TikTok has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most popular social media platforms globally. As of January 2022, TikTok hit 1 billion monthly active users[1], making it the 6th most popular social media platform. The app allows users to create and share short videos set to music, often showing off dance trends, comedy skits, or viral challenges. It has become hugely popular among Gen Z users in particular.
For content creators, TikTok presents exciting opportunities to build a following and monetize content. Creators have a variety of options when it comes to making money on TikTok, including joining the TikTok Creator Fund, going live, securing brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, selling merchandise, and more. This guide will walk through the key steps for setting up a TikTok account and optimizing it to start earning money as a creator.
Setting Up Your TikTok Account
The first step to getting paid on TikTok is setting up your account properly. This involves downloading the app, choosing a username and profile photo, and writing an engaging bio.
To get started, download the TikTok app from the App Store if you have an iPhone, or Google Play if you have an Android device. Once downloaded, open the app and tap on the profile icon in the bottom right corner. You’ll then be prompted to either log in with an existing account or create a new one.
When creating your account, take time to choose a good username. Pick something catchy and memorable that represents your brand or content. You want it to stand out so users can find you easily when searching. As per TikTok’s guidelines, usernames can be between 2-30 characters and can include letters, numbers, underscores and periods.
Your profile photo is also important for making a good first impression. Use a high-quality, well-lit headshot of yourself if you’ll be on camera in your videos. Alternatively, choose something eye-catching that relates to your niche or content focus if you don’t plan on being on camera.
Finally, write a short but compelling bio for your profile. This is limited to 80 characters so you need to make it count. Briefly explain what you do and use relevant keywords and hashtags that will help users find your content.
Creating High-Quality Content
One of the keys to gaining a large following and views on TikTok is consistently creating high-quality content. There are a few factors that contribute to high-quality videos on TikTok:
Paying attention to the latest trends and themes that are popular on TikTok can help your content stand out. Some current popular trends include dance challenges, reacting to viral sounds, outfit transitions, and comedy sketches. You can get inspiration from browsing the “For You” feed or checking out trending sounds and hashtags (source).
Filming high-quality videos using good lighting, steady shots, and clear audio will make your content look more professional. Use natural lighting when possible and invest in basic equipment like a ring light and tripod. Frame shots creatively and film in landscape orientation.
Editing your videos with transitions, text, effects, and syncing to music can take them to the next level. TikTok’s built-in editing tools make it easy to add graphics and creative edits. Watch top creators’ videos to get editing ideas. Spending time polishing your videos in the app will pay off (source).
Growing Your Following
Growing a large following on TikTok is essential for monetizing your account. Here are some best practices for organically growing your audience:
Cross-promote your TikTok content on other social platforms like Instagram. Share your videos to Instagram Reels and encourage people to follow you on TikTok. This allows you to leverage your existing audiences on other platforms.
Strategically use relevant hashtags in your captions to help the right users discover your content. Research trending and popular hashtags in your niche. But don’t overdo it, aim for around 5-10 niche hashtags per video.
Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, doing duets, and going live. Livestreaming is a great way to engage directly with viewers. According to one source, going live and interacting in real-time is the best way to boost organic growth.
Post consistently, but avoid spamming your followers. Aim for at least 1 high-quality video a day to build momentum. Deliver the style of content your audience responds best to while keeping it fresh.
TikTok Creator Fund
The TikTok Creator Fund is a way for popular TikTok creators to earn money from content they post on the platform. TikTok directly pays creators from a set fund for views on their videos.
To be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund, you must meet certain requirements:
– Be based in one of the eligible countries: U.S., UK, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain (Source)
– Be at least 18 years old (Source)
– Have a minimum of 10,000 followers (Source)
– Have at least 100,000 video views in the past 30 days (Source)
If you meet the requirements, you can apply to join the fund through the TikTok app. TikTok will review your account and let you know if you’re approved.
Payments are calculated based on the number of video views and level of engagement on those videos. The more views and engagement you drive, the more money you can earn from the fund.
TikTok LIVE
Going live on TikTok is a great way to engage with your audience in real time and potentially earn money through gifts. To go live, you first need to have at least 1,000 followers. You can enable gifting in your settings, which allows viewers to send virtual gifts to show support.
