How Does Monetisation On TikTok Work?

Tiktok has proven to be a very good platform, not only for entertainment purposes, but also for small creators and brands to make exra money. There are a few different ways to do so, but in this guide, we will cover the main ways that let you directly earn money through the ByteDance owned app. Below are the 4 main ways explained and broken down:

4 Main Ways To Monetise On Tiktok

1. TikTok Creativity Programme
2. Live Streaming
3. TikTok Creator Marketplace
4. TikTok Series

TikTok Creativity Programme

What is the TikTok Creative Challenge?

The TikTok Creative Challenge is a feature and its intention is to promote direct collaboration among content creators and brands on the app. It lets creators participate in brand challenges, create video ads, and earn rewards based on the performance of these videos. The challenge encourages creators to show their creativity off while sticking to the specific requirements set by the brands. Rewards you achieve from there are dependent on several things, such as video views, engagement, and conversions.

How does the Creativity Programme Beta work?

The Creativity Programme Beta is an extension of TikTok’s efforts to support creators’ financial goals. Launched as a refinement of the previous Creator Fund, this programme is designed to reward creators for original and engaging content. Eligibility criteria include a minimum follower count and video views. The programme encourages the production of longer content, offering creators an improved revenue potential compared to the previous fund.

Requirements For Creativity Programme

To join TikTok’s Creativity Programme, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old so that you can legally enter into agreements or contracts from brands.
• Have a following of at least 10,000 users, which is considered a solid audience base.
• Achieve at least 100,000 authentic video views within 30 days, as this shows your active engagement with viewers.
• Ensure your account is in good standing and follows TikTok’s Community Guidelines, keeping the platform safe and respectful.
• Be located in a region where the programme is available, such as the U.S., Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, or the UK, reflecting TikTok’s effort to include diverse creators from across the globe.

What was the TikTok Creator Fund?

The TikTok Creator Fund was an earlier drive by TikTok to reward creators for impactful and engaging content. Although its no longer availabld for new sign-ups, it set the stage for following monetisation programmes like the Creativity Programme Beta. The fund was created to support creators financially, so they could essentially turn their innovative content into a career. Eligibility was based on age, follower count, and video views, ensuring that creators met specific standards to benefit from the fund.

Live Streaming

TikTok LIVE is a feature for content creators to connect with their audience in real time. Unlike pre-recorded short-form videos, LIVE offers unlimited recording time, providing a platform for deeper interaction and engagement.

However, to maintain quality and safety, TikTok may close a LIVE room if the host is inactive or fails verification checks. Regular activity on LIVE is key to building a loyal following, despite possible fluctuations in views or engagement.

Who Can Go LIVE and Why Should You?

To start a LIVE session, creators must be 18 years or older. LIVE offers numerous benefits, including the potential to earn money through LIVE Gifts and Diamonds. Viewers can send virtual gifts as a token of appreciation, which creators can convert into Diamonds and then real money. This feature is exclusively available to users over 18 and adherence to Community Guidelines is mandatory to ensure a safe and respectful environment.

How To Earn Through LIVE

Earning on TikTok LIVE revolves around the collection of Diamonds, earned through viewer gifts. The more engaging and popular your content, the more gifts and consequently Diamonds you can receive. Notable features include LIVE Goals, where creators set targets to encourage viewer gifts, and Rankings, showcasing top creators based on Diamond collection. For those wary of competition, opting out is straightforward, ensuring comfort and control over participation.

Requirements To Qualify For LIVE

To monetise on TikTok LIVE, creators must adhere to specific criteria:

• Creators must be at least 18 years old to monetise their TikTok LIVE sessions.
• A minimum of 1,000 followers is required to start monetising through TikTok LIVE.
• Creators must adhere strictly to TikTok’s Community Guidelines to qualify for monetisation. This ensures a safe and positive environment for both creators and viewers.
• Creators are encouraged to go LIVE regularly to build and maintain a loyal audience. Regular engagement helps increase the likelihood of receiving LIVE Gifts and Diamonds.
• Creators must comply with local laws regarding licensing and broadcasting when going LIVE. This includes any specific requirements for streaming in their area.
• Creators must enable the LIVE Gifts feature through their settings to start earning from virtual gifts given by viewers during LIVE sessions.
• Creators earn Diamonds based on the popularity of their content. These Diamonds can then be converted into real money and withdrawn to an external account, like a bank or PayPal, once they have accumulated 2,000 Diamonds ($10, or 8 GBP).
• Monetisation on LIVE requires original content creation that aligns with TikTok’s standards and encourages genuine interaction with the audience.

