Introduction
Here’s how to make money on TikTok step by step. We’ll cover everything you need to know about TikTok monetization and the TikTok Creative Fund so you can start making money on TikTok fast. Hey, I’m that British girl Jordana Grace and I’ve been TikTok-ing for a while, and you can check me out here. There are so many ways you can make money using TikToks: brand deals, sponsors, and affiliates. However, this video is all about TikTok monetization and all the different ways you can get paid directly from TikTok.
Two Main Categories of Monetization
Monetizing on TikTok can be divided into two categories: Creator Next and Series. I’m going to break these down for you now because they’re really confusing. So, I’m so glad we wrote it down.
Creator Next: Overview
The first category is Creator Next, which has quite a few options. We’re going to start with the Creative Fund. The Creative Fund was TikTok’s original monetization opportunity—the OG—and it was designed to reward creators for creating quality and engaging content.
The Creative Fund
You can’t join it right now because they’re phasing it out for even bigger and better things. So yes, it is a monetization option right now if you’re already in there, but not for anyone new, unfortunately. But again, better things are coming. Now, TikTok hasn’t disclosed how much it pays creators with the Creative Fund, and many creators have been very openly disappointed and reported being paid around what, two to four cents per 1,000 views.
Eligibility for the Creative Fund
Also, the TikTok Creator Fund is only available to eligible users based in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain – so not poor me in Australia. So let’s not worry if you’re eligible for the Creative Fund or not because they’re phasing it out. So I talked about the bigger and better things… well, that is called the Creativity Program, which is in beta.
The Creativity Program
Currently, it’s only available for US creators, and the Creativity Program was rolled out after complaints that creators were not making enough from the original Creative Program. So, what videos do they want you to post in the Creativity Program in beta? Well, the videos have to be over a minute long to start earning from the program, which I think is a sign that they’re trying to compete with YouTube because TikTok’s trying to get creators to make longer-form content. And the key here is that it’s supposed to pay a lot more… like a lot.
Creativity Program Criteria
So if you are in the Creativity Program, can you please let us know in the comments below how it’s going and how much you’re making? What are the criteria to be in the Creativity Program in beta? You’ve got to be at least 18 years old, have at least 10,000 followers, have a minimum of 100,000 valid video views in the last 30 days, and have a personal account that’s in good standing (business accounts unfortunately are not accepted), and as I said earlier, you have to be located in the US. However, it will also be rolled out soon to France and Brazil, and TikTok plans to bring the program to more regions in the future, so keep an eye on this space.
Creator Marketplace
Another option in Creator Next is the Creator Marketplace. Now, this is a fantastic option because the TikTok Creator Marketplace (TCM) is the official platform for brand and creator collaborations on TikTok. This means that brands can find you, and you can find brands to create videos and earn some extra money.
I think it’s a great option and straightforward if you’re starting and learning how to monetize through TikTok because it gives you all the details on what they’re looking for in the brand deals. You can sometimes even negotiate on the price, and also when you upload a video, you can link directly to that brand deal. So everything is coordinated within TikTok itself because, let’s be honest, getting brand deals can be a bit of a pain in the butt with all the back and forth, but TikTok in the Creator Marketplace does make it super easy.
Live and Video Gifts
Next on the list are Live and Video Gifts. Now, this is an option that I use all the time, and love it. So if you go live on TikTok, your viewers can send you virtual gifts, which can be converted into real money. This means whatever your followers have gifted during your life will equal diamonds, which is TikTok’s currency, which you can later exchange for cash.
How Live and Video Gifts Work
On TikTok, you can buy coins, and when someone goes live, you can buy a gift during that life using those coins. Coins, at the end of the life, the creator has all those gifts collated together, and TikTok converts those into diamonds, and then those diamonds are converted into TikTok cash on your TikTok wallet, and then that can be converted into real-life money.
Easy, right? So once you’ve collected enough diamonds, that’s converted into your TikTok wallet, and once you have enough money in your TikTok wallet, you can then either take that out as vouchers or as cash, but you have to hit a certain threshold to do that. So, if like Scrooge McDuck, you want to keep an eye on your treasure and diamonds, all you have to do is go into your TikTok app, go to Settings and Privacy, and then tap Balance.
