How to Make Money on TikTok: Tips, Best Practices, and Tools

Ever wonder how some people turn TikTok from a fun app into a serious money-maker? I've spent years figuring this out for myself and my clients, and the truth might surprise you: making money on TikTok doesn't require millions of followers or dancing skills.

In fact, by early 2025, there are more ways than ever to turn TikTok into a legitimate income source, whether you have 100 followers or 100,000.

The platform has grown to 1.59 billion users worldwide as of January 2025. That's 27.5% of all people aged 18+ worldwide using TikTok. The opportunities are massive if you know what you're doing.

I'll walk you through everything from the basic monetization methods to advanced tactics that most creators miss, plus tools that make it all easier. Let's get into it.

Why TikTok Is a Goldmine for Creators in 2025?

TikTok isn't just another social app anymore. It's become a full-blown economy that's putting real money in creators' pockets.

Let me share some eye-opening numbers: TikTok users in the US spend an average of 53.8 minutes per day on the app. That's nearly an hour of potential exposure for your content or products daily.

What makes TikTok stand out from other platforms is its engagement rate. At 2.5%, it crushes Instagram's measly 0.5% average engagement.

Your content simply performs better here than almost anywhere else.

The money flowing through TikTok is serious business, too. Global ad revenue hit $23.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $34.8 billion by 2026.

Brands are dumping truckloads of cash into the platform, and much of it goes directly to creators.

But here's what blows my mind: TikTok became the first app ever to surpass $6 billion in in-app purchases in a single year. People are opening their wallets while scrolling, which is exactly what you want as a creator looking to monetize.

I started on TikTok thinking it was just for teens doing dance challenges. But I was wrong. The app has matured into something much bigger, with serious money-making potential for anyone willing to put in the work.

Main Ways to Make Money on TikTok

Before diving deeper, let's look at all the potential income streams TikTok offers. Each has its requirements, earning potential, and challenges.

One thing to always remember: spreading your income across multiple methods is crucial. Putting all your eggs in one basket is risky in the ever-changing TikTok landscape.

Let's break down each method in detail.

TikTok Creator Fund

The TikTok Creator Fund was the platform's first attempt at directly paying creators. Launched in 2020, it set aside a pool of money (initially $200M in the US) to distribute to eligible creators based on their share of total views.

To qualify, you needed to be 18+, have at least 10,000 followers, and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.

Sounds great in theory, right? Well, the reality was less exciting. The payouts were tiny.

For example, one wellness influencer got only $24 from a video with 1.1 million views. Another creator earned around $189 for 13 million views. That works out to about 2-4 cents per thousand views.

Since the Creator Fund was a fixed pool, more people joining meant smaller slices for everyone. Many creators complained it wasn't worth it, and some even suspected joining the fund caused the algorithm to show their videos less (though TikTok never confirmed this).

2025 update: The original Creator Fund is dead in key markets. In the US, UK, France, and Germany, it was fully replaced by the new Creativity Program Beta as of Dec 2023.

For creators elsewhere, some version of a fund may still exist, but TikTok is moving toward new structures.

Bottom line: Don't expect to make real money from the Creator Fund. It's pocket change at best. As TikTok influencer marketing strategist Lissette Calveiro wisely put it, the Creator Fund should be viewed as a bonus, not your business model.

TikTok Creativity Program (Beta)

The TikTok Creativity Program is the new, improved version of the Creator Fund, designed to address all the shortcomings of the original program.

Rolled out in 2023, it aims to help creators generate higher revenue potential and encourages longer, high-quality content.

Here's what you need to know about it:

• It replaced the Creator Fund in the US and several other countries at the end of 2023
• Eligibility requirements: 18+ years old, 10,000+ followers, 100,000+ views in the last 30 days, and account in good standing
• Focus on longer videos: To earn, you must post videos over 1 minute long (shorter clips don't count)
• Better payouts: TikTok hasn't published official rates, but creators report much higher earnings

For example, finance creator Miki Rai shared that she earned only $146 in her first month after joining, but then jumped to $436 the next month, and by mid-February had made $1,273 (projected $2,288 by month's end). The increase came after a couple of her longer videos went viral.

Another creator, Kait Alayna, reported making $629 in a single week, with daily earnings ranging from $4.90 up to $193 on her best day.

These numbers suggest the new program pays significantly more per view than the old fund, possibly several times more.

To maximize your earnings from the Creativity Program, focus on quality over quantity. Since only longer videos count, put your effort into making them engaging throughout.

Try to use strong hooks and storytelling to keep viewers watching the full minute or more. And post consistently, but you might scale to 3-5 quality videos a week rather than churning out 3 shorts a day.

While still not a get-rich-quick scheme, the Creativity Program can be a meaningful income source if your content resonates with viewers.

Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships

In 2024, over 54% of marketers used TikTok influencer marketing, spending $1.25 billion in the US alone on TikTok influencers.

Sponsored content and brand deals are when a business pays you to create content featuring or promoting their product/service, using your influence with your followers.

This isn't managed by TikTok itself (except for the Creator Marketplace, which helps match brands and creators); it's usually negotiated directly between content creators and brands.

Why are brand deals so attractive? Two words: high earning potential. Unlike the pennies-per-view from funds, brands might pay $10–$20 (or more) per 1,000 followers you have for a sponsored post.

Recent data shows TikTok creators charge about $10 per 1K followers on average, similar to Instagram rates but about half of YouTube's (because TikTok content has a shorter lifespan).

Notably, brands aren't just chasing the biggest names: 44% of brands now prefer nano-influencers (1K–10K followers) as partners, valuing their niche audiences and authentic engagement.

That means you don't need millions of followers to land deals; a loyal, targeted audience in a particular niche (beauty, fitness, tech, etc.) can attract brands in that space.

