Short answer: with TikTok you mainly earn through LIVE Gifts from viewers, through brand partnerships and through your own products or services that you offer via your profile. In some countries, TikTok also has programmes that reward you for videos. Getting rich quickly is rare, but if you make content regularly and honestly, you can build a serious side income.

1. LIVE Gifts

During a LIVE, viewers can send you virtual Gifts, which they buy with TikTok Coins. For the Gifts you receive, TikTok awards you Diamonds, which you can have paid out. For many creators this is the most important source of income, because you don't need millions of views first: a small, loyal group of viewers can be enough.

TikTok's requirements: 18 or over, allowed to go LIVE (usually from 1,000 followers) and living in a country where Gifts are available. Read exactly how it works in how much you earn with TikTok LIVE.

2. LIVE Subscriptions

With a LIVE Subscription, loyal fans pay monthly to support you, and they get something in return, such as their own badge or emotes. TikTok decides who gets this feature. You'll find the options in the app if you are eligible.

3. Brand partnerships

Brands pay creators to show their product, in a video or during a LIVE. That can be a one-off product moment or a whole campaign. What counts for brands is not just your follower count, but above all whether your audience fits their product and whether it is engaged.

Mind the rules: always state clearly that it is a paid partnership. TikTok has a setting for this, and in the Netherlands the rules of the Dutch advertising code for social media and influencers (Reclamecode) apply.

4. Your own products and services

If you sell something, such as lessons, music, clothing or a service, TikTok is a way to find customers. You can put a link in your bio if your account is eligible. In countries where TikTok Shop is active, you can also sell through the Shop or promote other people's products.

5. Reward programmes for videos

In some countries, TikTok has a programme that pays creators for longer, original videos with lots of views. You can see which programmes are available in the Netherlands and which requirements apply in the app under TikTok Studio or in your settings. These terms change regularly, so check there and not on old websites.

What does not work (and can cost you your account)

  • Buying followers, viewers or likes. Against the rules and often the end of your account or your access to LIVE.
  • Buying Coins through anyone other than the TikTok app or website. This is not allowed and often a scam.
  • Begging for Gifts or promising people money in exchange for Gifts.
  • Agencies that promise you a fixed amount or money back. Promises like these are not allowed.

Also read the rules of TikTok LIVE.

How do you start?

  1. Choose a topic you love talking about often or that you are good at.
  2. Build an audience with short videos, at fixed times.
  3. Go LIVE as soon as you can (see when you can go LIVE on TikTok) and do it at fixed times.
  4. Talk to your viewers. People support creators they know.
  5. Stick to the rules, so your earnings aren't withheld.

If you earn with TikTok in the Netherlands, you pay tax on it. Read making money with TikTok in the Netherlands.

Support

At Grow Connect, we help LIVE creators with their setup, planning, events and battles, and we match them with brands that suit them. Joining is free and what you earn stays yours. Sign up.