How money is made on TikTok, explained

TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create, share, and view short-form videos. The app was launched in 2016 by Chinese company ByteDance and has since become one of the fastest-growing social media platforms in the world, with over 1 billion active users across 150 countries.

TikTok’s unique algorithm and user interface have made it particularly appealing to younger generations, and the platform has been credited with launching several viral trends, challenges, and memes. Users can create videos of up to 60 seconds in length, which can be edited with a range of filters, effects, and music tracks. Videos can be shared on the platform or on other social media sites.

TikTok has been the subject of controversy in some countries due to concerns over data privacy and national security. In 2020, the app was banned in India and faced scrutiny in the United States over its ties to the Chinese government. TikTok has since made efforts to address these concerns, including setting up a transparency center in the United States and appointing a US-based CEO.

Despite these challenges, TikTok continues to be a popular platform for creators and brands alike. The platform’s algorithmic approach to content curation and discovery has made it easier for users to reach a large audience and build a following, which has in turn led to the rise of TikTok influencers and brand partnerships.

There are several ways that people can make money from TikTok, including:

Brand deals and sponsorships on TikTok

Influencers with a large following on TikTok can partner with brands to create sponsored content. Brands pay influencers to promote their products or services through videos and other content on the platform.

Brand deals and sponsorships are one of the main ways that TikTok creators can earn money from their content. Brands partner with popular TikTok users to create sponsored content, which promotes their products or services to the creator’s audience. These partnerships can be highly lucrative for both the creator and the brand.

The exact terms of a brand deal or sponsorship can vary depending on the brand, the creator, and the specific campaign. Typically, the brand will pay the creator a fee for creating and promoting the sponsored content. In some cases, the creator may also receive free products or services from the brand.

The sponsored content may take the form of a video, a series of videos, or a specific hashtag challenge that encourages users to create their own content around a particular theme or product. The creator will usually need to disclose that the content is sponsored, either through a specific hashtag or by including a disclaimer in the video itself.

Brands often look for creators with a large and engaged following, as well as a style and aesthetic that aligns with their brand values. However, it’s also possible for smaller creators to secure brand deals if they have a particularly niche or dedicated audience.

It’s important for creators to ensure that sponsored content is authentic and aligns with their personal brand and values. Overly-promotional or inauthentic content can lead to a loss of trust with followers and ultimately harm the creator’s reputation.

Some of the biggest brand deals on TikTok have involved major companies partnering with popular creators to promote their products or services. Here are a few examples:

1. Dunkin’ Donuts: In 2020, Dunkin’ Donuts partnered with TikTok star Charli D’Amelio to promote a new drink on the menu. D’Amelio created a dance trend to the song “Say So” by Doja Cat, which quickly went viral and helped to promote the brand.
2. Chipotle: In 2021, fast-casual restaurant chain Chipotle partnered with TikTok creator Tabitha Brown to promote their vegan options. Brown created a series of videos showcasing Chipotle’s plant-based menu items, which helped to attract a new audience to the brand.
3. Samsung: Samsung partnered with a number of TikTok creators in 2020 to promote their Galaxy Z Flip phone. Creators were given early access to the phone and were asked to create content showcasing its features and capabilities.
4. Fenty Beauty: In 2020, beauty brand Fenty Beauty partnered with TikTok creator Addison Rae to promote their new mascara. Rae created a series of videos showcasing the product and encouraging her followers to try it out.
5. Crocs: In 2021, footwear brand Crocs partnered with several TikTok creators to promote their shoes. Creators were asked to create videos showcasing their own unique style and how it could be paired with different types of Crocs.

These are just a few examples of the many brand deals that have taken place on TikTok. As the platform continues to grow, it’s likely that we will see even more major brands partnering with popular creators to reach new audiences.

Live streaming on TikTok

TikTok users can earn virtual gifts from their followers during live streams. These gifts can be converted into real money, which the user can withdraw from their account.

