Have you fallen down the TikTok rabbit hole like me, yet? The videos are so fun and honestly, addicting. But did you know you can make money on TikTok?
There’s a small learning curve, but with the right steps, you can learn how to make money on TikTok and turn this platform into a side gig.
Content creators and influencers can make extra cash from sponsored content, merchandise sales, and brand partnerships. Explore these strategies in depth and learn how to maximize your earnings through TikTok in this guide.
Earning money on TikTok: Is it worth it?
Pros
Provides a money-making method by interacting with followers in fun ways
Offers several methods for content monetization
Rewards engaging content, which may highlight creative creators
Cons
Earning a sizeable amount of income may require amassing a large following
Succeeding depends on an algorithm that may be unpredictable
Verdict: Making money on TikTok can be a good option if you like being active on social networks, have a knack for developing viral content, and enjoy engaging with followers regularly. However, maintaining a following requires consistent effort since there is also a lot of competition, and profit may be unstable.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media platform built around sharing short-form videos. TikTok is extremely popular, with more than a billion users spread around 150 countries. Many of its users have accumulated a large number of followers and can earn money through paid partnerships, the TikTok Creator Rewards, virtual gifts, and other means.
While you cannot invest in TikTok stock because it isn’t a public company, you can make cash on TikTok by becoming a video creator and embracing one of the different approaches available to monetize your account.
How to make money on TikTok
There are several possible ways to make money on TikTok, including earning cash from the TikTok Creator Rewards program, receiving gifts during LIVE videos, gaining sponsors, and directing traffic to your own product.
Join the TikTok Creator Rewards program (formerly TikTok Creator Fund)
Pros
Provides money rewards for video creators
May help TikTok influencers grow their audience
Encourages creating high-quality content
Cons
May be challenging to meet the requirements
May provide smaller rewards as competition within the program increases
You must meet the eligibility requirements and apply to become a member of the TikTok Creator Rewards program to make money online using this method.
To be eligible, you need to be at least 18 (19 in South Korea). Your TikTok account should have at least:
10,000 TikTok followers
100,000 authentic video views in the last 30 days
Post original content
Videos must be at least one minute long
If you meet these requirements, you can apply to the program. Once approved, you can earn money from eligible videos you post on the platform. The exact amount you earn will depend on various factors, including the number of views your videos receive.
The money you earn will appear on your dashboard within three days of receiving eligible views once you are a member of the Creator Rewards program and post videos. You can view your earnings on the first of every month for the previous month.
Post LIVE videos and receive virtual gifts
Pros
Offers a way to make extra cash with relatively easy requirements
Can bring more attention to your TikTok account
Provides a fun way of interacting with your followers
Cons
Requires a consistent schedule and effort
May offer varying income from one LIVE feed to the next
You can receive virtual gifts when you go LIVE on TikTok, which you can withdraw as real money.
To share LIVE videos and receive virtual gifts on TikTok, you will need a TikTok account that:
Has been active for at least 30 days
Has at least 1,000 followers
When you post a LIVE video, viewers can send gifts in real time. Interacting with your audience by answering their comments and responding to their requests may increase your chances of earning these virtual gifts. In addition, you can also use the gift feature to send them tokens of your appreciation.
You can redeem these gifts for Diamonds, which you can turn into money to withdraw. You can view the value of your gifts and your potential to earn Diamonds in your “Balance” tab on the TikTok app.
Keep in mind: You must be 18 or older to go LIVE, and the amount of money you earn depends on the number and value of the gifts you receive. TikTok may take a cut of the gift value before you receive the rest as income.
Gain sponsors who pay you to post videos
Pros
You know upfront how much you’ll make
May help you reach a larger audience and increase your visibility
May enable further collaborations with other creators and brands
Cons
Creating sponsored content can be time-consuming
May present a risk to the identity of your message or brand
Sponsored posts on TikTok are just like sponsored posts on your blog or social media pages. Every brand will have different requirements regarding the content, so be sure to read the agreement before accepting, and always ensure the product or service fits within the message or identity your account portrays.
While there are no specific requirements, here are a few steps to attract sponsors:
Identify your target audience: Build your brand around the subjects that are most interesting to your target audience. This can help focus your efforts on establishing a core identity and loyal audience.
Build a following: Sponsors are often more interested in working with creators and influencers with an engaged following. Focus on building your audience by consistently posting new content and interacting with your followers while staying true to your message and goals.
Collaborate with other creators: Collaborating with other creators can help you reach a larger audience and increase your visibility on the platform. This can make you more attractive to sponsors.
Prepare a sponsorship request: Create a document that outlines your audience demographics, engagement metrics, and past collaborations. This can help sponsors understand your value as a creator and make it easier for them to decide whether to work with you.
Attracting sponsors can be competitive and may take time. It’s important to be patient and keep working on creating high-quality content and building your audience.
Good to know: You must enable the Branded Content toggle when you post a sponsored video. This will add an advertising disclosure to your video to comply with state or federal laws.
Promote your products or services
Pros
Offers a large user base that can engage with videos showcasing your product
Can grow organically or through paid advertising options
Access to the TikTok Shop feature makes it easy to reach your product
Cons
May limit the audience you appeal to
Depends on algorithms that can be unpredictable
You can use TikTok to do a form of influencer marketing for your own products or services. For example, you can drive traffic to your website, the site where you sell merchandise, or offer exclusive services that may interest your audience.
