How To Make Money On TikTok: 8 Easy Ways

Despite only being available outside of China since 2017, TikTok was the seventh most downloaded app of the 2010s, together with its Chinese cousin, Douyin. That presents an enormous marketing opportunity for business owners and marketers.

Here are some tips from some of the best marketers and producers on TikTok if you're trying to exploit its enormous user base to grow your audience.

How to make money on TikTok

To start making money on TikTok:

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must have a minimum of 10,000 followers.
• Your videos must have 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
• Your account must adhere to the TikTok Community Guidelines.
• You must be based in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, or Italy.

Choosing how to make money on TikTok users is simpler if you have a better grasp of your target market. There is no one way to monetize, but those who make the most money typically have several complementing sources of revenue. The possibilities with TikTok range from sponsored content to organic promotion.

Let’s go over some of the most common ways users make money on TikTok.

1. Join the TikTok Creator Fund

Users that have amassed a sizable following could think about generating income through the TikTok Creator Fund.

Depending on your audience size, the level of user engagement you receive, and the frequency of your postings, you may receive different amounts from the Creator Fund than another user.

If you already have a following, the Creator Fund is a fantastic idea, but it may be highly restricted and consistent funding is not always assured.

There are many additional methods to monetize your account if you're just starting. Additionally, having alternative sources of income is a smart idea even if you've joined the Creator Fund.

2. Sell merch to your fans

TikTok is a terrific platform for monetizing almost any kind of video by selling your own products. Any artist, whether a dancer, singer, or comedian, may produce and market merchandise to their most devoted fans.

There is a huge selection of items thanks to the many print-on-demand companies. T-shirts, tote bags, pillow covers, caps, coffee mugs, stickers, notebooks, or any other combination of products are all possible for you to sell.

Even beyond profits, selling print-on-demand products offers advantages. Every follower that wears your branded merchandise strengthens their connection to you and your work.

Six high school students created the clothing line Unxpectd as a project for their classes. However, the group's lives were irrevocably altered when they used TikTok to advertise the garments they were hand-making in their parent's basements.

In December 2020, Unxpectd's TikTok account had its first viral success, and within a short period, the number of followers had increased dramatically. The group moved to Los Angeles after graduating, where they continue to dye and embroider their own products when they aren't making new TikTok content.

The fact that Unxpectd rarely uses its TikTok account to actively advertise its products is what makes it effective. Instead, Unxpectd allows followers to develop a more personal relationship with the brand's creators by including them in its brand-building process.

3. Go live and collect virtual gifts

One of TikTok's most helpful services for content creators trying to monetize their work through livestreaming is live gifting. The majority of social networks include a livestreaming capability, but TikTok stands apart since users can give virtual gifts that can be exchanged for money in real time to demonstrate their appreciation.

Here are some pointers to make the most of your TikTok livestreaming experience:

• Pick the right time. When the majority of your followers are online is when you should go live. To find out when your audience is most active, check your audience insights by navigating to your profile settings and choosing the Analytics tab.
• Stay live longer. Even while not every viewer will remain for the entire Livestream, if you go longer, more viewers will have the opportunity to tune in and watch.
• Post during your Livestream. TikTok encourages people who watch the brief video in their stream with a link to your live broadcast, so expanding your live audience.
• Use TikTok hashtags. Users routinely peruse hashtag pages on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram in search of new accounts to follow. To expand the audience of your videos, use the hashtags on TikTok.
• Test your internet connection and other equipment. The technological components of going live shouldn't be ignored. Make sure your lighting, sound, and internet connections can all be used for extended periods.
• Stay safe. Keep in mind that TikTok allows you to ban viewers, mute people, and filter comments. Use these tools with users who aren't sincere in their contributions and don't be scared to do so. Nobody ought to be subjected to bullying or harassment.

Real-time interaction with people is a terrific way to establish lasting bonds with your followers. Going live may also assist to increase other income streams since audiences that have a deep connection to a creative often take an interest in their success.

Eli and Spencer Zied, two adolescent brothers, founded Habits 365, a clothing business with headquarters in New York City. The brand’s motto is “Success is formed by developing positive habits,” and its upbeat youthful founders serve as the ideal representatives of this idea.