Live streaming is an important feature on TikTok that allows users to connect with their followers in real-time. It enables creators to engage with their audience, answer questions, and showcase their personality and talents in a more personal way.

To go live on TikTok, users must have at least 1,000 followers and be over the age of 16. Once a user meets these requirements, they can access the live streaming feature from their profile or the app’s main menu. During a live stream, viewers can interact with the creator by commenting, sending virtual gifts, or participating in polls and challenges.

Live streaming can be a powerful tool for creators to monetize their content. Viewers can purchase virtual gifts and send them to creators during their live streams, which can be redeemed for real money. TikTok takes a percentage of the earnings generated by virtual gifts, with the remaining amount going to the creator.

In addition to virtual gifts, creators can also earn money from brand partnerships and sponsorships during live streams. Brands can pay creators to feature their products or services during a live stream, or to create a custom hashtag challenge that encourages viewers to engage with the brand.

Live streaming can also be a great way for creators to build their following and increase their visibility on the platform. Popular live streams can be featured on TikTok’s Discover page, which can help to attract new viewers and followers.

Overall, live streaming is an important part of the TikTok experience, enabling creators to connect with their audience in a more personal way and monetize their content in new and creative ways.

The biggest live streamers on TikTok vary depending on a variety of factors such as region, language, content type, and audience demographics. However, some of the most popular live streamers on TikTok include:

1. Charli D’Amelio (@charlidamelio) – One of the most followed TikTok creators, Charli D’Amelio is known for her dance videos and has a large following on her live streams.
2. Zach King (@zachking) – Zach King is a popular TikTok creator known for his creative and entertaining video editing skills. He often uses his live streams to showcase his latest projects.
3. Addison Rae (@addisonre) – Addison Rae is another popular TikTok creator known for her dance videos. She frequently goes live to interact with her fans and answer their questions.
4. Michael Le (@justmaiko) – Michael Le is a dancer and choreographer who frequently goes live on TikTok to showcase his skills and interact with his fans.
5. Brent Rivera (@brentrivera) – Brent Rivera is a popular TikTok creator known for his comedy skits and often uses his live streams to perform skits and interact with his fans.
6. Dixie D’Amelio (@dixiedamelio) – Dixie D’Amelio is a popular TikTok creator known for her dance videos and often goes live to interact with her fans.

These are just a few examples of some of the biggest live streamers on TikTok, but there are many more popular creators who use live streaming to engage with their audience and grow their following.

TikTok Creator Fund

TikTok has launched a Creator Fund, which pays eligible creators for their content based on views, engagement, and other factors.

The TikTok Creator Fund is a program launched by TikTok to support and incentivize its creators to produce more content for the platform. The fund is essentially a pool of money that is distributed among eligible TikTok creators based on their views, engagement, and other factors.

To be eligible for the Creator Fund, TikTok creators must meet certain criteria, including having a certain number of followers, regularly posting original content, and complying with the platform’s community guidelines. Creators must also be at least 18 years old and meet additional requirements specific to their country or region.

Once a creator is approved for the Creator Fund, they can start earning money based on the performance of their content. TikTok calculates a creator’s earnings based on a combination of factors, including the number of views, engagement, and other metrics such as completion rate, shares, and comments.

The TikTok Creator Fund is a way for TikTok to incentivize its creators to produce more content and to keep them on the platform. It also helps creators to earn money for their efforts and to build their personal brands. While the program is still relatively new, it has already helped many creators to monetize their content and grow their followings on TikTok.

Merchandise sales on TikTok

TikTok users can sell merchandise related to their brand or content through the platform’s integration with Teespring.

Merchandise sales on TikTok refer to the practice of TikTok creators selling their own branded merchandise to their fans and followers on the platform. TikTok has recently launched a feature called “TikTok Shopping” which allows creators to link directly to their own e-commerce stores, where they can sell their merchandise to their followers.

Many TikTok creators have developed their own personal brands and have cultivated a large and loyal following on the platform. By selling their own merchandise, these creators are able to monetize their content and their personal brands, while also providing their fans with a way to show their support and connect with them on a deeper level.

