How To Make Money On TikTok in 2025: 7 Proven Ways

TikTok has solidified its position as a powerhouse in the social media world, capturing approximately 26% of global social media users. What started as a platform for short dance videos is now a full-fledged ecosystem where creators can build audiences and generate substantial income.

 As of 2025, TikTok boasts over 1.5 billion daily active users worldwide, with users spending an average of 58 minutes per day scrolling through content. This massive audience translates into remarkable revenue growth, with the platform generating around $23 billion in annual revenue.

To put TikTok’s meteoric rise in perspective, consider this timeline:

• 2020: 700 million monthly active users worldwide
• 2021: Crossed the 1 billion monthly active users mark
• 2022: Expanded monetization features with TikTok Shop
• 2023: Replaced Creator Fund with improved Creator Rewards Program
• 2024: Introduced enhanced subscription models and expanded affiliate options
• 2025: Reached 1.5 billion monthly active users with a valuation exceeding $250 billion

With 66% of users between 18-34 years old, TikTok offers a prime demographic for monetization. The platform has continuously evolved its features to help creators capitalize on their content and audience.

Let’s break down the seven most effective ways to make money on TikTok in 2025.

1. Join the TikTok Creator Rewards Program

The Creator Rewards Program enables content creators to earn directly from TikTok based on video performance. Unlike previous monetization methods that relied heavily on follower counts, this program focuses on content quality and engagement.

Note: The Creator Fund was discontinued in December 2023 and replaced with the Creator Rewards Program, which offers improved compensation rates and structure.

Eligibility and Requirements

To qualify for the Creator Rewards Program, you must meet several specific criteria:

• Have at least 10,000 followers on your TikTok account
• Accumulate a minimum of 100,000 authentic video views within the last 30 days
• Be at least 18 years old
• Reside in an eligible country where the program is available
• Maintain an account in good standing without violations of TikTok’s Community Guidelines
• Post original content (not repurposed from other creators or platforms)

Beyond these basic requirements, your account must also demonstrate consistent activity. TikTok evaluates accounts based on posting frequency and engagement metrics before approving them for the program. Consequently, creators who post regularly (at least 3-5 times per week) have a higher chance of acceptance.

TikTok prioritizes videos generating meaningful engagement (comments, shares, and watch time) over those accumulating passive views. This approach rewards creators who foster genuine community interaction rather than those chasing viral moments.

Earnings Potential

The Creator Rewards Program typically pays between $0.40 and $1.00 per 1,000 views, which translates to approximately $400-$1,000 per million views. However, payment rates can vary based on factors like:

• Video engagement (comments, shares, likes)
• Watch time
• Video quality (videos with 1080p resolution or higher qualify for additional rewards)
• Geographic location of viewers

The Creator Rewards Program alone typically doesn’t provide full-time income, but establishes a solid foundation that creators combine with other monetization methods.

To apply, simply go to your TikTok settings, tap “Creator tools,” and look for the Creator Rewards Program option. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be able to enroll and start earning from your content.

2. Brand Partnerships and Sponsored Content

Brand sponsorships represent one of the most lucrative avenues for creators on TikTok, with top influencers earning anywhere from $100 to $10,000 per sponsored post, depending on their audience size and engagement metrics. Unlike platform-based earnings, these partnerships allow you to negotiate your own terms directly with companies seeking to tap into your audience.

Using the Creator Marketplace

TikTok’s Creator Marketplace (TTCM) connects brands with creators for paid collaborations. To join, creators must meet these eligibility requirements:

• Have at least 10,000 followers (50,000 in South Korea)
• Generate at least 1,000 post views within the last 30 days
• Publish at least 3 posts within 30 days
• Be at least 18 years old (19 in South Korea)
• Maintain an account in good standing without community guideline violations

To access the marketplace:

1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile and select the Menu ☰ button
2. Select TikTok Studio
3. Within Monetization, select Creator Marketplace
4. Tap Check eligibility and follow prompts if qualified

Once approved, you can create a profile showcasing your content style, audience demographics, and starting rates for sponsored videos. Brands browse the marketplace searching for creators based on criteria like location, category, followers, and reach. When interested, they’ll send collaboration invites directly to your notification inbox.

The platform streamlines the collaboration process from discovery to payment, including contract negotiation and content approval. After creators post approved content, brands confirm completion and payment processes through TikTok Creator Marketplace Pay (TTCM Pay).

