How to Make Money on TikTok (21 Proven Tactics)

TikTok is one app that has grown exceptionally popular since it was launched in 2016. Users find themselves spending endless minutes scrolling and watching micro-videos of giggling babies, dance challenges, makeup tutorials, and practical jokes, to name a few. 

There are endless videos to watch on TikTok. In fact, about 167 million videos are viewed on TikTok every minute!

Content creators are making the most of this opportunity and can earn anywhere between $200 to $20,000 per branded video. Amazing, right?    

So if you’re reading this and wondering how to make money on TikTok in 2023, let’s have a closer look at some of the interesting ways you can pull it off. 

Can You Really Make Money on TikTok?

So, you have an interest in making an income from TikTok? You understand that it could be possible because you have heard so many great stories. But the question you keep asking yourself is “Can you really make money on TikTok?”

The short answer is, yes, you can make money but you have to work on it and work with a good strategy to be successful. TikTok has skyrocketed in popularity over the years and shows no signs of slowing down. Everyone wants a piece of the pie so you have to be smart about how you capitalize on the app.

TikTok has been the most globally downloaded app in the last two years and the most influential profiles collectively cashed in over $55 million in 2021. They all followed simple steps to get where they are, but it didn’t happen overnight. They worked consistently to climb to the top, growing their audience and getting sponsorships. 

Here are some ideas to consider to amplify your following and to start maximizing the income you can make from TikTok.

Best Ways to Make Money on TikTok

Some of the traditional ways to make money are still very effective but there have been new creative ways that have proved to be rewarding. 

If you want to learn how to make money on TikTok, there are a few different ways that are powerful and practical.  

1) Join the TikTok Creator Fund

Joining the TikTok Creator Fund is a top suggestion. The Creator Fund pays its users for creating engaging content and if you have more engagement on your videos then TikTok pays you more. But not every account gets paid and there are some prerequisites to qualify for this benefit. 

Firstly, your account needs to adhere to the Terms of Service and comply with the Community Guidelines. You will also need to have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views within the last 30 days. 

We know that a whopping 33% of TikTok users are between 10-19 years old, but will need to be at least 18 years old to be eligible for the fund. TikTok is available in over 150 countries but only residents of the U.S, U.K, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain can benefit from the Creators Fund. 

For instance, if you’re from the United Kingdom, aligning with a top-tier influencer marketing agency in the UK becomes the beacon for content creators navigating the digital labyrinth. The intricacies of meeting stringent criteria, including a formidable follower count and adherence to platform guidelines, underscore the need for expert guidance that these agencies bring to the table.

Unlocking the true potential of global platforms like TikTok necessitates not just numbers but a strategic partnership, making the collaboration with a savvy influencer marketing agency a pivotal key.

The amount that established creators receive depends on the number of views per post therefore it varies accordingly and is not set in stone. Even if you qualify and join the Creator Fund, you might want to consider other streams of revenue. 

2) Start a Patreon and Offer Fan Subscriptions 

A patreon is basically how creators or influencers can get extra income for creating content and offering it to a select group who pay a little more to view this content, and it can make a lot of money if executed correctly.

This means that only paying fans can view certain videos. Suppose you post 10 videos, only three will be open to the public and the rest is for paying fans. 

A low-cost membership subscription means that your loyal fans can afford to pay you and before you know it, the build-up of paying fans will be a lucrative income. 

Take it a step further and create membership tiers so that your higher-paying members get the most exclusive content.

3) Sell Products Through TikTok Shopping

TikTok recently expanded its features to empower businesses to advertise and sell their products and goods directly on the platform without having to send their followers elsewhere to complete their purchases.

Users now have a shopping tab on their profile so they can view your catalog. Another way of advertising your products is by tagging the product in any organic content that you publish. When they view it and click on the product, it sends them over to your store. 

When you are creating your video content, don’t be shy to speak about your products and market them in your video. 

Try not to come across as too ‘salesy’ though because this might put your viewers off, but giving your store a shoutout goes a long way toward getting sales.

