How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on TikTok?
TikTok has become one of the most popular entertainment-based social networking apps in recent years. But it’s not just a simple social media app; it also enables users to make money from their content, which can be an effective way to make money online.
When my friend Sarah started her TikTok account and thought about how to make an income on this platform, the first question she had to figure out was, “How many followers do I need for TikTok to pay me?” She is a passionate dancer who started sharing her routines on TikTok. Initially, it was a fun outlet, but as her followers grew, she started taking it a bit more seriously to make an earning. That question resonates with so many other creators like Sarah who are aiming to transform their TikTok presence into a revenue stream. If you have the same question, let me break it down for you in this guide, step by step.
TikTok's Creator Fund and Creativity Program
To directly earn from TikTok, creators can join the TikTok Creativity Program. Eligibility criteria include:
- Age: Must be 18 years or older
- Followers: At least 10,000 authentic followers.
- Views: A minimum of 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
- Residence: Based in the United States.
As a freelancer, your key is to build an active and engaged community that supports your content. Once these requirements are met, you can apply through the TikTok app for earning money. Approval typically takes about three days. During this time, you can start planning to seek brand partnerships, promotions, or product sales for future monetization.
Alternative Monetization Methods
At the end of the day, TikTok doesn’t pay you for your videos outright, but it provides you with some of the tools you can use to monetize your content. This gives content creators the opportunity to explore various revenue avenues:
1. Virtual Gifts and Live Streaming
With more than 1,000 followers, and being aged 16 or older, you can host live streams. Within these sessions, your viewers can send virtual gifts, which can be converted into real money.
This is perfect for people who offer dynamic content. Like Sarah, she started live streaming every weekend to break down her routines and tips for her viewers. She ended up earning an average of $50 per stream.
2. Brand Partnerships
A lot of brands collaborate with creators, especially those who have a substantial following and high engagement rates. If your page’s growth has met those milestones, you can also collaborate with brands. While follower requirements vary, having between 10,000 to 100,000 followers is typically advantageous when you're starting to seek sponsorships.
But don’t get discouraged if your engagement rate is high; it’s also an advantage to reach out to brands that are similar to your niche.
3. Affiliate Marketing and Merchandise Sales
Another approach is promoting products or services through affiliate marketing. With this method, even with a smaller follower count, you can earn by promoting products through affiliate links or selling branded merchandise. This is a common strategy among those who do reviews or recommendations of products.
Success in these areas depends more on your audience engagement than just follower numbers. Using relevant hashtags lets you boost the visibility of your content. Answering comments and using popular trends can help your content reach more people.
Final Thoughts
Monetizing your TikTok presence doesn’t just depend on follower count. While having at least 1,000 followers to start live streams, and 10,000 followers to access TikTok’s official earning programs, you can actually start to make money on TikTok with a smaller audience. You don’t have to be an influencer if you don’t want to. By focusing on authentic content and developing an engaged audience, you can unlock TikTok’s earning potential without worrying about how many followers you need.
Monetizing your TikTok presence doesn't hinge solely on follower count. While having at least 10,000 followers opens doors to TikTok's official earning programs, creators with smaller but engaged audiences can still profit through alternative methods. Focusing on authentic content and fostering genuine connections with your audience is key to unlocking TikTok's earning potential.