How to succeed with brand partnerships:

Build a clear niche and influence: Brands look for creators who align with their target market. If you're known for #FoodTok recipe videos, kitchenware, or grocery brands are more likely to sponsor you.

Use the TikTok Creator Marketplace: Once you have around 10K followers, you can join TikTok's Creator Marketplace, an official portal where brands post campaign opportunities and invite creators.

Proactively pitch or use influencer platforms: Don't wait for brands to come to you. Reach out to companies you love with a brief pitch about who you are, your TikTok stats, and content ideas. Platforms like Grapevine, Collabstr, or Shopify Collabs also list campaigns for micro-creators.

Be authentic and always disclose: Only partner with brands you genuinely like or that make sense for your audience. Always use the #ad or branded content disclosure TikTok requires. Viewers can spot a fake endorsement from a mile away.

Negotiate usage rights: If a brand wants to run your content as an ad or reuse it on their channels, charge extra for that usage. Many experienced creators have separate fees for content creation, posting to their channel, and usage in ads.

Affiliate Marketing on TikTok

Affiliate marketing is a popular monetization route on TikTok, especially for creators who may not yet have big sponsorships. You promote a product and get a commission on any sales generated through your referral (via a special link or code).

There are two main ways affiliates operate on TikTok:

In-TikTok Affiliate Programs (TikTok Shop)

TikTok Shop allows creators to directly link products in their videos or live streams. Creators can browse an in-app affiliate marketplace of products and request to promote them.

Many sellers will even send free samples to creators who want to feature their items.

When viewers tap the shopping cart icon on a video and buy the item (without leaving TikTok), the creator earns a set commission. In the US, over 17 million TikTok Shop product videos were posted in 2024 (with influencers creating 89.5% of them).

If you have access to TikTok Shop in your region, this is one of the easiest ways to start earning. Join the affiliate program (the requirements is just 5,000 followers to get a clickable link), find products related to your niche, and create engaging videos around them.

External Affiliate Links

This is the traditional route where you join affiliate programs outside TikTok (Amazon Associates, Commission Junction, ShareASale, Impact Radius, etc.) or specific brand affiliate programs. You then get a custom URL or discount code.

You'll need to place that link somewhere for viewers, like in your bio (Link in Bio) if you have one, or as a copy-paste text in the comments/caption if not.

Selling Your Products or Services

TikTok isn't just for "influencers"; it's incredibly powerful for businesses and entrepreneurs with something to sell. Product discovery is the #1 reason users interact with brands on the platform.

If you have a product or service, TikTok can become your sales engine. Here are your options:

Physical products

Many creators launch their brands through TikTok. This could be merchandise, clothing lines, cosmetics, handmade crafts, or gadgets.

TikTok Shop (where available) allows checkout right inside the app. In 2024, TikTok Shop had over 500,000 US sellers shortly after launch.

Even without TikTok Shop in your country, you can drive traffic to your website or Etsy store. The virality potential is insane, as one viral video can create a flood of orders.

Digital products

These have zero inventory constraints and high margins. You could sell e-books, online courses, photo presets, or paid newsletters.

For example, a fitness influencer might sell a $20 workout guide PDF. If just 1% of viewers from a million-view video buy it, that's $2,000 from one video.

Services and personal brand deals

If you're a freelancer or offer a service (consulting, design, coaching, etc.), TikTok is perfect for showcasing your expertise and attracting clients.

A photographer can post behind-the-scenes clips, a career coach might share quick resume tips, and realtors can create home tour videos.

Tips for selling your stuff on TikTok:

Tell stories, don't just sell: Instead of just saying "buy my product," tell the story behind it or show it in use. For eco-friendly makeup, make a TikTok about problematic ingredients in common makeup, then introduce how your product is different.

Use trends to showcase products: Jump on TikTok trends and find creative ways to incorporate your product. The popular "put a finger down" format could be adapted by a soap business to showcase its products.

Make purchasing easy: If TikTok Shop is available, set it up so viewers can buy directly from your videos. If not, ensure your bio link points to a mobile-friendly store. Remove friction between seeing your TikTok and checking out.

Show social proof: Share user-generated content or customer testimonials (with permission). New viewers seeing others excited about your product build trust quickly.

Be ready for sudden demand: TikTok virality can overwhelm you with orders. Have an inventory buffer or a system for pre-orders in case a video blows up. Maintain quality and service, as a viral hit can lead to long-term customers if handled well.

Many TikTok creators have built thriving businesses this way. If you have something to sell, TikTok can be your best free marketing channel.

TikTok Live Gifts and Coins

TikTok Live might be the most underrated money-maker on the platform. It's this strange but brilliant system where viewers can essentially "tip" you in real time while you're streaming.

Here's how it works: Viewers buy Coins (an in-app currency) with real money. During your live stream, they can send you virtual Gifts (animations like roses, pandas, etc.). Each gift has a coin value; TikTok takes a cut (around 50%), and you get the rest as Diamonds, which you can cash out.

It sounds needlessly complex, but the key takeaway is simple: your fans can financially support you during livestreams by sending gifts, usually to show appreciation or to get you to notice them with a shout-out.

What makes TikTok Live gifts so powerful is the real-time connection. There's something about that live interaction that makes people way more generous than they'd be watching a regular video.

Fans love the chance to chat directly with you, ask questions, or just hang out in the moment. Sending gifts becomes their way of saying "thanks for being here" in a tangible way.

The numbers can add up shockingly fast. A single rose gift might only be worth pennies, but when you've got hundreds of viewers and some super-fans dropping those big gifts worth $5, $10, or even $100 each, the total can get serious.

Some beauty streamers I've worked with do structured makeover sessions where viewers can send gifts to vote on which look they should try next. They pull in $200-300 in a single hour-long stream.

