For anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a knack for editing snappy short-form videos, TikTok can offer the chance to make some cold hard cash.
After all, there’s a huge audience on this thriving social media platform, eager to be entertained (and maybe even spend some money in the process).
Can you make money on TikTok?
Yep, you can absolutely make money with TikTok… and many, many people do. (We see you and your Tesla Model X, Addison Rae.)
There are a few different ways to make that sweet, sweet bank.
To earn money directly from TikTok, join TikTok’s Creator Fund. To do this, you need to have a minimum of 10,000 authentic followers (sorry, bots!) and have accrued at least 100,000 views over the last 30 days. (You also need to be 18 or older and live in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, or Spain.)
Beyond this official, app-funded method of earning cash, there are plenty of other ways that you can make money on TikTok — even if you don’t have a ton of followers. (These strategies will probably look familiar if you’ve already checked out our guides to making money on Instagram and YouTube.)
In 2024, TikTok ranks as the 6th most-used social media platform worldwide, with over 3 billion downloads and 50 million daily active users. That’s a big market.
It’s no surprise, then, that many people have already figured out how to earn money on TikTok — some even consider it a full-time job.
But whether you want to go all-in or explore a new side hustle, your journey to become a TikTok business whiz needs to start with a little research. And you’ve come to the right place.
These are ways to make money on TikTok
1. Sign up for TikTok Creator Next
Creator Next is the portal for TikTok users to access all of the app’s monetization features.
As TikTok puts it: “TikTok Creator Next aims to help creators monetize as they grow and develop their communities on the platform. When you join TikTok Creator Next, you receive access to tools and features that allow you to turn your creativity and passions into something greater, whether that’s a side hustle or a business.”
To join TikTok Creator Next, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be 18 or older
- Have posted at least three videos in the last 30 days
- Have a minimum of 1,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Meet the minimum follower requirement for your region
- Be based in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, or Spain
- No Business Accounts allowed!
Via TikTok Creator Next, you can access a few different monetization features… though each has its own threshold of eligibility.
TikTok Creator Fund
On July 22, 2020, TikTok announced their new Creator Fund, pledging to give $200M U.S. to “encourage those who dream of using their voices and creativity to spark inspirational careers.”
The internet—and the world—ate it up, and only a week later, they announced that the fund would grow to $1B U.S. by 2023. So how do you get your hands on that sweet creator cash? The app has a few boxes you have to tick before you can start making :
- Be located in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain or Italy
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Have an account that abides by TikTok Community Guidelines and terms of service
You can apply for the Creator Fund through the app (you’ll need to switch to a Pro Account if you don’t have that already). Click on Creator Tool and then TikTok Creator Fund to send in your application.
TikTok Creator Marketplace
If you’re based in one of several approved countries, you can join the Creator Marketplace to be connected with sponsors and brands. Any brand can join, but influencers need to be invited or apply to access the Marketplace. As of December 2024, there are 800,000 creators from across the globe on Marketplace.
Live Gifts and Video Gifts
Creators using TikTok Creator Next can receive “gifts” from viewers on their Live videos or regular TikTok video posts. These digital gifts can be converted into dollars and withdrawn
Partner with a brand you trust
Sponsored content on TikTok is defined as content for which you receive something of value. That’s the goal, right? For example, a brand might pay you to make a video talking about how great their soy candles smell, or you might receive a free skydiving trip in exchange for posting about it. (Though we’re not recommending taking any free skydiving offers).
In 2024, the global value of influencer marketing was USD 16.4 billion, according to Statista — an amount that has more than doubled since 2019. An eMarketer study found that 75% of medium-to-large U.S. companies are planning on using influencer marketing this year… even as brands are pulling back from social media advertising.
And while Instagram continues to hold the #1 spot as the influencer-brand partnership platform of choice, TikTok is making a strong play for the top.
Only reach out to brands or organizations you really love
If your TikTok is all about your raw vegan journey, and all of a sudden, you start posting about your favorite local burger joint, your followers will see right through you. Not only is this confusing, but it also makes you look like a sellout. So, make sure that your sponsored content aligns with your regular content.
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