Make Money on TikTok – TikTok is more than just a platform for lip-syncing dances or viral challenges. If you’re looking to turn your passion for content creation into a money-making venture, this app has quickly become a goldmine for creators from all walks of life. I won’t lie—at first, I was skeptical. TikTok seemed like a place for teens to make silly videos, but after diving deeper and testing out a few strategies, I realized there are real opportunities here for anyone willing to put in the work. Whether you’re just starting or already have a decent following, these six tips will help you leverage TikTok to make money.
How to Make Money on TikTok: 6 Tips for Success
1. Find Your Niche and Stick With It
First off, let’s talk about one of the biggest lessons I learned: niche is everything. When I first started on TikTok, I was all over the place—sharing random thoughts, funny clips, and some dance moves (no judgment). But as I dug into what works on the platform, I found that the most successful creators typically focus on a specific niche. It’s like this: If you’re all over the place, it’s hard for your audience to know what to expect, and honestly, it’s harder to attract brand deals or sponsorships.
For instance, I have a friend who made a killing in the fitness niche. Her content is all about at-home workouts and health tips. She built a loyal audience by sticking with it—she didn’t suddenly post random cat videos. The consistency of focusing on fitness helped her attract collaborations with fitness brands and even led to product promotions. If you’re not sure where to start, just pick something you’re passionate about! Whether it’s travel, cooking, makeup tutorials, or DIY crafts, pick a niche that resonates with you and stick with it.
2. Leverage TikTok’s Creator Fund
Now, let’s get into something that took me a while to figure out: the TikTok Creator Fund. This is probably one of the easiest ways to make money directly from TikTok. The Creator Fund pays you based on how well your videos perform. While it’s not going to make you a millionaire overnight, it can definitely add up, especially if you’re posting regularly and getting a decent amount of views.
Here’s what you need to know: To qualify for the Creator Fund, you need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. The amount you get paid depends on factors like engagement and video performance, so the more people interact with your content, the better your payout. I’ve found that the Creator Fund works best for creators who already have a good following and post high-quality content consistently. It’s passive income, so once your videos are out there, the views keep coming in, and so does the money.
3. Partner with Brands and Sponsors
Okay, here’s where things get exciting: brand partnerships. This is where you can make some serious cash. TikTok has exploded as an advertising platform, and brands are eager to work with influencers to promote their products. To get started, you’ll need a decent following (I’d say at least 10,000 followers), but the real key is engagement. Brands care less about the number of followers you have and more about how engaged your audience is.
To catch the eye of brands, you can start by joining influencer marketing platforms like TikTok’s Creator Marketplace, or even reach out directly to brands. My first brand deal came from a brand I already used and loved. I simply sent them a DM introducing myself and my content, and to my surprise, they responded! From there, I worked with them to create a video showcasing their product. The more authentic the partnership, the better, so don’t try to force a product into your content if it doesn’t align with your niche.
4. Sell Your Own Products or Merchandise
Another great way to make money on TikTok is by selling your own products or merchandise. This is an option I’ve seen a lot of creators tapping into, especially those who have built up a loyal following. I’ve seen creators sell everything from custom t-shirts and stickers to ebooks or online courses. You don’t need a huge inventory, either—you can set up an online store through platforms like Shopify or Etsy and link it directly to your TikTok profile.
I started by selling digital downloads—things like printable planners or simple design templates. TikTok’s algorithm loves creative products, and if you market them correctly with catchy, engaging videos, you can make decent sales. The key here is to create a personal connection with your audience so they trust you enough to buy from you. The beauty of this method is that you’re in full control of what you sell and how you sell it.
5. Utilize Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another solid way to make money, and it’s much easier to get started with than you might think. Basically, you promote someone else’s product and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral link. There are affiliate programs for almost everything—clothing brands, gadgets, beauty products, and so on.
When I started doing affiliate marketing, I didn’t expect much, but when I focused on products I truly used and liked, my followers were more inclined to click on my affiliate links. Amazon’s Affiliate Program is a great starting point if you’re new to the game. Just remember: the trick is to make the promotion feel natural. Nobody wants to feel like they’re being sold to, so make sure the products fit your content and niche.
6. Go Live and Use Gifts
Finally, TikTok has a feature called gifts that can be a fun and interactive way to make money. When you go live, your followers can send you virtual gifts that you can redeem for cash. To be eligible for gifts, you need to be over 18 and have at least 1,000 followers. While it’s not going to replace your day job, it’s a nice addition if you’re doing regular live sessions and engaging with your followers in real time.
I’ve found that going live works best when you have an active and loyal audience who loves interacting with you. Whether you’re doing Q&A sessions, showing behind-the-scenes of your process, or just chatting with fans, going live is a great way to earn some extra cash while connecting with your community.
Making money on TikTok is all about being consistent, authentic, and engaging with your audience. Whether you’re using the Creator Fund, partnering with brands, selling your own products, or tapping into affiliate marketing, the key to success is staying true to your niche and providing value to your followers. It takes time and effort, but if you’re passionate about creating content and putting in the work, TikTok can be a rewarding platform for making money. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