Charli D’Amelio is one of TikTok’s highest earners and she sells her own branded merchandise like hoodies and tees.  

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Avani Gregg is another high-profile influencer who sells her own branded hoodies, tees, sweat pants, and phone cases, with her eyes on starting a makeup line.   

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4) Participate in Affiliate Programs

Let’s say you don’t own any products or services to market and sell on TikTok. Well, that shouldn’t stop you from making money from sales. 

Affiliate marketing is the solution to this. You can make a generous amount on sales commissions when users click through and purchase products through the link that you displayed. 

Here’s the simple process: Put an affiliate link in the description of your video or in your profile, users click on this link, they’re directed to a page or website, they complete the purchase, and you cash in on your commission. Pretty easy, right?

Another option you could use is getting coupon codes from the affiliate company or a URL that the user has to copy and paste in their browser and they earn their discount and you earn your percentage of the sale amount. 

Businesses love affiliate programs because they do not have to pay or sponsor any advertising, yet their sales surge because influential profiles are backing up the brand by pushing sales and advertising links or codes. Their only real concern is paying out the commission on sales. 

5) Become a Brand Ambassador

This is another favorite for businesses. As a brand ambassador, you are committed to the brand for longer than just a single or once-off post. 

Having a long-term role with the brand often means you will receive free products or be compensated in exchange for a certain number of videos and posts.

If your content performs well then there’s a chance your brand ambassador deal will get sweeter too. 

So when you’re hunting for a brand to represent, rather look for one that you will love working with, and that will be the most rewarding in terms of money, exposure, networking opportunities, and ultimately the most fun to collaborate with. 

6) Work with Influencers

If you don’t have thousands of followers, you can simply collaborate with personalities who do. It’s that easy. 

You can partner with influencers and creative minds to promote your products and services. A shoutout from the right influencers can give your business the boost it needs.  

Many influencers are available on the TikTok marketplace. This is where brands can connect with the right influencers to represent them. Micro-influencing is fast becoming a thing, and businesses are looking into working with TikTok profiles that have between 5,000 to 50,000 followers. 

Karla Cristina, Madeline Fricke, Jamie Orr, Kevin Heimbach, and Maxime Senior are some of the big-name micro-influencers to keep on your radar.

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7) Build and Sell Accounts 

Are you someone who has a knack for building audiences? Can you do it faster than the rest of us? Well, you have a talent people will pay money for. 

I know I’m not the only person who would appreciate a headstart on TikTok and be willing to pay someone to do this for me. Think of all the businesses and people who are out looking for a ready-made profile. 

If you keep the content focused on the subject matter and away from your face or name, and avoid making it personalized (in case followers get attached to you), then you have a good thing going. It may be hard to make it impersonal, but content like unboxing or GIFs could sell fast.

Still not convinced that you can make money from creating and selling accounts? Well, Ramy Halloun is a 23-year-old who made over $120,000 doing this. So what are you waiting for?  

8) Receive Donations Through Live Shows

TikTok has another creative way for its users to make money: Donations. When you go live, your patriotic fans have the chance to send you some coin donations which you can then trade in for cash. 

If you can attract large audiences, just imagine how the coin donations will pour in. Of course, you have to be legible to go live on TikTok, meaning you have to be over 18 years old and have at least 1,000 followers. 

9) Collect Tips

Ever heard of TikTok’s tipping platform? It’s an easy, fast way to receive money on TikTok, similar to the concept of a physical tip jar where people can put in as much as they want, whenever they want to. 

Most times, followers are sent to pages where they can add their tips into the jar for things like coffee. If you pull this off really well then you may never have to pay for your coffee ever again.

10) Promote Songs

Many music promoters and record labels are looking to TikTok influencers to promote their songs. Have you noticed how many TikTok videos have a song in the background or a song that they lip-sync to, or do dances to? Music artists appreciate that exposure. 

When you have a large following and great engagement, musicians and producers are willing to pay for this. It may even make their song go viral and benefit them more than they could do on their own. 

