What is the TikTok Creator Fund?
The TikTok Creator Fund is a program launched by TikTok that provides creators on the platform an opportunity to earn money for the content they produce. It aims to support and reward TikTok creators through a monetary fund allocated specifically for that purpose.
In an effort to give back to the creative community that has driven TikTok’s success, the TikTok Creator Fund allows popular creators to earn money based on the engagement and viewership their videos generate. The fund is distributed monthly based on the number of video views and level of audience engagement.
According to TikTok, the Creator Fund is part of their ongoing commitment to investing in creator success and creativity. The goal is to support creators in transforming their passions into full-time careers while bringing joy and inspiration to the TikTok community.
The size of the fund varies by region and is continually growing to be distributed among qualifying creators. TikTok expects the Creator Fund to surpass $1 billion in the U.S. over the next 3 years.
Sources:
https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/tiktok-creator-fund-your-questions-answered
https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/getting-paid-to-create/creator-fund/
Who is Eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund?
To be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund, your account must meet certain requirements in terms of followers and views. According to TikTok’s Creator Fund Terms [1], creators must:
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Be at least 18 years old
- Post original content that follows TikTok’s Community Guidelines
TikTok reviews eligibility when creators apply for the fund and on an ongoing basis. Creators must consistently meet the threshold for followers and views to remain in the fund. Accounts with low engagement or that primarily repost others’ content are not eligible.
How to Apply for the TikTok Creator Fund
Applying for the TikTok Creator Fund is simple if you meet the eligibility requirements. Follow these steps:
1. Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner to open the menu.
3. Select “Creator Tools” from the menu options.
4. On the Creator Tools page, tap on “Creator Fund” to start the application.
5. Review the Creator Fund terms and conditions and tap “Join” if you agree.
6. Provide your tax information and payment details as prompted.
7. Tap “Submit” once all required information has been entered.
8. TikTok will review your application and notify you once approved. This may take a few weeks.
9. Once approved, you can start earning money from the Creator Fund through your eligible videos.
It’s that easy! If you meet the baseline eligibility criteria, you can apply to start monetizing your TikTok account.
TikTok Creator Fund Payout Structure
The TikTok Creator Fund calculates payouts based on the number of views a creator’s content receives. According to TikTok, creators typically earn $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 video views. However, the exact rate may vary based on factors like location and engagement.
Payouts are distributed on a monthly basis. To receive payment, creators must have at least 100,000 video views in the previous month. TikTok deposits earnings directly into a creator’s bank account or PayPal account.
TikTok notes that the Creator Fund is not meant to replace income. It’s an added incentive for creators who are looking to turn their passion into a career. With billions of daily views on the platform, however, it is possible for popular creators to earn substantial income through the program.
Some tips to maximize earnings include posting consistently, using relevant keywords, collaborating with other creators, engaging with your audience, and leveraging TikTok’s promotional tools. As a creator’s following and viewership grows over time, so too will their potential to monetize content through the TikTok Creator Fund.
TikTok Creator Fund Content Guidelines
To be eligible for payouts from the TikTok Creator Fund, creators must follow TikTok’s content policies and community guidelines. This includes avoiding content that:
- Promotes illegal activities or substances
- Depicts harmful or dangerous acts
- Incites hate or violence against protected groups
- Harasses, deceives, or defames users
- Includes nudity or sexually explicit content
- Violates intellectual property rights
TikTok aims to provide a positive environment for creators and viewers. Any content that puts that environment at risk or spreads misinformation is prohibited. Creators are encouraged to be mindful of the impact their content may have.
In addition to following the main content policies, the Creator Fund program has specific requirements around copyrighted material, branded content, and repetitive posting. Creators should thoroughly review the TikTok Creator Fund Terms and Conditions before applying.
How to Increase Views and Engagement
Creating engaging content is key to increasing views and engagement on TikTok. Here are some best practices:
- Use trending audios and effects – Leverage what’s currently popular to make it easier for your videos to be discovered.
- Post consistently – Algorithm favors accounts that post regularly. Aim for at least 1 video per day.
- Optimize hashtags – Include a mix of popular and niche hashtags relevant to your content.
- Interact with your audience – Respond to comments and engage with duets or stitches of your videos.
- Create shareable content – Funny, helpful, inspiring videos are more likely to be shared.
- Check analytics – Pay attention to when your followers are most active and what types of videos get engagement.
- Promote on other platforms – Cross-promote your best TikTok videos on other social channels.