There are creators making six figures annually just from live gifts. TikTok doesn't publish official earnings data, but industry analyses show top streamers earning tens of thousands monthly through gifting alone.

Last year, only 4 live sessions in the US topped $1 million in total value (mostly product sales during live shopping, but with massive gift contributions as well).

To maximize your earnings from Live gifts, you need to reach 1,000 followers first; that's the threshold for unlocking the live feature.

Once you've hit that mark, timing matters a lot. Test at different times and take note of when your audience is most active. Weekday evenings (7-10 pm) tend to work well for most creators, but it varies by niche.

The cardinal sin of TikTok Live is silence or ignoring comments. Nobody sends gifts to creators who don't acknowledge them. You need to constantly engage. Greet people by username, respond to comments, and create interactive moments.

Giving your lives a clear purpose or theme dramatically increases gift potential. Rather than just casual chatting, consider formats like Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes looks, or interactive games.

Musicians can offer song requests in exchange for gifts. Artists might do drawings based on viewer suggestions. Even just "Help me choose between these outfits" gives viewers a reason to participate with gifts to influence the outcome.

Moderation matters too. Internet chats can get messy with trolls and spammers. Having a friend help moderate or using TikTok's built-in filtering tools keeps the environment positive. Happy viewers are generous viewers.

The creators who make the most from live gifts focus on building genuine connections first. If you're giving real value or entertainment in your streams, the gifts tend to follow naturally. 

Even with a modest audience of 50-100 concurrent viewers, if they're loyal supporters, you can make decent supplemental income.

Crowdfunding and Memberships

While TikTok itself is mostly free content, many creators leverage their TikTok fame to drive crowdfunding or fan membership revenue. This monetizes your most devoted followers by offering them extra perks or simply the opportunity to support you financially.

Common methods include:

Patreon or Memberful subscriptions: Create a Patreon page where fans pay a monthly amount (e.g., $5, $10, $20 tiers) for exclusive content. This might include behind-the-scenes videos, longer-form content, private Q&As, early access, or personalized messages.

Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, or one-time tips: These platforms allow one-off donations for followers who don't want a subscription. A travel vlogger might say, "Enjoyed my content? You can buy me a coffee at the link in my bio!"

Cross-platform subscriptions: Some TikTokers funnel followers to YouTube (for ad revenue and channel memberships) or Instagram (which has paid subscriptions).

TikTok "Series" (Paid Content): Introduced in 2023, this feature lets creators post premium videos behind a paywall directly on TikTok. A Series can include up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long, with prices ranging from $1 to $190.

For instance, a cooking creator might bundle "20 exclusive recipes with tutorials" as a $10 one-time purchase. This keeps transactions in-app, which is convenient for users.

Crowdfunded projects: If you have a big project (say a short film, an album, a product launch), you can use your TikTok popularity to launch a Kickstarter or GoFundMe.

Crowdfunding and memberships focus on superfans who are willing to pay for extra content or simply to support you. While they're a minority of your following, these superfans can provide a reliable monthly income independent of TikTok's algorithm.

As one saying goes, 100 true fans willing to pay for extra content can sometimes sustain a creator better than a million casual viewers.

9 Practical Ways to Make Money on TikTok Without Followers

One of the biggest myths about TikTok is that you need to already be "TikTok famous" to start earning. Total nonsense. The platform's algorithm is uniquely designed to show your content to strangers based on interest, not follower count.

Here are the core principles that make followerless monetization possible:

First, quality crushes quantity on TikTok. One strategic video that perfectly matches audience interest will outperform 20 generic posts. The algorithm rewards specificity, not volume.

TikTok functions as a search engine now. Over 40% of Gen Z uses TikTok to search instead of Google. This means your content gets discovered through search terms, not your profile size.

So don’t ignore TikTok SEO and use the exact phrases people search for in your captions and spoken audio to get more views on TikTok.

Consistency matters more than timing. While posting schedules help, TikTok rewards creators who show up regularly with increased distribution. The algorithm wants reliable content providers.

Most importantly, think like a marketer, not an influencer. Influencers need followers. Marketers need conversions. Focus on creating content that drives specific actions, not content that builds a personal brand.

Here are 9 practical ways to make money on TikTok even with zero or very few followers:

1. Affiliate Marketing Without an Audience

You don't need followers to start posting affiliate content. TikTok's algorithm can show your video to thousands of people even if no one follows you, as long as the content is engaging.

But you have to pick your products strategically. Skip the oversaturated categories like general Amazon gadgets.

Instead, focus on products with passionate micro-communities: specialized kitchen tools, niche beauty items for specific skin concerns, or problem-solving products for specific professions.

And don't just pick high-commission items. Look for products with these three criteria:

1. Visually show an improvement or result
2. Solves a specific problem that's immediately understandable
3. Falls in the $15-45 price range (the TikTok impulse-buy sweet spot)

Use "before and after" splits even for products where it's not obvious. For kitchen gadgets, show the struggle without it first. For tech accessories, show the messy setup before your solution.

If the video gains traction on the FYP, you could earn commissions despite having no established fan base. Someone with virtually no followers could post a video of a kitchen gadget in action, and if it goes viral, people buying through their affiliate link means income.

Pro tip: Join TikTok Shop's affiliate program if available. It often doesn't require a following to start and enables direct product linking in videos.

2. UGC (User-Generated Content) Creation

UGC has become a goldmine for creators without any following. Brands pay you to create videos for their ads or social media without ever posting on your account. No followers needed, just your content creation skills.

What nobody tells you about UGC is that brands pay more for niche expertise than general content creation. A video from someone who clearly understands skincare formulations will earn 3x what a generic product showcase will.