Songs like “Alors on Danse” by Stromae, “How You Like That” by Blackpink, and “Touch It (Remix)” by Busta Rhymes are some songs that have become viral because of TikTok. 

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This airing can lead to an increase in downloads, concert ticket purchases, and even branded merchandise.

11) Become a Consultant

When you have been on TikTok for a while and feel that you now know your way around it, you could venture into being a consultant. 

For beginners who don’t have the time to explore the features and tools that make their account awesome, they would consider paying someone to show them the ropes. 

Being a TikTok consultant is specialized and in high demand. They know how to leverage the different features and optimize accounts.  

12) Crowdfunding

This is one of the most accessible channels for creators to make money. It takes many forms from gathering funds for a specific project to setting up a funding goal. One way of collecting funds is hosting a live fundraising event and getting your followers to pledge.

Crowdfunding is not only for private accounts but businesses can take advantage of this feature too. TikTok has collaborated with different platforms like Crowdcube and Mighty Cause to make the process of getting your funds efficient. 

Chasyn @chaseischasyn used crowdfunding to raise funds to get medical help for his Lyme disease, but as the image below shows, you can use this monetization method for anything: 

@chaseischasyn #lymedisease #lymediseaseawareness #news #arizona #pheonix #arizonacheck #denver #denverco ♬ original sound – Chasyn

13) TikTok Ads

Strategically placing ads that drive traffic to your website or TikTok shopping tab can prove to be profitable. 

Another option is having ads that encourage followers to sign up to your mailing list or SMS campaigns. 

This is a subtle way to push sales ads without looking too salesy. Simply run in-feed images and ads to promote your services and products.  

14) Start a TikTok Talent Management Agency

You may have the experience and flair for managing people and their accounts. This can become an income source if you start a talent management agency. You can look at it in the same light as actors and their agencies. 

Accounts that go viral overnight are most likely searching for an agent to manage them and their account, so market yourself well and prepare to earn big from these influencers. 

Some ways your talent management agency can help influencers is by negotiating deals for them, advising them on content strategies, suggesting new ways to make money on the app, and linking them towards partnerships. 

15) TikTok’s Creator Marketplace

This is just like a shop where creators are on display and businesses can choose which one they want to work with. 

When your TikTok profile reaches the 100,000 benchmark then you are eligible and you can apply to be part of the TikTok Creator marketplace. 

Investors and businesses often browse through the marketplace to find suitable accounts to run their campaigns and promote their brands, so the chances of getting a gig from this platform are high. 

Who Are the Highest Earning TikTok Accounts?

In this section of my guide on how to make money on TikTok, we’ll take a look at the highest earning accounts on the platform. 

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1) Charli D’Amelio

It goes without saying that one of the biggest names on TikTok is Charli D’Amelio. She is aged 18 and has a whopping 144 million followers. In 2021 we saw her raking in an impressive $17.5 million, ranking her high on the list of top earners on TikTok. She started out as a very competitive dancer who established her fame on TikTok with her dance videos. 

Some of the big brand names that she has secured licensing deals and advertising sponsorships with include Dunkin Donuts, Hollister, Morphe Cosmetics, Invisalign, and Procter & Gamble. 

Her 20-year-old sister, Dixie, works together with her on Hollister’s Social Tourist. Alongside their Hulu series, the pair have a limited series show which debuted on Snapchat where they show their life’s simpler moments like playing board games or baking.           

2) Dixie D’Amelio

We cannot mention Charli D’Amelio without mentioning her older sister Dixie. The twosome is a powerful force to be reckoned with their Hulu series, Snapchat shows, and Hollister’s Social Tourist, along with their other numerous collaborations.

She has set out to establish her own career path as a pop singer, signing with HitCo Entertainment shortly after releasing her first single in 2020. Her hit song “Psycho” ranked 25th on the U.S. Billboard pop chart, and her songs have featured Rubi Rose and Wiz Khalifa. 

Dixie was part of the Jingle Ball that toured Dallas, Chicago, and Boston. Not only has Dixie led followers into her family life but also into her love life with TikTok profiler, Noah Beck. 