@habits_365 Reply to @knicksfan62 become apart of our movement today. Link in bio 🙌 #habits #KeepItRealMeals #smallbusiness #clothingbrand ♬ original sound – Habits 365 | Clothing Brand

The founders' openness to allow people to get to know them personally is a key factor in Habits 365's success. One of the most well-known TikTok accounts in the world, they frequently use the live feature, releasing little videos of themselves working on their business late into the night.

4. Partner with influencers or other brands in the TikTok creator marketplace

Through its Creator Marketplace, TikTok offers one of the most creative means for its creators to monetize their work. The Creator Marketplace facilitates relationships quickly and simply for both sides by bringing together relevant companies and influencers. It's really simple to produce useful sponsored content on TikTok.

Brands interested in running an influencer campaign may explore the market and rapidly scan material produced by creators they know are receptive to working with brands.

By allowing both parties to express their readiness to collaborate, the creator marketplace serves as an influencer agency, alleviating some of the discomforts that marketers may feel when contacting influencers on other platforms for influencer marketing.

Peace Out, a skin care brand, was founded when its creator came upon a problem for which there was no solution—until he invented one.

Enrico Frezza began learning about the process of creating skin care products after battling with a variety of skin problems, including acne and hyperpigmentation.

@peaceoutskincare Get 7 Peace Out Acne Serum sample packets with every purchase on PeaceOutSkincare.com while supplies last!🥳💙🌟#AcneChamp #PeaceOutAcneSerum #acne ♬ original sound – PeaceOutSkincare

Would you want to learn more about how Peace Out collaborates with TikTok influencers to develop their brand? Visit our episode of the Shopify Masters podcast where we talk to the show's creator, Enrico Frezza.

5. Create in-feed ads with the TikTok ads manager

TikTok offers many fantastic organic marketing options, but if you want to increase the audience for your content, you might want to think about making your own in-feed advertising using the TikTok ads manager.

Like any other TikTok video, TikTok commercials play automatically and are displayed in viewers' “For you” feed. You may make sure your videos are seen by those who are most interested in your products by using sponsored ads.

The greatest thing, though? Shopify and TikTok‘s ad management are fully integrated. As a result, you can create TikTok advertising, choose a target demographic, and monitor the effectiveness of your ads all from your Shopify store. TikTok genuinely has the potential to be one of your top resources for online marketing.

Luxe Collective is a high-end clothing store with headquarters in Liverpool that sells fashionable, previously used items for a fraction of the cost of those offered by other stores. Luxe Collective first had great success expanding its social media audience on Instagram, not TikTok.

Luxe Collective has grown a sizable TikTok following over the past several years, which has nearly tripled the brand's Instagram followers.

@luxecollective Unpacking the met w/ Josh 🖤 #kimye #kanye #kimkardashian #kimkardashianwest #donda #metgala2021 ♬ Donda – Kanye West

The TikTok channel for Luxe Collective is jam-packed with the most recent information on all the top luxury fashion companies as well as fashion advice and techniques. Luxe builds a social media account that serves as a news source for the precise demographic that would be interested in buying its products, letting the personality of its audience drive its content.

6. Crowdfund projects by collecting donations from fan

One of the most accessible ways for creators to earn real money is through crowdfunding. Offering a simple, no-pressure option for your followers to donate is a terrific approach to secure a steady flow of cash since you spend a lot of time and effort developing material for them.

Depending on the kind of financing you need, crowdfunding can take many different forms. You might enlist the support of your followers by establishing a funding target and holding live fundraising events if you need starting money for a particular project.

Here are some crowdfunding websites to check out if you're wanting to support a certain project:

• Kickstarter. Since Kickstarter is the most popular crowdfunding platform on the internet, its largest value is the number of supporters and brand recognition.
• Indiegogo. If you don't have a predetermined fundraising goal, Indiegogo could be better for you as it allows you to collect donations after your deadline and has a more flexible fundraising objective.
• Fundable. Fundable is a fantastic resource for finding investors since it enables entrepreneurs to trade shares for money. However, as of right now, Fundable is just accessible to users in the United States.
• Crowdcube. Through the Crowdcube Funded Club, Crowdcube provides businesses that meet their fundraising objectives with unique perks from its affiliate organizations.
• Crowdfunder. With a network of more than 12,000 venture capitalists and angel investors to connect with, Crowdfunder enabled businesses to raise cash from certified investors.
• Mighty Cause. Mighty Cause's user-friendly platform is perfect for fast developing a funding page to collect donations because there are no costs involved and there is no waiting period for approvals before beginning your campaign.
• SeedInvest. On their websites, SeedInvest accepts investments from non-accredited investors and members of the general public. Your backers on SeedInvest are investors rather than supporters, therefore money is provided in return for shares.