Pricing Tiers for 2025

Brand partnership rates vary widely based on your follower count, engagement rate, and niche:

• Nano-influencers (1K-10K followers): $5-$25 per post
• Micro-influencers (10K-100K followers): $25-$125 per post
• Mid-tier influencers (100K-500K followers): $125-$1,200 per post
• Macro-influencers (500K-1M followers): $1,200-$2,500 per post
• Mega-influencers (1M+ followers): $2,500+ per post

A common pricing formula used in the industry is approximately $10 per post per 1,000 followers, though this can vary based on your engagement metrics and content quality.

To get more information about TikTok’s branded content policies and disclosure requirements, visit this page – TikTok Branded Content Policy.

Micro-Influencer Opportunities

Creators don’t need millions of followers to secure brand deals. Micro-influencers (10K-50K followers) are in high demand because they often have:

• Higher engagement rates
• More niche-focused audiences
• Better conversion rates for brands
• More authentic connections with followers
• Lower costs for brands compared to mega-influencers

Many brands prefer working with multiple micro-influencers rather than a single celebrity, making this a viable path even for creators with modest followings.

When creating sponsored content, always follow TikTok’s branded content policies, which require clear disclosure of paid partnerships using the platform’s built-in disclosure tools.

3. TikTok Shop and Affiliate Marketing

TikTok Shop enables creators to monetize their influence through in-app shopping experiences. This feature allows creators to sell products directly to audiences without users leaving the app.

How to set up TikTok shop

Setting up your TikTok Shop requires several straightforward steps through the TikTok Seller Center:

1. Create a Seller Center account by visiting the TikTok Shop website and signing in with your TikTok account or email.
2. Select your business type (individual or corporation) and provide the necessary information.
3. Complete identity verification by uploading the required documents:
   • For individuals: government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license).
   • For corporations: a business license and identification of the legal representative.
4. Set up your warehouse/pickup address and return location.
5. Link your bank account to receive payments (account name must match registered name).
6. Once verified, begin adding products to your shop.

Alternatively, if you already have an e-commerce store on platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce, you can integrate directly with TikTok Shop through their respective apps. This integration automatically syncs your product catalog, making setup much faster.

TikTok Shop Performance

The numbers are impressive:

• Projected Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) for TikTok Shop in 2025: $20 billion.
• Over 500,000 merchants in the U.S. alone.
• 37% of Americans under 60 have made purchases through TikTok Shop.

Monetization Methods

TikTok Shop offers two primary monetization methods:

1. Sell Your Own Products:

• Physical merchandise (clothing, accessories, art).
• Digital products (templates, presets, e-books).
• Services are promoted through the platform.

2. Promote Affiliate Products:

• Earn commissions of up to 15% on sales.
• Showcase products in videos and livestreams.
• Add product links directly in your content.

Commission Structure and Payouts

When promoting affiliate products through TikTok Shop:

• Commission rates typically range from 5% to 15%, depending on the product category.
• Payments are processed after the return window closes (usually 30 days).
• Minimum payout thresholds vary by region but typically start at $10.
• Funds can be transferred to your bank account or payment service.

Eligibility Requirements

To access TikTok Shop features:

• 1,000+ followers (minimum requirement)
• Account in good standing
• Age 18+
• Available in supported regions

Regional Availability

As of 2025, TikTok Shop is available in:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Most European countries
• Southeast Asian markets
• Australia and New Zealand

The platform continues to expand its e-commerce capabilities to new regions, so check the TikTok Shop page for the most current availability information.

For maximum success with TikTok Shop, create authentic product demonstrations, honest reviews, and engaging unboxing videos. The most successful TikTok Shop creators seamlessly integrate products into their content rather than creating obvious advertisements.

Examples of successful sellers

Several brands have achieved remarkable results through TikTok Shop by implementing strategic approaches:

SEEQ effectively utilized TikTok’s Spark Ads to retarget people who engaged with their top-performing organic videos. By uploading their most engaging product demonstrations and using Value-Based Optimization, they gained over 600 additional conversions and 2.5 million ad impressions in one month. Their approach delivered a 3.6X return on ad spend.

Zenfulnote tested “talking to camera” video formats using viral trends and text overlay captions. By repurposing top-performing organic videos as Spark Ads and optimizing their profile with strong calls-to-action, they gained 1.7 million organic video views in one month. Their strategy helped them gain 75,000+ followers while increasing sales, with TikTok delivering the most cost-effective results across their marketing channels at just $0.22 cost per click.

4. Live Gifts and Virtual Donations

TikTok LIVE opens a direct revenue stream through virtual gifts, allowing creators to monetize real-time viewer interactions. Fans show appreciation by sending virtual items that translate into real earnings for creators.

