Want to earn on TikTok? Explore ways to make money with viral videos, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing with as few as 1,000 followers.
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| Top strategies for monetizing your TikTok account include how to make money with 1,000 followers and selling products through TikTok Shop. Image: Collected from TikTok Video |
Tech Desk — December 31, 2024:
TikTok, with over 1 billion active users worldwide, has transformed from a simple entertainment app into a powerful platform for creators to make money. Founded in 2016 by Zhang Yiming through ByteDance, TikTok quickly expanded from its initial launch as Douyin in China to becoming a global phenomenon. Now, it's not just for fun; it's a space for creators to showcase their talent, build an audience, and earn income. But, with all the potential, you may be asking: How to make money on TikTok?
The app has faced its share of controversy, especially in the U.S., where there have been ongoing discussions about a potential TikTok ban. Despite these challenges, TikTok remains an essential tool for creators looking to monetize their content. Whether you have 1,000 followers or 100,000, there are several ways to turn your TikTok presence into a profitable venture. Here’s a breakdown of how to make money on TikTok:
How to Make Money on TikTok: Monetization Strategies
Making money on TikTok is a great opportunity for creators looking to turn their passion into profit. One of the easiest ways to earn money is through the TikTok Creator Fund, which pays creators based on the engagement their videos generate. The more popular and engaging your content is, the more you can earn. To participate in the Creator Fund, you need to meet a few basic requirements like having a certain number of followers and views. Once accepted, you'll be paid based on how well your videos perform, making it a passive way to generate income as long as your content resonates with viewers.
In addition to the Creator Fund, brand partnerships are another lucrative way to make money on TikTok. Many brands are looking to collaborate with influencers who have a strong and engaged audience. By partnering with brands, you can promote their products or services in your videos, from unboxing to tutorials or challenges. Another way to monetize your content is through affiliate marketing, where you promote products and earn commissions on sales made through your referral link. You don’t need a massive following to succeed with affiliate marketing—creating content that appeals to your niche can help attract the right brand partnerships.
1. TikTok Creator Fund: Earning from Your Views
One of the most straightforward ways to start making money on TikTok is by joining the TikTok Creator Fund. The fund allows TikTok creators to earn money based on their video performance. However, the money you earn will depend on several factors, including how many views your content receives.
To qualify for the TikTok Creator Fund, you must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a minimum of 10,000 followers
Accumulate 100,000 views within the past 30 days
Follow TikTok’s community guidelines
Once accepted into the fund, you start earning money from your views. The amount per view can vary, but how many views on TikTok to make money typically depends on how viral your video becomes. While earnings per video might be small (just a few cents per 1,000 views), it can add up if you consistently post engaging content.
2. Brand Partnerships and Sponsored Content
TikTok is a major platform for brands looking to tap into a young, engaged audience. As a creator, you can partner with companies to feature their products in your videos. These partnerships can be highly lucrative, especially for creators with large followings.
While the main question might be how many followers do you need to make money on TikTok, the reality is that how many likes to make money on TikTok is just as important as follower count. Brands are more likely to collaborate with creators who have high engagement rates, meaning likes, shares, and comments. Even creators with a smaller following can secure brand deals if their engagement is strong.
If you have a niche audience, such as fitness, beauty, or tech, you can reach out to brands within your industry for sponsored content opportunities. Companies are eager to leverage TikTok’s visual format and viral trends to promote their products.
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| TikTok video image |
3. Selling Products with TikTok Shop
Another exciting way to make money on TikTok is through TikTok Shop, a feature that allows creators to sell products directly through their TikTok videos. Whether you're selling your own merchandise or promoting products from other brands, TikTok Shop makes it easy for followers to purchase directly through the app.
You don’t need a huge following to start selling. Even with 1,000 followers, you can still begin monetizing by showcasing products in your videos. The key to success on TikTok Shop is creating engaging content that incorporates the products in a natural, authentic way. For example, beauty influencers can demonstrate makeup products, while fashion creators can show off clothing.
Additionally, TikTok offers live-stream shopping, where creators can interact with viewers in real time while promoting products. This offers an even more interactive way to boost sales and engage your audience.
How to Make Money on TikTok Shop
To succeed on TikTok Shop, focus on creating authentic and engaging content that feels less like a hard sell and more like a recommendation. Leverage trending sounds, challenges, and hashtags to integrate the products into your videos seamlessly. Keep your content fun and interactive, offering discounts, deals, or giveaways to entice your followers to purchase.
4. Live Streaming and Virtual Gifts
If you're wondering how to make money on TikTok with 1,000 followers, live streaming is another way to earn income. TikTok’s live streaming feature allows viewers to send virtual gifts during your stream. These gifts can later be exchanged for real money.
You’ll need at least 1,000 followers to start live streaming, and once you’re live, your followers can send virtual gifts, such as hearts or diamonds. You can then convert these virtual gifts into actual cash. The more engaging and entertaining your live streams are, the more likely your followers are to send gifts.
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| TikTok Video Image |
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another great way to make money on TikTok. With affiliate marketing, you promote products or services through special affiliate links, and you earn a commission on any sales generated through those links. The best part is that you don’t need a huge following to get started.
You can promote products that align with your niche, whether it’s tech gadgets, skincare, or fashion. To get started, sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate. Once you have your affiliate links, you can share them in your TikTok bio or directly within your videos.
6. Selling Your Own Products or Services
If you have your own business, whether it’s physical products, digital items like e-books, or services like consulting or coaching, TikTok is a great place to promote your offerings. You can sell your products directly through TikTok Shop or link to your online store.
If you're offering services, use TikTok videos to showcase your expertise. For example, if you're a photographer, create content around photography tips, and offer your services directly to your audience.
How to Make Money on TikTok Without Followers
It’s possible to make money on TikTok without followers, but it might require more time and creative strategies. In the early stages, focus on building your content strategy and finding your niche. Even if you don't have a large following yet, you can monetize by using affiliate links, creating sponsored content for smaller brands, or selling products through TikTok Shop.
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| TikTok Video Image |
How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on TikTok?
So, how many followers do you need to make money on TikTok? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, having at least 10,000 followers opens doors to more monetization options, including the TikTok Creator Fund and higher-paying brand partnerships. However, even with fewer followers, you can still earn money through affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and TikTok Shop.
TikTok remains a powerful platform for creators looking to make money. Whether through the TikTok Creator Fund, brand partnerships, TikTok Shop, or live streaming, there are plenty of ways to turn your TikTok account into a revenue stream. While TikTok continues to face challenges, including discussions around a potential ban in the U.S., the platform's global reach and innovative features make it a valuable tool for content creators worldwide.
No matter how many followers you have, you can start making money on TikTok today. Whether you’re wondering how to make money on TikTok without followers or how many views and likes you need to make money, the key is consistency, creativity, and finding the right monetization strategy for your content.
By leveraging these opportunities, you can turn your TikTok presence into a thriving business, even if you're just starting out. So, get creative, engage with your audience, and explore the various ways to make money on TikTok.