TikTok Monetization: How to Actually Make Money on TikTok
Move beyond just views and followers. This guide explores the real ways creators can earn an income on TikTok in 2025.
1. The TikTok Creator Fund
This is TikTok's official program to pay creators. You need to meet certain criteria (like 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days) to apply. While it's a good start, the payouts per view are typically very small. Think of it as a bonus, not a primary income source.
2. LIVE Gifting and Diamonds
If you go LIVE, viewers can send you virtual gifts, which can be converted into 'Diamonds' and then into real money. This requires building a strong, engaged community that wants to support you directly during your live streams. To succeed, you need to go LIVE consistently and interact heavily with your audience.
3. Brand Deals and Sponsorships
This is where the real money is for most creators. Brands will pay you to feature their products or services in your videos. To attract brands, you need a clear niche, a professional-looking profile, and an engaged audience. You don't need millions of followers; even 'micro-influencers' with a dedicated niche audience can land great deals. Start by creating a media kit that showcases your stats and rates.
4. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products you love and earn a commission on sales made through your unique link. You can place these links in your bio (using a tool like Linktree) or mention them in your videos. This works best when the products are highly relevant to your niche and audience.
5. Selling Your Own Products or Services
Use TikTok as a top-of-funnel marketing tool to drive traffic to your own business. This could be anything from merchandise and digital products (like e-books or presets) to coaching services or a Patreon. This is often the most sustainable long-term monetization strategy.