The Best Way to Start Making Money from TikTok (Beginner’s Guide)

The Best Way to Start Making Money on TikTok (Beginner’s Guide)

Start Making Money from TikTok isn’t just for dance challenges and memes-it’s one of the fastest – growing platforms for creators to build a brand and earn income. Whether you’re aiming for a side hustle or a full-time living, here’s a clear step-by-step plan to get started.

Step 1: Set Up Your Profile Professionally

Your profile is your TikTok “shop window.” If it doesn’t look appealing, people won’t follow or trust you.

• Pick a niche: Choose something you enjoy and can post about consistently (e.g., cooking tips, gaming, personal finance, beauty, motivation).
• Username: Simple and memorable.
• Bio: Say who you are, what you offer, and add a hint of personality. Include niche keywords for TikTok SEO.
• Profile picture: A clear face shot or recognizable logo.
• Links: Connect Instagram or YouTube. Website links depend on account type/region – Business accounts typically unlock a clickable website link sooner.

Step 2: Understand the TikTok Algorithm

TikTok’s For You feed rewards engaging, relevant content that keeps viewers watching.

• Keep early videos tight: 10–30 seconds works well for beginners. As you improve, test 30–60+ seconds, especially if you plan to use Creator Rewards.
• Use sounds wisely: Trending sounds help, but Business accounts must use the Commercial Music Library due to licensing.
• Hashtags + captions: Use 3–5 niche-relevant hashtags and keyword-rich captions that match what’s on screen. Say the keywords aloud and include them in on-screen text for SEO.
• Consistency: Post at least 3–5 times per week.
• Engagement: Reply to every comment to boost visibility.
• Watch time wins: Structure videos to keep people until the end or rewatch.

Step 3: Create High-Quality, Engaging Content

No one sticks around for boring videos. Focus on:

• Visual clarity: Good lighting, steady framing, clean background.
• Immediate hook: Grab attention in the first 3 seconds (see the Hooks section below).
• Real value: Inform, entertain, or inspire with each post.
• Clear CTA: End with an action (e.g., “Follow for more [niche] tips,” “Save this,” “Check the link in bio”).

Step 4: Grow Your Following Organically

More followers = more trust = more opportunities to earn.

• Trend, but tailor: Jump on trends and adapt them to your niche.
• Collaborate: Duets/stitches or co-creation with others in your space.
• Reply with video: Turn top comments into short video replies.
• Timing: Post when your audience is most active (check analytics).
• Community: Be human—pin helpful comments, ask questions, and build a vibe.

Step 5: Unlock Monetization Options

As you grow, you can monetize in multiple ways. Eligibility varies by region—always check the in‑app requirements.

• TikTok Creator Rewards Program

  • Long-form, original content often performs best here (typically 1+ minute).
  • Typical eligibility includes: 18+, 10,000 followers, and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
  • Note: The older Creator Fund has been discontinued/replaced in many regions.

• LIVE Gifts and Subscriptions

  • Go LIVE at 1,000 followers in most regions, receive gifts (convertible to cash), and potentially offer LIVE subscriptions where available.

• Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships

  • Brands pay for product placements or integrations. Micro-influencers can win deals if engagement is strong.
  • Apply to TikTok Creator Marketplace to connect with brands directly.

• Affiliate Marketing

  • Promote products for a commission. This can be through TikTok Shop Affiliate (where available) or external programs.

• Sell Your Own Products or Services

  • Merch, e-books, templates, courses, coaching, or services—TikTok is a powerful top-of-funnel channel.
  • TikTok Shop lets you sell in-app in supported regions.

Step 6: Build Multiple Income Streams

Don’t rely on just one method. Mix and match:

• Affiliate links in your bio or using TikTok Shop.
• Brand deals via outreach and creator platforms.
• In-app selling via TikTok Shop (supported countries).
• Drive traffic to YouTube, Instagram, a newsletter, or a landing page.

Step 7: Track and Adjust

Use data weekly to double down on what works.

• Check analytics: Hook retention, average watch time, completion rate, and top videos by reach and engagement.
• Iterate: Repeat winning topics and formats. Refresh underperformers.
• Experiment: Test hooks, lengths, edits, angles, and CTAs. Surprise hits are common.

