How To Make Money on
TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program
(For Beginners)
Overview
Take a look at the this screenshot, you can see on there that $36,150 has been earned in the last 12 months. Fluctuating up and down, with a peak of $6,200 in December, but with a low of potentially $0 in April. This can be the hard reality of it, but what you do with your audience behind the scenes can help maintain a steady income (another topic to revisit later).
Creator Reward Program Eligibility
Before we get carried away, let’s talk about the eligibility requirements to join the ‘Creator Rewards Program‘:
First, you need to be in an eligible country: US, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Second, you need to have at least 10,000 followers.
Lastly, you need to have had at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
The biggest challenge for many beginners is gaining those 10,000 followers. Don’t worry; I’ll share tips and common mistakes to avoid later. For now, let’s start with Finding Your Niche.
Finding Your Niche
Before you go ahead to create a TikTok account, it is important that you have decided on a niche in which you’re going to focus your TikTok account on, as this will be the main theme to your content page. There’s two things that you should really focus on when trying to determine which niche you’re going to do:
1. Unique Niche: Consider venturing into a niche that isn’t widely explored. While this can make finding an audience challenging, unique interests can capture attention. For example, metal detecting may seem niche, but many find the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures fascinating.
2. Popular Niche: Alternatively, you might choose a highly competitive niche. Although the market is saturated (like gaming), bringing a fresh perspective or unique content can set you apart and help you succeed.
Struggling to find your niche? Sign up to our newsletter below to receive a FREE, Finding Your Niche, eBook.
Account Creation
Now that you’ve decided on a niche, it’s time to create your TikTok account. Choose a catchy and memorable ‘@username‘ that reflects your niche, ensuring it’s easy for people to remember when they discuss or search for your page.
Your page name should align with this as well, helping with brand recognition.
For your bio, provide a brief yet informative summary of what your content is about. Keep it concise so users quickly understand your focus.
Lastly, select a profile picture that visually represents your niche and is easily recognisable.
Content Creation
You’ve chosen your niche and set up your profile—now it’s time to focus on your content. I can’t help you with thinking of ideas for your videos. You’ll have to do that on your own, but let’s discuss: Common Mistakes and Editing.
Common Mistakes
Creating Short Videos: Aim for videos that are at least 20 seconds. This allows for more depth and engagement.
No Hook in the First Few Seconds: The first 3-5 seconds is the most important for engagement.
Using Too Many Hashtags: Try to use 3-5 hashtags. Too many will have a negative impact.
Editing
Editing is a massive part of content creation, especially on TikTok. If you get it wrong, you’ll fail before you’ve even started. You have to think of it this way. Attention spans are short on TikTok. Cut out unnecessary pauses and get straight to the point.
While TikTok has its own editing tools, they can be limiting. I recommend using CapCut, a user-friendly app that’s free and perfect for beginners. Spend some time experimenting with it to create polished videos.
Are you finding your niche and content creation more challenging than expected? If so, consider pivoting to faceless content as a new approach. To get started, be sure to check out our eBook: How To Build a Faceless TikTok.
Algorithm Breakdown
The TikTok algorithm is very unique, but by far the best platform to get started on your content creation journey. Here’s why:
The algorithm will push everyone’s video out to a test audience to see how it performs. The test audience can range anywhere between 300 – 1000 viewers. As a result, depending on how your video performs regarding two things, the ‘Watch Metrics‘ and the ‘Engagements statistics‘, it will decide to push your video to more viewers.
Engagement Statistics
Refers to how viewers interact with your videos. Specifically, likes, comments, shares, reposts, and whether they add your video to their favourites. Moreover, these actions signal to TikTok that viewers are genuinely interested in your content. Making it more likely for the algorithm to push your video to a wider audience. For instance, if a viewer shares your video, it indicates that your content is resonating with them. Encouraging the platform to show your video to even more users.
Watch Metrics
Measures how much time viewers spend watching your video. For instance, did they watch the video all the way through, or did they rewatch it? As a result, videos that are watched in full, or nearly in full, are prioritised by the algorithm. This highlights the importance of having an engaging hook at the start of your video. If a viewer watches the first three seconds and then scrolls away, it signals to TikTok that your content isn’t captivating enough. Consequently, this will lead to the algorithm to stop pushing your video out.
If you’re eager to learn more about the algorithm and discover valuable tips along with common mistakes to avoid, be sure to check out our eBook: Perfecting TikTok.
Creator Rewards Program Explanation
Once you’ve hit 10,000 followers and amassed over 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. It’s time to join the Creator Fund. From here on out, any video that you create, upload and is longer than 60 seconds will earn you money based on how many views the video receives.
Payments are calculated based on RPM, reward per thousand miles, or in other words, per thousand views. Your RPM can fluctuate based on the below.
For example, if your RPM is £0.50, you’ll earn £0.50 for every 1,000 qualified views.
You may be wondering, “What are ‘Qualified Views‘? These are views from people that have watched your video for more than five seconds, as well other things. See below.
Below are earnings from one video, and the breakdown to the reward calculation.
If you look at the image above, you’ll notice that I earned approximately £500 ($656) from a single video. The video received 2.6 million views, but only 1.7 million of those were considered ‘qualified views‘. By multiplying the qualified views (1,700,000) by my RPM of £0.30 per 1,000 views, I generated a total of £510 (1,700 x 0.30 = £510). All from one video.
The Content Creation Side Hustle Roadmap
Congratulations! You’ve chosen your niche, created an account, published content and have managed to join the Creator Rewards Program. From here you’ll be paid for the qualified views of your videos that are longer than 61 seconds.
So, what’s next?
I’m glad you asked! Now that we’ve covered TikTok in general, let’s zoom out and look at the bigger picture. You might be wondering why you should choose TikTok over other social platforms. The answer lies in its massive popularity and favourable algorithm, which together make it arguably the easiest platform to grow your initial audience. On top of that, the Creator Rewards Program offers a fantastic way to earn extra cash right from the start.
Once you’ve built a following, it’s essential to diversify and explore other platforms for even more monetisation opportunities. For instance, if you can establish a presence on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, you’ve hit the jackpot! This strategy opens doors to brand deals and affiliate marketing commissions. Moreover, to truly maximize your income, consider setting up a website or online store to sell products related to your niche, whether sourced from China or your own brand. With your existing following, this entire journey becomes much easier.
To learn more, head over to our Roadmap web page, where you’ll find more information along with valuable resources to support you on your journey.
Conclusion
TikTok is not just a dynamic social media platform; it’s a powerful tool for creators and businesses looking to engage with a massive audience. With its unique algorithm and Creator Rewards Program, TikTok offers a fantastic opportunity to earn passive income while exploring your creative side. By choosing a niche—whether it’s unique or popular—you can set the foundation for your content strategy.
Remember, content creation is about experimenting, editing, and engaging with your audience. Once you’ve established a following, diversifying to other platforms like Instagram and YouTube will amplify your monetisation potential, opening doors to brand deals and affiliate marketing opportunities. Additionally, consider setting up a website or online store to further capitalise on your audience and niche.
With the right approach and resources, the possibilities are endless. For more tips and guidance, be sure to visit our website, Your Wealth Library, where you’ll find valuable information to help you succeed.