Focusing on creating binge-worthy content tailored to your audience and leveraging TikTok features gives your videos the best chance of being seen and engaged with on the platform.1
TikTok Algorithm and Recommendations
The TikTok algorithm determines which videos are shown to users on their For You Page. It analyzes each user’s interests and activity on the app to curate a personalized feed of engaging content. According to TikTok, the algorithm recommends content “based on a combination of factors” including user interactions, video information, device and account settings.
When a video is first posted, the algorithm promotes it to a small subset of the creator’s existing followers. Based on how those users engage with it, the algorithm then determines whether to share it more broadly. Videos that lead viewers to like, share, comment or create similar content have the best chance of going viral. The algorithm tends to favor videos that are entertaining, useful and culturally relevant. It also detects unique or unexpected moments that capture viewer attention.
As a TikTok creator, it’s helpful to understand how the algorithm works so you can optimize your content strategy. Focus on creating interesting and high-quality videos that align with audience interests. Use relevant hashtags so your content surfaces for users interested in those topics. Encourage meaningful engagement by asking questions in captions or prompting viewers to duet/stitch your videos. Consistently posting content can help build an audience and give the algorithm more data to determine which users would most appreciate your videos.
Sources:
https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-algorithm/
Promoting Your TikTok Account
There are several ways to promote your TikTok channel and videos to reach a larger audience and gain more exposure. Here are some tips:
Use relevant hashtags – Include a mix of popular and niche hashtags in your video descriptions to make it easier for users to find your content through hashtag searches. Do keyword research to find hashtags your target audience uses.
Cross-promote on other platforms – Share your TikTok videos on other social networks like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube etc. to drive your audience to your TikTok channel. You can also repurpose TikTok content for other platforms.
Collaborate with others – Collaborating with other popular creators can help expose your channel to their audience. Do shoutout for shoutout videos or challenges together.
Use TikTok’s built-in promotion tools – TikTok has paid promotion options like “Promote” where you can pay to boost views and traffic to your videos and profile. This can be an effective way to reach new audiences.
Run contests and giveaways – Contests are a great way to engage your audience and incentivize shares and engagement. Require users to follow you and share your video to enter.
Advertise outside TikTok – You can drive external traffic to your TikTok channel through ads on other websites and platforms. Make sure your profile is optimized to convert visitors.
Consistently create high-quality content – Posting regularly with engaging content in your niche is key. Use trends, challenges, duets etc. strategically to increase reach.
Managing Multiple TikTok Accounts
Some creators choose to manage multiple TikTok accounts as part of their strategy to maximize earnings from the TikTok Creator Fund. There are some pros and cons to consider when taking this approach:
Pros:
- Having multiple accounts allows you to separate different types of content into different accounts, which can help attract niche audiences.
- Multiple accounts give you more chances at going viral and gaining followers.
- You can earn Creator Fund payouts from each account you’re accepted into the program for.
Cons:
- Managing multiple accounts takes more time and effort.
- You have to build up each account’s following individually.
- TikTok has limits on how many accounts you can link to one payment method for payouts.
When managing multiple TikTok accounts, best practices include:
- Keeping content consistent within each account’s niche.
- Cross-promoting between your accounts to help them grow.
- Using separate devices or profiles for each account.
- Having unique content and branding for each one.
Overall, having multiple TikTok accounts takes strategy but can pay off. Make sure your accounts are distinctly branded and don’t spread yourself too thin.
Tips for TikTok Creator Fund Success
Here are some key tips for creators looking to maximize their earnings and growth through the TikTok Creator Fund:
Focus on making high-quality, engaging videos. Well-produced videos over 1 minute long tend to get more views and shares which will increase your earnings. Pay attention to lighting, audio, editing, etc. Source
Post consistently and stick to a regular schedule, like daily or 3x a week. Algorithms favor accounts that post regularly. Just make sure you’re not sacrificing quality for quantity. Source
Optimize your profile and videos with strong titles, descriptive captions, relevant hashtags and more. This helps viewers find your content and TikTok recommend your videos.
Engage with your audience by liking comments, responding, doing livestreams etc. Interacting shows you care and helps build a loyal following.
Analyze your analytics to see which videos perform best. Look at views, shares, comments, traffic sources, etc. Then make more content like your top performing videos.
Promote your videos outside of TikTok by sharing to other platforms. Cross-promotion expands your reach. Just avoid repurposing the same content.
Collaborate with other creators. Shoutout videos and guest appearances help you tap into new audiences organically.
Stay patient and keep improving. It takes time to build an audience and brand. Persist through ups and downs and continue refining your content skills.
