AI Content Creation

How to Make Money on TikTok: A Simple Guide

TikTok is a huge platform with over 1 billion users every month, according to Statista (2023). It’s not just for fun videos it’s a real way to earn money. If you’re asking how do you make money on TikTok, this guide explains easy steps to turn your videos into cash. From building followers to getting brand deals, we’ll share practical tips to help you start.

Why TikTok Is Great for Earning Money

TikTok’s algorithm helps new creators get noticed fast. It doesn’t matter if you have few followers; good videos can go viral. This makes it perfect for anyone wanting to make money. Whether you love cooking, dancing, or sharing tips, there’s a way to earn.

“Be real and post often that’s how you grow on TikTok,” says Sarah Jenkins, a creator with 500,000 followers. By making content people love, you can open up many ways to make money.

1. Set Up Your TikTok for Success

To make money on TikTok, you need a strong profile and people who watch your videos. Here’s how to start:

Set Up Your TikTok for Success

Make Your Profile Stand Out

Your profile is like a shop window. Make it clear and inviting:

  • Username: Pick something easy to remember and related to your content.
  • Bio: Write a short sentence about what you do, like “Daily cooking tips!” Add a call-to-action, like “Follow me!”
  • Link: Once you have 1,000 followers, add a link to your website or other social media.

Choose Your Topic

Focus on one thing you’re good at or love, like:

  • Fitness ideas
  • Easy recipes
  • Tech tips
  • Travel stories Sticking to one topic helps you get loyal followers.

Post Often

Try to post 1–3 videos a day. TikTok likes creators who post regularly. Use popular hashtags, sounds, or trends, but add your own style.

2. Join the TikTok Creator Fund

The TikTok Creator Fund is a simple way to make money on TikTok. It pays you for views and likes on your videos.

Join the TikTok Creator Fund

Who Can Join

To join, you need to:

  • Be 18 or older
  • Have 10,000 followers
  • Get 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
  • Live in a country like the US or UK
  • Follow TikTok’s rules

How It Pays

You earn money based on how many people watch your videos. Creators usually get $0.02–$0.04 per 1,000 views, says Business Insider. So, a video with 1 million views might earn $20–$40.

Tips to Earn More

  • Make videos 1–3 minutes long to keep people watching.
  • Create fun or helpful content, like tutorials or stories.
  • Post when your followers are online (check TikTok Analytics).

3. Work with Brands

Brands pay creators to promote their products in videos. This is one of the best ways to make money on TikTok.

Work with Brands

How to Get Brand Deals

  • Grow Followers: Brands like creators with 10,000–50,000 followers, but even 1,000 followers can work for small deals.
  • Show Your Value: Make a media kit with your follower stats and engagement rate.
  • Contact Brands: Email brands that match your topic or join TikTok’s Creator Marketplace.

Real Example

Fitness creator Jake Miller got a $2,000 deal with a protein shake company in 2022. “I showed them my video style and my 15% engagement rate,” he says. Be clear about what you offer to get deals.

How Much You Can Earn

FollowersMoney Per Post
10K–50K$100–$500
50K–100K$500–$1,500
100K–500K$1,500–$5,000
500K+$5,000–$20,000+

Data from Influencer Marketing Hub, 2023.

4. Try Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing means you promote products and earn money when people buy them through your links. It’s great even if you don’t have tons of followers.

Try Affiliate Marketing

How to Start

  • Join Programs: Sign up for Amazon Associates, ClickBank, or brand programs.
  • Make Videos: Show products you use, like clothes or gadgets, in your videos.
  • Share Links: Put affiliate links in your bio or use TikTok Shop if it’s available.

Tips to Do Well

  • Be honest about using affiliate links.
  • Tell a story, like “This tool made my life easier!”
  • Check which products make you the most money.

Beauty creator Mia Torres earned $1,200 in a month by sharing skincare products with her 20,000 followers. “I showed my real routine, and people trusted me,” she says.

5. Sell Your Own Stuff

TikTok is a great place to sell your own products or services. You can promote anything from crafts to coaching.

Sell Your Own Stuff

What You Can Sell

  • Products: T-shirts, jewelry, or candles.
  • Digital Items: E-books, templates, or online classes.
  • Services: Coaching, design work, or consulting.

How to Promote

  • Show your product in action with fun videos.
  • Use TikTok Shop to sell directly if it’s available.
  • Link to your website or Etsy store in your bio.

Artist Emily Chen increased her Etsy sales by 300% by posting daily videos of her painting. “People loved seeing how I made my art,” she says.

6. Go Live for Gifts

When you go live on TikTok, fans can send you virtual gifts that turn into real money.

Go Live for Gifts

How It Works

  • Who Can Go Live: You need 1,000 followers.
  • Gifts: Fans send gifts like “Rose” or “Panda” using TikTok Coins.
  • Payout: You get about 50% of the gift value.

Tips for Great Lives

  • Plan fun content, like answering questions or teaching something.
  • Tell followers when you’ll go live.
  • Talk to your viewers to keep them engaged.

Top creators can earn $50–$500 per live session, depending on their audience.

7. Sell Your Viral Videos

If your videos get lots of views, brands or TV shows might pay to use them. This is called licensing.

Sell Your Viral Videos

How to Do It

  • Add a watermark to your videos to show they’re yours.
  • Use sites like ViralHog or Jukin Media to find buyers.
  • Agree on a fair price, usually $100–$1,000 per video.

A pet creator made $800 when a TV show used their viral dog video. Always check contracts to protect your work.

8. Offer Paid Shoutouts

If you have a big audience, other creators or businesses might pay you to mention them in your videos.

How to Start

  • Set prices for shoutouts, like $50 for a mention.
  • Work with creators in your topic to grow together.
  • Offer shoutouts on sites like Fiverr.

Shoutout Prices

FollowersPrice Per Shoutout
10K–50K$20–$100
50K–100K$100–$300
100K+$300–$1,000+

Data from Social Media Examiner, 2023.

9. Start a Patreon

If you have loyal fans, you can use Patreon to offer special content for a monthly fee.

What to Offer

  • Behind-the-scenes videos
  • Early access to your TikToks
  • Personal coaching or chats

Gaming creator Alex Lee makes $2,000 a month on Patreon by sharing exclusive tips with his 100,000 followers. “Fans love getting something extra,” he says.

10. Keep Going and Try New Things

Making money on TikTok takes time. Try different video styles, check your analytics, and focus on what your audience likes. “The algorithm changes, but good content always works,” says creator Laura Kim.

Keep Going and Try New Things

Things to Track

  • Engagement: How many likes, comments, and shares you get.
  • Watch Time: How long people watch your videos.
  • Follower Growth: Are you gaining new followers?

Use TikTok Analytics (get it with a Pro Account) to improve your videos.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Copying Trends Only: Be yourself instead of copying every trend.
  • Ignoring Data: Analytics show what works.
  • Posting Rarely: Post often to stay visible.
  • Promoting Too Much: Too many ads can push fans away.

How Much Money Can You Make?

Your earnings depend on your followers and how you make money. Here’s an idea:

Way to EarnMonthly Money
Creator Fund$50–$1,000+
Brand Deals$500–$10,000+
Affiliate Marketing$100–$5,000+
Selling Products$200–$20,000+
Live Gifts$50–$2,000+

Based on industry reports and creator stories.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make money on TikTok with simple steps like joining the Creator Fund, working with brands, or selling your own products. Start by setting up a great profile, posting often, and trying different ways to earn. With hard work, you can turn TikTok into a real income.

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