3) Addison Rae

Addison Rae became well-known on TikTok for her short dance clips with Sheri, her mother, and then expanded her career on screen with her lead role in “He’s All That” on Netflix which briefly rated number 1. 

Not long afterward, she signed on another deal with Netflix and Paramount Player. She also has her own cosmetics company, Item Beauty, which is a joint project with Madeby Collective, a makeup startup and they have their Lash Snack mascara product in stores like Sephora. 

Her first sponsorship deal was with Fashion Nova, but she has since scored partnerships and sponsorships with brands like Vital Proteins, Pandora, Alani Nu, and many more. One of her lucrative brand partnerships is with American Eagle, one of Hollister’s main competitors. In 2021, she made the Forbes list of “30 under 30” social media influencers. 

4) Bella Poarch

Bella’s climb up the TikTok influencer ladder was remarkable. Her first appearances were silly simple lip-sync videos and before we knew it, she was doing adverts for big brands like Google, Tinder, and Prada. 

Originally from the Philippines, she loved singing and performing as a kid. She grew up in Texas and after completing high school, she joined the U.S. Navy, becoming a helicopter mechanic. She hopes that her career as a singer will take off as her first single hit number 56 on U.S. Billboard’s pop chart.

5) Josh Richards

One of the few male figures on TikTok’s influencer list, Josh Richards posts dance moves and lip-syncing videos. Josh is not just a TikTok influencer, in fact, he has many successful ventures like Ani Energy, an energy drink company that he started at age 18. He also co-founded TikTok’s largest talent management agency and production company called TalextX.

Josh co-hosts a podcast with Dave Portnoy and has served at Triller as an officer. Animal Capital is another venture that he co-founded. He is 20 years old and we can confidently call him a serial entrepreneur. Josh has tried his hand at acting too. 

6) Kris Collins

If you think your business had it hard due to Covid-19, Kris Collins’s hairdressing career was shut down during the pandemic and she was unemployed. She then started posting her sketching videos and now we recognize her as one of the most followed TikToker. 

Her videos are watched on other platforms like YouTube, and Facebook, with sponsorship from brands like Pantene, Hershey, and Lionsgate.

Her content is largely skits about her family with her first ever post based on her dad, fetching over 1 million views. Her fans love her for her natural comedy skills. Owing to her hairdressing background, Kris has a blog on fashion and hair, with fans always asking for her tips on hairdressing techniques.

7) Avani Gregg

Avani Gregg was once a lifeguard in Indiana before she relocated to Los Angeles. She is known for her Clown Girl makeup tutorials which often shows her with blue and red stars all over her face and white contact lenses, a true Harley Quinn.

Her TikTok career started off with lip-syncing videos but she later transitioned to dancing clips. She met with best-friend Charli D’Amelio when she joined the Hype House in California. She has an acting role in Chicken Girls and has released an autobiography book titled Backstory: My Life So Far.   

8) Loren Gray

Born and raised in America, Loren Gray became TikTok famous for her lip-sync and dance videos. This beauty guru is featured in Taylor Swift’s “The Man’ music video. Some of the other big names she has been associated with include Skechers, Revlon, Burger King, and Hyundai. 

Loren is a passionate singer who has been nominated for several awards such as Music Social Star, Web Star: Music, and Muser of the Year in 2016 and 2018. She has been signed with two record labels and her hit track “Queen” peaked with over 13 million views.  

9) Spencer X

Spencer X rose to fame on TikTok with his fascinating beatboxing videos. He produces smooth yet fast-paced beatboxing and music tracks. He has even collaborated with musicians like Sean Kingston and Alicia Keys. Spencer has landed partnerships with big brands like Uno, Sony, and Oreo.

His real name is Spencer Polanco Knight and was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City. He flourished when he began earning thousands through TikTok live streaming events where he received numerous virtual gifts which he cleverly converted into cash.

10) Rodrigo Contreras

This Mexican TikToker is most famous for his lip-syncing and dancing videos. His fame elevated and he was nominated for a Kids Choice Awards as Favorite TikToker of 2020. Rodrigo and his girlfriend, Domelipa are currently signed with the talent management agency Raw Talent.

