TikTok isn’t just for entertainment anymore—it’s a serious money-making platform. With over 1.5 billion active users worldwide, TikTok has become a powerful space for creators to build their brand and income. If you're wondering how to monetize TikTok and start earning in 2025, you're not alone. From brand sponsorships and affiliate marketing to the TikTok Creator Fund, there are more opportunities than ever to turn your content into cash.
Whether you're an aspiring influencer or a business owner, knowing the right strategies can help you grow your audience and boost your earnings. The article explores the best ways to monetize your TikTok presence this year so you can start earning from your passion and creativity—no large following required. Ready to turn views into income? Let’s dive in.
Understanding TikTok Monetization
TikTok gives creators several ways to earn money through its detailed monetization ecosystem. The platform stands out by rewarding creators who contribute to its growth with unique programs.
The Creator Fund sits at the heart of TikTok's money-making structure. Creators earn approximately $0.02 to $0.04 for every 1,000 views. Videos that hit one million views bring in $20-$40. Creators need to meet specific requirements. They must be 18 or older, have 10,000+ followers, and their videos should get at least 100,000 views within 30 days.
The platform launched its Creator Rewards Program to boost original, quality content earnings. This new program could help creators earn up to 20 times more than the Creator Fund. For example, a million views might cost $400-$800.
TikTok creators have more ways to make money:
- TikTok Creator Marketplace: Connects brands and creators for sponsored content deals.
- TikTok LIVE: Lets viewers send virtual gifts that creators can exchange for real money.
- TikTok Shop: Creators sell products directly through the app.
- Subscription services: Premium content and special perks for paying followers.
Brand partnerships bring in the biggest paychecks. About 66.9% of creators say sponsored posts and brand deals are their main income source. These partnerships are the foundations of a steady TikTok income. Creators should note that Creator Fund earnings need to reach $10 before withdrawal.
Smart creators use multiple income streams because relying on just one source rarely works. The most successful TikTokers combine different methods to maximize their earnings.
What you need to qualify for TikTok monetization
To earn money on the platform, TikTok creators must clear their first hurdle by meeting specific monetization requirements. You need to understand these standards before you can start making money.
The Creator Rewards Program has these main requirements:
- Age Requirement: Being at least 18 years old (19 in South Korea)
- Follower Count: You need a minimum of 10,000 followers.
- Video Views: You must have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
- Account Type: Your account should be in good standing, and you must be based in a region where TikTok's Creator Fund or monetization features are available.
Once you meet these qualifications, you can apply for the TikTok Creator Fund, live gifts, and brand collaborations. You can also earn through affiliate links, product promotions, and sponsored content outside the platform.
How Much Do TikTokers Make?
TikTok creators' earnings vary widely. U.S. influencers make an average of $131,874 per year. But top earners push this number up. The real median salary ranges from $15,000 to $25,000.
Your follower count and engagement rates determine how much you can earn. Small creators with 1,000-10,000 followers make $20-$150 for each sponsored post. Those with 50,000-500,000 followers can earn $80-$1,650. Once you hit a million followers, you'll make at least $1,200 per brand deal the sky's the limit.
Brand deals are the biggest money-makers. That's because 66.9% of creators say these partnerships bring in most of their income. This is way more than what TikTok pays directly.
The Creator Rewards Program pays much better than the old Creator Fund. Creators now earn $0.40-$1.00 per 1,000 views. A million-view video now costs $400-$1,000 instead of just $20-$40.
Factors affect your earnings.
A creator's income on TikTok depends on much more than just follower numbers. Creators need to understand these key factors to maximize their earnings.
1. Views and Engagement: Engagement matters most, not just views. TikTok's algorithm loves videos that get lots of likes, shares, and comments. Smaller creators often see higher engagement rates because their audience feels more connected and involved. Those with under 15,000 followers often enjoy the best engagement rates, which can help them land brand deals, even with smaller audiences.
2. Location: Where your viewers come from also greatly affects your earnings. Views from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada bring in much more money because of higher ad rates. Creators who focus on those markets tend to earn more for each view.
3. Content Niche: Your content niche can make or break your earning potential. Here's what top niches earn:
- Finance/Investment: $0.05-$0.08 per 1,000 views ($500-$800 per million)
- Technology: $0.04-$0.07 per 1,000 views ($400-$700 per million)
- Health/Fitness: $0.03-$0.06 per 1,000 views ($300-$600 per million)
- Fashion/Beauty: $0.02-$0.05 per 1,000 views ($200-$500 per million)
Entertainment content earns nowhere near as much, bringing in just $0.01-$0.03 per 1,000 views.