Most beginners waste time creating elaborate UGC portfolios. Skip that. Instead, make 3 sample videos for specific brands you want to work with. Post them privately, then send direct messages to their marketing teams with the unlisted link.

Pricing is where most new UGC creators fail. Newbies charge $50 per video, thinking it builds relationships. In reality, brands budget $200 to $600 per UGC video, and lowball pricing marks you as an amateur. Start at $150 minimum, even with zero experience.

Finding clients gets easier on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, but the real money comes from direct outreach to brands launching products in the next 30 days. Search LinkedIn for "product launch" and filter by recent posts to find brands actively seeking content.

Focus on mastering natural lighting and authentic delivery rather than fancy equipment. My UGC videos shot on an iPhone regularly outperform agency content with expensive gear because they look genuinely native to TikTok.

3. TikTok Creator Marketplace for New Accounts

TikTok's Creator Marketplace sometimes opens campaigns to smaller creators (nano and micro influencers). Even with just a few thousand followers or good video metrics, you might find opportunities.

Some brands care more about content quality or targeting a specific demographic than follower count.

If you sign up for Creator Marketplace (at 10K followers, or in some regions, they pilot lower thresholds), you could land a $100 deal here or there for a single TikTok.

Outside of TikTok, platforms like Influencer Marketing Hub, Grapevine, or Collabstr list campaigns specifically seeking micro-creators. You might see something like "Brand will pay $50 for a TikTok video from fitness enthusiasts with 1K+ followers."

4. Freelancing and Service-Based Offers

You can make serious money from TikTok without posting a single video on your account. The secret lies in selling your TikTok skills as services to businesses who know they need TikTok but have no clue how to use it.

Most small business owners panic when they hear "you need to be on TikTok." This creates a perfect opportunity to step in as their savior. The demand for TikTok specialists has gone crazy, with businesses paying premium rates for anyone who understands the platform.

The sweet spot for clients is local businesses with physical locations. Restaurants, boutiques, dental offices, and real estate agents desperately need TikTok content but lack the time to create it themselves. They also have visually interesting settings that make content creation easier.

Walk into local businesses with your phone, shoot a 30-second sample video for them on the spot, and show the owner what their business could look like on TikTok.

Pricing structure matters. Avoid hourly rates. Package your services instead: "4 TikToks per week, includes planning, filming, and posting" for $1250 monthly. This clear deliverable makes businesses comfortable signing contracts.

Once you land one client, becoming the "TikTok person" for similar businesses in town gets easier. You can then scale by hiring other creators to film while you handle client relationships and strategy.

5. Dropshipping Without Being an Influencer

Most people think dropshipping on TikTok requires showing your face and building a personal brand. Not true. Some of the most profitable TikTok dropshipping accounts are completely faceless and focus purely on showcasing products.

The secret is creating product-focused content that demonstrates clear value without relying on your personality. Think transformation videos, problem solution demos, and comparison content that lets the product sell itself.

Creating these videos at scale becomes the real challenge. When you run a dropshipping store with 20+ products, filming quality videos for each one gets overwhelming fast.

This is where AI video tools can save tremendous time. After testing dozens of options for my dropshipping clients, Zebracat has become my go-to recommendation.

Unlike most AI tools that generate disappointing clips, Zebracat creates complete, ready-to-post product videos from just a text description.

The workflow is surprisingly simple. You input your product description, add visuals if you have, select your preferred visuals style, choose a voice for narration, and set your aspect ratio for TikTok.

Within minutes, it generates a fully edited video with music, captions, and transitions included.

What makes this particularly valuable for dropshippers is the scale factor. You can create videos for your entire product catalog in an afternoon rather than spending weeks filming.

This lets you test multiple products quickly to find winners before investing in inventory.

For faceless dropshipping, Zebracat offers AI avatars that can demonstrate or explain products without you appearing on camera. You can maintain brand consistency across hundreds of product videos without ever showing your face.

6. Paid Reviews and Shoutouts (Micro PR)

Even with a small account, you can offer to review products or give shoutouts for a fee. This works especially well if you focus on a specific niche where your opinion carries weight despite your smaller following.

For example, if you have a gardening-focused TikTok with just 2,000 followers, small gardening tool companies or seed brands might pay $20-50 for you to feature their products.

The key is positioning yourself as a micro-influencer in a targeted niche, rather than competing with general creators who have larger followings. Brands often see better conversion rates from smaller, more focused accounts anyway.

7. Licensing Your Videos to Brands or Media

Created an amazing TikTok that went viral? Even without a large following, you can license that content to brands or media outlets.

TikTok has a feature called Spark Ads where brands can promote a user's TikTok post as an ad (with permission). Some brands pay creators a fee to obtain that permission.

If you make a fantastic video featuring a product (maybe a funny sketch or cool slow-mo shot), you could reach out to that brand, offering to let them use it in their ads for a fee.

Media companies also sometimes pay for rights to viral content to use in compilations or news segments. This approach turns even one good video into a money-maker without requiring an established audience.

8. TikTok Live Gifts (Without Followers)

While you technically need 1,000 followers to go live on TikTok, this threshold is lower than other monetization programs. Once you hit that modest milestone, you can start earning through live gifts.

The secret is that a small but engaged audience can be more generous with gifts than a large but passive one. I've seen creators with just 2,000 followers make $50-100 per live session because they built genuine connections with their small community.

Focus on creating interactive live content where you directly engage with viewers. Answer questions, give shoutouts, or provide real-time value in your niche.

This personal touch often encourages more gifting than a huge stream where the creator barely notices individual viewers.

9. Join TikTok's Referral and Rewards Programs

Occasionally, TikTok runs promotional programs that pay users for certain actions, like referring new users or watching videos.

In some regions, TikTok has had "TikTok Bonus" or "TikTok Rewards" programs where you can earn a few dollars by inviting friends to download the app and by watching a certain amount of content daily.

