15 Ways TikTok Creators Are Earning Money

TikTok has transformed from a platform for viral dances to a powerful source of income for millions of creators worldwide. In 2025, the opportunities for earning money on TikTok have expanded significantly. From direct payments to creative brand partnerships, TikTok has become a key player in the creator economy. Whether you’re a seasoned influencer or just starting, understanding how to monetise your presence can help you turn your passion into a profitable venture.

We explore 15 ways TikTok creators are earning money in 2025, highlighting the strategies that are driving success and providing actionable insights for creators looking to grow their income streams.

1. TikTok Creator Fund and Creator Rewards

The TikTok Creator Fund, which was initially introduced to pay creators for their content, has evolved in 2025 into the Creator Rewards Program. While the payout structure varies, creators can earn from $0.40 to $1.00 per 1,000 views, depending on engagement and content quality. This system rewards creators who produce content that resonates with audiences, making it a vital income stream for many.

2. Brand Sponsorships and Partnerships

Brand sponsorships remain one of the most lucrative ways for creators to earn money on TikTok. Many brands are eager to collaborate with creators whose audiences align with their target demographics. TikTok’s Creator Marketplace facilitates these partnerships, connecting influencers with brands looking for exposure.

Creators can charge anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per sponsored post, depending on their following and niche. This offers substantial income potential, especially for top-tier creators.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another popular way for creators to earn money. By promoting products via affiliate links, creators earn commissions on sales generated through their recommendations. Platforms like Amazon Associates and Shopify offer affiliate programs that integrate seamlessly with TikTok’s user experience.

As a creator, you can start earning immediately by sharing links in your bio or directly in your videos.

4. TikTok Shop

With the rise of social commerce, TikTok has introduced TikTok Shop, a feature that enables creators to sell products directly within the app. This tool allows creators to promote and sell their merchandise, either as an individuals or as part of an established brand. By tapping into the platform’s massive user base, creators can leverage their influence to drive sales.

5. TikTok LIVE Gifts

When streaming live on TikTok, creators have the opportunity to receive virtual gifts from their viewers. These gifts can be converted into real money, providing creators with a direct, real-time income stream. The more engaging the live stream, the higher the likelihood of receiving gifts from fans.

6. Tips and Donations

TikTok’s tipping feature allows creators to receive financial support directly from their followers. This is a great way to earn money without relying on a large brand deal. Fans who enjoy a creator’s content can show their appreciation by sending small donations during live streams or through videos.

7. Paid Subscriptions

Similar to platforms like Patreon, TikTok now offers paid subscriptions. Creators can provide exclusive content to subscribers who pay a monthly fee. This creates a sustainable revenue model, offering creators the stability of recurring income. For subscribers, this model provides access to unique, behind-the-scenes content.

8. Creator Series

TikTok’s Series feature allows creators to produce episodic content that is available only to their most dedicated followers. To unlock the ability to create a Series, creators must have at least 100,000 followers. The paid subscription model here enables creators to monetise their audience more effectively, offering exclusive content in return for a premium subscription.

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9. Crowdfunding Projects

TikTok creators can use crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe or Patreon to fund specific projects or initiatives by engaging their audience for financial support. These platforms allow fans to contribute directly to a creator’s initiatives, supporting everything from production costs to personal projects. The platform can serve as a great promotional tool to bring attention to these campaigns.

10. Selling Merchandise

Creating and selling branded merchandise is an effective way to monetise a personal brand. Creators can sell T-shirts, hoodies, and other merchandise through platforms like Teespring and Redbubble. By using TikTok as a promotional platform, creators can drive sales and increase their revenue.

11. In-Feed Ads

TikTok’s in-feed ads offer a way for creators to make money by sharing advertisements within their video content. These ads appear directly in users’ feeds, allowing creators to earn a share of the revenue based on views and engagement.

In-feed ads are a great way to monetise popular content and drive additional revenue without interrupting the user experience.

12. Personalised Shout-Outs

Creators can also charge for personalised shout-outs. These can be customised messages or content created specifically for individual followers. Personalised content is highly sought after by followers who want a unique experience from their favourite creators.

13. Account Flipping

Some creators make money by building and growing TikTok accounts to sell them for a profit. This process, known as account flipping, can be a lucrative business for those with an eye for growth strategies and understanding trends.

14. Driving Traffic to External Platforms

TikTok provides a unique opportunity to drive traffic to creators’ external platforms, such as blogs, YouTube channels, or e-commerce stores. By converting followers into customers or viewers on other platforms, creators can generate additional income streams.

This strategy works particularly well for creators who have diversified their content across different platforms.

15. Creator Marketplace Collaborations

TikTok’s Creator Marketplace is a powerful tool for connecting creators with brands for paid collaborations. This marketplace allows both parties to engage in campaigns that boost engagement while generating revenue for the creator.

The South African TikTok Landscape

South Africa, with over 17 million active TikTok users, is one of the largest communities in Africa. However, South African creators face challenges when it comes to accessing monetisation programs like the Creator Fund, which is not available in the country. Despite this, TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program and other monetisation tools are slowly becoming more accessible.

As the platform continues to grow in popularity, it is expected that TikTok will expand its monetisation options for creators in South Africa. In a 2025 interview, Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Communications Minister, urged TikTok to expand its monetisation programs to include South African creators, highlighting the country’s significant user base and cultural influence.

Key Takeaways

TikTok has become a significant platform for creators to earn money in 2025, with an array of monetisation tools and opportunities available. Whether through the Creator Fund, brand partnerships, or direct fan contributions, creators can find multiple ways to capitalise on their content. As the platform continues to evolve, new opportunities will undoubtedly arise, making it essential for creators to stay adaptable and embrace emerging trends.

For those looking to grow their presence on the platform, diversifying income streams and focusing on building an engaged community will be key to long-term success. Keep creating, keep engaging, and the rewards will follow.