Merchandise sales on TikTok can include a wide range of products, such as clothing, accessories, and other branded items. Creators can also use their merchandise sales as a way to promote and advertise their other ventures, such as their music, podcasts, or other online content.

TikTok’s emphasis on short-form video content and its highly engaged user base make it an ideal platform for merchandise sales. By leveraging their existing followers and using TikTok’s e-commerce features, creators can quickly and easily launch their own branded merchandise lines and generate revenue from their content.

It’s difficult to determine exactly which TikTok creators have sold the most merchandise, as the data is not publicly available. However, there are several popular TikTok creators who have successfully launched their own merchandise lines and have built a loyal following of fans who regularly purchase their products.

One example is Addison Rae, who is one of the most popular TikTok creators with over 85 million followers. She has launched her own merchandise line called “Shop Addison Rae,” which includes clothing, accessories, and other branded items. Another example is Charli D’Amelio, who is the most-followed TikTok creator with over 119 million followers. She has also launched her own merchandise line called “Charli D’Amelio Merch,” which includes clothing and other items.

Other popular TikTok creators who have successfully launched their own merchandise lines include Loren Gray, Dixie D’Amelio, and Bryce Hall. These creators have all leveraged their large and engaged followings on TikTok to build successful businesses and generate revenue from their content.

Affiliate marketing on TikTok

Influencers can earn commissions by promoting products through affiliate marketing programs. They can share links to products in their videos and earn a commission when their followers make a purchase through the link.

Affiliate marketing on TikTok involves creators promoting products or services to their followers and earning a commission for any sales made through their unique affiliate link or code. This type of marketing is a form of influencer marketing, where creators use their influence and personal brand to drive sales for brands or products.

TikTok creators can earn money through affiliate marketing by partnering with brands that offer affiliate programs. These brands provide creators with a unique affiliate link or code that they can include in their TikTok videos, captions, or bio. When their followers use the link or code to make a purchase, the creator earns a commission on the sale.

Affiliate marketing is a popular way for creators to monetize their content on TikTok, as it allows them to generate income without having to create their own products or services. It also allows them to promote products that they genuinely like and use themselves, which can increase their credibility and authenticity with their followers.

Some popular niches for affiliate marketing on TikTok include beauty, fashion, fitness, and home decor. Creators can also promote a wide range of products, from clothing and accessories to supplements and tech products.

It’s important for creators to disclose their affiliate partnerships and be transparent with their followers about the products they are promoting. This helps to maintain trust and authenticity with their audience, and ensures that their followers know when they are being marketed to.

Crowdfunding on TikTok

TikTok users can launch crowdfunding campaigns to raise money for projects, causes, or other initiatives. They can promote their campaigns through their videos and encourage their followers to contribute.

Crowdfunding on TikTok involves creators using the platform to raise money from their followers to support a specific project, cause, or goal. This can be done through the use of crowdfunding platforms or through direct donations from followers.

There are several crowdfunding platforms that TikTok creators can use to raise money, such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe. These platforms allow creators to create a campaign page where they can share their project or cause, set a funding goal, and offer rewards to donors based on their level of contribution.

TikTok creators can also use the platform to promote their crowdfunding campaign and encourage their followers to donate directly through platforms like PayPal or Venmo. They can create videos that showcase their project or cause, and encourage their followers to support them by donating or sharing the campaign with others.

Crowdfunding on TikTok can be a powerful tool for creators to raise money and support for their projects, causes, or goals. It allows them to leverage their large and engaged audience on the platform to reach a wider audience and generate more donations.

However, it’s important for creators to be transparent about their crowdfunding efforts and ensure that they are following the rules and regulations of the crowdfunding platform they are using. They should also be clear about their goals and how the funds raised will be used to support their project or cause.

It’s important to note that not everyone who uses TikTok will make money from the platform, and success often depends on a combination of factors, including the quality of the content, engagement with followers, and the ability to attract brands and sponsors.