The Top 3 Ways To Make Money On TikTok

How To Make Bank With TikTok

I can tell you from experience that you can make a lot of money using TikTok.

But not with TikTok’s creator fund which only pays out $20-$40 per 1,000,000 views.

I’m talking about ways to make money on TikTok without having to get millions of views, and without needing tens of thousands of followers.

Because here’s the key…TikTok’s algorithm.

TikTok is the only platform that can take someone with 0 followers, make just 1 of their videos viral, and get them 1,000 followers overnight.

And once you master that, the money part becomes almost too easy.

In my opinion, these are the 3 best ways to make the most money on TikTok:

# 1 Live Streaming Debates

There’s a reason you see so many creators doing live debates on TikTok.

It’s because they’re all making money from hosting the debates.

Whether or not the person is actually passionate about the debate, or if they’re just trolling, they’re still making money from gifts.

Let’s break down an estimate for a live stream with over 1,000 viewers.

Here’s the deal…the average gift value ranges from $0.50 to $50, and not everyone in the room will send gifts. But let’s estimate with some realistic engagement rates.

If about 5% of your viewers decide to send gifts – that’s 50 people out of 1,000. Now, if each of these 50 people sends gifts averaging around $5, you’re looking at $250 per hour.

Now, let’s say you’re streaming for 5 hours.

Total Earnings: $250 per hour x 5 hours = $1,250.

Here’s how to do it (note: you’ll need at least 1,000 followers to start streaming)

Choose Engaging Topics

First off, picking the right topic for your live stream is crucial.

You want something that grabs attention and sparks conversation but doesn’t dive into overly controversial or offensive territory.

Think about fun, lighthearted debates that everyone can chime in on.

For example, you could ask, "Which is the best superhero?" or "Is pineapple on pizza acceptable?"

These topics are perfect because they’re engaging and encourage viewers to share their opinions without causing drama.

Plan Your Live Stream

Planning is everything.

Announce your live stream ahead of time in your regular TikTok posts.

Build some hype around it. Let your followers know when you'll be going live and what the topic will be.

The goal here is to create anticipation and ensure a good turnout when you hit that 'Go Live' button.

When you’re live, make it interactive. Encourage viewers to participate in the debate, ask questions, and share their thoughts.

The more engagement you have, the better your stream will perform.

And don’t just aimlessly talk – have a structure.

Start with your topic, introduce yourself, and gradually dive into the debate, constantly prompting your viewers to engage.

Video Game Streaming

Another killer way to leverage live streaming is through video game streaming.

Choose popular games that resonate with your audience. As you play, engage with your viewers by reacting to their comments, answering questions, and providing some good commentary.

This not only makes your stream more enjoyable but also builds a community around your content.

Also, while you’re live, don’t forget to promote your Patreon.

This platform allows your most dedicated fans to support you financially in exchange for exclusive content or perks.

Offer something valuable, like behind-the-scenes footage, personalized shout-outs, or special Q&A sessions.

Frequently mention your Patreon link and explain the benefits of joining. The more value you provide, the more likely your viewers will be to support you.

Set Up a Link in Bio

To maximize your earnings, setting up a link in your TikTok bio that directs followers to all your platforms and products is crucial.

Use services like Linktree or Beacons to create a single link that includes everything you want to promote. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Create an account on Linktree or Beacons.

2. Add all the relevant links you want to promote, like your Patreon page, affiliate product links, merchandise store, and other social media profiles.

3. Copy the generated URL and paste it into your TikTok bio.

#2 Affiliate Sales Using the Amazon Associates Program

The Amazon Associates Program is one of the easiest ways to start generating income, and I’m going to tell you exactly how to do it.

Basically, Amazon Associates let’s you promote other people’s products on TikTok and get paid a commission anytime someone buys it.

And unlock dropshipping, you don’t need to buy inventory, have the products in your house, or ship them. Amazon does it all.

First just head to the Amazon Associates website and follow the instructions to create your account.

Once you’re in, you can start promoting products and earning commissions on any sales made through your affiliate links.

Now, here’s where the magic happens.

The key to making money through affiliate sales on TikTok is creating high-engagement content that naturally incorporates the products you’re promoting.

Let’s break it down with some examples.

Dash cam footage is a niche that gets crazy views on TikTok.

People love watching surprising moments caught on camera while driving. To capitalize on this, start by sourcing interesting footage.

Find or create dash cam footage that captures attention like near-miss accidents, funny moments, or scenic drives.

Edit the footage into short, engaging clips and post them on TikTok.

Use trending music, relevant hashtags, and eye-catching captions to maximize reach.

Then, in your bio, include an affiliate link to the dash cam you’re showcasing in your videos.

Mention in your video descriptions and captions that viewers can find the link in your bio to purchase the same dash cam.

With each view and share, your chances of earning a commission increase.

Another hot niche on TikTok is Amazon product finds and cleaning hacks.

People are always on the lookout for clever gadgets and solutions to everyday problems.

Think of things like smart home devices, kitchen gadgets, or innovative cleaning tools.

Make short, eye-catching videos demonstrating how these products work. Show their benefits and how they make life easier.

For example, a video showing a viral cleaning hack using a specific product can get a ton of views.

Then, make sure to include an affiliate link to the product in your TikTok bio. In your video, tell viewers that they can find the product link in your bio if they want to purchase it.

To streamline everything, set up a link in your TikTok bio that directs followers to all your affiliate products and platforms.

Some people also make mini websites that function as an e-commerce store, but instead of the orders being fulfilled there, they get forwarded to Amazon to purchase.

#3 Sell Merch With Merch by Amazon

TikTok’s algorithm can make a video go viral pretty fast, and this is a prime opportunity to turn those views into cash by selling your own branded merchandise.

First, you need to sign up for Merch by Amazon. This platform allows you to upload your designs, and Amazon takes care of the printing, shipping, and customer service.

It’s a hassle-free way to start selling your own branded apparel and other items.

Once you’re accepted into the program, you can begin creating and uploading your designs.

And creating a design is easy. Just use a t-shirt design template in Canva for free to make a dope shirt design.

The next step is to create content that can go viral, leveraging TikTok’s algorithm.

One effective strategy is to find popular trends or memes and incorporate your merch into them.

For example, you can use CapCut templates to create greenscreen videos featuring popular memes.

Think about the meme of the guy pointing up and saying, "This is my favorite thing in the world," and have him pointing to a picture of your t-shirt.

Keep your videos funny and engaging. The goal is to make your merch the star of the show without making it feel like a hard sell.

The more entertaining your content, the more likely it is to be shared and go viral.

Stay on top of TikTok trends and memes. The platform moves quickly, and being able to ride the wave of a trending topic can get your merch in front of a massive audience.

The BMM Takeaway

You might be left thinking, “Brandon, all of these still require me to make content or engage with people”.

Well yeah, hate to break it to you but if you want to make serious cash, you gotta work for it.

But this is smart work.

It’s leveraging TikTok’s most engaging features and algorithm functionality to get as many viewers as possible with the least amount of work.

So even though you may need to get 1,000 followers to live stream, just do the work to get the followers.

With consistent and high quality posts, you can get to 1,000 followers in 30 days. No joke.

And for affiliate sales and merch sales, all it takes is ONE viral TikTok to get your first orders.

So while these methods may take a bit of effort at first, the payoff is insane.

My advice? Pick one and go full force with it for at least 3 months straight to see what happens.