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TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms globally, with millions of users posting content daily. As its popularity has grown, so have the opportunities for creators to make money on the platform. But how many followers do you need to start earning money on TikTok? The answer depends on the monetization methods you’re using, the engagement of your audience, and the types of content you create.

In this article, we’ll break down the different ways TikTok creators make money and how many followers you need to begin generating income.

1. TikTok Creator Fund

The TikTok Creator Fund is one of the most direct ways creators can earn money from their content. Launched in 2020, this program allows eligible creators to earn money based on the number of views and engagement they receive on their videos.

Requirements to Join the Creator Fund:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You need at least 10,000 followers.
• Your videos must have received 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
• You must adhere to TikTok’s community guidelines and have a Pro account.

Once you meet these requirements, you can apply to join the Creator Fund through the TikTok app. While the Creator Fund won’t make you rich overnight, it provides a steady stream of income based on your views and engagement. However, some creators have reported that the earnings per view are relatively low, often ranging from $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views.

How Much Can You Earn?

For example, if you receive 1 million views on a video, you could earn between $20 and $40 from the Creator Fund. While this isn’t a huge amount of money, it can add up if you post frequently and generate consistent views.

2. Brand Deals and Sponsorships

Brand deals and sponsorships are one of the most lucrative ways to make money on TikTok. Brands partner with popular creators to promote their products or services in short-form videos, and the amount you can earn depends on the size and engagement of your audience.

How Many Followers Do You Need for Brand Deals? While there’s no strict follower threshold for brand deals, most companies start paying attention to creators who have at least 10,000 to 50,000 followers. However, even micro-influencers (with 1,000 to 10,000 followers) can secure smaller brand deals if they have a highly engaged audience.

Brands often look for:

• High engagement rates (likes, comments, shares)
• Niche-specific audiences (fashion, fitness, beauty, etc.)
• Authenticity in content creation

How Much Can You Earn from Brand Deals?

For creators with 10,000 to 50,000 followers, brand deals might range from $100 to $500 per post. Larger creators with 100,000+ followers can command thousands of dollars per sponsored video, while top influencers with millions of followers can make $10,000+ per post.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services through your TikTok account and earning a commission on each sale made through your unique affiliate link. This is a common method for creators across social media platforms, and it doesn’t require a massive following to get started.

How Many Followers Do You Need for Affiliate Marketing? There’s no strict minimum follower count for affiliate marketing, but having 1,000 to 10,000 engaged followers can be enough to start earning. Success with affiliate marketing depends more on your ability to convert viewers into buyers than on your follower count alone.

How Much Can You Earn with Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate commissions vary widely depending on the product and the affiliate program. For example:

• Amazon Associates typically pays 1% to 10% commissions on sales.
• Niche affiliate programs can offer 20% to 50% commissions on higher-priced products.

If your audience is highly engaged and trusts your recommendations, you could earn anywhere from $100 to $1,000+ per month with affiliate marketing, even with a smaller following.

4. TikTok LIVE Gifts and Donations

Another way to make money on TikTok is by going live and receiving gifts from your viewers. During TikTok LIVE sessions, viewers can send virtual gifts, which can be converted into real money by creators. TikTok users purchase coins within the app, which they can use to send gifts during a live stream. These gifts can then be redeemed for actual currency through TikTok’s payout system.

How Many Followers Do You Need to Go Live on TikTok? To unlock TikTok LIVE and start receiving gifts, you need to:

• Be at least 16 years old to go live.
• Be at least 18 years old to receive gifts.
• Have at least 1,000 followers.

Once you meet these criteria, you can go live and start earning from your fans’ donations.

How Much Can You Earn from TikTok Gifts?

The amount of money you can make from TikTok LIVE gifts depends on the generosity of your audience and how often you go live. Virtual gifts can range from a few cents to several dollars, and popular live streamers can make hundreds or even thousands of dollars per session.

5. Selling Your Own Products or Merchandise

Many TikTok creators monetize their platform by selling their own products, whether it’s physical merchandise (like T-shirts, hoodies, or accessories) or digital products (such as eBooks or online courses). If you’ve built a personal brand or have a creative idea, you can use TikTok’s massive reach to drive sales.

How Many Followers Do You Need to Sell Products on TikTok? There’s no minimum follower count required to sell products, but creators with at least 5,000 to 10,000 followers tend to see more success when promoting their products. However, even smaller creators with loyal followers can make significant income if they have a strong personal brand.

How Much Can You Earn by Selling Products?

The amount of money you can make from selling products depends on your product pricing and sales volume. For example:

• If you sell a product for $30 and generate 100 sales per month, you could make $3,000 in revenue.
• If you’re selling digital products with little to no overhead, your profit margins can be even higher.

Creators who focus on selling their own products often use platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or Teespring to manage sales and fulfillment.

6. Cross-Promoting on Other Platforms

TikTok can also serve as a stepping stone to build a presence on other monetizable platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or Twitch. By promoting your content across multiple platforms, you can increase your overall earning potential through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships.

How Many Followers Do You Need to Start Cross-Promoting? Creators with as few as 1,000 followers can begin to promote their content on other platforms. However, having a larger following (around 10,000+ followers) can make it easier to build audiences on YouTube, Instagram, or other sites where monetization opportunities may be greater.

How Much Can You Earn Through Cross-Promotion?

If you can drive followers from TikTok to platforms like YouTube, where ad revenue is more established, you can significantly increase your overall income. YouTube ads, for instance, pay around $1 to $5 per 1,000 views, which can add up quickly if you have a large, engaged audience.

Conclusion: How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on TikTok?

The number of followers you need to make money on TikTok varies depending on the monetization strategy you choose. Here’s a quick summary:

• TikTok Creator Fund: 10,000 followers
• Brand Deals and Sponsorships: 10,000 to 50,000 followers (more is better)
• Affiliate Marketing: 1,000 to 10,000 followers (with high engagement)
• TikTok LIVE Gifts: 1,000 followers
• Selling Products or Merchandise: No minimum, but 5,000+ followers help
• Cross-Promoting on Other Platforms: 1,000+ followers

While having more followers certainly helps increase your earning potential, it’s important to note that engagement is often more important than follower count. Brands and advertisers are increasingly looking for creators with active and loyal audiences, so focusing on building a strong, engaged following can be more valuable than just accumulating large numbers.