4. Monetization Strategy: How you monetize matters just as much as your follower count. Brand deals are still the top income source for creators, accounting for 66.9% of total revenue. The TikTok Creator Rewards Program has become more lucrative, offering between $0.40 and $1.00 per 1,000 views for videos that are at least one minute long. Top creators also use affiliate marketing and product sales to turn their influence into a sustainable business model.
Examples of earnings at different follower levels
Your follower count relates directly to what you can earn, especially from sponsored posts:
- Micro-influencers (10,000-50,000 followers): $25-$125 per sponsored post with 17.96% engagement
- Mid-tier influencers (50,000-500,000 followers): $125-$1,250 per post with 6-8% engagement
- Macro-influencers (500,000-1M followers): $125-$2,500 per post with 6.20% engagement
- Mega-influencers (1M+ followers): $2,500+ per post with 4.96% engagement
Quality content matters more than anything else. The Creator Rewards Program now requires videos to be at least one minute long. They prefer original content with high production value. Your choice of monetization method (Creator Fund, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing) combined with these factors determines how much you can earn.
Ways to Make Money on TikTok
TikTok creators use multiple income sources to boost their earnings on the platform. The platform has created several ways to make money that work well with different content types and audience sizes.
1. Join the TikTok Creativity Program / Creator Fund
TikTok’s Creativity Program (previously known as the Creator Fund) allows creators to earn money based on their video performance—especially for videos longer than one minute. To be eligible, you must meet these requirements:
- At least 10,000 followers
- 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
Earnings are calculated based on views and engagement metrics like watch time and audience interaction.
If you’re a creator based in the US or UK, you can still monetize your content through the TikTok Creator Fund. While the eligibility criteria are similar, you must first apply and meet TikTok’s requirements to start earning. Once approved, your payouts will depend on how well your videos perform in terms of reach and engagement.
2. Run TikTok Ads to Promote Your Brand
With over 67% of 18–19-year-olds and 56% of 20–29-year-olds active on TikTok, the platform is a prime spot for marketing to Gen Z. TikTok Ads come with intuitive tools that allow you to reach millions of users through targeted campaigns. You can customize your ads based on age, location, interests, and more—giving you full control over your ad strategy.
TikTok offers several ad formats, including:
- In-Feed Video Ads: These appear on users’ For You pages, blended naturally into their feeds.
- Brand Takeover Ads: These display your content full-screen for a few seconds before transitioning into a standard in-feed video ad.
- Hashtag Challenges: Boost brand awareness by launching fun, interactive challenges. These are featured in TikTok’s Discover section and work best when coordinated with a TikTok sales rep.
There are even more ad types to explore—though availability may vary depending on your account type and region. Start with what fits your brand best and test what drives the most engagement.
3. Collect Tips or Donations
TikTok now allows select creators to earn direct support from fans through tips and donations. This feature allows followers to show appreciation for their favorite creators' content.
Here’s how it works:
- Video Gifts & Live Gifts: Viewers can send virtual gifts and coins during regular videos or live streams.
- Diamonds: These gifts are converted into TikTok’s in-app digital currency.
- Cash Out: Once you’ve collected enough Diamonds, you can trade them in for real money.
In addition to TikTok’s built-in tipping features, you can also link third-party tipping platforms to your profile—like Tipeee, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee. These act like virtual tip jars and offer another stream of income.
4. Collaborate with a Creator
If you're a brand looking to grow on TikTok, collaborating with creators is one of the most effective strategies. According to the Sprout Social Index™, authentic creator content and word-of-mouth marketing outperform traditional sales messages in winning over consumers.
TikTok’s massive community of creators makes it easy to find influencers with loyal, engaged audiences. In fact, branded content created by influencers sees 83% higher engagement rates than standard ads.
To make collaboration easy, TikTok offers the Creator Marketplace—a dedicated platform where brands can:
- Search for creators by industry, goals, and budget
- View detailed audience and performance metrics
- Run data-driven influencer campaigns from start to finish
Note: TikTok has eligibility requirements for joining the Creator Marketplace, so only top-tier creators are listed—giving brands peace of mind when choosing who to work with.
5. Try affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you earn a commission by promoting other people’s products or services. You share a special link or code, and if someone makes a purchase using it, you get paid.
To be successful, promote products that fit your audience's interests. Make fun and helpful videos showing why you recommend the product. Stick to brands you know and trust, and always be honest with your followers.
TikTok doesn’t let you add clickable links in personal video captions. But you can:
- Ask followers to copy and paste a link into their browser.
- Share discounts or promo codes they can use at checkout.
