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Scrolling through TikTok got you thinking, how much money do creators actually make? Well, it's much more than you really estimate.
With TikTok’s explosive growth and new monetization features rolling out in 2025, there’s never been a better time to turn content into a real income stream.
The good news? Knowing how to monetize TikTok can bring in income even with zero followers and no blog. In this guide, we’ll share exactly how to monetize TikTok in 2025.
Can You Really Make Money on TikTok?
Yes, making money on TikTok is possible.
How TikTok Monetization Works
There are two main ways creators get paid. It’s either directly through TikTok’s ecosystem or direct deals.
- In-App Monetization Methods:
- Creator Rewards Program
- TikTok LIVE Gifts and Subscriptions
- TikTok Creator Marketplace (brand partnerships)
- TikTok Series (for premium content)
- TikTok Shop and affiliate sales
- Outside Methods:
- Selling products or services
- Sponsored content and brand deals
- Affiliate marketing outside TikTok Shop
- Cross-monetizing YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels
- Crowdfunding and fan support (e.g., via Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee)
Who Qualifies for TikTok’s Creator Programs?
When exploring how to monetize TikTok, there are many ways to earn money. Here’s what you need to monetize TikTok views:
- Be 18 years or older (or 19 in South Korea)
- Have a personal account in good standing
- Follow TikTok’s community guidelines
- Post original content consistently
- Live in a supported country or region
To earn money from TikTok, focus on:
- Affiliate marketing
- Selling print-on-demand (POD) items
- Going LIVE and building engagement
Also Read:
- Profitable Dropshipping Business Ideas You Can Start
- New & Classic Part-Time Business Ideas (That Actually Work)
Best Ways to Monetize TikTok (Even Without Followers)
You don’t need millions of views to monetize TikTok. Just pick the right strategy and do it well.
Use Print-on-Demand Products
Selling print-on-demand items is perfect for TikTok creators. You design products once. Then, earn without worrying about inventory or shipping.
Sell custom phone cases, laptop sleeves, stickers, or even drinkware.
Use platforms like Podbase, Printful, or Printify to handle production. Then, build engagement and trust by showing your design process in videos.
Sell Digital Products or Templates
This works well if you can make planners, social media templates, or phone wallpapers.
Make short TikTok videos to show how your products save time or improve design. Add a link so people can download or buy them.
If the price is too high, it might scare people off.
Partner with Brands (Affiliate Marketing)
Affiliate marketing lets you earn money by promoting products via tracked links.
Try platforms like Amazon Associates or ShareASale. Tech brands also often team up with TikTok creators. Beauty and fashion brands like to work with them as well.
Always disclose affiliate relationships. You can use hashtags like #ad or #affiliate. This builds trust and follows legal rules.
TikTok Creator Rewards Program
TikTok pays creators through the Creator Rewards Program, previously known as the Creator Fund.
Earnings range from $0.40 to $1.00 per 1,000 views. Your rate depends on video quality and engagement.
Videos must be original, at least a minute long, and reach 1,000 qualified views. You’ll get bonus rewards for viral videos.
Promote Services or Online Courses
Coaches, consultants, designers, and other service-based businesses can also earn money from TikTok.
Make helpful videos and tutorials showcasing your skills. Explain what you offer and show results. Answer common questions in your niche so you’ll be seen as an expert worth hiring.
Price services based on your experience level. Start lower to build reviews and testimonials, and increase prices as demand grows.
Go Live and Accept Tips or Gifts
TikTok LIVE lets you earn through virtual gifts sent by viewers, which converts to real money. You’ll need at least 1,000 followers to go live.
Engage with viewers during live streams by answering questions and providing value. The more engaging you are, the more gifts you’ll receive.
Remain consistent to build a loyal audience base.
Launch Your Ecommerce Store
Starting an online store is one of the top ways to monetize TikTok.
With TikTok Shop integration, you can showcase your products directly in videos. TikTok drives traffic to your online store, and viewers can buy without leaving the app.
The best part? You can start with no inventory with dropshipping or POD.
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How Many Followers Do You Need to Start Earning?
The answer depends on your chosen TikTok monetization method. Some programs require thousands of followers and a certain number of views.
Requirements for TikTok Creator Fund
To qualify for TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program, you need:
- 10,000 followers
- 100,000 authentic views in the last 30 days
- 1+ minute original videos
Minimum Views for Brand Deals
To access TikTok Creator Marketplace and attract brand partnerships, you’ll need:
- 10,000 followers
- 100,000+ views in the last 30 days
But some brands may work with smaller creators.
What if you can’t meet these requirements but are still interested in making money on TikTok? Try:
- TikTok Shop: Open to all creators — no minimum followers
- TikTok LIVE Gifts and Subscriptions: Only 1,000 followers
- TikTok Series: 10,000 followers or 1,000 followers plus application approval
How Much Money Can You Make on TikTok?