Step 8: Stay Consistent and Patient

Most beginners don’t fail because TikTok “doesn’t work”—they quit too soon. Breakthroughs often arrive after weeks or months of iteration. Keep going and keep improving.

Quick Recap Formula for TikTok Success

• Choose a niche and brand yourself clearly.
• Post high-quality, consistent content.
• Engage with your audience daily.
• Use trends, but make them your own.
• Monetize through multiple streams.
• Keep learning, keep posting.

Pro Tip: Early on, focus more on growth than income. Trust first, money second. Once your audience is loyal, monetization becomes much easier and more stable.

30-Day TikTok Growth and Monetization Starter Plan

Before Day 1: Prep Your TikTok

• Enable Creator tools or switch to a Business account to unlock analytics.
• Choose your niche and define your audience.
• Set up profile: bio, profile picture, and social links.
• Build a content bank: list 15–20 ideas so you never stall.

Week 1: Warm Up and Establish Your Niche
Goal: Teach the algorithm what your account is about.

• Day 1: Intro—who you are, what you offer, plus one quick niche tip.
• Day 2: Duet or stitch a trending niche video with your insight.
• Day 3: Share 3 beginner tips (quick cuts, clear captions).
• Day 4: Before-and-after or transformation relevant to your niche.
• Day 5: Use a trending sound tailored to your audience.
• Day 6: Answer a common beginner question.
• Day 7: Post something funny or relatable for your niche.

Week 2: Increase Engagement
Goal: Drive comments, likes, saves, and shares.

• Day 8: Myth vs. Fact in your niche.
• Day 9: Tutorial under 30 seconds.
• Day 10: Ask a direct question (in-video and in caption).
• Day 11: Behind-the-scenes of your process.
• Day 12: Storytime: short, personal, niche-relevant.
• Day 13: Reply to a comment with a video.
• Day 14: Trend or challenge with your niche twist.

Week 3: Build Authority and Trust
Goal: Position yourself as a go-to voice.

• Day 15: Your #1 beginner tip for quick results.
• Day 16: Top 5 mistakes to avoid.
• Day 17: Show proof of results (yours or clients’/students’, with permission).
• Day 18: Review a product or tool your audience uses.
• Day 19: Collaborate with another creator (or duet).
• Day 20: Teach a shortcut or little-known hack.
• Day 21: Share your “why” and your journey.

Week 4: Monetization Warm-Up
Goal: Warm your audience to offers, affiliates, and products.

• Day 22: Share your favorite resources/tools (affiliate-friendly).
• Day 23: Tutorial featuring a product you genuinely love.
• Day 24: Announce a LIVE Q&A (once you reach 1K followers).
• Day 25: “How I make money doing X” (transparent, helpful).
• Day 26: Share community wins or testimonials (with permission).
• Day 27: Story-led video that segues into your product/service.
• Day 28: Engage a relevant trending topic in your style.
• Day 29: Compilation of “My 3 most viral tips so far.”
• Day 30: Clear CTA—follow, click link, join LIVE, or grab your lead magnet.

Pro Posting Tips

• Aim for 1–2 posts per day for faster growth, but never at the expense of quality.
• Use 3–5 relevant hashtags. Skip spammy or unrelated tags.
• Keep descriptions short, keyword-rich, and curiosity-driven.
• Engage 15–20 minutes before and after posting to nudge the algorithm.
• Save trends and ideas to Favorites so you can batch-create later.
• Add on-screen text and enable auto-captions for accessibility and SEO.

What Happens by Day 30: Start Making Money from TikTok

• A clear niche and audience baseline.
• A sense of your highest-performing topics and formats.
• Progress toward eligibility for monetization features in your region.
• Early trust that makes brand deals and affiliate conversions easier.

Beginner to Paid: TikTok Income Roadmap

Stage 1: Foundation (0–1,000 followers)

• Focus: Grow audience and trust.
• Actions: Post daily or almost daily, trend-with-a-twist, reply to every comment and DM, test formats (tutorials, stories, duets).
• Monetization prep: Join affiliate programs, create a simple email list or Instagram funnel.