- Use a free website like Linktree, Carrd, Campsite, or BioSites to list all your affiliate links in one place.
- You can add a link to your bio if you have a business account.
If you work for a brand, consider starting your own affiliate program. Make clear rules and instructions, and invite TikTok creators who match your brand. Give them links or codes to share, and make sure you have a system to track sales and pay commissions.
6. Grow and sell TikTok accounts
Another way to make money on TikTok is by growing and selling accounts. Some creators build accounts around a specific topic—like fitness, fashion, or travel—and later sell them to businesses looking for an audience in that niche.
To do this successfully, focus on a specific theme—like fitness, fashion, or travel—that someone else could easily continue after buying the account. This makes it easier for the new owner to keep posting similar content and retain audience engagement.
If you’re a brand wanting to buy a TikTok account, do your research. Look for:
- Good engagement (likes, comments, shares)
- A niche that matches your business
- Content style that fits your brand
You can find active TikTok accounts for sale on websites like Gamemixplay, Eazyviral, and Fameswap.
7. Publish Sponsored Posts on Your Profile
One of the simplest and most effective ways to earn money on TikTok is through sponsored posts. These are paid promotional pieces where a brand partners with a content creator to market a product or service directly on the creator’s feed.
Unlike larger campaigns or long-term partnerships, sponsored posts are great for smaller brand activations. You can collaborate with a company to publish a single post, a short series, or even ongoing content, depending on the agreement.
Here’s how it works:
- A brand pays you to create content that features or promotes their product.
- The content is posted on your TikTok profile, making it look like an organic, authentic endorsement.
- You can increase visibility by encouraging engagement through hashtags or trending challenges.
- If the post starts gaining traction, you (or the brand) can boost the post using TikTok’s ad tools to maximize reach and engagement.
These posts blend seamlessly into your feed, keeping the content relatable and trustworthy to your followers—an essential factor for success with sponsored content.
8. Create a Patreon Account for Exclusive Content
Patreon is a great way for content creators to earn money from their fans. With a Patreon account, people can subscribe to you for a small monthly fee and get access to exclusive content—like behind-the-scenes videos, early access to new posts, shoutouts or private Q&A sessions.
Use your TikTok videos to invite people to join your Patreon. Keep the membership price low so more people feel comfortable signing up. Offer small rewards to encourage them—like free merch, digital downloads or special access to a private group. Add the link to your Patreon in your bio and mention it in your videos so followers can easily find it.
9. Sell Your Own Products and Merchandise
Selling custom merchandise or personal products is a reliable way to monetize your TikTok presence. Whether it's original artwork, quotes or your brand logo, you can turn these elements into T-shirts, mugs, phone cases and more. Design your merch or choose items that reflect your personal brand or content style. Use services like Printful, Teespring or Merch by Amazon to print and ship products on demand.
Design products your audience will love. Run product demos or tutorials, show before-and-after results and join trending challenges. Incorporate your product creatively. Listen to your audience. Use TikTok's interactive tools to ask followers what kind of merch they'd love to see.
If you have a personal account, build an eCommerce site using platforms like Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace. In your videos, include a clear call to action directing users to your store. Link your store in your bio, use the "link in bio" feature, or include direct product mentions in your video captions.
10. Set Up a TikTok Shop
TikTok now lets creators and brands sell products directly inside the app using the TikTok Shop feature. This is available in certain regions through a partnership with Shopify and other e-commerce platforms. Setting up a TikTok Shop allows you to showcase products in your in-feed videos, during live streams or through a special product tab on your profile.
Before selling through TikTok Shop, you need to sign up as a seller in the TikTok Seller Center. From there, you can upload your products, track orders, manage your inventory and run promotions. Just remember: TikTok Shop isn't available everywhere yet. Check if it's available in your country before you apply.
11. Offer Exclusive Content Through TikTok Series
TikTok introduced a new feature called TikTok Series, which lets creators earn money by offering exclusive videos behind a paywall. Think of it like a mini paid course or premium content only your fans can access.
To use TikTok Series, you need to meet these requirements: be 18 years or older, have a TikTok account at least 30 days old, have at least 10,000 followers, have posted 3+ public videos in the last 30 days and have at least 1,000 video views in the past 30 days. Even if you have fewer than 10,000 followers, you might still qualify by sharing links to premium content you've sold on other platforms.
Each Series can include up to 80 videos, and each video can be up to 20 minutes long. You can choose the price—you decide what your content is worth.
12. Provide Virtual Gifts
TikTok also enables creators to earn money through virtual gifts. Fans who enjoy your content can send you gifts as a way to show appreciation, which can then be converted into real money. Once you enable the gift option on your videos, a small gift box icon appears next to the comment box. Viewers can tap it to purchase and send gifts using TikTok coins.
