In case you’re wondering exactly how much do TikTokers make, well, there are definitely..
Part of TikTok’s appeal is that the app makes it super simple to make videos, and you don’t have to be a celebrity to have your videos go viral. You don’t even have to have millions of TikTok followers to go viral. That’s because TikTok is different from other social media platforms in how it recommends videos for users. Using a proprietary software algorithm, TikTok is able to go beyond simply making recommendations based on a users’ friends’ activities to determine user behavior and tastes. That will get your videos seen by exponentially more people—millions and even billions.
With nearly 100 million monthly active users and two billion downloads globally,TikTok has captured the attention of those who see TikTok’s meteoric rise as an opportunity to get into “the next big thing” and monetize it now while there is more interest than content—in other words, less competition. So if you’ve been wondering how to make money on TikTok, read on.
Make Money on TikTok
The 10 money-making strategies we’re going to look at are not only for TikTok creators, but anyone who sees the potential of TikTok as marketplace:
- Become an influencer who attracts brand sponsors
- Use your TikTok live account so viewers can thank you with TikTok coins
- Create your own TikTok swag ideas to sell
- Check into TikTok paying creators for videos
- Use the TikTok ad platform
- Sell products on TikTok Live
- Become a TikTok consultant
- Manage TikTok influencer campaigns
- Grow and sell TikTok accounts
- Watch videos for money (really!)
1. Become an Influencer
Becoming an influencer with lucrative brand partnerships might be the first thing you think of for monetizing your TikTok audience. If it was easy, though, everyone would be an influencer and making millions, right? How much tiktok money you can earn on TikTok varies, but just like any social media platform, content that goes viral is the key. To become an influencer will take an investment of time and creativity for sure, plus you need to follow these guidelines:
- Find your niche. What do you love doing? What are good at? Narrow your focus as much as possible.
- Understand your audience and what they want to see.
- Upgrade to a TikTok Pro account to get the analytics you’ll need to fine tune your content and provide the stats brand sponsors want to see.
- Make your bio and pic irresistible to snag more followers—it’s a key decider.
- Create amazing content with a consistent aesthetic and theme that your audience will love.
- Post consistently, sticking to shorter videos whenever possible.
- Engage with your audience by replying to comments and using video captions to ask questions. Use follower feedback to keep improving.
- Let brands know you are interested in partnerships.
2. Go Live
Livestreaming on TikTok makes it possible for your viewers to click the “Give Gift” button to thank you for your amazing content with TikTok coins. What are TikTok coins? Any viewer 18 years or older can buy TicTok coins on their profile to give as appreciation gifts. Any virtual in-app gifts given to creators then become Diamonds, and those can be redeemed for real money.
Don’t see the “live” button on your profile? Before you search “how do u go live on tiktok,” just know that on TikTok livestreaming is not an automatic privilege, but based on the quality of your content and number of followers. How many followers do you need to go live on TikTok? Once you have 1,000 followers, the Live button should appear on your profile.
3. Create TikTok Swag
Not only can you sell your own TikTok swag to loyal followers, but you’ll also reap the benefits of free advertising that swag will generate. A company like Gemnote is great for an entrepreneur who’s looking for smaller minimum orders but needs full-service help to create memorable must-have swag. Check out our blog for more tik tok swag ideas and tips about merchandising for TikTokkers.
4. See if TikTok Will Pay You
TikTok has launched a $200 million fund to pay creators (who have at least 10,000 followers for their viral videos. According to Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok, “Through the TikTok Creator Fund, our creators will be able to realize additional earnings that reflect the time, care, and dedication they put into creatively connecting with an audience that’s inspired by their ideas.” What does tik tok pay? Currently there are no published guidelines, so you will need to take the initiative and apply.
5. Sell Your Products & Services on TikTok Live
To make money on TikTok, creators are launching products while livestreaming or they’re actually holding auctions while livestreaming. And, of course, there is the link in the TikTok bio where you can drive followers to your website to purchase your products and service.
In addition to selling products and services, you’ll want to market your brand as well so your company stays top of mind. Gemnote can help you quickly and easily set up a swag store that features your own customized merch!
6. Paid Advertising
As we mentioned earlier, brands are taking advantage of TikTok’s paid advertising platform. And with more than 73 million users watching TikTok videos on a daily basis— just in the U.S.—it’s a digital marketing goldmine for companies whose target audience matches the TikTok demographic.
7. Become a TikTok Consultant
Experienced, successful TikTokkers can earn income by becoming consultants to help others get started on the platform. Sean Young had 1.5 million followers on Vine (the now-defunct 6-second video platform) when he created his TikTok account. Within a week, he had 100,000 followers on TikTok. Sean, who’s 27, now acts as a consultant for brands and celebrities wanting to break into TikTok, while also running high-profile accounts like America’s Funniest Home Videos. Reportedly, in 2020 he was pulling in an estimated $10,000 a month for a few hours a day spent on TikTok.
8. Manage Influencer Campaigns
Are you a TikTok lover with mad business and sales skills? Combine the two for a great job by brokering partnerships between brands and influencers. You’ll make your money by managing the relationship and making sure goals for both parties are achieved. You should know that TikTok has an influencer program called Creator Marketplace already built in, and for a cut of the profits they’ll help brands find and partner with the right influencer. However, that doesn’t preclude you from brokering partnerships outside of TikTok and helping brands—especially smaller ones—save a little money.
9. Grow & Sell TikTok Accounts
Basically this money-making strategy—which has been quite successful on Instagram—entails selecting a niche theme and publishing great quality content that attracts followers and engagement based on the theme and not you personally. Once you’ve grown the profile to a certain level, you can reach out to brands and sell the TikTok profile to them. Obviously, the more followers and better engagement rate the TikTok account has, the higher the price you can sell it for.
10. Making money by watching videos
TikTok-loving couch potatoes, this one’s for you! There’s a company called Million Formula which is a vehicle for TikTok creators who pay to have their content included so that they reach more people. They are spending money to put their content on the Million Formula site for a wide audience. You, on the other hand, with your free Million Formula account, can get paid for every video you watch, for comments, for sharing, and more.
Eyes on the Prize
As a creator, no matter how you choose to monetize your TikTok videos, remember that it’s usually going to take some trial and error plus plenty of time before you begin to see results. It all comes down to views. The more eyes you get looking at your videos and profile, the more success you will enjoy.