Stage 2: Early Monetization (1K–5K followers)

• Focus: Light monetization while growing.
• Unlocks: LIVE Gifts, affiliates for products you use, a small digital product (e.g., e-book or cheat sheet).
• Tips: Mention links casually and host LIVE tutorials or Q&As.

Stage 3: Growth and Authority (5K–10K+ followers)

• Focus: Trust-building and traffic expansion.
• Unlocks: Micro brand deals, apply to Creator Rewards (if eligible in your region), drive to YouTube/Instagram/blog, test low-cost workshops or paid challenges.

Stage 4: Full Monetization (10K+ followers)

• Focus: Scale and diversify income.
• Unlocks: Creator Rewards payouts (where eligible), larger brand partnerships, TikTok Shop (in supported countries), courses/memberships/templates, higher-ticket affiliates.

Stage 5: Authority and Expansion (50K+ followers)

• Focus: Become the go-to in your niche.
• Unlocks: High-paying ambassadorships, speaking and event sponsorships, premium products/services, full brand lines.

Pro Advice: Don’t skip stages. Monetization works best when trust comes first—an engaged small audience beats a big but inactive one every time.

150 Viral TikTok Hooks Cheat Sheet

1. Curiosity and Intrigue

• “You’ve been doing this wrong your whole life…”
• “Here’s the secret nobody tells you about…”
• “This blew my mind when I found out…”
• “Why does nobody talk about this?”
• “I can’t believe I wasted years not knowing this…”
• “The unbelievable thing is… it actually works.”
• “When I first heard this, I thought it was fake…”
• “I promise you’ve never seen this before.”
• “This will change the way you think about everything.”
• “Here’s what they don’t teach you in school…”

2. Benefit-First

• “Save $500 a month with this simple trick.”
• “This tip will get you [X result] in less than 24 hours.”
• “Want [X outcome] in 2025? Do this.”
• “The fastest way to [desired goal].”
• “If I had to start over, this is what I’d do first.”
• “Here’s my 3-step formula for [goal].”
• “How to [goal] without [pain point].”
• “The #1 thing that helped me [achieve goal].”
• “This hack saved me so much time and money.”
• “The easiest way to get [result] in 10 minutes or less.”

3. Mistakes

• “Stop doing this immediately if you want [goal].”
• “3 mistakes you’re making without realizing it.”
• “This is why you’re not seeing [result].”
• “If you keep doing this, you’ll stay broke forever.”
• “Want better results? Avoid this at all costs.”
• “The most common beginner mistake in [niche].”
• “You’re probably ruining your [goal] with this habit.”
• “This is why your [goal] is failing.”
• “I did this for years… and it cost me big.”
• “This one mistake is holding you back.”

4. Story-Driven

• “I almost gave up until this happened…”
• “Three years ago, I had nothing…”
• “You won’t believe how this turned out…”
• “I didn’t think this would work… until it did.”
• “This story might sound fake… but it’s 100% true.”
• “It all started when I made one small change…”
• “Let me tell you how this changed my life.”
• “This is the wildest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
• “I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it myself.”
• “This is what happened when I finally took action.”

5. Challenge and Dare

• “I dare you to try this.”
• “Bet you can’t do this for a week.”
• “Try this challenge—I’ll go first.”
• “Can you beat my results?”
• “This will be the hardest thing you do today.”
• “Only 1% of people can do this.”
• “If you’re brave enough, try this now.”
• “I’ll challenge anyone to prove me wrong.”
• “This technique sounds easy, but it’s not.”
• “Ready for the ultimate test?”

6. “They Don’t Want You to Know”

• “They’ll never tell you this, but…”
• “Here’s what the pros won’t reveal.”
• “The industry secret they’re hiding from you.”
• “I wasn’t supposed to share this… but here we go.”
• “Big companies hope you never hear this.”
• “This hack is so good, it almost feels illegal.”
• “Here’s how they actually make money on [topic].”
• “This is how they really get you to spend more.”
• “I found a loophole in the system.”
• “No one in the industry talks about this.”

7. Niche-Specific How-To

• “How to get your first [client/follower/sale] in 7 days.”
• “How I film TikToks with only my phone.”
• “How to edit videos like a pro—free.”
• “How to make money online without experience.”
• “How to cook [dish] in 10 minutes.”
• “How I run a business from my phone.”
• “How to travel on $500 or less.”
• “How to wake up earlier without feeling tired.”
• “How to get rid of [problem] fast.”
• “How I turned [X] into [Y] in [timeframe].”