7. Collect “tips” from your audience

Crowdfunding sites might not be the best option if you don't have a specific project in mind or aren't prepared to give investors ownership. Consider employing a tipping platform for a quick and simple method of accepting money.

Tipping websites are a more individualized financial choice. They operate just like a tip jar in real life. Fans have the choice to give, but it's not required, and they may do it whenever they'd want for any amount.

Here are some excellent tipping systems to check out if this appeals to you more:

• Tipeee. Although Tipeee doesn't provide memberships, its simplicity is one of its strongest points. On Tipeee, authors may put up a page where fans can directly “tip” them in any amount at any time.
• Buy Me a Coffee. Buy Me a Coffee takes pride in being designed for creators rather than companies. Its simplicity, like Tipeee's, is its strength. Followers are directed to a page where they may buy the creator as many “coffees” as they like. In this scenario, “coffees” are $1 payments made through PayPal or online banking to the developer.
• Ko-fi. Ko-fi provides subscriptions, advice, and options for users to get commissions for customized content like a unique video chat or instructional.

8. Start a Patreon and offer fan subscriptions

Crowdfunding is effective for large projects, and tipping is the most straightforward way to get money rapidly. But what if you're hoping to establish a more consistent source of income? If so, you may think about utilizing a creator-based membership service like Patreon.

Because you can keep individual membership rates low and concentrate on increasing your subscriber base, subscription-based sources of income are ideal for content providers.

To a lone, devoted fan, a low-cost membership of, say, $1 a month is simple to sell. Those funds start to mount up if you have a large following of devoted followers.

The first significant site designed to enable creators and influencers to receive donations from their most devoted followers was called Patreon. You may create membership tiers on Patreon that let you give your most ardent supporters access to unique content.

There are alternatives (most notably Ko-fi, which also offers a tipping element), but Patreon has the advantage of brand recognition, which increases prospective supporters' trust.

Here are some recommended practices to bear in mind if you think a subscription service would be the best approach to monetizing your TikTok account:

• Be transparent. Build strong trust with your audience to succeed on Patreon, therefore be open and honest about your earnings and spending habits.
• Entice your fans with rewards. If audiences are receiving something valuable in return, they are more inclined to raise their donations. Offer enticing perks to your most ardent fans, such as unique material and free products.
• Thank your supporters directly. Make your followers feel valued, and they'll be more inclined to continue donating to your cause. As often as you can, respond to comments, tag individuals, and offer video shout-outs to your fans.
• Promote your Patreon profile. If your supporters are unaware that you take donations, they cannot give. If you've lately gained a lot of new followers on TikTok, link to your Patreon page from your profile and make note of it in your videos.
• Keep subscription costs low. Getting $1 from 50 followers is simpler than getting $50 from one. Reduce the price of your subscriptions and concentrate on increasing the number of subscribers.
• Create new content consistently. Paying customers has greater standards for how frequently you provide fresh content. Create a content calendar and update it frequently.

Who makes the most money on TikTok?

Here are the TikTok users who will make the most money in 2022, According to Hopper HQ:

1. Charli D’Amelio, $105,770 per post (147.6 million followers)
2. Khabane Lame, $92,270 per post (150.2 million followers)
3. Bella Poarch, $66,829 per post (91.1 million followers)
4. Addison Rae, $65,194 per post (88.7 million followers)
5. Will Smith, $53,741 per post (72.1 million followers)

How did each of these users earn more than a million dollars in a year? Let's examine some of the methods used by TikTok's highest-earning users.

Do you get paid for uploading videos on TikTok?

TikTok does not compensate producers directly for the creation and posting of videos. The TikTok Creator Fund, which is described in greater detail above, does provide income for creators, although the amount paid fluctuates depending on the number of views received by the video, the degree of involvement, and the veracity of the individuals who engage with the post.