It’s a good idea to establish a consistent LIVE streaming schedule so your followers know when to tune in. You can promote your upcoming LIVE streams in your TikTok bio or by posting on your feed. According to The Leap, ASMR creator Lucy Davis earns between $20-$300 per LIVE stream.
When viewers send you gifts during a LIVE, be sure to thank them verbally or with text on your stream. Appreciating their support will encourage more gifting and build a stronger connection with your fans.
Brand Partnerships
One of the most lucrative ways for TikTok creators to monetize their account is through brand partnerships and sponsored content deals. As your following grows, brands will take notice and may reach out asking about potential collaborations. However, you can also be proactive and contact brands you want to work with.
When reaching out to brands, be professional and explain why you think your audience would be a great fit for their products or services. Provide analytics about your account – your number of followers, average views, and engagement rates. Have examples of past brand deals or testimonials ready. Offer to create a custom sponsored post or video that will appeal to your audience.[1]
When negotiating the sponsorship, consider your follower count, typical engagement, and production time needed. The average TikTok sponsored post costs $50-$200 for smaller creators and up to $2,500+ for creators with 1 million+ followers.[2] You want to ensure adequate compensation for the brand exposure you offer.
Always clearly disclose when content is sponsored. TikTok requires you to tag the brand and use #sponsored or #ad in your caption. Make the sponsorship obvious within the first few seconds. While brands want content that feels organic, failing to properly disclose sponsored posts can lead to violations.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a great way to monetize your TikTok account by earning a commission when someone purchases a product after clicking your affiliate link. The key is finding affiliate programs that align closely with your niche and content. For example, if you make fashion videos, look for affiliate programs from clothing retailers. If you post about tech, join affiliate programs for electronics brands.
Once you’ve joined affiliate programs, be sure to add your affiliate links to your TikTok profile’s bio as well as directly in your videos. When sharing affiliate links, don’t just drop the link and move on. Mention why you recommend the product, your own experience with it, and what viewers can expect if they purchase through your link. This helps build trust and transparency around the affiliation.
It’s important to track your affiliate sales so you know which products perform best with your audience. Many affiliate programs provide tracking dashboards where you can monitor clicks and conversions from your links. You may also use URL shorteners like bit.ly that allow you to see click metrics. Evaluate the data regularly and adjust your affiliations accordingly.
With the right affiliate partnerships aligned to your niche, sharing your links genuinely in videos, and tracking sales, affiliate marketing on TikTok can become a significant revenue stream.
Selling Merchandise
One popular way to monetize your TikTok following is by selling customized merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more. You can create designs featuring your account name, logo, or inside jokes from your videos. Tools like Printful and TeeSpring allow you to upload designs and sell merch without having to carry inventory or handle logistics and shipping.
To get started, create an account with a print-on-demand service like Printful and connect it to your TikTok account. Add your designs and select the products you want to sell. Printful will handle printing and shipping the items when you receive an order. Promote your merch by wearing your designs in TikTok videos and directing people to your online store.
Develop creative, targeted promotions to push your merch, like offering a discount code for people who share your video or launching a limited edition design. Encourage followers to tag you wearing your merch. This creates user-generated content you can re-share. Merchandise can provide a nice additional revenue stream from your loyal TikTok audience.
Wrapping Up
Here are some additional tips for monetizing your TikTok account:
- Consider promoting affiliate links or sponsored products that are relevant to your audience. Be transparent about partnerships.
- Look for brand sponsorship opportunities once you have a sizable, engaged following.
- Sell merchandise like t-shirts or mugs with your brand name or logo.
- Go live regularly to engage your audience and get access to features like gifting.
Consistency and engagement are key. Aim to post high-quality content daily or several times per week. Respond to comments, use relevant hashtags, and engage with other top creators in your niche to keep growing your following.
The main steps are: set up a compelling TikTok profile, create original and trending content consistently, promote your account across platforms, apply for monetization features once eligible, and diversify your revenue streams. Stay persistent and keep providing value for your audience.
With strategic effort, creativity, and dedication, you can build a TikTok account that brings in income while you do what you love!
