How to Make Money on TikTok
Complete guide to monetization on TikTok. Learn proven strategies to grow faster and reach more people.
Making money on TikTok goes far beyond the Creator Fund. In fact, the Fund is often the worst way to monetize. Here's how TikTok creators actually earn—from brand deals to selling products to live streaming gifts.
The Real Ways TikTok Creators Make Money
Forget the Creator Fund (it pays fractions of a cent per view). Here's where the real money is:
- Brand deals: $200-$20,000+ per sponsored post depending on following and engagement
- TikTok Shop: Sell products directly through your videos (commission 20-50%)
- Affiliate marketing: Earn commission promoting others' products
- LIVE gifts: Viewers send virtual gifts convertible to cash
- Course/product sales: Drive traffic to your own offerings
- UGC creation: Make TikTok-style ads for brands ($150-$500+ per video)
Pro Tip: ViralNow helps you build the engagement metrics that brands look for when selecting creators.
Brand Deals: The Math and How to Get Them
Most TikTok income comes from brands. Here's how it works:
- Standard rate: $10-$25 per 1,000 followers (varies by niche)
- Engagement rate matters more than follower count to brands
- Micro-influencers (10K-100K) often get better per-follower rates than mega-creators
- Start with TikTok Creator Marketplace or reach out to small brands directly
- Always negotiate—first offers are typically 30-50% below budget
- Exclusivity clauses can double or triple your rate
TikTok Shop: The Fastest Growing Revenue Stream
TikTok is aggressively pushing commerce. Here's how to capitalize:
- Affiliate program: Promote products and earn 10-50% commission
- Own shop: Sell your products directly through TikTok
- LIVE shopping: Demonstrate products in real-time (highest conversion)
- Product tags in videos: Seamless shopping experience
- TikTok is subsidizing shipping and offering creator incentives—take advantage now
What NOT to Do When Monetizing
Common mistakes that kill TikTok income:
- Don't rely on Creator Fund—it pays $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views
- Don't accept product-only deals when you could get paid
- Don't work with brands that clash with your audience (they'll unfollow)
- Don't post too many sponsored videos back-to-back (kills engagement)
- Don't skip contracts—verbal agreements lead to payment issues
Frequently Asked Questions
How many followers do I need to start making money on TikTok?
You can start immediately with UGC (making ads for brands—no following required) or affiliate marketing. For brand deals, most start seeing opportunities around 5K-10K followers if engagement is strong. The Creator Fund requires 10K followers, but it's not worth optimizing for.
Why is my Creator Fund payout so low?
The Creator Fund divides a fixed pool among all eligible creators. More creators = less per view. Most see $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views. It's essentially supplemental income at best. Focus on brand deals and affiliate—they pay 10-100x more per viewer.
How do I find brands to work with?
Start with TikTok Creator Marketplace (built-in). Then use platforms like Aspire, Grin, or Creator.co. Best approach: create content featuring products you already use, tag the brand, and they often reach out. Or DM small brands directly—they're often excited to work with creators.
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