How Do People Get Paid on TikTok?

TikTok has rapidly become one of the most popular social media platforms globally, attracting millions of users who share short, engaging videos. With its explosive growth, many content creators have turned to TikTok not just as a platform for entertainment but also as a potential source of income. But how exactly do people get paid on TikTok? In this article, we’ll explore the various ways creators can monetize their content, from the TikTok Creator Fund to brand partnerships, and more.

1. TikTok Creator Fund

The TikTok Creator Fund is one of the most well-known ways creators can earn money directly from the platform. Launched in July 2020, this fund was designed to reward creators for their content. TikTok allocates a certain amount of money daily, which is then distributed among eligible creators based on their views, engagement, and other factors.

To qualify for the TikTok Creator Fund, creators need to meet specific criteria:

• Minimum followers: Creators need at least 10,000 followers.
• Minimum video views: A creator’s videos must have received at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
• Age and location: Creators must be at least 18 years old and reside in one of the countries where the fund is available.

Once qualified, creators earn money based on the performance of their videos. However, it's important to note that the payout per view can vary significantly, with reports suggesting that it can range anywhere from $0.01 to $0.04 per 1,000 views.

2. Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships

Another lucrative way to make money on TikTok is through brand partnerships and sponsorships. As brands recognize the massive reach and influence of TikTok creators, they are increasingly collaborating with them to promote their products or services.

How it works:

• Sponsored Content: Brands pay creators to create and share content that features their products. This content can be in the form of a video, a series of videos, or even a live stream.
• Product Placements: Creators might subtly or explicitly showcase a brand’s product in their videos.
• Affiliate Marketing: Some creators include links to products in their TikTok bios or descriptions, earning a commission on sales generated through their links.

The amount paid for these partnerships can vary widely, depending on the creator’s follower count, engagement rate, and the brand’s budget. Top TikTok influencers can command thousands of dollars per post, while micro-influencers with smaller but engaged audiences might earn a few hundred dollars per collaboration.

3. TikTok Live Gifts

TikTok Live is another way creators can monetize their presence on the platform. When creators go live, their followers can send them virtual gifts, which can be converted into real money.

How TikTok Live Gifts work:

• Virtual Gifts: During a live stream, viewers can purchase virtual gifts using TikTok’s in-app currency, coins.
• Conversion: Creators can then convert these gifts into diamonds, which are redeemable for cash. Typically, TikTok takes a percentage of the earnings, and the rest goes to the creator.

While the amount a creator can earn from live gifts varies depending on the number of gifts they receive and their popularity, this can be a significant income source for creators who engage with their audience regularly.

4. Merchandise Sales

Many TikTok creators also earn money by selling their merchandise. This could include branded clothing, accessories, or even digital products like e-books or presets.

Steps to sell merchandise on TikTok:

• Create a Store: Many creators use platforms like Shopify to set up an online store.
• Promote Merchandise: Creators can promote their merchandise directly in their videos or through links in their TikTok bio.
• Drive Sales: Engaging content that showcases the merchandise can help drive sales, especially if the creator has a loyal fanbase.

Selling merchandise allows creators to capitalize on their brand and offers a direct way to earn money from their audience.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another revenue stream for TikTok creators. This involves promoting products or services and earning a commission on any sales made through a unique affiliate link.

How it works:

• Join Affiliate Programs: Creators can join affiliate programs offered by brands or platforms like Amazon.
• Promote Products: Creators can create videos showcasing the products and include the affiliate link in their bio or video description.
• Earn Commissions: When viewers purchase products through the affiliate link, the creator earns a commission.

Affiliate marketing can be a passive income source, as creators can continue to earn commissions long after the content is posted.

6. Collaborations and Cross-Promotions

Collaborations with other creators or cross-promotion with brands can also lead to monetization opportunities. By teaming up with other TikTok users, creators can expand their reach and tap into new audiences.

Types of collaborations:

• Duets: Creators can collaborate on duets, where they create a split-screen video with another creator.
• Challenges: Participating in or creating branded challenges can lead to sponsorship deals.
• Group Content: Some creators form collectives or groups, pooling their resources and audiences for joint content.

Collaborations not only boost visibility but can also lead to paid opportunities from brands interested in the collective reach of multiple creators.

7. Licensing Content

Creators can also earn money by licensing their content. If a video goes viral, brands or media outlets might reach out to use the video for promotional purposes, offering a licensing fee in return.

Licensing process:

• Negotiate Terms: Creators can negotiate a fee for the rights to use their content.
• Exclusive vs. Non-Exclusive Rights: Depending on the agreement, the creator might grant exclusive or non-exclusive rights to the content.

Licensing content can provide a one-time payout or, in some cases, ongoing royalties, depending on the agreement.

8. Crowdfunding and Donations

Platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi allow TikTok creators to receive donations or crowdfund from their fans. This is particularly useful for creators who want to fund specific projects or need financial support to continue creating content.

Crowdfunding options:

• Monthly Subscriptions: Fans can subscribe for monthly content or perks.
• One-Time Donations: Followers can make one-time donations to support their favorite creators.
• Project-Based Crowdfunding: Creators can raise funds for specific projects, such as a new series or a high-quality video production.

Crowdfunding and donations create a direct line of support between creators and their most loyal fans, providing a steady stream of income outside of traditional monetization methods.

9. Sponsored Challenges and Hashtag Campaigns

Brands often launch sponsored challenges or hashtag campaigns, inviting TikTok users to participate by creating content around a specific theme. Creators who participate and gain significant traction can be rewarded with cash prizes or brand deals.

How to participate:

• Identify Sponsored Challenges: Creators can look for trending challenges sponsored by brands.
• Create Content: Creators make videos that align with the challenge theme, often incorporating the brand’s product or message.
• Potential Rewards: Depending on the challenge, creators might receive direct payments, prizes, or future sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsored challenges not only offer potential earnings but also help creators grow their audience by participating in viral trends.

10. External Sponsorships and Promotions

Finally, many TikTok creators secure external sponsorships from brands not directly associated with the platform. These deals can range from sponsored posts on other social media channels to more extensive brand ambassador roles.

External sponsorships include:

• Multi-Platform Deals: Brands may sponsor a creator across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Long-Term Partnerships: Creators might enter into long-term partnerships where they become the face of a brand’s campaign.
• Event Appearances: Creators can be paid to appear at events or conferences, representing a brand or their content.

These external opportunities can be highly lucrative, especially for creators with a strong personal brand and large, engaged followings.

In conclusion, TikTok offers a diverse range of monetization opportunities for content creators. Whether through direct payments from TikTok, brand partnerships, or merchandise sales, creators have multiple avenues to turn their creativity into income. As the platform continues to grow, new monetization strategies will likely emerge, providing even more ways for creators to get paid on TikTok.