Coin packages are available in different increments—from 20 coins for $0.29 to 16,500 coins for $249.99. Gifts range in value, starting at just 5 coins and going up to 3,000 coins. This system creates an easy and interactive way for followers to support your content financially.
13. Host Live Events or Workshops
Going live on TikTok is a powerful way to connect with your audience—and make money too. During a live session, viewers can send you live gifts in real time, using coins like video gifts.
Some gifts cost just a few coins, while others are worth thousands. Creators have shared success stories of earning anywhere from $20 to $300 per live session, and some have even made tens of thousands in a single month.
To do well with TikTok Lives:
- Be consistent with your schedule
- Make your live streams engaging and fun
- Offer something valuable like tips, behind-the-scenes access, or Q&A sessions
The more people watch and enjoy your live content, the more likely they will send gifts and support your work.
14. Offer Personalized Shoutouts
If you have a good following, you can offer paid shoutouts to other TikTokers who want more exposure. These shoutouts can be featured in either a regular video or a live stream.
Set a price for each type:
- Feed shoutouts (more visibility) can cost more
- Live shoutouts can be a lower-price option
Start with a reasonable price, then adjust based on how much demand you get. Promote this service in your bio or videos and watch your fan interactions turn into profit.
15. Sell Digital Products
Selling digital products is another effective way to monetize your TikTok presence. You can set up a TikTok shop and link to your digital products—such as ebooks, templates, online courses, or designs—directly from your profile.
Promoting these products within your content encourages viewers to check out your shop. Having a clear call to action in your videos and a visible link in your bio makes it easy for interested followers to make a purchase, helping you turn views into sales.
The Game-Changer for TikTok Creators: Why a Streaming Kit Matters
Professional equipment differentiates average content from standout success in today's competitive creator world. Quality streaming kits raise TikTok content value and affect monetization potential in several ways.
Better Video and Audio Quality
Great content starts with great sound and visuals. Built-in smartphone mics can’t match the clarity of a USB & XLR Condenser Microphone, or the portability of a wireless microphone. These tools capture vocal nuances that make your voice feel more present and professional.
Pair that with the right lighting and a DSLR-quality streaming camera for stunning visuals, and your content instantly levels up. Use a ring light or softbox for smooth, shadow-free lighting and a clean look that enhances your face and background. Even better, the NearStream 4K streaming camera doubles as a high-end webcam—perfect for TikTok videos and livestreams.
Professional TikTok LIVE Streams
TikTok LIVE is one of the fastest ways to get paid on TikTok. With just 1,000 followers, you can unlock LIVE Gifting and begin earning instantly. But quality matters here—using a capture card like the 4K60 USB 3.1 Capture Card ensures smooth, lag-free streams with crisp audio and high frame rates, especially for game streaming or camera setups.
Software like Streamlabs lets you use overlays and scene transitions, turning casual livestreams into professional broadcasts. And with NearStream's Portable Audio Mixer, you can manage multiple audio sources with studio-level control.
Attracting Brand Deals
Wondering how to monetize TikTok faster? Start by making your content sponsor-friendly. High-quality visuals and clear audio show brands that you're serious and capable. Sponsors are more likely to collaborate with creators who deliver consistently polished content.
Using gear from the Game Streaming Kit or Podcasting Kit enhances both your content and credibility. It’s no surprise that 61% of marketers now partner with TikTok influencers, including faceless ones, for authentic and effective promotion.
Multi-Platform Growth = Multi-Income Potential
Modern creators know that TikTok monetization alone isn’t enough. Tools like the 10X Optical Zoom Wireless Streaming Camera make it possible to livestream on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch simultaneously.
This multiplies exposure and revenue, making it easier to get paid on TikTok, drive affiliate sales, and secure YouTube ad revenue—all from one stream. NearStream's solutions even offer dual-resolution output, perfect for repurposing content across platforms without extra editing.
How to Get Monetized on TikTok Faster
Your path to TikTok monetization moves faster with smart planning and steady action. TikTok's algorithm values quality and engagement more than follower numbers. This creates better chances for creators to qualify quickly for different income programs. Here's how to do it:
Optimize Your Profile for Brand Deals and Monetization
Start by making your profile look professional. Pick a clear niche (like fashion, fitness, or tech) and stick to it—brands like creators who focus on one topic. Use a clean profile picture and write a short bio that tells people what your content is about.
Switch to a business account so you can access better tools like analytics and extra features. Brands want to see good engagement, so focus on building real trust with your followers. If you want to work with sponsors, be ready to show your stats—like how many people like, comment, and share your videos.