These promos aren't always active, but watch for a coin icon or banner in the app when campaigns run. While you won't get rich (payouts might be $5-$20 via PayPal or gift cards), it is making money with zero followers.

TikTok also hosts contests or challenges with cash prizes, like their TikTok Trivia events, where users can win money by participating in quiz live streams.

Be cautious of third-party "watch videos for money" scams – stick to official TikTok-sponsored events, which are legitimate and free to join.

Tips to Set the Foundation for TikTok Monetization Success

The foundation for making money on TikTok goes deeper than most advice you read online. Let me share what moves the needle based on working with hundreds of creators.

Choose a Profitable Niche

Forget broad categories like "finance" or "beauty." The real money comes from micro niches with purchase intent. Look for topics where people actively spend money to solve specific problems.

The most overlooked goldmine niches have these qualities:

1. Recurring purchases rather than one-time buys
2. Topics people feel slightly embarrassed to ask friends about
3. Problems that affect daily life but aren't life-threatening

For example, creators covering foot care products, home office ergonomics, and specialized pet training make significantly more per follower than general lifestyle content. These niches have minimal competition but massive spending power.

Counterintuitively, avoid trending topics. By the time something becomes a recognized "TikTok niche," the monetization window is closing. Instead, look for offline communities with dedicated spending habits that haven't fully migrated to TikTok yet.

Ask yourself: "What specialized products do I or people I know buy regularly without much research?" Those categories need trusted voices on TikTok.

And if you don’t want to show your face, keep in mind that the best faceless TikTok niches tend to focus on solving specific problems or showcasing specialized skills rather than personality-driven content.

Build a Trust System, Not Just a Brand

Most creators focus on aesthetics and tone for their brand. That barely matters for monetization. What matters is building systematic trust through predictable content patterns.

Create a core "trust content" format that you never monetize. This becomes your audience acquisition vehicle. For example, my client in the photography space shares free Lightroom presets every Monday, purely as value. These videos average 3x more views than his other content.

Then develop separate "monetization content" formats visually distinct from your trust content. Train your audience that certain video styles contain affiliate links or promotions.

This separation prevents trust erosion. The mistake most creators make is monetizing their highest-performing content format, which gradually destroys audience trust.

Use concrete credibility markers beyond vague expertise claims. Screenshots of results, specific numbers, and teaching concepts most creators in your niche don't understand build stronger monetization potential than broad "expert" positioning.

The creators who monetize fastest share their processes, not just outcomes. The "this is exactly how I did it" content builds purchase intent better than "look what I accomplished" content.

Manipulate the Algorithm Intentionally

TikTok algorithm manipulation goes beyond posting times and engagement rates. Comment quality directly influences monetization potential.

Videos with question comments earn significantly more from the Creator Fund than videos with praise comments. Train your audience to ask questions by ending videos with incomplete information or teasing additional details in comments.

Save your most clickable thumbnails and hooks for monetized content. This sounds obvious, but most creators waste their best attention-grabbers on content that does not generate revenue.

Batch create content around algorithm updates. TikTok tweaks its algorithm roughly every 4 to 6 weeks. The week after an update, view counts temporarily spike as TikTok recalibrates. Schedule your most monetizable content during these windows.

Use text density as a targeting tool. Text-heavy videos get shown to older users with higher disposable income, while visually dynamic videos with minimal text reach younger audiences. Match your text strategy to your monetization method.

The comment-pinning strategy matters enormously. Pin comments that validate your credibility rather than the funniest or most engaged comments. First-time viewers often check pinned comments to decide whether to trust you.

Master the art of creating what I call "wallet opener content," not just "follow-worthy content." The most financially successful creators often have modest follower counts but high percentages of followers who eventually purchase.

Best Content Strategies to Grow and Monetize Faster

Creating strategic content is essential for growth. Here are proven approaches to accelerate both your audience and income:

Post Consistently and at the Right Times

Consistency signals to both viewers and the algorithm that you're reliable. But when you post, it matters almost as much as what you post.

According to recent TikTok data analysis, here are the best times to post:

Mid to late afternoon and early evening on weekdays (especially Tuesday through Thursday) tend to yield higher engagement. Wednesdays are often the best day overall.

I tested this by posting the same type of content at different times for two weeks. My Wednesday 5 PM posts consistently outperformed identical content posted at other times by 30-40% in views and engagement.

Use these times as starting guidelines, then check your analytics to see when your specific audience is most active.

Create Scroll-Stopping Hooks in the First 3 Seconds

The secret to go viral on TikTok often lies in those crucial first three seconds that determine whether viewers stay or scroll.

TikTok gives each video an initial test by showing it to a small batch of users. Their reaction (do they watch past a few seconds or swipe away?) determines if it gets shown to more people.

This makes your first 2-3 seconds crucial. Here are hook techniques that work:

Ask a compelling question: "Did you know you can make money on TikTok without any followers?"

Make a bold statement: "I earned $500 in a week on TikTok with just 200 followers."

Start with action: Begin your video already in motion, no dead air or slow intros.

Show something unusual: Visually surprise viewers with something unexpected.

Promise a payoff: "Watch to the end to see the shocking results."

Never start with silence, blank screens, or a slow "Hey guys..." When I analyzed my 10 most successful videos, they all had one thing in common: they jumped straight into content without any preamble.

A strong hook can double your view count and completion rate, directly improving your monetization potential.

Mix Viral Content with Niche Content

The most successful monetization strategy combines two types of content:

Viral/broad appeal content: These videos aim to reach new audiences by riding trends or covering popular topics. They cast a wide net but may not convert as well to sales.

Niche/targeted content: This content speaks directly to your core audience's specific interests and needs. It reaches fewer people but converts much better for monetization.