8. Shock and Drama

• “I lost $10,000 because of this one thing.”
• “I was dead wrong about this.”
• “This almost ruined my life.”
• “You won’t believe what I just found.”
• “I was today years old when I learned this.”
• “I can’t believe nobody’s talking about this.”
• “I tried the weirdest method… and it worked.”
• “If you do this, you might regret it forever.”

• “This might sound unbelievable, but hear me out.”

• “I thought it was a scam… until I tried it.”

9. Value List “Bombs”

• “3 hacks to instantly improve your [skill].”
• “5 tools that will save you hours.”
• “7 tiny changes for massive results.”
• “4 things I wish I knew sooner.”
• “Top 10 mistakes beginners make.”
• “My favorite 5 resources for [topic].”
• “6 quick wins you can do today.”
• “Best 3 apps for [goal].”
• “4 life-changing habits.”
• “7 ways to make [goal] easier.”

10. Relatable and Funny

• “If you’ve ever felt [problem], this is for you.”
• “POV: You finally decide to start…”
• “Me every Monday morning…”
• “If you can relate to this, we’re friends.”
• “That moment when you realize…”
• “You know that thing we all do…”
• “If you’ve ever experienced this, you’ll understand.”
• “Tell me this hasn’t happened to you.”
• “I’m not the only one, right?”
• “This is me when I try to [goal].”

11. Urgency

• “This is your sign to start today.”
• “Don’t wait until it’s too late.”
• “You have 24 hours to do this.”
• “This opportunity won’t last long.”
• “If you don’t start now, you’ll regret it later.”
• “Tomorrow might be too late.”
• “You’re running out of time to do this.”
• “The clock is ticking.”
• “Act now—you’ll thank yourself later.”
• “Do this before the month ends.”

12. Audience Calling

• “Attention all [niche/interest group]!”
• “If you’re a [goal/interest], listen up.”
• “To everyone who wants to [goal]…”
• “This is for the [niche] community.”
• “Calling all beginners in [topic]…”
• “Hey content creators, quick tip…”
• “To all business owners out there…”
• “If you love [topic], watch this.”
• “For anyone struggling with [problem]…”
• “If this is you, watch until the end.”

13. Pattern Interrupts

• Drop something loud on the table before speaking.
• Start with an extreme close-up, then pull back.
• “I’m about to destroy this notebook—for a reason.”
• “I’m filming this upside down—for a reason.”
• “Stop scrolling—this is important.”
• “This pen just made me $1,000 last week.”
• “I’m about to throw money in the trash.”
• “Watch what happens in the next 5 seconds.”
• “I’m cutting this in half—here’s why.”
• Hold up something unusual on camera.

14. FOMO

• “Everyone’s talking about this hack.”
• “If you miss this trend, you’ll regret it.”
• “This is blowing up on TikTok right now.”
• “Get in on this before it’s everywhere.”
• “This opportunity is going viral.”
• “You’re late if you’re not on this wave.”
• “Only early adopters will benefit from this.”
• “This trend will be gone in a week.”
• “People are making thousands with this.”
• “Don’t be the last to know this.”

15. Personal Transformation

• “This is how I went from [A] to [B] in [timeframe].”
• “I transformed my life in 90 days doing this.”
• “Here’s my before-and-after story.”
• “I gained [result] faster than I thought possible.”
• “This changed everything for me.”
• “The pivot that took me from stuck to thriving.”
• “If I can do it, anyone can.”
• “This is how I finally broke through.”
• “My life looked completely different last year.”
• “I never thought I’d get here.”

Accuracy notes and quick updates for 2025

• “Pro Account” wording is outdated. Use Creator tools or switch to a Business account for robust analytics and link options.
• Creator Fund: Discontinued in many regions; replaced by Creator Rewards. Always verify current eligibility in-app.
• Sounds and licensing: Business accounts must use TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.
• Links in bio: Website links depend on account type and region. Business accounts typically get a clickable link sooner; personal accounts may need a follower threshold.