How to Make Money on TikTok as a Creator [Step by Step]

Thanks to TikTok's increasing popularity, it’s now possible to monetize short videos. You can do this in many ways, such as receiving video tips, making money from live streams, and using brand deals to increase your revenue.

But those are just a few options. In this guide, we’ll explain:

1. How to get monetized on TikTok
2. When you can monetize on TikTok
3. All the TikTok monetization requirements

Step 1: Join the TikTok Creator Next Program

Creator Next is an exclusive program for TikTok influencers who want to monetize their audience. It’s the gateway to every monetization tool on the platform, so apply for Creator Next first.

Here are the requirements to join:

1. Have a minimum number of followers (typically 1,000), but it depends on your region.
2. Have at least 1,000 video views in the past 30 days.
3. Be at least 18 years old (19 for South Korea, 20 for Japan).
4. Have at least three TikTok videos posted in the last 30 days.
5. Be based in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, or Spain.
6. Have a TikTok account that’s in good standing (follows community guidelines and terms of service).
7. Have a personal TikTok account (not a business account).

If you meet the requirements, you’ll gain access to tools that help you develop your channel and make money from TikTok: the Creator Marketplace, the Creator Fund, Video Gifts, Live Gifts, and Tips.

But more on that later. The first step is applying for TikTok Creator Next!

Creator Next: How to Apply for Monetization on TikTok

1. Open the TikTok app and tap the profile icon.

2. Tap the menu icon.

3. Tap Creator Tools.

4. Tap Join in the Creator Next section.

TikTok Monetization: All the Ways to Earn Through Creator Next

In this section, we’ll dive deeper and explain the monetization tools in the Creator Next program.

1. Earn Money Through the TikTok Creator Fund

TikTok pays creators from a large collection of money called the Creator Fund. In 2020, the fund was expected to pay creators at least $200 billion in its first year. Now it’s estimated to reach $1 billion or more.

How much you’ll get paid depends on many factors, such as the region you live in, if your content is original or not, the engagement rate on your videos, and more.

But, be warned: One critique of the Creator Fund is that it takes hundreds of millions of views to cover your entire livelihood.

So if you're wondering how much money you can make from TikTok — and you're a small creator — the figure is closer to side-hustle pay.

In the video below, Jessica Rose Hood explains that she made $937 in one month from the Creator Fund, which is nothing to sneeze at. And she accomplished that with 25,000 followers.

“I feel like people overgeneralize that the TikTok Creator Fund doesn’t pay you anything, but it kind of does,” Jessica says. “It fluctuates a lot. So you can’t rely on the Creator Fund as a primary source of income, but it’s a nice little bonus here and there."

To make money from the Creator Fund, you should meet five requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Be accepted into the Creator Next Program.
3. Have at least 10,000 followers on your TikTok channel.
4. Have at least 100,000 video videos in the last 30 days.
5. Make original videos.
6. Have an account based in the U.S., and make sure it’s in good standing.

Important: Videos you made prior to getting monetized through the Creator Fund aren’t eligible for compensation; neither are live streams, duets, and stitches.

How to Apply for the TikTok Creator Fund

Make sure you’re in the Creator Next program, then follow these steps to apply for the Creator Fund:

1. Open the TikTok app and tap the profile icon.

2. Tap the menu icon.

3. Tap Creator Tools.

4. Tap Creator Fund to apply for that benefit.

2. Make Money on TikTok Live

Live streaming is another way to make money with your channel, particularly through LIVE Gifts.

Here’s how it works:

1. TikTok viewers send you virtual gifts during a live stream (shown above). These gifts are typically fun animations and stickers.
2. TikTok awards you a number of “Diamonds” based on how many gifts you received and the popularity of your live.
3. Redeem Diamonds for real money. You’ll get 50% of the revenue while TikTok receives the other half.

Here are the requirements to receive LIVE Gifts:

• Be accepted into the Creator Next Program.
• Have a personal TikTok account (not a business account).
• Live in a location where LIVE Gifts are available.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have at least 1,000 followers.
• Have an account that’s at least 30 days old and in good standing.

