How to Make Money on TikTok: Step-by-Step Guide to Get Monetized
Want to make money on TikTok but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Every day, thousands of creators like you turn their videos into real income — and you can too.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to make money on TikTok in 2025, including:
- The easiest ways to get paid, even with a small following
- How many followers you actually need to start earning
- Effective ways to earn money include joining the Creator Fund, receiving gifts during live streams, promoting products through affiliate marketing, and selling your own merchandise.
Whether you want to earn a side income or build a full-time career, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to monetize your TikTok account and start getting paid today.
TikTok Monetization
To start earning money on TikTok, it’s essential that your account gets monetized. Monetization means your content becomes eligible to generate income through TikTok’s various creator programs. Without monetizing your account, no matter how great your videos are, you won’t be able to earn directly from the platform.
TikTok requires creators to meet certain rules and conditions before they can monetize their accounts and join official earning programs. Meeting these requirements is the first step toward turning your TikTok content into real income.
Requirements to Monetize Your TikTok Account
- Minimum Followers: You usually need at least 10,000 followers to qualify for most TikTok monetization programs like the Creator Fund and affiliate marketing.
- Video Views: Your videos must have a minimum of 100,000 views in the last 30 days, showing that your content attracts and engages an active audience.
- Age Limit: You must be at least 18 years old to join TikTok’s monetization programs.
- Content Compliance: Your videos must follow TikTok’s community guidelines. Any content that violates rules will not be eligible for monetization.
- Eligible Location: TikTok’s monetization features are only available in select countries, so your location must be on the eligible list.
16 Ways To Earn Money From TikTok
TikTok offers a variety of ways for creators to earn money, whether you’re just starting out or already have a big following. Understanding these methods can help you choose the best strategy to turn your content into real income.
1. Join the TikTok Creator Fund
The Creator Fund pays you based on your video views and engagement. You must have a minimum of 10,000 followers and have accumulated 100,000 views within the last 30 days to be eligible. Once accepted, TikTok rewards you for creating popular content that keeps viewers engaged.
2. Participate in the TikTok Creativity Program
An upgraded version of the Creator Fund, this program rewards creators making videos longer than one minute. Payments are based on “qualified views,” which take into account viewer engagement and video quality, encouraging creators to focus on valuable content.
3. Earn Through Virtual Gifts on Live Streams
Broadcasting live on TikTok allows you to connect with your followers in real time. During live sessions, viewers can send you virtual gifts, which you can convert into real money. Regular live streams with engaging content can become a strong income source. Use tiktok on iphone while going live as it has better camera result.
4. Sell Your Products Using TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop lets you sell both physical and digital products directly through your videos and profile. This feature is perfect for creators who want to build their own brand and sell merchandise or digital downloads to their followers.
5. Make Money with TikTok’s Affiliate Program
Promote other sellers’ products through your TikTok videos using affiliate links or hashtags. You receive a percentage of the revenue from each purchase made using your referral link. This method works well if you have a trusted relationship with your audience in a specific niche.
6. Secure Brand Sponsorships and Sponsored Content Deals
Brands pay TikTok creators to promote their products or services through sponsored videos. The more followers and engagement you have, the higher the sponsorship fees you can command. Sponsored content is often one of the most lucrative ways to monetize your account.
7. Become a Brand Ambassador
As a brand ambassador, you build a long-term partnership with a company, regularly promoting their products or services. This arrangement provides steady income and increases your credibility with your audience.
8. Create and Sell Exclusive Content with TikTok Series
TikTok allows creators to offer exclusive video series or pay-per-view content to loyal followers. This is a great way to monetize high-quality, valuable content that fans are willing to pay for
9. Use TikTok Ads Manager to Boost Your Income
If you run a business or want to promote products, TikTok Ads Manager allows you to create sponsored ads to increase your reach. More visibility means more potential sales and monetization opportunities.
10. Offer Paid Shoutouts and Promotions
You can charge other creators or small businesses for shoutouts or promotional videos. This is an easy way to make money, especially if you have an engaged audience.
11. Drive Traffic to Other Monetized Platforms
Use TikTok to direct followers to your YouTube channel, blog, or online store. Monetizing through multiple platforms helps diversify your income sources.
12. Join TikTok Creator Marketplace
The Creator Marketplace connects brands with TikTok creators for paid collaborations. A strong profile here increases your chances of getting brand deals and sponsorships.
13. Take Part in TikTok Rewards and Challenges
TikTok regularly offers challenges and rewards programs that pay creators for creating specific types of content. Participating in these is a fun and easy way to earn extra money.
14. License Your Viral Videos
If your videos go viral, you can license them to media outlets or companies for additional income. This is a less common but potentially lucrative revenue stream.
15. Use Crowdfunding and Donations
Encourage your followers to support you via platforms like Patreon or Ko-fi, where they can donate or subscribe for exclusive perks. This works best if you regularly provide special content.
16. Earn From TikTok Live Stream
TikTok says one way to earn money is by going live and entertaining people. During the live, you receive virtual gifts, stars, coins, and other similar things from users, which you can later convert into real money.
If you are from Pakistan or any other country where TikTok Live is banned, you can use the TikTok Live APK, which gives you free access to the TikTok Live feature.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Monetizing on TikTok
Making money on TikTok is great, but some mistakes can stop you from earning or even get your account in trouble. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
1. Breaking TikTok’s Rules
TikTok has rules about what kind of videos you can post. If you share videos that are rude, harmful, or not allowed, TikTok can remove your videos or even ban your account. Always follow the rules to keep your account safe.
2. Buying Fake Followers or Likes
Some people try to get more followers or likes by buying fake ones. But TikTok can tell if your followers aren’t real. This can hurt your account and stop your videos from showing to others. Plus, brands want to work with creators who have real fans.
3. Not Talking to Your Followers
It’s important to reply to comments and talk with your followers. If you ignore them, they might stop watching your videos. When your followers like and comment, TikTok shows your videos to more people.
4. Using Only One Way to Make Money
Don’t just rely on one way to earn money. Try different methods like selling products, joining the Creator Fund, or doing live streams with gifts. This helps you make more money and stay safe if one way stops working.
5. Not Knowing TikTok’s New Changes
TikTok changes a lot. If you don’t know about new rules or features, you might miss chances to make money or break the rules by mistake. Keep learning about TikTok updates to stay ahead.
Avoiding these mistakes will help you grow your TikTok account and earn more money safely. Stay honest, keep your followers happy, and follow TikTok’s rules.
TikTok Monetization Eligibility by Country
TikTok’s monetization programs, like the Creator Fund and Creator Marketplace, are not available worldwide. Eligibility depends on your country or region. For example, the Creator Fund is open in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Some Asian countries also have access, but many others do not yet qualify.
This means creators outside eligible countries cannot join these programs directly but can still earn through other methods like brand deals or affiliate marketing. Always check TikTok’s official site for the latest list of countries where monetization is available. You can try different tiktok mod versions to get access in restricted countries.
Legal & Tax Considerations for TikTok Earnings
Earning money on TikTok means you must follow legal and tax rules. In many countries, TikTok income is considered taxable, so you need to report it on your tax returns. Depending on your earnings, you might have to register as a business or self-employed.
Keep records of all your income and expenses related to TikTok. It’s a good idea to consult a tax professional to ensure you comply with local laws and avoid penalties. Staying legal helps you grow your TikTok earnings confidently and safely.
