How many followers do you need to make money on TikTok?
The number of followers you need depends on which monetization method you choose:
- No minimum required: On-platform, you can create TikTok effects with no minimum follower count. Third-party options like brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, selling your own products, and tip jar platforms have no follower requirement. Remember: Many brands actively seek micro-influencers (50K or fewer followers) due to their high engagement rates.
- 1,000 followers: You can participate in the Work With Artists program, receive gifts during TikTok LIVE streams, and launch Subscriptions if you have LIVE access.
- 10K followers: This unlocks eligibility for Video Gifts, the TikTok Creator Marketplace, the Creator Rewards program, and Subscriptions for those without LIVE access.
- 50K followers: Allows you to apply for Creative Challenges for brand ads.
- 100K followers: Allows you to participate in the LIVE Incentive Program.
Since TikTok updates its eligibility requirements regularly, and they can vary by region, you'll want to check the current requirements of your desired program.
How many views do you need on TikTok to make money?
There's no hard-and-fast rule about how many views you need to make money on TikTok. Some of the platform's native monetization options do have view count requirements. External options don't have minimum requirements, but more views can entice brands to work with you. And some monetization options rely on views to earn money. For example, to earn an affiliate commission, you'll need TikTok users to first watch and then purchase from your content.
TikTok's in-platform view count requirements are as follows:
- Creator Rewards program: Requires 100K video views in the last 30 days to sign up.
- Creator Marketplace: A minimum of 10K post views in the last 30 days is required to join.
- TikTok Subscriptions: For LIVE creators, you must have conducted a LIVE for at least 30 minutes in the last 28 days. Or without LIVE, you need to have had 100K video views in the past calendar month.
- Branded Missions and Creative Challenges: While there's no official minimum view count, brands may look for creators whose content performs well consistently to ensure campaign success.
- Video Gifts and LIVE Gifts: No specific view requirements, but more views naturally lead to more gift opportunities from your audience.
- Work With Artists and TikTok LIVE Incentive Program: Also have no view requirements.
- Creator Effects: You need 100K videos to use your effects before you start earning.
The quality of your views matters as much as the quantity. A highly engaged audience that watches your videos to completion, leaves comments, and shares your content is more valuable to partners and TikTok's algorithm than passive viewers who quickly scroll past.
So focus on creating high-quality content for a specific niche rather than chasing views. Consistent, targeted content typically leads to better monetization opportunities in the long run.
How to make money on TikTok without followers
There are opportunities to make money on TikTok even if you're just starting out and have a small follower base:
- Create TikTok effects: The Effects Creator Rewards Program has no follower minimum and just requires at least 100K videos to use your effects before you can start earning.
- Affiliate marketing: You can promote products to a small audience to earn commissions on their purchases.
- Collaborate with brands: Many brands partner with nano- and micro-influencers for their higher engagement rate. But promotion isn't the only service you can offer them. Try pitching your content creation services. You can create authentic product reviews and reactions or capture photos and videos of their product for them to use on their website or in marketing campaigns.
- Sell your own products and merch: Use TikTok to showcase your products or services and direct your audience to your website or TikTok Shop.
Keep posting consistently to grow your TikTok following. As you grow your follower base, you'll unlock more monetization options. Read our guide to learn how to get your first 1,000 followers.