How LIVE gifting works

TikTok’s LIVE gifting system operates through a multi-step currency exchange. First, viewers purchase TikTok coins using real money, then use these coins to buy virtual gifts during livestreams. When viewers send these gifts, they appear as animated stickers on screen, and creators receive diamonds based on the gift’s value.

To enable LIVE gifts, you must meet specific criteria:

• Be at least 18 years old (19 in South Korea, 20 in Japan).
• Have at least 1,000 followers.
• Maintain an account in good standing that follows Community Guidelines.
• Have an account that’s been active for more than 30 days.

Setting up LIVE gifts requires a simple process. Navigate to your profile, tap the three-line menu icon, select “Creator tools,” then “LIVE Gifts,” and follow the on-screen instructions. Once activated, the gift icon will appear during your livestreams.

Converting diamonds to cash

After collecting diamonds from gifts, you can convert them to actual money through TikTok’s withdrawal system. Each diamond has a specific monetary value: approximately $0.01 USD per diamond. Therefore, 10,000 diamonds would be worth about $50 USD in gross earnings.

However, TikTok takes a 50% commission from all diamond earnings. For instance, if you receive gifts worth $50 USD (10,000 diamonds), you’ll receive $25 USD after TikTok’s cut.

To withdraw your earnings:

1. Open TikTok and access your account settings.
2. Select “Balance” and click on “LIVE Gifts Revenue” to view your diamonds.
3. Tap “Withdraw” when ready to cash out.
4. Link your PayPal account or bank account for payment processing.

Keep in mind, TikTok enforces a minimum withdrawal threshold of $100 USD, meaning you need to accumulate at least 20,000 diamonds (after TikTok’s commission) before cashing out. The platform also caps daily withdrawals at $1,000 USD.

Once you submit a withdrawal request, TikTok reviews it for up to 15 calendar days. Subsequently, PayPal may hold the funds for an additional 21 days for verification, potentially extending the total processing time to 36 days before the money appears in your account.

For creators looking to diversify their TikTok income streams, LIVE gifting provides a direct monetization option that complements other revenue sources while strengthening viewer relationships.

5. Exclusive Content: TikTok Series

With TikTok Series, creators can now build their own premium content library behind a paywall, opening yet another avenue to earn from their expertise and creativity. This feature represents TikTok’s entry into the subscription content market, allowing fans to directly support their favorite creators.

What is a TikTok Series?

Essentially, TikTok Series enables eligible creators to publish collections of premium videos that viewers must purchase to access. Each Series can include up to 80 videos ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes long. This extended time limit, double TikTok’s standard video length, gives creators the flexibility to develop more in-depth content than possible in regular posts.

To qualify for the TikTok Series, creators must:

• Be at least 18 years old (19 in South Korea)
• Have an account at least 30 days old
• Maintain at least 10,000 followers
• Post at least 3 public videos in the previous 30 days
• Generate 1,000+ views in the last month

Even creators with fewer than 10,000 followers can apply if they have experience selling premium content on other platforms.

Pricing Structure

You have significant flexibility in pricing your Series:

• Price range: $0.99–$189.99 per collection
• You can offer different tiers for different types of content
• TikTok takes a percentage of sales (the exact cut varies by region)

Content Ideas for Series

Successful Series creators offer:

• Behind-the-scenes content
• Extended versions of popular videos
• Tutorial series and educational content
• Exclusive performances or demonstrations
• Early access to upcoming public content

To promote your Series, create teaser videos on your main feed that showcase the value of your premium content without giving everything away. Many creators find success by offering a mix of free and paid content, using their public videos to drive subscriptions to their Series.

6. LIVE Subscriptions

While Series focuses on pre-recorded content, LIVE Subscriptions cater to creators excelling at real-time engagement. This feature allows loyal fans to pay monthly fees for exclusive livestream perks.

How LIVE Subscriptions Work

Subscribers pay a monthly fee to receive:

• Subscriber-only chat sections during livestreams
• Custom badges that appear next to their name
• Exclusive emotes they can use in chat
• Subscriber-only livestreams
• Other perks you choose to offer

Pricing and Revenue

LIVE Subscription pricing is flexible:

• Monthly subscription prices range from $2.99 to $99.99
• TikTok shares up to 50% of net revenue with creators
• You can adjust pricing every 90 days to find the sweet spot
• Payments are processed monthly

Requirements

To offer LIVE Subscriptions:

• 1,000+ followers (minimum requirement)
• Regular livestreaming schedule
• Age 18+
• Account in good standing

Maximizing Subscription Value

To retain subscribers, consider:

• Hosting regular subscriber-only livestreams
• Creating special events exclusively for subscribers
• Acknowledging subscribers by name during public streams
• Offering additional perks like merchandise discounts
• Polling subscribers about content they want to see

Both Series and LIVE Subscriptions work best when you’ve already built a dedicated audience who values your content enough to pay for premium access. Start by consistently delivering high-quality free content, then introduce these paid options once you’ve established trust with your audience.