For example, if you're in the fitness niche, your content mix might include:

• Viral: Participating in popular dance trends while showing off fitness results
• Niche: Detailed breakdown of your exact protein shake recipe

I use a 70/30 approach. 70% niche content that serves my core audience and converts well, and 30% broader content to grow my audience.

Smart creators understand that viral videos bring new followers, while niche content monetizes those followers. You need both for maximum success.

Use Storytelling to Drive Deeper Engagement

In 2025, a noticeable trend is that storytime and personal narrative videos garner strong engagement. People love following along a story; whether it's a journey ("Watch me build my business from scratch"), a daily vlog snippet, or a multi-part funny story.

Storytelling keeps viewers hooked to see the outcome (good for watch time) and often fosters an emotional connection (good for building followers who care).

Don't be afraid to show your personality and even vulnerability when appropriate. Many creators "blow up" when they share a personal struggle or triumph as it could relate to mental health, career, etc., and suddenly viewers start rooting for them and following their journey.

Just be genuine and keep it relevant to your overall content theme.

TikTok Monetization Best Practices You Should Never Ignore

When it comes to actually monetizing on TikTok, there are some golden rules and practices that you should always keep in mind. These can make the difference between a smooth, thriving creator business and one that fizzles out or runs into trouble.

Always Prioritize Audience Trust

Trust is your currency with followers. If you break that, your monetization will collapse. So always disclose sponsorships and ads. Use the Branded Content toggle TikTok provides for paid partnerships, and mention #ad in the caption.

Followers appreciate honesty, and trying to sneak in an undisclosed ad can not only violate advertising laws but also anger your viewers if they find out.

Similarly, if you're recommending products (even as an affiliate), be truthful. Don't say something is amazing if you don't actually believe it, just for a quick buck. Promote things you can genuinely stand behind.

If a mistake happens (say a promo code didn't work or a product had issues), address it openly and try to make it right. Being ethical builds a loyal community that will stick with you long-term and trust your recommendations (monetized or not).

Stay Authentic, Even in Sponsored Content

Once some creators start making money, they go overboard, and every piece of content becomes a sales pitch or sponsored ad. This is a fast way to lose your audience.

The best practice is the 80/20 or 90/10 rule. 80-90% of your content should remain non-monetized, purely entertaining or helpful, and at most 10-20% monetized. Your channel should not feel like one big commercial.

If viewers sense you only care about selling to them, they'll unfollow or stop engaging. So maintain the content quality and style that got you followers in the first place.

Space out your sponsored posts; keep delivering the laughs, tips, or stories that people followed you for.

This way, when you do occasionally post an #ad or a "go check my merch" plug, people are fine with it. They see it as a natural part of your otherwise valuable content output.

Respect TikTok's Community Guidelines

This is huge. TikTok has strict policies on content (no hate speech, explicit violence, sexual content, illegal activities, etc.). If you violate them, not only can it hurt your visibility (shadowbans), but it can also disqualify you from monetization programs.

For example, the Creator Fund and Creativity Program require your account to be in good standing. Any recent violations, and you might be out. Also, brands will shy away from creators who post controversial/offensive stuff.

So, never ignore the rules. If your content niche is edgy, walk a fine line carefully, but better to pivot to a brand-friendly approach.

Also, avoid using unlicensed music if you're doing brand deals (use TikTok's Commercial Sounds library or get permission), because some partnerships require content that won't get taken down for copyright.

Diversify Your Revenue Streams

As I said, TikTok offers many ways to earn, so don't put all your eggs in one basket. Algorithms change, funds run dry, trends shift. If you rely solely on, say, the Creator Fund or a single brand deal, you're vulnerable.

Instead, aim for multiple revenue streams: platform payments (Creator Fund/Creativity Program or Pulse), sponsorships, affiliate sales, your products, live gifts, etc.

That way, if one dips in a given month, others compensate.

Top TikTok earners often have a mix, e.g., Charli D'Amelio has brand deals, a Hulu show, product lines, YouTube revenue, etc.

You don't need all that, but even at a smaller scale, maybe you have TikTok fund + one brand deal a month + some affiliate commission + a Patreon.

It adds up and provides stability.

Regularly review your revenue breakdown and work to strengthen underdeveloped income streams. If one source accounts for more than 50% of your income, that's a potential vulnerability.

Essential Tools to Boost TikTok Income

The right tools can significantly amplify your content quality, efficiency, and monetization. Here are some essential ones for serious TikTok creators:

Video Editing and Enhancement Tools

While talent and strategy are core to success, quality production values can set you apart. These tools help create professional-looking content:

Zebracat AI: This is the most effective tool for creating engaging videos quickly. Zebracat turns text or blog content into TikTok-style videos automatically, complete with imagery, animations, and AI voiceovers.

I use it to scale my content production without sacrificing quality.

Step-by-Step Process to Create a Video Using Zebracat

1. Decide how to create your video; use a prompt, upload a script, paste a URL, or add an audio file.

2. Select the type of visuals for your video, such as an AI avatar, stock footage, or a combination.

3. Adjust video settings, including aspect ratio, duration, captions, voice, and music to match your content's needs.

4. Add your logo, colors, and other brand elements, or skip this step if it’s not required.
5. Generate your video within 2 minutes. The AI creates a fully edited video with visuals, narration, and music.
6. Make any adjustments if needed. Zebracat has a built-in editor where you can almost change anything you want, giving you complete control.

7. Download and upload to YouTube. Get your finalized video ready to share.

What makes Zebracat the best TikTok video generator is how it handles the entire process. You don't need separate tools for script writing, voice generation, visuals, and editing; it's all in one place.

