TikTok Monetization: Ready To Start Your TikTok Career?

Profile photo ofCarolyn Howell, author

Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2023

TikTok Growth

Want More Real Tiktok Followers?

Can you finally quit your nine-to-five and make a living off your TikToks? If there’s one platform where creators can find financially rewarding opportunities, it’s TikTok! Let’s explore the TikTok monetization opportunities waiting for you on the platform.

Coins on top of dollar bills.

Can You Monetize TikTok?

Can you monetize TikTok? Yes, you can! It won’t be an exaggeration to say that TikTok offers the best support system to help creators succeed. TikTok’s highly effective For You algorithm is among the top reasons users love the platform. And TikTok’s monetization tools are just as well-designed.

Are you an influencer or industry expert? Are you an aspiring music artist or entertainer? Whatever type of content creator you are and whatever industry you’re in, you can succeed on TikTok!

You can go the traditional influencer marketing route or earn through brand deals. You can cash in on your videos and LIVE streams through virtual gifts from fans and paid subscriptions. Lend your expertise and become a marketing partner. TikTok offers many features and options to help you capitalize on what you do best — creating amazing content.

How to Monetize TikTok: 5 Ways to Make a Killing on TikTok

Are you ready to finally go full-steam-ahead on your TikTok money-making quest? Creating compelling, up-to-the-minute short-form videos is easy peasy, thanks to TikTok’s full suite of editing tools. Combine the one-billion-plus monthly active users and a diverse range of TikTok monetization tools. And what do you get? Tons of opportunities to use TikTok to supplement your income or as your primary source of livelihood. Keep reading if you want to learn how to monetize TikTok and make it big on the platform.

A person counting money while sitting on the roof of a car.

1. How To Get Monetized on TikTok via the Creator Fund/Creativity Program

The Creator Fund is part of the OG umbrella TikTok monetization program, Creator Next. The Creativity Program is the revamped version of the Creator Fund. How do you monetize TikTok via this program?

As TikTok puts it, Creator Fund is the platform’s way of rewarding creators for what they do best — “making incredible TikTok videos” and “celebrating and supporting creators for your dedication, ingenuity, and spirit.”

Creators participating in the fund can earn money mostly based on their video views and engagement. Only videos created after acceptance to the program are eligible. LIVEs, Duets, or Stitches do not qualify for fund access.

Currently, access to Creator Fund is only available to enrolled creators. Creators who wish to participate in the app-funded program can apply to join the new Creativity Program. You must meet the following requirements to join:

  • Have a U.S.-based account
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have at least 10,000 followers
  • Have at least 100,000 views in the last 30 days

Videos must be longer than one minute to be eligible for rewards.

Creators enrolled in the Creator Fund can switch to the Creativity Program. They can’t join both, and they won’t be able to switch back to the original program. You can apply via the app if you’re not yet part of the program. Just follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Profile and tap the Menu in the upper right. 
  2. Tap Settings > Creator tools. 
  3. Select Creativity Program.

You will know within three days if TikTok approves your application.

2. TikTok Monetization via Tips

The app’s Tips feature is one of the most direct TikTok monetization options you can take advantage of. Through Tips, your viewers can show appreciation and support for your work and “foster a positive, giving environment.” Their show of support is an investment in the creation of content they enjoy and the continuity of your community.

How does it work? Follow these steps to enable the Tips feature:

  1. Go to your Profile and tap the Menu in the upper right. 
  2. Tap Creator Tools, then select Tips. 
  3. Tap Apply and follow the instructions. You may need to set up a Stripe account if you don’t have one yet. Stripe is the payment provider you’ll use to receive your Tips.

After TikTok approves your application, the Tips icon will appear on your profile. Viewers who wish to send you a tip simply have to select this feature. They can send you $5, $10, $15, or a custom tip amount. Each tipper can send up to $100 per transaction. TikTok caps the number of daily transactions at 100 per tipper and the total amount at $500. Take note that the payment processor may apply a processing fee to your Tips.

TikTok users will be able to see who tipped you (unless the sender chooses to tip anonymously) and how much.

Who’s eligible to receive Tips? You must meet the following requirements to qualify for Tips:

  • Must be at least 18 years. 
  • Have a Personal/Creator account with at least 100,000 followers. 
  • Must be based in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.

A glass jar with a label that says “Tips.”

3. How To Cash In on TikTok via LIVE and Video Gifts

LIVE and Video Gifts are an indirect TikTok monetization option, but one you should enable and encourage if you’re eligible. What are Gifts?

Gifts are virtual items viewers can purchase using TikTok coins and send to their favorite creators via the comments section. You can enable Gifts for your videos and LIVE streams. The number and value of Gifts you receive are among the popularity measures TikTok considers when awarding Diamonds to creators. Gifts are not convertible to cash, but Diamonds are.

So by creating content that your fans truly enjoy and encouraging them to send you Gifts, you can monetize your videos and LIVE streams.

You need to meet the following requirements to be eligible to receive Gifts:

  • Must be at least 18 years. 
  • Must have a Personal/Creator account over 30 days old with at least 100,000 followers 
  • Must have published a public video in the last 30 days 
  • Must not have repeated violations of TikTok’s Community Guidelines

Only organic content is eligible to receive Gifts. Duets, Stitch videos, promoted posts, sponsored content, or ads are not eligible for Gifts.

