There’s a reason people keep asking how to make money on TikTok. It’s one of the few platforms where a single video can still change everything.
One strong hook, one clear voice, one good idea, and suddenly, you’re growing a following without spending a cent.
And as TikTok’s popularity grows, so does its marketing and revenue-generating potential. Brands have several ways to reach and sell their products or services directly to the platform’s 107.8 million active users.
But that momentum doesn’t come from luck. It comes from creators who learn how the platform works and use the right tools to show up consistently.
This blog walks you through the real ways people are earning on TikTok right now, whether they’re filming dance videos, reviewing gear, sharing stories, or building out a niche.
Table of Contents
– Can You Really Make Money on TikTok?
– How Much do TikTokers Make?
– 10 Ways to Make Money on tikTok in 2025
– How to Start Making Money on TikTok
– TikTok Tips for Creators Who Want to Monetize
– Create TikTok Videos with Podcastle
Can You Really Make Money on TikTok?
Yes, it's 2025, and things might be slightly harder, but you can definitely still make it. Many creators are doing it every day, with far fewer followers than you might think.
Some creators earn a few hundred dollars a month by recommending tools they love. Others turn their audience into a full-time income through merch, tips, or paid shoutouts. The platform is built to keep people watching, which means if you can hold attention, you can build income.
What trips most beginners up isn’t a lack of talent. It’s trying to do too much too soon. They chase every social media trend, try every monetization method, and burn out before seeing results.
Here’s the better way: Pick a lane, learn the tools, post consistently, and start with the simplest income stream you can manage. Once you’ve got that working, stack the next one on top. We’ll walk you through exactly how to do that.
Quick tip before we move on: your content doesn’t need to be perfect, but the sound matters more than most people expect. Clear, confident audio makes people stick around. That’s why many creators use Podcastle to record their voiceovers, clean up their sound, or even generate new content when they don’t feel like talking.
How Much do TikTokers Make?
The short answer: it depends. Some people make a few dollars here and there. Others pull in five figures per brand deal. Most fall somewhere in between.
If you’re part of the Creator Rewards Program, TikTok usually pays around 40 cents to $1 per 1,000 views. That means a video with a million views might earn between $400 and $1,000, depending on things like watch time, engagement, and the type of content. It’s not life-changing on its own, but it adds up, especially if you’re posting often.
Brand deals tend to pay more. If you’ve built up an engaged following, even a small one, brands will often pay for sponsored posts. Here’s a rough idea of what that can look like:
- With 10,000 followers, you might charge $100–$300 per post
- At 50,000, that could jump to $500 or more
- Bigger accounts can make $1,000 to $10,000+ for a single video
And that’s just one income stream. Creators also make money through tips, merch, affiliate links, subscriptions, and live gifts. The ones doing best aren’t relying on one method—they’re stacking a few simple ones that work together.
Most full-time TikTokers build toward $50,000 to $100,000 per year through a mix of partnerships, content-based payouts, and their own product sales. But plenty of creators are making a few hundred extra per month just by staying consistent and knowing where to focus.
If you’re just getting started, that first hundred dollars is the most important. It shows you what’s possible, and it gives you a reason to keep going.
10 Ways to Make Money on TikTok in 2025
1. Start with Great Content (Even If You’re Using Your Phone)
The best way to start earning on TikTok is by focusing on your content. That doesn’t mean you need a fancy camera or a perfect setup. It means choosing a topic you care about, showing up consistently, and learning how to hold attention. Some of the top creators built their audience with nothing but their phone, a good hook, and clear audio.
If you’re nervous about speaking or hate how your voice sounds, you’re not alone. Many creators use voiceovers (including AI voices) while they build the confidence to be on-camera. Whatever you choose to do, it’s mostly about making your content feel intentional, even when you’re just getting started.
2. Join the TikTok Creator Rewards Program
TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program is a built-in way to earn from your videos. Unlike the old Creator Fund, this version pays based on how engaging your long-form content is. If you make videos over one minute long and get consistent views, you can qualify to receive payouts directly from TikTok.
