TikTok Monetization Options in 2025

What are the ways you can actually make money on TikTok this year?

1. The Creativity Program — this is basically the new version of the old Creator Fund. To get in, you’ll need 10,000 followers and 100,000 authentic views in the last 30 days. The payouts are better than before, especially for longer videos that keep people watching.
2. There’s Live Gifts. Once you hit 1,000 followers, you unlock the ability to go live. And if your audience enjoys your streams, they can send you virtual gifts that translate into real money.
3. Brand deals. These usually come in when you’ve got 20,000 followers or more, but honestly, even smaller creators can land partnerships if their engagement is strong.
4. Affiliate marketing. TikTok now makes it super easy to add product links and earn commissions. If you’re in niches like beauty, fitness, or tech, this can be a great way to make money without waiting on programs.

Follower Thresholds Explained

let’s break down those thresholds step by step.

At 1,000 followers, you unlock Live — and that means you can start earning with gifts right away. A lot of small creators make their first $50 or $100 this way.

At 10,000 followers, plus 100,000 views in 30 days, you can apply to the Creativity Program. That’s where consistent payouts start coming in.

Once you pass 20,000 followers, brand deals start showing up. And if your engagement rate is strong — like 8 to 10 percent — you’ll be surprised how many companies are interested.

And of course, once you hit 100,000 or more, you’re in the big leagues. At that stage, creators are not just making money through TikTok’s programs, but also through sponsorships, affiliate products, and even launching their own businesses.

So remember — it’s not about chasing millions. Each milestone unlocks new doors.

The Role of Followers, Views & Engagement

Here’s the part a lot of people get wrong: it’s not just about the numbers. TikTok’s algorithm is all about engagement.

Followers give you credibility and unlock features, but views are what drive discovery. Likes show quality. Comments create social proof. And shares? Shares are what make you go viral.

Think of it this way: if you buy followers but your videos don’t get views, TikTok knows something’s off. If you get views but no likes, that’s another red flag. The healthiest growth pattern is when all these signals rise together.

So when you’re planning to monetize, focus on balance — steady follower growth, consistent views, and strong engagement ratios.

Safe Ways to Reach Monetization Thresholds Faster

The safest shortcut? Boosting the right signals, the right way.

Buying TikTok followers can help you unlock eligibility — but only if they’re real-looking, delivered gradually, and don’t require your password.

Buying TikTok views helps you break out of what people call ‘view jail’ — that frustrating point where your videos get stuck at 200 or 300 views. Views push your content into the For You feed.

And if you’re going live, boosting Live views and likes creates that busy room vibe. Real viewers are way more likely to engage when they see activity.

The key is moderation. Don’t jump from 500 followers to 50,000 overnight. Grow steadily. Layer safe boosts on top of organic content, and TikTok will reward you instead of flagging you.

Common Mistakes That Kill Monetization

Let’s talk about the mistakes you absolutely need to avoid.

1. buying bots. Cheap bulk followers with no profile pictures? TikTok catches that instantly, and it kills your engagement rate.
2.  ignoring content quality. Boosts can help you cross thresholds, but they can’t fix boring videos. Work on your hooks, use trending sounds, and tell stories.
3. chasing only views. If your videos get 50,000 views but only 100 likes, TikTok knows something’s wrong.
4. growing too fast. A sudden jump looks suspicious. Smooth delivery is safer.

And finally, number five — ignoring engagement after you unlock monetization. Hitting 1,000 or 10,000 followers is just the start. If you stop posting or interacting, your income will stall out.

Real Monetization Examples

Case 1

a beauty creator with just 1,200 followers. She went live three times a week doing skincare tutorials, and within two weeks, she made her first $50 in Diamonds.

Case 2 

a lifestyle creator who hit 12,000 followers. By posting longer, storytelling videos and combining that with safe follower boosts, he joined the Creativity Program and now earns around $400 a month.

Case 3 

a fitness creator with 21,000 followers. She built a media kit, pitched to supplement brands, and landed two deals worth $1,000 a month.

Finally case

a comedy creator with 150,000 followers. By balancing safe boosts and trending content, he now makes thousands per month through sponsorships, affiliate links, and Creator Program payouts.

The lesson here? You don’t need millions. Monetization can start small, and it scales with consistency.

So, to wrap things up: monetizing TikTok in 2025 is about hitting thresholds, keeping your engagement strong, and avoiding the shortcuts that get accounts flagged.

Start with 1,000 followers to unlock Lives, aim for 10,000 to join the Creativity Program, and build from there with brand deals and affiliate marketing.

And if you want to speed things up safely, check out services like follower boosts, view packages, and Live engagement. They’re designed to help you cross those milestones faster — without hurting your account.

That’s it for today’s episode. If you found this helpful, make sure to subscribe to the podcast, check out the full blog guide on SMMNut.com, and as always — keep creating, keep growing, and keep earning.