If you meet the above requirements, follow these steps to enable Gifts for your videos:

  1. Go to your Profile and tap the Menu in the upper right. 
  2. Tap Creator Tools. 
  3. Tap Video Gifts. 
  4. Tap the Video Gifts toggle to enable the feature.

Viewers will see the Gift icon in the comments section if a video is eligible for Gifts.

4. TikTok Monetization via Creator Marketplace

Creator Marketplace is a dedicated space for creators to showcase their profile and body of work. It’s “the official collaboration platform to connect brands and creators on TikTok.” It’s where “creators can collaborate with brands on both paid and reward-based campaigns.”

If you’re eligible to join Creator Marketplace, you can have better opportunities to land brand deals on TikTok. This means you can earn money through influencer marketing. You’ll also have access to the following:

  • Official support from TikTok on brand campaigns
  • Online collaboration tools, including TikTok Creator Marketplace Pay and Open Applications
  • Tips on creating advertiser-friendly videos
  • Marketplace Academy, if you’re in the U.S. or U.K.

If you are qualified to join, TikTok will send you an invitation. If you don’t receive an invitation but believe you’re qualified, you can submit an application. Below are the eligibility requirements for Creator Marketplace;

  • A Creator/Personal account
  • At least 18 years
  • Located in one of the 24 countries where Creator Marketplace is available. 
  • Meet TikTok’s eligibility requirements for number of followers and engagement rate.

When you join Marketplace and create your profile, you’ll indicate a starting rate for sponsored posts. But you or a potential brand partner can negotiate your rate on a campaign-by-campaign basis. Scan the code below to apply for Creator Marketplace:

5. TikTok Monetization  via LIVE Subscription Service

TikTok LIVE has always been an effective community-building tool for creators. Having the ability to interact with audiences in real time translates to deeper connections and more valuable engagement. With the popularity of LIVE content, TikTok monetization has also been made available for LIVE streams via LIVE Subscription.

This monetization tool is a monthly subscription service for dedicated fans. “LIVE Subscription gives creators the opportunity to increase their earnings while continuing to grow their community and also provides engaged communities an opportunity to thank their favorite creators on a regular basis.”

Subscribers enjoy exclusive perks, including:

  • Subscriber Badges, which subscribers can display next to their profile name
  • Custom Emotes, which creators custom-design for their subscribers’ exclusive use during LIVE streams
  • Subscriber-Only Chat, which gives subscribers exclusive access to their beloved creators
  • Subscriber-Only Videos, which are exclusive videos that only subscribers can view

6. TikTok Monetization via Series

TikTok monetization tools reward creativity and hard work with opportunities to help creators advance their financial goals. Series is another monetization feature allowing creators to produce a private video collection viewers can access at a set price.

How does it work?

  • A creator can create and share up to 80 videos, each with a maximum length of 20 minutes. They can also include a free introductory video to entice viewers to pay for full Series access. 
  • A creator can set their Series price between $0.99 and $189.99. 
  • Your Series will go through TikTok’s Safety and Music review. After Series approval, it will be immediately available via a direct TikTok.com/series video link or your profile. 
  • Paying audiences can also access your entire Series catalog from your profile. 
  • Audiences who pay for a collection can view your Series at any time.

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Series:

  • At least 18 years old
  • Have a public Personal account that’s at least 30 days old 
  • Have at least three public posts in the last 30 days
  • Have at least 1,000 views in the last 30 days
  • Videos must be original content. 
  • Some creators may be required to provide a sample of videos sold on another platform.

A close-up shot of one-hundred-dollar bills.

7. TikTok Monetization via Creative Challenge

TikTok Creative Challenge is one of the latest TikTok monetization offerings for creators. This latest feature gives creators opportunities to submit video ads to brand challenges. Creators can earn from a challenge’s reward pool based on their video entry’s qualified views, clicks and conversions.

Who’s eligible to participate in the TikTok Creative Challenge? The eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • At least 18 years
  • Have a US-based account
  • Have at least 50,000 followers
  • Create high-quality, original content that abides by TikTok’s Community Guidelines and branded content policies.

A woman holding a coin in front of one eye.

Make Money Doing What You Love on TikTok

Mark Twain said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” This is something content creators can aspire to with the help of TikTok monetization tools and opportunities.  

Exploring ways to make money doing what you love is not as big a challenge on TikTok as anywhere else. The key is finding your place — your TikTok niche, where you can flourish with the support of your community. TikTok actively supports community building with its powerful and highly rewarding #ForYou algorithm and many collaborative tools. Once you find your corner, all you have to do is consistently produce content that caters to your niche community. And then TikTok’s algorithm will do what it does best — deliver your videos to interested audiences.

Establishing a dedicated community ensures consistent, active engagement from your audience. And sustained engagement translates into enduring visibility and relevance. Remember that in the lightning-fast pace of social media, staying power is a priceless asset. So make sure to invest a lot of time and effort in building a solid community around your brand. Doing so will put you in the best position to grab and maximize earning opportunities on TikTok. 

When you team up with a TikTok growth expert like High Social, give yourself an extra advantage. Sign up for a High Social plan to leverage the audience-targeting precision of their advanced, proprietary AI technology. You’ll have a higher chance of landing your videos on the For You feeds of potential new followers. Experience accelerated growth and expand your TikTok monetization potential. Start growing your TikTok today!

TikTok Growth