How to Turn on LIVE Gifts

1. Open the TikTok app and tap the profile icon.

2. Tap the menu icon.

3. Tap Creator Tools.

4. Tap LIVE Gifts and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Receive Video Gifts from Your Viewers

Video Gifts allow you to make money on individual TikTok videos. It’s similar to receiving LIVE gifts, in that:

1. Viewers tap the gift icon in the comment section to send animations and stickers.
2. TikTok awards you a number of Diamonds based on the amount of gifts you received and your video’s performance.
3. You redeem those Diamonds for cash.

Important: Only videos with a gift icon have this option. Also, viewers cannot send gifts for duets, stitches, advertisements, sponsored content, promoted posts or videos violating TikTok’s community guidelines.

Plus, you'll need to meet these requirements to receive Video Gifts:

• Be accepted into the Creator Next Program.
• Have at least 100,000 followers.
• Have a personal TikTok account (not a business account).
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have published a video in the last 30 days.
• Have an account that’s in good standing.

How to Turn on Video Gifts

Make sure you’re in the Creator Next program, then follow these steps to turn on Video Gifts:

1. Go to your TikTok profile.
2. Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Creator Tools.
4. Tap Video Gifts.
5. Tap Turn on Video Gifts.

4. Get a Brand Deal Through the TikTok Creator Marketplace

The Creator Marketplace is where companies go to find influencers for paid campaigns.

Typically, business partners invite creators to collaborate within the app, and creators decide whether or not to accept the invitation. In a limited number of countries, creators apply to open campaigns by submitting an application.

Here are the requirements to join the TikTok Creator Marketplace:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a personal TikTok account (not a business account).
• Have at least 100,000 followers.
• Receive over 100,000 video likes in the last 28 days.
• Post at least three videos in the last 28 days.
• Be accepted into the Creator Next program.

Once you meet these requirements, TikTok will invite you to join its Creator Marketplace.

5. Receive Tips from Your Viewers

TikTok viewers who enjoy your videos may “tip” you as a way of expressing their gratitude. This happens on your profile page, where viewers can tap Tips to send you money.

Viewers can donate up to $100 in a single transaction, and you will receive the full tip amount. You’ll get paid through Stripe, so don’t forget to set up an account so you can start collecting funds.

But not everyone is eligible to receive Tips. You should meet these requirements first:

• Be in the Creator Next Program.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have at least 100,000 followers.
• Have an account in good standing.
• Be based in the U.S.

How to Apply for Tips Access on TikTok

Make sure you’re in the Creator Next program, then follow these steps to apply for Tips:

1. Open the TikTok app and tap the profile icon.

2. Tap the menu icon.

3. Tap Creator Tools.

4. Tap Tips and follow the on-screen instructions.

Extra Ways to Make Money From TikTok

If you aren’t in the Creator Next program yet, don’t worry. There are other ways to make money on TikTok!

Promote Affiliate Offers In Your Bio Section

In an affiliate partnership, you’ll promote a brand's goods or services on your TikTok channel in exchange for compensation.

This typically happens through affiliate links. When you share these special links with your followers, you’ll earn a commission every time they purchase products from the brand.

Your TikTok bio can include links, which means you can promote affiliate offers from companies like Amazon and ClickBank. If you're looking for an easy way to monetize on TikTok without selling your own products, this is a great option.

Tip: Since TikTok allows one bio link, use Linktree to direct viewers to multiple links.

Make Money Through Merchandise Sales

If you have a popular TikTok page, people might want to buy merchandise from you. You can start selling T-shirts, hats, mugs, or anything that has your logo/brand name.

Selling merchandise is a great way to make money, especially if you aren't eligible for most of TikTok's monetization tools.

Earn Music Royalties with SoundOn

SoundOn is a platform that showcases music from new and undiscovered artists. Musicians upload songs directly to TikTok and earn royalties whenever someone uses their song in a video.

Here are the major benefits:

• Distribute your music on TikTok and streaming services.
• Maintain ownership of your music and receive 100% royalties in the first year (90% thereafter).

Check it out if you’re a musician looking for extra income!

Now that You've Learned, Get Ready to Earn

Now that you know what it takes to make money on TikTok, it's time to create content!

Use vidIQ Viral to find trending songs and sounds for your TikTok videos and get more views.