According to some very optimistic experts, the top TikTok creators are set to make one million dollars a post by 2021. But for now, we’ll have to settle for the likes of Loren Gray, a 17-year old lip-syncher-turned TikTok royalty. With more followers on TikTok than anyone else, she is currently poised to make the most money, with some of the most generous estimates at almost $200,000 a post. Not to mention, Byte, TikTok’s arch-nemesis and Vine 2.0, is offering creators $250,000 for videos starting in April.
A popular ranking called the TikTok Rich List also has Baby Ariel and Zach King in second and third place, respectively. (The buzzy list also predicts that Aashika Bhatia will ultimately topple Gray as the richest of them all.) But these are all estimates. There is currently no definitive way to know how much money TikTokers make. Namely, because talking about money is still taboo. Also, content creators don’t make a habit of adding price tags to their sponsored posts or announcing the value of their partnerships.
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The first thing to know is that brands with big pockets have heart eyes for TikTok. If you build a relatively big, engaged audience on TikTok, you have something those brands want. If you can help them reach and understand your peers and followers, you can make a pretty penny, too.
A lot of the creators making big bucks on TikTok right now were already making big bucks on other platforms like Vine, Instagram, or YouTube. Gray was originally a Musical.ly star. David Dobrik started on Vine and kept his momentum going on YouTube before joining TikTok and landing lucrative deals with Chipotle. Zach King perfected his short optical illusion videos on Vine, and Anna O’Leary, aka Glitterandlazers, was already earning a living on Instagram but found bigger opportunities on TikTok.
@glitterandlazers Im just going be here living my best life- whether you like it or not 😎
♬ original sound - alejandrarizo
Advice From A Working TikTok Creator
“I was successful on Instagram and YouTube before, but not as successful as I am on TikTok,” O’Leary tells Refinery29. “I had about 300,000 followers on Instagram and about 200,000 on YouTube when this all came to be.” O’Leary currently has 4.3 million followers on TikTok, an audience she estimates is way more global and diverse than on her other platforms. But how much money does she make from TikTok? O’Leary isn’t able to share specifics, but she does explain that the platform is becoming more and more lucrative. “It is a growing part of my income,” she says. “It’s a good amount. Enough for me to prioritize it.”
You’ve probably heard a million times that TikTok is the wild, wild west of social media, and only the authentic survive. Yes, authenticity is key. But so is being authentically versatile. Most of the financially successful TikTokers do it all: dances, memes, reenactments, duets. The Hype House gang leans in hard to the duets, the lip syncs, the dances, and each creator is able to jump into any challenge or viral trend, churning out content several times a day. Much like any employee of the month. Also, some TikTok lights never hurt.
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@cosette Fashion through the decades... with a mix 🎶 Remixing my outfit with the new Puma Future Rider collection 💜 ##PumaRemix ##ad##PUMARemix
♬ Alaska - YBN Cordae
Become A Gen Z Consultant
TikTok is the internet’s fountain of youth where marketers, brands, and creators come from far and wide to drink from the well of knowledge that is Gen Z. So, a lot of brands approach TikTokers, yes, to create partnered content, but also just to mine their youthful brains for expertise. The Gen Z consultant – someone born on or after 1996 whose job is to have colored hair and lots of followers – stands to make a lot of money if they meet the right people, and a robust TikTok audience can help you do just that.
A lot of TikTok’s well-off creators do consulting on the side. Cosette Rinab is very popular on TikTok but behind the scenes, she’s the 20-year old responsible for managing two very huge TikTok accounts: Blossom and So Yummy. It was her youthful know-how that made these Facebook-native hack accounts thrive on TikTok. Then we have Noen Eubanks, the internet’s moodiest e-boy: The 18-year old moved to a house in LA to be the face of Kyra TV, all because he has 10 million followers that prove just how cool he is. Then there’s Brittany Tomlinson, AKA “Kombucha Girl,” who rose to fame for doing a double-take on kombucha (and stayed there for her spot-on impressions of Love Island contestants).As one of the few native TikTok stars, she’s been so booked and busy, she recently created a TikTok “finsta” just to goof off on. For a new batch of creators, TikTok is a launchpad, and Brittany flew all the way up to a major Super Bowl ad for Sabra.
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Evan Horowitz is the CEO and founder of Movers + Shakers, the go-to agency for brands making moves on TikTok. “As we are doing more and more TikTok campaigns with our clients, most projects have a creator component where we’re looking for creators to partner with,” he observes. So, for every brand looking to create a viral challenge or launch its own account, there is an opportunity for a creator.