For an even more personalized touch, Zebracat offers AI avatars. These digital presenters can deliver your content as if you had hired an actor. You can also clone your voice (or create a unique one) for consistent narration across all your videos.

This solves a huge problem for faceless creators: building a consistent brand voice without showing your face.

CapCut: Made by TikTok's parent company, this free mobile editor is designed specifically for TikTok content. It has pre-made templates, caption generation, and tons of effects that match TikTok's style.

InShot: A simpler alternative with an intuitive interface for quick cuts, music addition, and basic effects.

Content Planning and Scheduling Tools

Implementing TikTok automation for scheduling and analytics tracking frees up your creative energy for producing high-quality content. These tools help maintain a regular posting schedule:

TikTok Scheduler: TikTok now offers native scheduling (via desktop upload or Business Center) up to 10 days in advance. This lets you batch create content and set it to post at optimal times.

Later: This third-party tool allows you to plan TikTok content alongside other platforms like Instagram and Twitter in one dashboard.

Content Calendar Template: Even a simple spreadsheet tracking content ideas, filming dates, and posting schedule can significantly improve your consistency.

I batch create videos on weekends using Zebracat, then schedule them to post throughout the week at peak times. This approach doubled my productivity and ensured I never missed prime posting windows due to my day job. Scheduling prevents missed posting days and lets you target those peak engagement times even if you're not free then.

Analytics and Optimization Tools

Understanding your performance is crucial for maximizing earnings. These tools provide the insights you need:

TikTok Analytics: The built-in analytics (under Creator Tools) show follower demographics, optimal posting times, and video performance. This should be your starting point.

TrendTok: This mobile app tracks trending sounds and hashtags by region and niche, helping you stay ahead of viral opportunities.

Pentos or Exolyt: These TikTok analytics platforms track competitor accounts, popular hashtags, and provide deeper historical data than TikTok's native tools.

Link in Bio Tools

Once you start monetizing, you'll need a way to direct viewers to your various offerings. Since TikTok allows only one bio link, these tools create a mini landing page of multiple links:

Linktree: The most popular option, allowing you to list many links from one URL.

Beacons: Offers more customization options and built-in monetization features like tip jars.

Koji: Includes mini-apps for functions like video requests or shoutout sales.

I tested several link-in-bio tools and found that using Beacons increased my conversion rate from TikTok to my course sales page by 35% compared to a direct link. The professional presentation and multiple options made visitors more likely to explore my offerings.

These tools ensure you aren't wasting that precious bio link and help convert your TikTok traffic into actual sales or signups.

Affiliate Link Management Tools

If affiliate marketing is part of your strategy, these tools help streamline and optimize your campaigns:

Bitly or Rebrandly: Create short, memorable links and track clicks to see which videos drive the most traffic.

Amazon Affiliate Link Converter: Tools that automatically convert regular Amazon links into your affiliate links save time when creating multiple product recommendations.

ThirstyAffiliates: For those with a website, this helps manage, cloak, and track affiliate links across platforms.

These tools provide data on which products and videos convert best, allowing you to optimize your affiliate strategy over time.

Common Mistakes That Cost TikTok Creators Money

After watching hundreds of creators leave serious money on the table, I've noticed patterns in what kills monetization potential. These mistakes might not be obvious, but fixing them can dramatically boost your earnings.

Neglecting Engagement with Followers

Some creators treat TikTok like a one-way broadcast and ignore their community. Not replying to comments, not acknowledging fans, not answering common questions. This is a mistake because it forgoes building a relationship with your audience.

Engaged followers are more likely to support you financially (buy merch, send gifts, join lives). If they feel ignored, they remain casual viewers.

Simple acts like replying to comments after posting a video (especially in the first hour) can boost that video's performance algorithmically and foster community.

Also, creators who don't engage may miss valuable feedback. Your audience often tells you what they want more of. If you ignore that, you might keep making content that doesn't monetize well, versus something they're asking for.

Always remember the "social" in social media. Those who build a two-way rapport see benefits in loyalty and earnings.

Making Money Moves Too Early or Too Late

Timing your monetization is crucial. Some creators start pushing products in their first week, destroying audience trust before it forms. Others wait years, missing prime opportunities when their engagement peaks.

I've found the sweet spot is after you've established content consistency but before your account plateaus. For most niches, this happens between 5,000 to 15,000 followers.

The exception? If you're using TikTok to sell your products or services. In that case, monetization should be part of your strategy from day one, woven naturally into your content without feeling forced.

Creating Separate Content for Monetization

The biggest earnings killer I see repeatedly is creators switching their content style completely when monetizing. They'll build an audience with funny, casual content, then suddenly switch to stiff, formal sales pitches for sponsored posts.

Your monetized content should match your regular content in tone, pacing, and style. The only difference should be the call to action at the end.

When I helped a cooking creator structure her sponsored content to match her organic videos, her conversion rate tripled overnight.

Think of monetization as a gentle pivot, not a hard turn. Your audience followed you for a reason. Honor that when you monetize.

Neglecting Backend Systems

Most creators think only about front-facing content, completely ignoring the systems that turn views into dollars. They'll drive traffic to poorly optimized landing pages, use confusing checkout processes, or fail to set up proper tracking.

Before promoting anything, test your entire funnel yourself. Click every link. Complete the purchase process. If it takes more than three clicks from your TikTok to the purchase confirmation, you're losing money.

When a beauty creator I worked with simplified her bio link structure from a messy list to a single, focused product page, her conversion rate jumped from 2% to 8% overnight. Same traffic, four times the revenue.

Accepting Any Deal That Comes Along

Desperation kills monetization potential faster than anything. I've watched creators damage their reputation permanently by promoting sketchy products or accepting ridiculously low rates just to say they did a brand deal.

One fashion creator accepted $75 to promote a fast fashion brand with horrible customer service. Her audience trusted her recommendation, ordered the clothes, and received poor-quality items months later.