Eligibility for Live and Video Gifts
So, after that tangent of diamonds and coins, let’s go back to what are the requirements to earn Live and Video Gifts. You must live in a location where video gifts are available (this feature unfortunately isn’t available everywhere). You must be 18 years or older, need at least 10,000 followers, and your account must be at least 30 days old. You need at least a month before making money.
You must have published a public video in the last 30 days, and you must have a personal account. To turn on video gifts in the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom of the screen, then tap the menu button at the top, tap Creator Tools, and then Video Gifts. Turn the gift setting on, review the eligibility requirements, and tap Turn On Gifts. Lots of tapping, but you’ll get there.
Turning On Tips for Creators
Finally, in Creator Next, here’s a tip on how to turn on tips as a creator on TikTok. Your viewers can send your tips directly through to your TikTok profile, which is great news. And the best part is, you get to keep 100% of the tip amount after processing fees. Because even though receiving gifts and diamonds sounds very fun, you don’t earn that much; you earn a lot more from tipping because you get the whole amount.
Eligibility for Tips
To be eligible to receive tips on TikTok, you can apply if you meet the following requirements (and you’ll be shocked to hear that you can only get this feature if you live in certain regions): Like most of the requirements, you’ve got to be 18 years or older, need at least 100,000 followers, your account must be in good standing and adhere to the community guidelines and terms of service, and you must have a personal account.
Business accounts, unfortunately, aren’t eligible to participate. And just in case you want to know, if you want to be able to receive tips, you basically go into the TikTok app, tap on Creator Tools, and then tap Apply. Easy. I mean, not for me because I’m an Australian creator and again don’t qualify. Thanks, TikTok.
Creator Next Recap
So that’s all the ways that you can monetize in the Creator Next category, but now onto my favorite one, which is called TikTok Series. Because this is a new feature on TikTok, I recommend checking it out because TikTok is always going to push its latest feature, so I think it’s very similar to platforms like Skillshare and Patreon. You can sell a series of content on TikTok.
What are TikTok Series?
For example, I’m known as That British Girl on TikTok, and my content is about things they should tell you before coming to Australia, so I can easily create content or use my current content in a series. I could create things on “Best Cafes to Check Out” or “Best Places to Visit” and put them in a series that I can sell on TikTok. And again, because this is a new feature on TikTok, I think they’re going to push it, so I’d recommend checking it out.
How TikTok Series Work
A series can include up to 80 videos, each ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes long, and your viewers can unlock exclusive content by purchasing access to a series from TikTok through direct video links or a creator’s profile. And the best part is that you can select a price for your series. TikTok’s done the hard work and set everything up, but you can choose the price amount, how many videos you want to do, and how long they are.
Getting Paid for TikTok Series
How can you get paid by series? At the time of filming this video, the minimum amount you have to earn to get paid by series is $50, and apparently, that is paid on the 15th of every month. So I’m excited by the series feature, and I think it could be a game-changer to compete with so many other platforms.
Requirements for TikTok Series
What are the requirements? You have to be 18 years or older, and have an account that is at least 30 days old (this is only available for creators with personal accounts, not business, political, or private accounts).
You need to have posted at least three public posts in the last 30 days and reached 1,000 views or more in the last 30 days. You also have to post your original content; you just can’t use someone else’s. As always, you must have an account in good standing and with no repeated violations of TikTok’s community guidelines.
Final Thoughts on Monetizing on TikTok
So those are all the ways that you can monetize on TikTok. But which one do I think is the best? I’m going to have to go with Live Gifts, mainly because I believe in working smarter, not harder, and I love going live anyway. So I can communicate with my audience, and when people donate gifts, I’m doing two things at once, which is great. And who doesn’t love receiving diamonds? Just for me, it’s the easiest way to monetize on TikTok, but I’m also excited to see where the Series program goes on TikTok and what happens there. There are so many options, so I hope you can monetize if you’re in the right region.
Learn How to Go Live Like a Pro
Now, if you want to learn how to go live on TikTok like a pro, check out the link on the screen. It’s hosted by an absolute TikTok genius. Oh wait, it’s me. There’s also a link to my channel, where I give fun travel tips and advice. I’d love to see you over there too. Thanks for watching!