The key is creating compelling and engaging content that resonates with your target audience. You should also include a clear call to action that points to your website or online store.
You can also use the TikTok Shop feature, which allows you to add your products or links to your products on your TikTok profile. Additionally, TikTok allows you to buy paid advertising to reach a wider audience and acquire more traffic.
How much can you earn on TikTok?
The amount of money you can earn on TikTok varies dramatically and depends on factors like:
Number of followers
Content views
Brand deals or sponsorships
Audience engagement
Some of the platform’s top-paid celebrities earn a small fortune, in no small part because of the other deals that TikTok fame can lead to. For example, famous TikTokers Charli and Dixie D’Amelio netted $27.5 million in combined income in 2021. Meanwhile Parade Magazine stated that Addison Rae’s estimated net worth is at least $15 million. And Bella Poarch and Josh Richards are said to make $5 million a year.
Vanessa Chen, another popular TikToker, says that 80% of her income comes from sponsored posts or affiliate links, which goes to show how valuable influencer marketing is versus relying on the Creator Rewards program.
How to withdraw your earnings
If you get paid directly through TikTok, such as through its Creator Rewards program, you can request to withdraw your money using your dashboard.
TikTok supports withdrawals using PayPal, which you can connect to your bank account. There is a per-day limit on the amount you can withdraw. Once you request to take money out, TikTok should process the request within 72 hours.
Who can make money on TikTok?
When determining how to make money on TikTok, it’s important to understand who can actually profit from this platform. The specific eligibility requirements vary depending on the method you use to make money through your TikTok videos.
For example, if you want to earn money through the TikTok Creator Rewards program, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a legal resident of the U.S.
Have at least 10,000 authentic followers
Have accumulated at least 100,000 authentic video views over the past month
Create original videos that comply with TikTok’s community guidelines
If you want to earn through LIVE gifts on TikTok, you must:
Be at least 18
Have at least 1,000 followers
Have an account that is at least 30 days old
Have a personal — not business — account
It’s important to review what you need to qualify for any program you plan to participate in since requirements can vary.
Managing your TikTok business expenses
To get started on TikTok, you might want to invest in lights, a green screen, wardrobe updates, and more. A business credit card could help you manage your expenses. Here’s a great card to consider:
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
This card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, so you’re rewarded for every purchase. Its $0 annual fee makes it an affordable option, and its welcome offer allows you to earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Another unique feature of this card is that it has a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (then 17.74% – 23.74% Variable). Businesses and side hustles can be expensive to get up and running, and the intro APR can help you get started on the right foot (and you could earn the welcome offer for an extra boost).
Find out more in our full Ink Business Unlimited credit card review.
FAQs
What are TikTok Coins?
TikTok Coins are a type of in-app currency TikTok users can buy in the TikTok app to give virtual gifts during LIVE TikTok streams. Each coin costs around a penny, though it can fluctuate and change depending on location. For example, you can buy 70 coins for $0.74 or 700 for $7.40.
How do you qualify for the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
To qualify for the TikTok Creator Fund, you must: Be at least 18 years old Have at least 10,000 authentic followers Create videos that comply with TikTok community standards Have at least 100,000 video views in a 30-day period Post videos that are at least one minute long
How are TikTok gifts used?
TikTok gifts are used for showing appreciation to a video creator during a LIVE TikTok video stream. Viewers can buy gifts and give them during these LIVE streams, and content creators can collect them and use them to buy Diamonds. Creators can then redeem these Diamonds with TikTok for real cash.
Other side hustles to consider
Successful TikTok content creators can make money while having fun, too. But if making and sharing short videos doesn’t sound like the right side hustle for you, consider the following options and explore this list of the best side hustles and ways to make $100 a day.
Play games and try apps
Playing games and trying new apps is a great way to make money on the side. I like these options because you can do them from anywhere, including your couch while watching TV. You won’t make a ton of money playing games or trying new apps, but every bit counts.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Cash Giraffe: The Cash Giraffe app offers access to a wide variety of games that they pay you to play. You can earn more if you focus on playing the highest-earning games.
Rewarded Play: The Rewarded Play app pays you gift cards for playing games. Initially, you’ll earn decent rewards as a new user, but over time, you may have to pay-to-play to win more rewards. If you love games, it can be a fun way to make a little money.
Kashkick: Kashkick offers the opportunity to earn money for doing small tasks online. You can accept offers (which may cost money), play games, and answer surveys. You might not make a ton of money, but it’s an easy way to monetize your free time.
Take surveys
Answering surveys is another great way to make money while sitting on your couch. When you answer surveys you help retailers and brands understand what consumers want and what they think of their products and services. Like playing games, you won’t get rich using this method, but you can add some spare change to your wallet.
Here are my favorites:
Each of these sites pays you points or dollars in exchange for your opinion. I suggest signing up for all three (or more) sites to diversify your efforts. Surveys are first-come-first-served and can fill up fast. Most survey companies let you know how much the survey pays and how long it will take ahead of time so you can quickly determine which one is worth your time.
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In conclusion, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for content creators and influencers to make money through various methods such as the TikTok Creator Rewards program, sponsored content, and promoting products or services. While success on TikTok may require effort and consistency, the potential for earning a substantial income is there for those who are dedicated and creative. Consider exploring the different strategies mentioned in this guide to maximize your earnings on TikTok and turn it into a profitable side gig.