Although there are occasional instances in which advertisers would pay a well-known influencer to create videos, TikTok's highest-paid users often monetize their accounts through a variety of revenue sources.

While having many sources of income increases security, your audience will ultimately determine how much money you can make on TikTok.

First, understand your audience to make money on TikTok

Your target audience will probably be younger on TikTok. A staggering 32.5% of users are under the age of 20, making up the bulk of users (62%) who are under 30. Many people mistakenly believe that TikTok's appeal to Gen Z users is what makes it unique, but this might swiftly change.

As more millennials join the platform, according to recent Fortune magazine surveys, and social networks tend to be most popular with adolescents when they first launch, having a head start on serving TikTok's older users might provide you a significant competitive edge in the coming years.

@shopify We all have a desire for purpose. What’s yours?! #findyourpurpose #startthatbusiness #motivation #entrepreneurship #startnow #motivationalquotes ♬ Otherside vs. Dreams BYNX Mashup – BYNX

TikTok content varies greatly. What appeals to one group of people might not to others. Your choice of material should be determined by the interests of your audience, however, there are several aspects of TikTok content that its user base is probably more likely to enjoy:

• Authenticity. The most well-known TikTokers may have a variety of skills—from dancers to comedians to philosophers—but what they all share is a commitment to be true to who they are.
• Audience engagement. Duets, the Q&A feature, and video replies to comments are just a few of the inventive ways that TikTok makes it possible for you to interact with your audience. Utilize these elements regularly since TikTok viewers demand a more “personal” touch.
• Frequent posting. A steady stream of material will keep you in your fans' minds, improve the quality of your content in the eyes of TikTok's algorithm, and increase your chances of becoming viral and growing your following.

Although there isn't one optimum method to use TikTok, having a firm grasp of your audience will put you in a better position to identify the most effective ways to make money from your following.

How to “sell” without annoying your audience

Avoiding overusing promotional content is challenging when using social media to market products. Although your followers are aware that you need money to continue producing the material they enjoy, nobody wants to follow an account that always feels like it is promoting something.

This is particularly true for TikTok, given how the site itself is designed to help you build close relationships with your followers.

It could be beneficial to adopt a “content-first” strategy since users value quality content. Create the content first, then let it serve as inspiration for the best methods to monetize your account, as opposed to beginning with your sales pitch and generating content around it.

@partlysunnyprojects No death looms here! # haworthia #partlysunnyprojects #plantshop #ShowYourGlow #36SecondsOfLightWork ♬ Curiosity – Danilo Stankovic

Get inspired: Partly Sunny Projects

Online plant seller Partly Sunny Projects delivers gorgeous California foliage all around the nation. Sonja Detrinidad, the company's founder, created it as a diversion from the pressures of her day's work as a mortgage specialist.

She began considering strategies to draw customers to her store when she chose to leave her job and focus exclusively on growing her business. Sonja turned to TikTok at that point.

The TikTok community quickly fell in love with her charismatic demeanor. Sonja's straightforward approach to gardening is precisely the kind of real material that connects with TikTok users.

@partlysunnyprojects Just don’t #partlysunnyprojects #lame #plantshop #succulentmom #whatstheworstthatcouldhappen ♬ Future – Official Sound Studio

Sonja's usage of TikTok for her company has been extremely effective since she is focused on producing material that her audience would appreciate. Sonja expertly draws in the sort of follower who can be converted into a client by covering gardening-related themes.

Join the TikTok creator economy

Rarely are creators motivated by the potential for financial gain. Artists by nature, creators find fulfillment in their work not in the money they make but in the act of creating.

But in 2022, being a creator means a lot more than it did in the past. Artists are no longer the only creators. They range from CEOs to founders to accountants to artists to business owners to marketers to salesmen.

Stars in the creator economy are self-made; their major breaks don't come from the purses of affluent gatekeepers but rather from their own originality, enthusiasm, and drive to create.

Making more money from your work gives you more time to produce art since time is money. The additional time it buys will be satisfying if the money itself isn't.

If you liked this article, you might also like our advice on how to make money on Instagram and how to make money on YouTube.