As a past passion, Rodrigo played soccer and has always had a love for sports. He works closely with other TikTok influencers and endorses many brands. He forms part of a social group called Cheli House with other influencers like Edwin Mendoza, Domelipa, Mont Pantoja, and Ingratax. 

8 Tips to Earn the Most Money on TikTok

TikTok is fairly new, being launched only in 2016, but its growth has exploded since then. It is now the go-to platform for videos spanning from just 15 seconds up to ten minutes which include videos on education, comedy, dancing, fashion, fitness, D.I.Y and so much more.

TikTok successfully offers a quick, high-impact option to promote your business and for individuals to gain fame as an influencer, all while gathering revenue. But let’s face the fact that not everyone will be successful enough to cash in on TikTok and it seems that only a select few are high earners. 

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So how do they do it? Below are a few of the best practices these TikTok earners follow:  

1) Audience engagement

This one is key to your TikTok success. The more you engage with your audience, the more they feel like they feel valued. Fortunately, TikTok offers so many unique ways to interact with your audience from duets to Q&A features or replying to their video comments. 

Your audience expects a “personal touch” so be sure to use these, and other features to engage with them on a regular basis. 

2) Be Authentic

Authenticity is what your audience is after. They’re probably tired of seeing staged and filtered content on social media and they’re craving authenticity. So give it to them! TikTok influencers have a range of talents, from dancing to drawing, and they are all willing to be authentic and true to themselves. 

3) Post Content Frequently

Consistency is key if you want to be successful in anything in life. The same goes for posting content on TikTok. If you want to keep your audience’s attention then you have to post frequently. 

Posting a variety of videos or niche videos regularly generally increases your engagement and the number of likes. Scheduling your content can save you time and it assures you always have content being published and keep you continually on your viewers’ minds.

4) Be Transparent 

Don’t confuse transparency with authenticity. When you’re transparent, you create a high level of confidence and trust with your audience. Let them into parts of your life and be transparent with things like how you spend your money or your relationship with a certain friend. 

5) Add Captivative CTAs

Yes, you can and should be making money on TikTok, and one way of doing that is to have captivating Call-To-Action buttons. Highly paid TikTokers make the most of this feature to maximize brand exposure with buttons like Download, Call Now, Buy Now, or Install. You can have the button visible on your video or in the description below.   

6) Share Behind-the-Scene Video Clips

We all love to know what our favorite celebrity personalities do off-set in their own free time. If you want to promote your brand, then you should be sharing behind-the-scenes footage. Show your audience the inner workings of your business, and let them in on your company’s day-to-day activities. 

People love knowing how you live your unpolished relatable life and it increases engagement and trustworthiness.  

7) Update High-Quality Footage

Nothing is more repulsive than viewing poor-quality videos and images with low resolutions, this is not to say you need professional tools to create your content, most smartphones have cameras that are sufficient enough for TikTok. 

Having good clear sound and lighting is essential, though, alongside bright and eye-catching videos. Remember, the first few seconds determine how well your video is received by viewers.

8) Jump on Trends 

We all know that TikTok is famous for its viral music and dance videos. Getting involved in TikTok challenges and trends demonstrates that you are active on the platform and that you consume content as well as create content. 

Better yet, why not start a new trend or challenge? This will get your audience hooked and engaging with you, increasing your visibility and following.

Wrapping Things Up

We have come to know that you don’t need millions of followers to start cashing in on TikTok, an effective strategy paired with the right tools can get you off the ground. Your content needs to be exceptional and engage with your audience, and grow your audience. 

Having a strong, engaged following is the first step in getting noticed by TikTok and sponsors, and bringing you closer to that million-dollar paycheck.

You are not too late to jump on the TikTok bandwagon and earn revenue. As long as you are consistent in what you do, and if you are open to learning new methods and adjusting your strategy to achieve new goals, you are halfway to being a successful high-earning TikToker. 

I hope my guide has helped you understand how to make money on TikTok. Good luck!