Earnings depend on your chosen method. Here’s the current breakdown.
TikTok Pay Per 1,000 Views
TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program pays $0.40 to $1 per 1,000 qualified views.
A video with 1 million views could earn $400 to $1,000. The exact figure depends on video length, originality, watch time, and engagement.
Creators in high-paying regions usually see higher revenue per 1,000 views than those in emerging markets. These regions include the US, UK, Canada, and Japan.
Here’s what creators can earn from other programs:
- LIVE Gifts: $0.005 per Diamond, where 500 Diamonds amount to $2.50
- Video Licensing: Media companies pay $100–$500+ per viral clip
- Creator Marketplace: $100 to $100,000+ per post
- TikTok Shop: 1–50% commission per sale
- TikTok Series: Up to $190 per series
These channels can be stacked. Creators often earn from multiple sources simultaneously.
Typical Earnings for Micro vs. Mega Influencers
Earnings on TikTok scale dramatically with follower count, but engagement and niche also matter. Here’s a breakdown of typical earnings per post by influencer tier:
- Nano (1K–10K followers): $50–$200
- Micro (10K–100K followers): $200–$800
- Mid-Tier (100K–500K followers): $800–$5,000
- Macro (500K–1M followers): $5,000–$10,000
- Mega (1M+ followers): $10,000+
Top creators can even earn $250,000 or more than $500,000 per sponsored post.
How to Monetize TikTok Views Without Selling
Not ready to sell products? You can still make money on TikTok without a shop. Here’s how:
- Creator Rewards Program: Earn based on video views, engagement, and watch time
- Video Licensing: Media companies pay to reuse your viral or trending content
- LIVE Gifting: Fans send you coins during live streams, which you can turn into real money
- TikTok Pulse: Share ad revenue if your videos are brand-safe and you have 100K+ followers
If your content connects, TikTok will readily pay you for its reach. While you can’t expect huge earnings, these income streams add up.
Also Read:
- Profitable Niches to Make Money (Low Risk, High Demand)
- Best Business to Start With Little Money (AI & POD)
How to Get Monetized on TikTok Faster
Here’s how to monetize your TikTok account in 2025, the smart way.
Use Trends and Keywords
Jump on trending topics quickly for maximum views. Use relevant hashtags in your captions to help TikTok’s algorithm promote your content.
Research trending sounds and effects daily, and create content around popular themes. But add your unique spin to stand out.
Repurpose Content for IG/YouTube
Cross-platform promotion leads to faster growth. Share TikTok videos on Instagram Reels, and upload longer versions to YouTube Shorts.
Sharing content on various platforms multiplies your reach potential, bringing more views, followers, and revenue.
Tools to Grow Faster
Use smart tools to save time and improve quality. For instance, scheduling tools allow consistent posting because you can plan content in batches. Meanwhile, analytics tools help you understand what works.
AI tools can generate captions and content ideas. They can also edit videos. Use these for inspiration as authentic content always performs better than artificially generated content.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Monetizing TikTok
How do you monetize TikTok without falling into traps that could hurt your growth or earnings? You should avoid:
Buying Fake Followers
Fake followers break TikTok’s rules and hurt your reach and reputation. What’s more, TikTok can limit your content or ban your account if you do this.
Focus on growing real, engaged followers instead. Quality engagement matters more than follower count.
Skipping Legal Disclaimers for Ads
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires clear disclosures of paid partnerships, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Therefore, use hashtags like #ad, #sponsored, or #affiliate to protect yourself legally and build trust.
Don’t bury disclosures in hashtags or bios. Instead, place them at the start of captions and videos, and repeat them during live streams. Failure to disclose can cause fines and removal from monetization programs.
Not Tracking Conversions
Use link trackers or promo codes to see which content drives views, clicks, or sales. This helps optimize your future content strategy.
While many creators focus on vanity metrics only, views and likes don’t pay bills. Focus on metrics that drive revenue.
Real Examples of Monetized TikTok Accounts
If you want to see examples of how to monetize TikTok, these creators are doing it:
- Charli D’Amelio: Dance and lifestyle; Brand deals with Hollister, Invisalign, Dunkin’, and a Hulu series. $17.5M/year in estimated earnings.
- Khaby Lame: Silent comedy and life hack reactions; Collaborations with global brands and appearances at major events. $16M/year in estimated earnings.
- Bella Poarch: Lip-sync and entertainment; Monetization from TikTok stardom and content deals. $5M/year in estimated earnings.
- Josh Richards: Lifestyle and commentary; Brand sponsorships and business ventures. $5M/year in estimated earnings.
- Zach King: Magic and visual effects storytelling; Monetizes via creative brand collaborations. $5M/year in estimated earnings.
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Saulius Meilutis is the CEO of Podbase, helping creators and entrepreneurs monetize their ideas with print-on-demand. He shares insights on eCommerce, growth, and building lean online businesses.
