How You Can Make Money On TikTok As A Student

At the time of writing this post, TikTok is the most downloaded app in the world with more than 1 billion active users monthly, surpassing global sensations like YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. 

With quick and engaging content to suit everyone, from dance videos to pranks to beauty routines to cooking recipes to fashion inspiration to fitness journeys and so on, it’s hard to predict what’s going to pop up on your for you page next! 

It’s safe to say, this short-form video and social media platform has taken online content to a whole new level and is only continuing to grow. Many people even have full time jobs from creating content on TikTok.

If you’re wanting to get on board and earn money on TikTok, you’ve come to the right place.

Carry on reading to find out!

How You Can Make Money On TikTok

Considering TikTok is predominantly Gen-z dominated with 43% of global users being aged 18-24, it’s no surprise that university students are wanting to get a piece of the cake and earn money using the platform. 

If that’s the case for you, we’ve listed a few of the different paths you can take to gain an income on TikTok!

1. Join TikTok’s Creator Fund 

Wondering how to make money on TikTok? You’re not the only one! 

One of the most popular ways to make money is by joining the TikTok Creator Fund.

Launched in 2020, the TikTok Creator Fund allows users to make money based on their content’s views and engagement. 

It’s no walk in the park though, to be successful with it, it does require time and effort as you will need to create consistent and engaging content which interests your target audience. 

If you want to join, these are the eligibility requirements you need to meet: 

• Your TikTok account must have at least 10,000 authentic followers
• You must have at least 100,000 views on your videos within the last 30 days
• Your account must be in good standing, adhering to the platform’s community guidelines and best practices
• Content published to your account must be original 
• You must be at least 18 years old and be a resident of  the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, France, or Spain

How much money a creator can earn depends on a combination of factors, including the numbers of views and the authenticity of those views, as well as the level of engagement. 

2. Live Streaming 

Another way you can earn money on TikTok is through the platform’s live streaming feature, where users can host live streams and interact with their audience in real-time. 

Through TikTok Live, viewers can leave comments, leave tips and send virtual gifts to their favourite creators which can then be converted into real money. 

The more you go live and the more you engage with your audience, the more you can expect to make.

Although, TikTok does take a cut of the earnings but you receive the rest.

Again, there are requirements you need to meet to have access to TikTok Live. 

Such as, you must be 18 years or older, posted at least three TikTok videos in the last 30 days and have 1,000 followers or more. 

If you’re eligible, you can go to your TikTok account settings to start live streaming and receive gifts!

3. Sell Products Through TikTok Shop 

If you’re a small business owner, or eager to begin selling your own products, you can use TikTok Shop to earn money. 

Launched in 2021, the TikTok Shop is a shopping feature where you can showcase and sell your products in your videos, through TikTok Live, and the product showcase tab.

The hashtag #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt currently has 58.3B views so it’s definitely a popular way to build an audience and drive sales. 

With your own brand, you can decide what you want to sell, so there really isn’t a set amount of money you can make! 

To set up TikTok Shopping and start selling your goods, you do need to have a business account and you must be located in the UK, Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, or Indonesia. 

You also need to have a registered phone number from that region, a certificate of incorporation for your business, as well as identification.

No matter your follower count or your content creation experience, you can make the most of learning materials and support from the TikTok Shop once joining. 

4. Affiliate Marketing 

So, you want to make some money from using TikTok? You don’t need to sell your own products or services to gain an income, you can work with brands. 

The way affiliate marketing works is, a creator will need to upload videos promoting brands that are relevant to their target audience, and then use affiliate links in their video descriptions or promo codes. 

Then, every sale that is made from users clicking on this personalised link or using their code will earn them a commission. 

This helps brands to reach a wider and more diverse audience on TikTok, so it’s a win-win for both creators and sellers! 

If you’re wanting to connect with brands and monetise your content, you can become a TikTok Shop creator now. 

5. Sell Merch To Your Followers 

If you’re already built up a fan base on TikTok, one way you could make profit is through creating and selling merchandise related to your brand or content. 

There are many different types of products you could sell which relate to your content or niche, from custom t-shirts to tote bags to phone cases to hats to mugs, you name it, the list is endless. 

Not only will you earn money from selling merch, you’ll also help to spread the word about your personal brand and fingers crossed, your follower count will increase! 

No matter what type of creator you are, you can sell your own merchandise, whether it’s through the TikTok Shop or through adding a link to your ecommerce store in your profile.

6. Crowdfunding 

Are you a TikTok creator with a large following? You can use the platform to generate support and funding for creative projects from your followers. 

Platforms such as Patreon or Kickstarter allow creators to crowdfund their projects, which you can then share with your TikTok following to drive support and donations.

Whilst TikTok content is free for users to access, by using separate platforms like Patreon, users can access exclusive and behind the scene content.

From Q&As to podcasts to songs to special tutorials to films, members can access valuable content and give back to their favourite creators.

Although, you do need to have a dedicated fan base for crowdfunding to be successful. 

7. Market Your Services 

There’s no doubt about it, social media platforms like TikTok are hugely popular and successful marketing tools. 

It’s not just businesses who can thrive by marketing themselves on TikTok either, independent freelancers can use the platform to build an audience and market the services they offer. 

The hashtag #freelancelife currently has 191.2M views with users from every niche creating content, from freelance photographers to web developers to videographers to graphic designers. 

TikTok trends come and go with new videos popping up every day, so even if you don’t currently have a large following, your content could go viral soon enough. 

For freelance business success, you should be consistent with creating high-quality and engaging content, and stay up to date with the latest trends and popular sounds to attract your target audience! 

8. Earn TikTok Rewards 

We weren’t kidding when we said there were so many ways to earn money on TikTok in 2023, and our last method is one of the simplest of all. 

Through TikTok Rewards, users can invite a new user to join the platform and as soon as they’ve created a new profile and entered via their friend’s invitation code, the user will start earning rewards. 

You can redeem your TikTok rewards for actual money, coupons and mobile top-ups, depending on the country where you live.

Although, new users do have to meet some eligibility criteria to allow them and those who referred them to earn rewards. 

To be eligible, this must be the first time a user has created an account on TikTok and downloaded the app to their device, and they must meet the age criteria of their country – in the UK it’s 18+. 

If you already spend hours scrolling through TikTok (we don’t blame you!) then why not try and make money through your hobby?

There really are so many different ways you can create a new source of income using the platform! 

Remember, building a following and monetising your TikTok account is unlikely to happen overnight, it requires time, effort and dedication. 

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