@noeneubanks this is apparently my aesthetic. creds to @lilygsi
♬ crimewave by crystal castles - kermishy
Keep An Eye On TikTok Marketplace, A Search Engine For Creators
Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok is almost as invested in your success as you are. Over the past few years, it has been working hard to reach out to standout creators and connect them with brands that want to be on TikTok and want to learn the Renegade. TikTok clearly realizes that the creators make the platform, and as the new kid in town, it wants creators and brands alike to feel supported.
One example of this is the TikTok Marketplace: a new database for deep-pocketed folk to shop for creators to work with. A TikTok spokesperson told Refinery29 that a lot of creators have dual roles with brands, often working as creators and consultants, both creating content for TikTok and sharing their bigger picture know-how. The marketplace is currently in beta, so only invited brands, agencies, and creators are currently in it, but soon it will be a place for brands to search creators by follower count, engagement, type of TikTok, and a number of other parameters.
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So what can creators do to stand out? O’Leary says pursuing her interests and going outside the box took her the furthest. Her first big TikTok partnership was with a makeup brand. “Prior to TikTok, I had very few make-up opportunities. I’ve seen that door be completely shattered. So I’m seeing a literal shattering of walls that I have either built around myself or the industry has built around me completely fall to the ground,” she explains.
If you ask boomers, they’ll tell you that Gen Z is overly preoccupied with influencing and creating content for money. (Then, they’ll turn around and say we are fruitlessly pursuing law degrees.) So we’re better off just turning any useful skill we have into a hustle until we can figure out how to steady ourselves in this big bad world. TikTok is a futuristic platform with tomorrow’s sense of humor and in this economy, it’s only smart to know what can be turned into cash.
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FAQs
How do brands make money on TikTok? ›
You could run in-feed image ads promoting your products or get creative with TopView ads (fullscreen takeovers) to boost your TikTok following—both can help you make money on the platform. You can also use TikTok as a top-of-funnel resource to get users to sign up to your email list or SMS campaigns.
How much do TikTok creators make from brand deals? ›While many on the list of the highest-paid content creators and influencers have already branched out of TikTok (i.e., having their own TV shows, brand deals, acting, and music careers), it is estimated that 30% to 50% of their earnings still come from TikTok brand sponsorships.
How many followers do you have to have on TikTok to make any money? ›To start making money on TikTok:
You must have a minimum of 10,000 followers. Your videos must have 100,000 video views in the past 30 days. Your account must adhere to the TikTok Community Guidelines and terms of service.
If you are a small business owner, this TikTok monetization option is great if you want to grow your visibility. The next way to make money on TikTok is by opening a TikTok Shop and start selling your products online. TikTok partnered with Shopify so now you can sell directly through the app.
How much does TikTok pay per 1,000 views? ›As for the TikTok Creator Fund, you can earn between 2 and 4 cents for every 1,000 views. This means you might expect $20 to $40 after reaching a million views.
How much does TikTok pay monthly? ›TikTok creators with around 100,000 followers could be making between $200 – $1000 a month, while those with 1 million or more followers could be making $5,000+ a month. Unfortunately, there is no exact number that shows how much TikTok creators make.
How do TikTok brand deals work? ›With TikTok sponsorships, brands pay you in exchange for promoting their products and services to your followers. Since 37% of consumers trust influencers more than they do brands, this helps brands make more sales while you make money in exchange for your social media clout.
How do influencers get paid for brand deals? ›The influencer has incentives paid for every sale or action taken by their followers through the bonuses, but they also have the fixed rate to demonstrate the brand's commitment. Brands can construct a bonus system in several ways, for example: Clicks. Conversions.
Does TikTok pay more if you have more followers? ›TikTok begins paying you starting from 1500 followers, so as your subscribers increase, they will pay you more money. It is estimated that Tik Tok pays around US$ 100 for every 10,000 followers for live shows. But one of the easiest and most effective ways to get money from TikTok is through sponsors.
How do you become successful on TikTok? ›- Start with a hook.
- Give viewers a reason to comment…
- 3. … and answer as many comments as possible.
- Make TikToks from comments.
- Post at the right time.
- Learn from your successes (and mistakes)
- Find your niche.
- Use trending sounds.
How do I turn on monetization on TikTok? ›
- Design in-feed ads using the TikTok ads manager. ...
- Join the TikTok Creator Next program. ...
- Participate in the TikTok Creator Fund. ...
- Create videos that drive sales. ...
- Use your videos to collect gifts and tips. ...
- Discover partnerships in the TikTok Creator Marketplace. ...
- Add affiliate links to your profile.