Her comment section was filled with complaints, and her engagement tanked across all videos for weeks.

Create minimum standards for partnerships: minimum rates, ethical guidelines, and product quality thresholds. Being selective builds long-term trust, which ultimately leads to higher earning potential.

The Bottom Line

Making money on TikTok isn't about luck or dancing skills. It's about creating valuable content consistently, understanding your audience, and strategically implementing multiple monetization methods.

Whether you're just starting or looking to scale your existing TikTok presence, the opportunities are substantial in 2025. With 1.59 billion users and growing, TikTok remains one of the most accessible platforms for creators to build an audience and income.

The most successful TikTok creators typically combine several income streams rather than relying on just one. They build trust first, then monetize second. They provide genuine value and stay authentic even as they grow.

And perhaps most importantly, they treat their TikTok presence as a business, not just a hobby. They analyze performance, optimize content, and continually adapt to changing trends and features.

If there's one final tip I can share from my experience, it's this: start now, even if you don't feel ready.

The barrier to entry on TikTok remains lower than almost any other social platform, but it gets more competitive every day. The creators who take action today will have a significant advantage over those who wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Followers Do I Need to Make Money on TikTok?

You can start earning with almost any number of followers, but more followers do unlock certain features. For TikTok's built-in monetization programs like the Creator Fund or Creativity Program, you typically need 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days to be eligible.

That said, you can earn money with fewer followers through affiliate marketing, small brand deals, or providing services. Many nano-influencers (1K–10K followers) monetize via gifted products, affiliate links, or freelance content creation.

In fact, over 54% of marketers have worked with TikTok influencers, including nano-influencers, so even a few thousand engaged followers can attract paid opportunities.

Features like Live gifts only require 1,000 followers (to go Live), and you can start getting Gifts from viewers. So while hitting 10K followers opens more direct avenues, don't be discouraged if you have fewer.

Can I Make Money on TikTok Without Showing My Face?

Yes! You absolutely can make money on TikTok without showing your face. Many creators run theme pages or use footage, text, and voiceovers instead of appearing on camera.

Examples include channels for cooking (just hands and ingredients shown), travel scenery, life hacks with text-to-speech narration, gaming clips, POV storytelling with only voice, or even animation and puppetry. These can gain huge followings.

All monetization options remain open to faceless creators: you can join the Creator Fund (TikTok doesn't require you to show face, just meet follower/views criteria), land brand deals (often product-focused videos don't need your face), and affiliate marketing (just demonstrate the product or use captions).

One tool that helps here is Zebracat with its AI avatar and voice technology. For instance, Zebracat AI can create human-like avatar presenters for your script, so you could have an AI "host" for your videos.

Can Small Accounts Make Money on TikTok?

Definitely. "Small" is relative, but even accounts with a few hundred or a few thousand followers can make money, though at a smaller scale.

How? Here are a few ways:

• Affiliate marketing
• Niche brand deals
• UGC content creation
• Live Gifts (only 1,000 followers needed)

Statistics show that nano-influencers (1K–10K) have engagement rates around 5%, which is much higher than bigger accounts. This engagement can translate into effective promotions.

So, a "small" account with loyal fans can drive significant actions (purchases, sign-ups). In short, you don't need to wait until you're huge to monetize; start exploring opportunities once you have some consistent audience, even if small.

How Much Does TikTok Pay per 1,000 Views?

TikTok's Creator Fund historically paid around $0.02–$0.04 for every 1,000 views on average. That translates to $20–$40 for 1 million views, which is quite low. Some creators reported even lower rates (around $0.01 per 1K in some cases).

The new Creativity Program Beta claims to offer higher payouts, but exact numbers aren't public. However, one creator earned about $1,270 from 3.8M views, implying roughly $0.33 per 1K views.

For context, on YouTube, a creator might get $1–$5 per 1,000 views, depending on ad rates (or more, if niche), which dwarfs TikTok's fund rates.

However, TikTok's model is different. If TikTok introduces more ad revenue sharing (like Pulse), then potentially a viral video could earn more via ads shown with it. Right now, though, don't expect more than pennies per thousand views directly from TikTok's fund.

Can I Earn Money by Watching TikTok Videos?

TikTok itself doesn't pay users to watch videos regularly. Watching content is its reward (entertainment, learning, etc.) in the normal scheme.

However, TikTok has periodically launched promotional programs where users can earn small rewards for watching and engaging, usually as part of referral campaigns.

For example, TikTok's "Bonus" or "Rewards" program (which they've run in various countries) gives new users points for watching certain amounts of content and for inviting friends. Those points can convert to a few bucks or gift cards.

These are limited-time marketing events aimed at user growth, not a regular income opportunity. Outside of that, any app or website claiming you can get rich by just watching TikTok is likely a scam or not affiliated with TikTok.

Who Is the Highest-Paid TikToker?

According to recent reports from Forbes and Influencer Marketing Hub, Charli D'Amelio has been one of the highest-paid TikTok stars. With over 150 million followers, she was estimated to earn around $17.5 million in 2021-2022 from a combination of sponsorships, her Hulu show, Dunkin' partnership, and other ventures.

Another top earner is Khaby Lame (the silent comedian with 160 M+ followers). He reportedly earned $10+ million in 2022, and one source in 2024 claimed he had earned $20 million (though that might include long-term deals).

Addison Rae is also often in the top 3, with earnings around $8-9 million in recent years.

Does TikTok Pay for Likes?

No, TikTok does not pay you for likes on your videos. Likes, on their own, don't directly translate to money.

They are a form of engagement that can help your content perform better (the algorithm sees strong engagement and might show your video to more people), but TikTok isn't a program where each like gives you a penny or anything.