7. Affiliate Marketing and External Revenue Streams

You can monetize your TikTok content through affiliate marketing without relying solely on platform-specific features. This approach lets you earn commissions by promoting products you genuinely use and believe in.

Promote products with affiliate links

Affiliate marketing creates partnerships between creators and brands. When viewers purchase through unique tracking links, creators earn predetermined commissions. To start:

• Join established programs like Amazon Associates, which supports 19 different countries
• Apply for TikTok Shop’s affiliate program, where you promote products and earn when viewers buy directly from you
• Explore affiliate marketplaces like Impact.io that connect you with thousands of brands simultaneously

Since TikTok only allows one bio link, incorporate your affiliate tokens into video captions or during livestreams. For Amazon affiliates using Linktree Pro, you can add your affiliate tokens once and they’ll automatically apply to all your Amazon links.

Remember to disclose affiliate relationships clearly in your content. Mentioning “affiliate link” or “I earn a commission” maintains transparency with your audience.

Use platforms like Beacons or Linktree

Link-in-bio tools solve TikTok’s single link limitation by creating a landing page with multiple destinations. The two most popular options offer distinct advantages:

Beacons stand out by enabling direct monetization. After upgrading to Pro, you can earn through their referral program (25% commission when followers sign up) and promote affiliate brands directly on your landing page. Beacons also support multiple pages, CTAs, and selling products directly.

Conversely, Linktree focuses on simplicity. It supports all affiliate programs through its Store feature and specifically integrates with Amazon Associates, Commission Junction book advertisers, and Apple Performance Partners. Linktree allows unlimited links and embedded videos from multiple platforms.

Both tools let you analyze click metrics to optimize your most profitable links.

TikTok’s Link Policies

Be aware of TikTok’s rules regarding external links:

• Only accounts with 1,000+ followers can add website links to their TikTok bio
• Affiliate links must comply with TikTok’s community guidelines
• Some categories (like gambling or adult content) are restricted
• Misleading claims about products can result in account penalties

8. Merchandise Sales and Product Placement

Creating and selling branded merchandise transforms TikTok presence into an e-commerce business. This strategy works for creators at various follower levels, not exclusively those with massive audiences.

Merchandise Options

Popular merchandise categories include:

• Apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, hats)
• Accessories (phone cases, bags, jewelry)
• Home goods (mugs, pillows, wall art)
• Digital products (presets, templates, e-books)
• Limited edition or seasonal collections

Production Methods

You have several options for creating merchandise:

• Print-on-demand services (Printify, Printful) that handle production and shipping
• Dropshipping partnerships with manufacturers
• Small-batch local production for premium items
• TikTok Shop integration for seamless sales

Benefits of Merchandise Sales

Selling merchandise offers advantages beyond just revenue:

• Deepens fan connection through physical products
• Provides passive income once systems are established
• Turns followers into walking advertisements for your brand
• Creates additional content opportunities (unboxing, behind-the-scenes)
• Builds a business asset independent of TikTok’s platform

Key Success Factors and Metrics

Here are the benchmarks for TikTok monetization to help set realistic expectations:

These metrics are guidelines, not strict rules. Some creators find success with fewer followers but extremely high engagement, while others might have large audiences but require more time to monetize effectively.

Conclusion

TikTok provides a wealth of opportunities for monetization in 2025, and the most successful creators use a combination of strategies to maximize their earnings. It’s not just about one method; it’s about building a diverse income stream from multiple sources.

Success on TikTok requires consistency, quality content, and strategic use of the platform’s tools. Knowing your audience and creating appealing content is key to turning your TikTok presence into a reliable income.

Start with a few monetization techniques, track progress, and scale up as traction increases. TikTok transforms from creative space into profitable online business foundation with patience and strategic approach. Tools like RecurPost manage content schedules, allowing creators to focus on content creation and audience engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shalini Nagar

Shalini Nagar is an experienced content writer with a proven track record of creating diverse and engaging content across various formats. With years of expertise in crafting blogs, articles, she excels at delivering compelling narratives tailored to different audiences.