What Are LIVE Campaigns And Subscriptions?

LIVE campaigns are TikTok events that offer rewards and boost engagement. Details of ongoing campaigns can be found in the TikTok LIVE section, outlining participation rules and reward mechanisms.

Also, LIVE Subscriptions offer another revenue stream, allowing creators to earn from monthly subscriber payments while offering exclusive perks like custom badges and emotes to subscribers. This creates a stronger community and provides creators with steady income.

Best Practices For TikTok LIVE

Success on LIVE requires strategic planning. Optimal streaming times, engaging content that lasts ideally around 30 minutes, and good production quality (lighting, sound, internet connection) really enhance viewer experience.

Preparation and audience interaction, through answering comments or conducting Q&A sessions, strengthen creator-viewer relationships. Before going LIVE, promoting the session through regular TikTok videos can increase attendance and viewer engagement.
 

TikTok Creator Marketplace

The TikTok Creator Marketplace is the official platform for brands and creators can connect for collaborations with Tiktok. It is specifically designed for creators who would like to to work with brands on paid and reward-based campaigns.

It offers a structured environment for both parties to collaborate effectively. The platform is supported by TikTok’s tools and services, such as Open Applications and TikTok Creator Marketplace Pay, making the process seamless from campaign invites to payment.

Who Is Eligible?

• Creators must be 18 years or older.
• Must have a Personal or Creator TikTok account; Business accounts are not eligible.
• Creators should have a significant follower base, though the specific number can vary by region.
• Post high-quality, original content that engages the audience.
• Demonstrate consistent engagement from followers through likes, comments, and shares.
• All content is to remain in accordance with TikTok’s Community Guidelines to ensure a safe and positive community.
• Maintain regular activity on the platform by posting consistently and interacting with followers.

How Does It Work?

Once you’re part of the Creator Marketplace, you can manage your profile, set starting rates for sponsored content, and wait for brand collaborations to come in. Notifications keep you updated on new invites and campaign details.

Creators should align with brands on video specifics to ensure content meets expectations and TikTok’s Community Guidelines.  Successful collaborations lead to content that benefits both the creator and the brand, enhancing visibility and engagement on this vibrant social platform.

TikTok Series

TikTok Series lets content creators make money off of their content by placing it behind a paywall. A single series allows up to 80 videos, ranging from 30 seconds to 20 minutes in length, to be bundled. Viewers interested in accessing this exclusive content can purchase the entire Series directly through links in the videos or the creator’s TikTok profile. This platform shift opens doors for creators to generate income while providing value-packed content to their audience.

Who Can Create a TikTok Series?

In order to qualify, creators need to:

• Be 18 years or older (19 in South Korea).
• Have an account that is at least 30 days old.
• Have a public Personal or Business Account; political and private accounts are not eligible.
• Have posted 3 or more public posts in the last 30 days.
• Have 10,000 or more followers.
• Have reached 1,000 or more views in the last 30 days.
• Post original content.
• Own an account that is to remain in good standing with no repeated violations of Community Guidelines.

How Can You Monetise Through TikTok Series?

Through TikTok Series, creators can generate income by setting their Series price anywhere from $0.99 to $189.99 (0.77 to 147 GBP). Their earnings are determined by how many times the Series is purchased, giving a clear route to earning from their creative efforts.

On the first day of each month, creators notified on how much they earned, and payments exceeding $50 (39 GBP) are automatically processed.

This payment system motivates creators to develop content that resonates with and is valued by their audience, linking financial rewards to content quality.