To be eligible, you’ll need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 views over the past 30 days. You also need to live in one of the supported countries and have a personal account. If you’re just starting, focus on making one or two high-quality videos per week and gradually increase your posting schedule. Think about what your audience wants to watch all the way through—and how you can build a rhythm that keeps them coming back.
3. Accept Tips, Gifts, or Donations
One of the most direct ways to earn on TikTok is by receiving support from your followers. If you’re part of Creator Next, you can enable features like TikTok Tips and LIVE Gifts. When someone sends you a tip, you keep the money (minus small processing fees), and if you go live, viewers can send virtual gifts that convert into real earnings.
You can also connect outside platforms like Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee, and add the link to your bio. The key is to build a connection with your audience, so they feel like their support helps you keep creating.
4. Sell Digital Products or Premium Content
If you have knowledge or content people find valuable, consider packaging it into something they can buy. That might be a short audio guide, a mini course, exclusive templates, or even a voice memo. You can host these products on platforms like Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy, or Stan Store, and link them directly from your TikTok bio.
You don’t need a huge following to do this successfully, just an idea people care about and a way to deliver it cleanly.
5. Earn Through Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a popular way to make passive income on TikTok, and it’s beginner-friendly. The idea is simple: you recommend a product or service, and if someone buys through your custom link, you earn a commission. Many creators use this strategy to share products they already use (think gear, apps, courses, or books.)
You can get started anytime, but your content does need to feel trustworthy. Focus on giving helpful context instead of sounding like an ad. For example, instead of saying “Buy this mic,” walk people through how it improved your sound or saved you time. Then add your affiliate link in your bio or comments. Some creators also use tools like Linktree or Beacons to organize all their affiliate links in one place.
6. Work With Brands (Even If You’re Small)
You don’t need millions of views to catch a brand’s attention. If your content serves a specific niche—like beginner photography, budgeting, journaling, or gaming—there are brands looking to collaborate. Smaller creators often get picked for their high engagement and relatable style, not just their follower count.
You can sign up for TikTok’s Creator Marketplace to find opportunities or reach out to brands directly with a short pitch. If you go this route, be ready to show examples of past content, explain what your audience likes, and suggest a creative way to feature their product. When done right, these partnerships feel more like content than ads, and they often lead to repeat collaborations.
7. Start a Mini Series or Show
Consistency helps you grow, and one of the best ways to stay consistent is by turning your content into a recurring series. This could be something simple, like “Quick Tips Tuesdays,” “Mini Motivations,” or a weekly Q&A. Viewers start to recognize the format and come back for the next one.
Having a series also makes content planning easier. Instead of thinking, “What should I post today?” you already have a built-in structure. Each post becomes part of something bigger, which keeps your audience engaged and gives new followers a reason to stick around.
8. Offer Subscriptions for Exclusive Content
TikTok offers a subscription feature that lets fans support you on a monthly basis in exchange for perks like badges, exclusive chats, or bonus content. If you go live regularly, this can be a strong way to build a closer-knit community and earn consistent income.
To qualify, you need at least 1,000 followers and a personal account in good standing. When offering subscriptions, make sure you’re clear about what people will get and why it matters. Even something simple—like early access to videos, behind-the-scenes updates, or live-only advice—can go a long way when paired with regular interaction.
9. Run Ads (If You’re Selling a Product or Service)
If you’re promoting a digital product, online service, or even an event, TikTok ads can help you reach new audiences fast. The key is to make sure the ad looks and feels like a regular TikTok video. That means using natural language, vertical video, and attention-grabbing hooks.
There are a few types of ads you can try, including In-Feed Ads, Spark Ads (which boost content you already posted), and TopView Ads (which show up when someone opens the app). Start with a small budget, test different versions of your video, and pay attention to what gets clicks or conversions. The goal is to blend in without being ignored.
