How many followers do you need to make money on TikTok is a question everyone asks once they start posting.
We’ve all seen someone go viral and suddenly start promoting brands or showing off new merch. So how much does your follower count really matter?
The truth is, it depends on how you want to earn. Some creators start making money with 1,000 followers. Others wait until they hit 10K and join the TikTok Creator Fund.
In this guide, we’ll go through every method that works, real follower goals to aim for, and smart tips to actually make money on TikTok.
Key Takeaways:
- TikTok doesn’t pay for followers alone; you need engagement and views to earn money.
- 10,000 followers and 100,000 views are required to join the TikTok Creator Fund.
- TikTok pays around $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views, depending on engagement.
- You need 25,000 to 50,000 views to earn $1 from the Creator Fund.
Table of Contents
How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on TikTok? The 5 Main Ways
There are plenty of ways to make money on TikTok. You don’t need to have millions of followers to get started, and that’s a good thing.
Some people earn from views, others from fans, and some use TikTok’s built-in features to grow their income. Let’s break down the top ways to turn those posts into paydays.
1. The TikTok Creator Fund
TikTok pays creators directly for views. You can apply once you hit 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days. It’s not the highest payout, but it’s a pretty easy way to start making money.
2. Brand partnerships and sponsored content
Many TikTok creators make a living from brand partnerships and sponsored content. Even with just 1,000 followers, you can work with smaller brands. That’s especially true if your TikTok profile is focused on a niche.
3. TikTok lives and virtual gifts
When you go live, your followers can send you virtual gifts that you can exchange for real cash. You need 1,000 followers for that, but you can earn daily if you keep your audience engaged.
4. TikTok ads and affiliate links
You can use TikTok ads to drive traffic to stores, websites, or affiliate products. Some creators tap into the ad revenue-sharing program once they grow big enough.
5. Selling your own products or services
Lots of TikTok creators promote their own merchandise, coaching, or digital products. That’s a flexible way to make money that you control 100%. One of the reasons TikTok makes it so simple to sell is that content is short, fun, and discoverable.
The TikTok Creator Fund: What It Is and Who Qualifies
The TikTok Creator Fund is where the platform puts its money where its mouth is- or rather, where your videos are. It’s not going to make you rich, but it’s one of the simplest ways to start earning money on TikTok without needing to chase down sponsors or products.
That’s because the creator fund is based on how well your videos do. And by “do,” I mean how many views and watch time you get.
As a TikTok user, once you qualify, TikTok will pay you a few cents per 1,000 views.
That might not sound like much, but for creators who are consistently posting on social media platforms and racking up views, the ones who are actually building an audience, those cents can add up.
So who can join this party? You’ll need:
- A TikTok account with at least 10,000 followers
- At least 100,000 views over the last 30 days (yes, that is a big ask)
- To be at least 18 years old and based in a region where TikTok supports creators
You have to follow TikTok’s guidelines and rules, too. Consistency is key here.
Some creators use the creator fund as a steady income source alongside other revenue streams like brand partnerships, virtual gifts, and more.
That mix of income streams is where the real magic happens. When you combine the creator fund with other ways of earning money on TikTok, that’s when the real money starts flowing in.
Going Live: Making Money Through TikTok Lives and Gifts
Going live is one of the easiest ways to start paying creators – and we don’t need a massive following to do it. All we need is 1,000 followers and an active TikTok account.
Once we unlock TikTok Lives, we can start getting gifts and video gifts from viewers who want to support us.
How Gifts Turn Into Cash
When fans gift during a live performance, we can convert virtual gifts into diamonds – and then into real money. It’s TikTok’s way of letting the audience support creators directly.
Even with a small crowd, going live often creates loyal fans who come back and give again.
Use TikTok’s Built-In Features to Our Advantage
We can also use TikTok’s built-in features like Q&A boxes, filters, and on-screen stickers to make our live streams fun and interactive.
This increases engagement metrics, which brings more views and more gifts. These tools are designed to empower creators and make monetization strategy possible without outside deals.
It’s like a mini income stream right in our TikTok profile.
Brand Deals: Why You Don’t Need Millions of Followers
When we think of sponsored posts, the assumption is often that we need a huge following.
But the reality is that a smaller, engaged audience- anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 followers- is often just as valuable to brands.
Companies are looking for real people who share authentic, relatable content on TikTok. Not polished ads.
Small Accounts Can Be Big Opportunities
Brands want to work with creators who genuinely connect with their audience.
That’s why smaller creators with good engagement metrics often earn more money than larger accounts with fake followers.
You don’t have to be huge to reach out to brands in your niche or tag them in posts. In fact, that’s a great place to start.
What Brands Really Look For
They check your TikTok profile to see what kind of content you share.
They also look at views and comments on your videos, how often you upload, how you interact with your followers, and whether you cross-promote on other social media platforms.
That means adding video gifts, collaborating with other creators, or promoting products through TikTok Shop can make your profile more appealing.
As you grow, you can use a creator rewards program to earn more money from the same posts.
Consistency, creativity, and a willingness to partner up are what really matter. Not your follower count.
Virtual Gifts: Not Just for Big Creators
A lot of people think virtual gifts are something only big TikTok influencers get. That idea just isn’t true.
Once you hit 1,000 followers and unlock TikTok Lives, you can start earning gifts right away. No brand deals or product sales are needed.
That’s one of the simplest ways to start making money on TikTok- even with a small audience.
How Virtual Gifts Work
When you go live, your followers can tap the gift icon and send you things like roses, hearts, or big-ticket items like TikTok universes.
You can then convert those virtual gifts into diamonds, which TikTok lets you cash out as real money. (The TikTok FAQ explains all this, but once you try it, it’s pretty straightforward.)