How Many Followers Do You Need To Get Verified On TikTok? Tiktok doesn't have followers or likes requirements for account verification. However, it has been noticed that if you have at least 1 million likes in total and 500,00 followers on your account, then TikTok might consider giving you a blue tick.
How much money is 2 million views on TikTok? ›The best estimate is that you can make 2-4 cents per 1,000 views. These views are calculated by video, not your account as a whole. For example, if you have a viral video with 2 million views, you will likely have made $40,000 to $80,000 on that one video.
How much money is 1 million likes on TikTok live? ›It's estimated that the creator fund pays around 2 to 4 cents per 1,000 views. How much money does one million TikTok views make? A creator who received one million views could make between $20 to $40.
How much does 3 million views on TikTok make? ›On average, creators receive between $20 to $40 per 1 million views. In 2021, the platform launched the Creator Fund, which pays popular accounts based on their viewership. The TikTok Creator Fund pays creators very little, therefore most creators monetize their audience using other methods.
Who makes the most money from TikTok? ›1. Charli D'Amelio. Charli D'Amelio tops the list as the highest-paid TikTok influencer of 2022. Forbes has included her twice in a row in their list of the Top 7 Highest Paid TikTok Stars.
How much money does a tiktoker make with 2 million followers? ›Those with over a million could earn $1,000 to $5,000 and more per month.
How often do you get paid with TikTok? ›They pay out once a month. The bad news is that the payout is very low. You earn between 2 and 4 cents per 1,000 views, according to this source. So that means a 1,000,000-viewed video would earn you between $20 and $40.
How do I start working with brands? ›- Write blog posts on related topics.
- Promote products through pictures and affiliate links.
- Promote products on Instagram and Facebook stories.
- Make videos with relevant content.
- Write review and rate products/services.
- Run a giveaway.
- Send an email to your list.
The most common way is getting paid by companies, brands, and services. Typically, they need to create content and get paid by the agreed rate. Some do commissions too — just like in affiliate marketing and collaborations. Another way is through product promotion or displaying ads on their content.
How many followers do you need to get brand deals? ›
“How Many Followers Do I Need to Get Sponsored on Instagram?” You don't need a certain number of followers to get a sponsorship! You can land brand deals with as little as 100 followers.
How much does TikTok pay you for 1500 followers? ›Further, TikTok pays you if your account holds more than 1500 followers for live shows. Therefore, you can expect to earn around $100 for every 10,000 followers on live shows.
Do you get paid for views or likes on TikTok? ›TikTok pays you for views using their Creator Fund(if you qualify). While the company doesn't fully disclose how much they pay creators, many have managed to calculate what the average rate is. The best estimate is that you can make 2-4 cents per 1,000 views.
Is it better to promote views or followers on TikTok? ›No matter what reason you have for using TikTok, one thing remains true: the more views you get, the better engagement. Of course, some people have suggested that you should buy views, but this is usually never a good idea, regardless of which social media platform you're considering doing it for.
How much are TikTok brand deals worth? ›TikTok sponsorships are an open negotiation between you and the brand. You want more money, and the brand will try to get the cheapest advertising they can. Like most deals, you will have to negotiate wisely. To give you an idea, content creators usually get $500-$1000 for a sponsored post.
How much is a brand takeover on TikTok? ›Brand Takeovers are an ad format that can include TopView, In-Feed, and Branded Hashtags all at once, and the takeover aspect of this type is that the platform only features one business per day. The starting cost is reported to be around $50,000 USD per day.
What percentage of TikTok gifts do creators get? ›Each diamond is worth 5 cents. So, the Drama Queen will be worth $125. But TikTok retains 50% of what you earn, so when you cash in your 2,500 Diamonds, TikTok will pay you $62.50.
How does TikTok pay users? ›TikTok begins paying you starting from 1500 followers, so as your subscribers increase, they will pay you more money. It is estimated that Tik Tok pays around US$ 100 for every 10,000 followers for live shows. But one of the easiest and most effective ways to get money from TikTok is through sponsors.
How many followers do you need for brand deals? ›“How Many Followers Do I Need to Get Sponsored on Instagram?” You don't need a certain number of followers to get a sponsorship! You can land brand deals with as little as 100 followers.
Do brands pay for followers? ›Influencers and companies often buy followers to boost their credibility, thinking that users are more likely to follow an account with 20,000 followers than 200. But you're not fooling anyone, and the users you are hoping to attract will run the other way.
How many followers makes you an influencer? ›
10,000–50,000 followers = Micro-influencer. 50,000–500,000 followers = Mid-tier influencer. 500,000–1,000,000 followers = Macro-influencer. 1,000,000+ followers = Mega-influencers.