How to make money on TikTok in 2026? There are 12+ different ways to make money on TikTok! From LIVE gifts ($500-10,000/month) to selling via TikTok Shop ($10,000-500,000+/month). Best part? You can start with just 1,000 followers. This complete guide shows you all TikTok money making methods for beginners, with detailed comparison, requirements for each way, and expected earnings with real numbers - so you can choose what fits you best and start today.
Overview: All TikTok Income Sources
12 Ways to Make Money on TikTok
Quick Earnings Comparison
| Method | Min Followers | Expected Monthly Earnings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIVE Streaming | 1,000 | $500-10,000+ | ⭐⭐ Easy |
| TikTok Shop | 0-5,000 | $1,000-500,000+ | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium |
| Brand Sponsorships | 10,000+ | $1,000-50,000+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hard |
| Affiliate Marketing | Any | $200-10,000+ | ⭐⭐⭐ Medium |
| Creator Programs | 10,000+ | $50-5,000 | ⭐⭐ Easy |
Complete Comparison of All Money Making Methods
| Method | Requirements | Investment | Time to First Profit | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIVE Streaming | 1K followers + 18 years | $0 | Instant (same day) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| TikTok Shop | 0-5K (varies by region) | $0-500 | 1-4 weeks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Brand Deals | 10K+ + high engagement | $0 | 1-3 months | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Affiliate | Any followers | $0 | 1-8 weeks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Method 1: LIVE Streaming & Gifts 🎁
Expected Earnings:
- Beginner (1K-5K): $5-20/hour
- Intermediate (10K-50K): $50-200/hour
- Pro (100K+): $300-1,000+/hour
📖 Full Guide: LIVE Streaming Monetization
Method 2: TikTok Shop 🛍️
Why Powerful:
- Highest conversion rate (5%-15%)
- Build real sustainable business
- Can start with dropshipping (no inventory)
📖 Full Guide: TikTok Shop Seller Guide
Method 3: Brand Sponsorships 💼
Pricing Formula: (Followers ÷ 10,000) × $100-$200
| 10K | $100-200 per video |
| 50K | $500-1,000 |
| 100K | $1,000-2,000 |
| 1M+ | $10,000-50,000+ |
📖 Full Guide: Brand Partnerships
Method 4: Affiliate Marketing 💰
Best Programs:
- Amazon Associates (1%-10%)
- ClickBank (30%-75%)
- ShareASale (5%-30%)
📖 Full Guide: Affiliate Marketing
Method 5: Official Creator Programs 🏆
1. Creator Fund (Old)
- Payment: $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views
- ⚠️ Being phased out
2. Creativity Program (New - Better)
- Payment: $0.50-$1.50 per 1,000 views (10-20x higher!)
- Requirements: 1+ minute videos, 10K followers, 100K views/month
- 1M views = $500-$1,500
📖 Full Guide: TikTok Monetization Programs
How to Combine Multiple Methods
Example 1: Beauty Creator (30K followers)
- TikTok Shop (selling makeup): $3,000/month
- Affiliate (Amazon, Sephora): $1,500/month
- Brand sponsorship: $600/month
- LIVE streaming: $400/month
- Total: $5,500/month
Beginner Roadmap: Zero to Profit
Month 1-2: Building (Pre-Profit)
- ☐ Choose niche precisely
- ☐ Post 1-2 videos daily
- ☐ Goal: Reach 1,000 followers
Month 3: First $100
- ☐ If reached 1K: Start LIVE streaming
- ☐ Start affiliate (even if less than 1K)
- ☐ Goal: First $100-300
Month 4-6: Expansion
- ☐ If 5K-10K: Contact brands
- ☐ If available: Open TikTok Shop
- ☐ Goal: $500-1,500/month
Conclusion: Your Path to Making Money on TikTok
Making money on TikTok isn't a "distant dream" - it's reality for millions of creators in 2026. The key? Choose the right method for you and start.
🎯 Your Next Step (Now):
- Review comparison table above
- Choose one method to start
- Read detailed guide for it
- Start applying today - not tomorrow