Why Smaller Creators Thrive on Lives
Smaller creators often build tighter relationships with their fans. That means people are more likely to show up, chat with you, and send gifts during livestreams.
You don’t need thousands watching-you just need a few loyal people who care about what you do.
If you consistently create interactive content, reply to comments, and go live regularly, the gifts start adding up. And yes-it’s 100% possible to earn more money this way than through the creator fund alone.
Exclusive Content Can Set You Apart
To stand out, you can tease exclusive content in your behind-the-scenes moments, tutorials, shoutouts, or mini Q&A sessions.
That gives your fans a reason to keep coming back and gifting. You can even promote your social media accounts while you’re live, growing your audience across platforms.
Authenticity, consistency, and having fun are what really matter- not being famous.
TikTok Ads and Affiliate Links: Turning Views into Income
We don’t always need sponsors or a product to earn. Sometimes, we just need smart strategies- like using TikTok ads or affiliate links to make more money from our videos.
And the best part? We can do it with a small follower count if our content connects.
1. Using TikTok Ads to Grow or Sell
We can run TikTok ads to promote a product or drive traffic to our website or our own brand.
Some business accounts use ads to grow their customer base, others to boost videos or promote affiliate offers.
We can start testing ads for as little as a few dollars a day even with a small audience.
2. Affiliate Links: No Inventory Needed
By joining affiliate programs and dropping a link in our bio, we can make more money every time someone clicks and buys.
Creators often recommend products they already use, which keeps things real and natural.
And when we pair that with content that educates, entertains, or inspires- we’re giving people a reason to trust us.
3. Collaborating and Creating Interactive Content
Working with other creators or posting interactive content like polls, duets, and reply videos gets us noticed and grows our follower count faster. That leads to more money opportunities across the board.
And by sharing value regularly we can encourage viewers to not only follow us but also check us out on other social media platforms.
4. Keep It Real (And Rule-Friendly)
If we’re consistent, follow TikTok’s community guidelines, and avoid spammy tactics we set ourselves up for long-term financial success – not just one-off wins.
It’s not about chasing every trend. It’s about showing up with purpose, knowing what we want to offer, and turning smart moves into real income.
Do Views Matter More Than Followers?
We hear that one all the time: “You need more followers.” But the truth is, views can be just as powerful. Sometimes even more so.
Views Can Pay Before Followers Catch Up
Consistent views can start earning you money even with a smaller follower count. That’s a reality many creators have found.
Some with just a few thousand followers have gone viral and made more money than accounts three times their size. Why? Because they connected with their audience’s interests and stayed active.
Creating With Purpose
You don’t have to be chasing trends nonstop when you upload videos. Creating interactive content polls, replies, tutorials, or TikTok series- that keep people watching and commenting is smarter.
That way, you grow a following and build a community. That kind of audience is what really makes you money over time.
Why Smaller Creators Often Win
Small creators usually know their target audience inside and out. They build stronger bonds with them.
You can collaborate with other creators, go live, and create content around your own brand- all without a massive following. It’s not about being famous. It’s about focus.
Keep It Clean, Keep It Consistent
Following community, guidelines keep you in good standing and avoids losing income. Using features made for business account analytics and links can also help you earn more money by tracking what works.
Plan your strategy well, grow with other creators, and deliver consistent value. That’s how you set yourself up for real, long-term financial success.
Views matter. But it’s the smart content that really wins.
Making the Most of a Small Audience
You don’t need a massive following to actually make a living on TikTok. What matters is the right approach to making money from the platform- not the number of followers you have.
That’s where many creators with just a few thousand followers succeed. They focus on building trust with their audience, which leads to more loyal support.
That trust opens up all sorts of revenue streams: affiliate links, sponsorship deals, and merchandise sales.
You can also use live-streaming subscriptions to offer exclusive perks or early access to your content. That way, fans feel like they get something extra for their loyalty- and are more likely to support the creators they feel close to.
Even the little things-like a shoutout or a personalized message during a live stream- can make a fan’s day.
When viewers send virtual gifts, that’s another steady way you can earn money just by showing up. Macro influencers may earn more on paper, but small creators often inspire more action.
People are more likely to act on something that feels real and authentic.
Success isn’t about how big you are. It’s about trust and consistency. Keep showing up and stay true to yourself and your audience, and you can grow and earn without chasing every trend.
Conclusion
We started out with that same question: how many TikTok followers do you need to make money? (And, honestly, we still get asked that a lot.)
When we first began posting, we had about 300 followers and no idea what we were doing. Just making videos and hoping for the best.
We hit 1,000 followers, went live for the first time, and got those first virtual gifts. That was the moment things started to really fall into place. Not an overnight success, but a real turning point.
What we learned from that moment is that success on TikTok isn’t about going viral or hitting huge numbers.
It’s about learning how to make money using the tools at your disposal- like the creator fund, affiliate links, and sponsorship deals. You can do that with a small but loyal following.
We tried different ways to monetize our content, posted regularly, stuck to the community guidelines, and focused on building trust with our audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does TikTok pay you for 1,000 followers?
TikTok doesn’t pay based on followers alone. You need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 views to join the Creator Fund, where earnings depend on video views and engagement.
2. How many followers do I need to get paid on TikTok?
You need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days to qualify for TikTok’s Creator Fund.
3. How much does TikTok pay per 1,000 views?
TikTok typically pays between $0.02 and $0.04 per 1,000 views, though the amount varies based on engagement and location.
4. How many TikTok views does it take to make $1?
It takes about 25,000 to 50,000 views to earn $1, based on the average payment rate of $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views.