Create Engaging, Shareable Content to Increase Reach
TikTok rewards videos that people love and share. So, focus on content that helps, entertains, or teaches something useful. Don't just try to sell—build a real connection with your audience. Smaller creators (under 15,000 followers) often have better engagement than big ones. Try to post 5 to 7 times a week to stay active. Use your analytics to see which videos perform best, then make more of that kind.
To stand out, consider upgrading your setup. A good camera and mic can transform your videos. The NearStream Podcasting Kit and USB&XLR Condenser Microphone help boost your audio quality right away. Pair it with their 4K Streaming Camera for sharp, professional-looking content.
Use Trending Sounds and Hashtags to Boost Visibility
Trending sounds and hashtags help your videos reach more people. Visit TikTok’s Creative Center daily to see what’s trending. Use a mix of hashtags—three popular ones and two niche-specific ones related to your content. Jump on trending audio early. If a sound has fewer than 5,000 uses, it’s a good time to use it before it becomes too popular. This can help your video land on the For You page.
Try NearStream's Streaming Kit or Game Streaming Kit to make your live streams smoother and more interactive.
Invest in Professional Streaming Gear to Stand Out in a Competitive Space
To compete seriously, especially when figuring out how much TikTokers make, your gear matters. Better equipment means better content, leading to more views and earnings. Clear audio is a must, so consider tools like the Wireless Microphone or the USB Microphone for Streaming both live streams and recorded content.
Visual quality is just as important. The DSLR-Quality 4K Streaming Camera and 10X Optical Zoom Wireless Streaming Camera are excellent choices to elevate your production value. The 4K60 USB 3.1 Capture Card works perfectly with Xbox, PS5, and Switch for console or DSLR streaming.
FAQs
How many followers do I need to make money on TikTok?
Your monetization options depend on your follower count. The Creator Rewards Program needs at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. TikTok LIVE gifts start at just 1,000 followers, which makes it the easiest way to earn directly from the platform. The Creator Marketplace opens up at 10,000 followers for brand deals. TikTok Shop and affiliate marketing don't need any specific follower count—you can sell products through affiliate links with any size audience.
Can I make money on TikTok without showing my face?
Yes! You can make good money without ever showing your face on TikTok. Many creators earn a full-time living this way. Product demos, hands-on tutorials, screen recordings, and AI-generated videos work really well. Affiliate marketing is particularly strong for faceless accounts, with earnings around $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views when promoting products you actually use. Brand deals are also possible—61% of marketers run influencer campaigns on TikTok, and they work with faceless accounts that keep their audience engaged.
What's the quickest way to get monetized on TikTok?
The TikTok Referral program lets you start earning right away without any follower requirements. Anyone 18+ (21+ in Egypt, 20+ in Japan, 19+ in Korea) can earn by bringing new users to TikTok. LIVE Gifting comes next, available at 1,000 followers. Creating content in a specific niche that keeps people engaged will help you qualify for all monetization programs faster. TikTok cares more about how well you connect with your audience than your total follower count.
What's the best streaming setup for TikTok LIVE?
A good TikTok LIVE setup needs an external microphone (shotgun mic or wireless lavalier), proper lighting (ring lights work best for even lighting), and maybe a capture card if you're using a camera instead of your phone. Advanced streamers use audio interfaces with Bluetooth to connect multiple devices at once. Many successful creators in 2025 prefer compact, portable gear that still looks and sounds professional while they travel—this helps them stick to regular streaming schedules.
How to make money on TikTok with no followers?
Use the TikTok Referral Program to start earning immediately. You can also do affiliate marketing or grow a faceless account with educational or niche content.
How to make money on TikTok LIVE?
Go LIVE once you reach 1,000 followers. Collect LIVE gifts and donations during interactive sessions like tutorials, behind-the-scenes, or Q&As.
Conclusion
Monetizing TikTok in 2025 is about more than just going viral—it’s about creating meaningful content, using the right tools, and tapping into multiple income streams. From the Creator Rewards Program to brand deals, affiliate marketing, and TikTok Shop, success comes to those who stay consistent, authentic, and strategic.
Don’t underestimate the power of professional equipment—clear video and audio can be the difference between a scroll and a follow. Planning your content and cross-promoting on other platforms will further boost your reach and income. And remember—how to get paid on TikTok starts with how you present yourself.
Ready to upgrade your creator journey? Explore NearStream’s top-tier streaming tools including the best podcasting kits, streaming cameras, and audio mixers. Start standing out, getting noticed, and getting paid on TikTok—today.