10. Crosspost and Repurpose Everything
Once you’ve created content for TikTok, reuse it elsewhere. That same video can live on Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, or even Pinterest, depending on your niche. Some creators take short clips and stitch them into compilations or add extra context and post them as long-form videos.
Repurposing saves you time and gets your content in front of more people. The more platforms your content touches, the more chances you have to grow—and the less pressure you feel to constantly start from scratch.
How to Start Making Money on TikTok
If you’re reading this and wondering where to begin, don’t overthink it. You don’t need a perfect plan to start. You just need a place to begin and a habit of showing up.
Here’s a simple checklist to help you move from idea to action.
1. Choose a Focus
Start by picking a niche, even if it’s broad. Think about what you naturally talk about, what you enjoy explaining, or what you wish someone had told you sooner. It could be personal finance, storytime videos, productivity tips, or just your day-to-day life. If you’re stuck, make content around things you’re curious about. That’s often where the best ideas begin.
2. Plan a Week’s Worth of Content
Before you post anything, write down 5 to 7 video ideas. Keep them simple. Each idea should make sense in under 60 seconds. If you’re stuck, look at what others in your niche are doing and ask yourself how you’d put your own spin on it. Try formats like “3 things I wish I knew,” “What nobody tells you about ___,” or “Here’s how I do ___.”
3. Set Up Your Profile
Your profile is your storefront. Pick a clear username, write a short bio that says what you post about, and add a link if you have one. Use a profile picture that looks clean and recognizable. If you plan to sell something later, it helps to get these basics in place early.
4. Record Your First Video
Your first post won’t be your best—and that’s okay. Don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on speaking clearly, keeping it short, and starting strong. If you’re nervous to be on camera, try using voiceover or start with visual storytelling. You can always build confidence as you go.
5. Post and Learn
Once you start posting, pay attention to what gets the most engagement. Are people watching all the way through? Are they commenting or saving the video? Use that feedback to shape your next post. Don’t expect instant success. Treat it like practice. Each post teaches you something, even the ones that flop.
6. Add a Link Option Early
Even before you start earning, set yourself up with a tip jar, link hub, or simple landing page. Tools like Ko-fi, Linktree, or Beacons make this easy. This way, if something does take off, you’re ready for it.
TikTok Tips for Creators Who Want to Monetize
- Hook people in the first 3 seconds. Ask a question, show something unexpected, or say something honest. If you don’t grab attention fast, they scroll.
- Always add captions. Many people scroll with sound off. Captions improve watch time and make your content easier to follow.
- Batch your content. Film a few videos at once so you can post consistently without burning out. Momentum comes from showing up often.
- Reuse your ideas. Split one topic into multiple posts. Reword, reframe, or revisit it. Stretching your ideas makes consistency easier.
- Watch your own videos critically. Skip the likes and look at watch time. Are people sticking around? If not, tweak your pacing or visuals.
- Stick to a theme, but stay flexible. Be known for something, whether it’s quick tips or story times, but give yourself room to evolve.
- Make the value obvious. Give people a reason to follow. Help them, teach them, or make them feel something. That’s what makes content stick.
- Don’t stop when views drop. Every creator hits a dip. Keep posting. Momentum often builds quietly, then spikes out of nowhere.
Create TikTok Videos with Podcastle
TikTok gives creators a real shot at earning money, whether you’re just starting out or growing a small following into something bigger. There are many ways you can make that happen, like joining the Creator Rewards Program and accepting tips to working with brands, selling digital products, and repurposing your best content across platforms.
But, that said, don't forget to show up consistently, pay attention to your own patterns, and stay focused on your value can move you forward (even when your views dip.)
If you’re ready to take the next step, Podcastle's Video Editor makes it easier to create videos that feel professional without needing complicated tools. You can resize videos for TikTok’s vertical format, AI upscale video quality with a single click, generate captions instantly, and add smooth transitions or royalty-free music that fits your tone. Everything’s built to save you time while making your content look sharp and scroll-stopping.
Start simple. Stay consistent. And use the tools that help you show up at your best.
