“5 Fast Ways to Make Money on TikTok (That Actually Work)”
TikTok isn’t just for dance trends anymore—it’s a full-on income stream if you know where to look. Whether you’re starting fresh or scaling up, here are five proven ways to turn your scroll time into money in 2025.
1. The Creator Fund (Now Called the Creativity Program Beta)
TikTok pays creators directly based on video performance—but only if you meet their criteria (10k followers, 100k video views in 30 days, and original content).
Why it works: It’s the simplest way to start earning without selling anything.
Pro tip: Long-form videos (over 1 minute) tend to get better payouts in the new program.
2. Affiliate Marketing (No Product, No Problem)
Affiliate marketing is like getting paid to recommend products. No packing boxes, no shipping labels, no late-night customer service emails. Just your TikTok account, consistency, and the right affiliate programs.
What you need:
A business or creator account (so you can add links in your bio).
An affiliate program (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, TikTok Affiliate Marketplace).
A link hub (Linktree, Koji, or even better—your own website).
Pro tip: Stay niche. A skincare creator promoting skincare products feels natural; a random account pushing blenders feels awkward.
👉 Want more inspiration? Check out my post on 5 Low-Cost Online Business Ideas for Beginners.
🌟 Quick Pro Tip
TikTok users love authenticity. Don’t be the person awkwardly holding up a random bottle of vitamins. Show the product in your life, in action. It should feel like a friend’s recommendation, not a commercial.
Get your TikTok Shop Coupon
3. TikTok Shop: Social + Shopping in One
TikTok Shop lets you tag products directly in your videos, turning your content into a mini storefront. Less friction = more sales.
Requirements to join: 18+, creator/business/seller account, and ID verification.
What you need: A product catalog (your own or from TikTok’s Affiliate Marketplace) and videos that sell without “selling.”
Why it works: TikTok wants this feature to succeed—meaning Shop content gets boosted in the algorithm.
Click to Get Your TikTok Shop Coupon
🌟 Pro Tips to Sell Successfully
Show, don’t tell: Demonstrations crush static promotions. If it’s a kitchen tool, use it. If it’s skincare, apply it.
Hook in 3 seconds: The first few seconds decide if people stay. Start with the problem, then show the product as the solution.
Use trending sounds & hashtags: This boosts discoverability and puts your product videos in front of non-followers.
Pair with TikTok Ads (optional): If you want faster traction, you can boost your Shop videos directly from the app.
Keep it authentic: The best-performing Shop content feels like a personal recommendation, not a commercial.
Click to get Your TikTok Shop Coupon
4. Sponsored Posts & Brand Deals
Brands will pay you to show their product. Sometimes it’s free products, sometimes it’s one-off deals, and sometimes it’s long-term partnerships.
Why it works: Even micro-influencers with just 5k–50k followers can land deals, because brands value engagement over huge follower counts.
Related read: AI Agents: Your Boldest New Teammate for Life, Work & Reinvention.
5. Sell Your Own Digital Products
The smartest creators don’t just rely on affiliate links—they build their own assets. Ebooks, templates, mini-courses, memberships—these are products you own.
Why it works: One viral video + one digital product = passive income. And once your library grows, you’re building a business that lasts beyond TikTok’s algorithm.
✅ Requirements to Sell Digital Products
Something to sell: Ebooks, printables, templates, Notion boards, mini-courses, guides, memberships—you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
A place to sell it: Etsy, Gumroad, Payhip, or better yet—your own website (hello, Midlife Accent shop 👑).
A way to deliver: Your platform handles this for you, but you’ll need a polished product file ready to upload (PDF, template, video).
Link in bio: TikTok gives you one clickable link. That’s your money highway—use a hub like Linktree, Stan Store, or your own site.
What You Need
A clear niche product – Example: If your TikTok is about productivity, sell planners. If it’s about health, sell recipe ebooks.
A payment processor – Stripe, PayPal, or whatever your selling platform integrates with.
A “hook” in content – Show the problem, hint at the solution, then drop your product as the full answer.
🌟 Pro Tips for Selling Digital Products on TikTok
Make it visual: Show your product in action (e.g., scrolling through a template, flipping through an e-book PDF).
Use social proof: Share screenshots of happy buyers or your own success with the product.
Bundle for higher value: A $10 ebook is great, but a $44 bundle feels irresistible.
Create urgency: Limited-time discounts or bonus pages drive quick decisions.
Why Selling Digital Products Wins
Affiliate links and brand deals are nice—but you’re building someone else’s empire. Digital products? That’s your legacy. They give you ownership, scalability, and passive income that doesn’t depend on TikTok’s algorithm or a brand’s approval.
One viral video + one good digital product = game-changer. And once you’ve built your library of products, you’ve created a business that can live and grow anywhere—not just TikTok.
Final Thoughts
TikTok is the party—but digital products, affiliate income, and sponsored deals are the after-party that pays the bills. Start with one strategy and stack over time.
🌸 Want tools, templates, and strategies to grow your digital business? Join the Accent Freebie Lounge and grab your free resources today. Sign up here.
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