How to Make Money on TikTok: A Complete Guide for Beginners

TikTok is more than just an app for entertainment; it’s a lucrative platform for creators looking to make money. Whether you have zero followers or a small audience, TikTok offers multiple revenue streams if you know how to navigate them. Here’s a detailed guide on how to make money on Tiktok, including creative tips, strategies, and answers to common questions.

1. How to Make Money on TikTok Without Followers

Starting from scratch may feel intimidating, but TikTok is unique because it rewards creativity and trends, not just follower count. Here’s how you can start earning even with no followers:

a) Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular strategy for creators without an established audience.

What It Is: You promote products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your unique link.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Sign Up for Affiliate Programs: Platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and ClickBank are beginner-friendly.
2. Pick a Niche: Choose a topic you love, like beauty, tech, or fitness, and find products to promote.
3. Create Content: Use TikTok trends to create engaging, shareable videos showcasing the product.
4. Use Your Bio: Add your affiliate link to your profile using tools like Linktree to keep your links organised.
Pro Tip: Combine storytelling with product demos to make your content relatable. For example, “This gadget saved me so much time during meal prep!”

b) Selling Digital Products

Selling digital goods is perfect for those who have a skill or knowledge to share.

Examples of Digital Products:
1. eBooks (e.g., “30-Minute Meal Prep Ideas”)
2. Printable planners or templates
3. Online courses or tutorials
How to Sell:
1. Create a short TikTok showcasing your product’s value.
2. Direct viewers to a sales platform like Gumroad, Etsy, or your personal website.
3. Offer discounts to your TikTok audience to encourage sales.

c) Freelancing and Services

TikTok is a fantastic place to promote your freelancing skills.

How It Works: Use TikTok videos as your portfolio. For example:
- Showcase a video editing transformation (before and after clips).
- Create mini-tutorials in your niche, like graphic design or social media management.
Finding Clients:
- Use hashtags like #FreelancerForHire or #VirtualAssistant.
- Collaborate with other creators to get exposure.

2. How to Make Money on TikTok With 1,000 Followers

When you hit 1,000 followers, TikTok unlocks additional features, opening more revenue streams:

a) TikTok Creator Fund

The Creator Fund is TikTok’s program to pay content creators for their views.

Requirements:
- At least 1,000 followers
- 10,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Be 18+ and reside in eligible countries like the US or UK.
How Much Can You Make?
- The price range is roughly $20–$50 per 1 million views, depending on factors like engagement and location.

Pro Tip: While the Creator Fund is a welcome bonus, it shouldn’t be your main income source. Use it alongside other strategies like brand sponsorships or affiliate marketing.

b) Brand Deals and Sponsorships

Micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers) are valuable to brands because they often have a loyal and engaged audience.

How to Attract Sponsorships:
- Post consistently in a specific niche (e.g., travel, beauty, gaming).
- Tag brands organically in your videos to grab their attention.
- Add “Open to Collabs” in your bio to signal you’re ready for partnerships.
Earning Potential:
- Micro-influencers can earn $50–$500 per sponsored post, depending on the niche.

c) Selling Merchandise

Selling custom products like T-shirts, mugs, or stickers is a great way to monetise.

How to Start:
1. Use platforms like Printify or Teespring to create and sell merchandise.
2. Design items that resonate with your TikTok persona or niche.
3. Promote through creative TikToks (e.g., “Check out my new mug for plant lovers!”).

3. How Much Money Do You Get on TikTok for 1 Million Views?

The earnings for 1 million views depend on how you monetise your content:

TikTok Creator Fund: $20–$50 per million views.
Sponsored Content: $500–$5,000 per video, depending on niche and engagement.
Affiliate Marketing: Up to $1,000+ if promoting high-ticket items like gadgets or online courses.

Boosting Earnings From Viral Videos

Include affiliate links in your bio. For instance, if your viral video is about fitness, link to workout equipment or supplements.
Use call-to-actions like “DM me for details!” or “Link in bio!”
Capitalise on the viral video by posting follow-up content to keep viewers engaged.

4. How to Make Money on TikTok by Watching Videos

You won’t get rich watching TikTok videos, but it’s a relaxing way to earn some pocket money.

a) TikTok Rewards Program

TikTok offers points when you invite friends and complete simple tasks like watching videos. These points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

b) Third-Party Platforms

Apps like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and GCash sometimes pay users for watching TikTok videos.

Pro Tip: Combine watching videos with other paid tasks on these platforms for higher earnings.

5. How to Make Money on TikTok Live

TikTok Live provides real-time engagement and earning opportunities for creators.

a) Gifts and Diamonds

Viewers can send virtual gifts during live sessions, which TikTok converts into diamonds.
Diamonds can be cashed out, with TikTok taking a small percentage of the earnings.

b) Product Promotions

TikTok Shop allows you to sell directly during a live session.

How to Maximise Sales:
- Use storytelling to demonstrate the product’s benefits.
- Offer limited-time discounts to create urgency.

Pro Tip: Consistently schedule live sessions to build a loyal audience that tunes in regularly.

6. How Many Likes on TikTok to Get Paid?

Likes don’t directly translate to payment, but they’re crucial for:

Our goal is to boost engagement and go viral.
We are in the process of attracting brands for sponsorship.

Focus on creating shareable content to drive up likes, comments, and saves, which matter more than the number of likes alone.

7. How to Get Free TikTok Money

a) Contests and Challenges

Participate in brand-sponsored challenges for a chance to win cash prizes.

b) Referral Programs

Invite friends to join TikTok through referral links to earn free cash or rewards.

c) Third-Party Apps

Some apps offer gift cards for completing tasks like watching or sharing TikToks.

8. How to Make Money on TikTok Without Going Live

If going live isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of options to earn:

a) Sponsored Posts

Brands pay you to create TikTok videos featuring their products.

How to Get Started:
- Use influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ or Upfluence to connect with brands.
- Post consistent content in a niche to establish credibility.

b) Dropshipping

Sell trending products without holding inventory.

Use TikTok ads or organic content to promote items in a popular niche.
Partner with platforms like Shopify for simple setup.

c) Ad Revenue via TikTok Pulse

TikTok shares ad revenue with top-performing creators in selected niches.

9. TikTok Monetisation FAQs

Q1: How many followers do you need to make money on TikTok?
You can start earning with as few as 1,000 followers through sponsorships, TikTok Live, or affiliate marketing.

Q2: Can you make money without showing your face?
Absolutely! Focus on content like:

We provide tutorials or how-to guides using screen recordings.
These are aesthetic compilations, such as travel montages and product unboxings.
The voiceovers are paired with trending footage.

Q3: What’s the fastest way to start making money on TikTok?
Affiliate marketing is one of the quickest ways to make money, as you can start promoting products immediately, even if you have no followers.

Q4: How do you attract brands as a small creator?

Post consistently in a specific niche.
Use branded hashtags or organically tag companies.
Showcase high engagement rates, even with a small audience.

Q5: Can you monetise TikTok in your first month?
Yes! By using affiliate marketing, selling digital products, or freelancing, you can start earning in your first few weeks.

Conclusion

TikTok is a powerhouse platform with endless ways to make money, from affiliate marketing and brand sponsorships to selling merchandise or even watching videos. The key is to focus on consistency, creativity, and staying updated with trends. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned creator, this guide equips you with the tools to turn your TikTok account into a revenue stream.

Are you ready to turn your TikTok passion into profit? Comment below with your favourite tip or share your monetisation journey. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more actionable tips!