Boost Your Earnings on TikTok: Proven Methods for Selling Products, Affiliate Marketing, and More
TikTok has become a global platform, not only for entertainment but also for making money. The app’s algorithm provides unique opportunities to earn, whether through creative videos or promoting products. As more creators dive into TikTok’s money-making potential, side hustles have taken off in the digital space. However, not every hustle delivers the promised rewards.
So, which TikTok side hustles truly bring in the cash? Let’s take a deeper look at the top strategies that actually work. TikTok offers a variety of ways to make money, but some are more effective than others. Let’s explore six side hustles that stand out in 2025.
1. Selling Merchandise
Selling merchandise is one of the best ways to monetize TikTok content. Creators can design custom items like t-shirts, hoodies, or phone cases and promote them through engaging videos.
This hustle works well because it creates a direct connection between creators and their audiences. TikTok’s visual format allows for showcasing products in a fun, engaging way. Platforms like Printify and Shopify make it easy to set up an online store, and creators can link their merchandise directly on their TikTok profiles.
Merchandise sales allow for a steady revenue stream, particularly if a strong brand community exists. Followers enjoy supporting creators by buying products they love. The key is consistent engagement and maintaining a personal connection with the audience.
2. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another proven method for earning money on TikTok. Creators promote products from other brands using affiliate links in their videos. Each time someone makes a purchase through the link, the creator earns a commission.
This hustle allows creators to profit without needing to produce their own products. Affiliate marketing works because it taps into the creator’s influence, using their audience to drive sales.
Platforms like the TikTok Creator Marketplace help creators find affiliate opportunities. Brands and influencers can collaborate, and creators can earn from products they genuinely support. The low startup costs make affiliate marketing an attractive side hustle for many TikTok users.
3. Creating a Subscription Community
Building a subscription community on TikTok offers a sustainable way to earn. By providing exclusive content, early access to videos, or other perks, creators can charge a monthly subscription fee.
This approach helps build a loyal fan base who feel valued for supporting the creator. The steady income from subscriptions allows creators to focus on delivering high-quality content without relying solely on brand deals or ad revenue.
Platforms like Patreon, TikTok Series, or even personal websites are great tools for setting up a subscription model. Creators can use this model to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content or personalized messages, ensuring a consistent and meaningful connection with their followers.
4. Leveraging TikTok’s Creator Fund
TikTok’s Creator Fund offers creators the chance to earn money based on video performance. To qualify, creators need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views within the last 30 days.
The Creator Fund pays creators a small amount per 1,000 views, ranging from 2¢ to 15¢. While it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, consistent content creation and audience engagement can lead to steady payouts over time.
The Creator Fund is a straightforward way to make money from videos, rewarding creators for their hard work and engagement. It’s especially beneficial for those who consistently produce viral or high-performing content.
5. Selling Products through TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop enables creators to sell their products on the platform itself, thereby minimizing the buy-side effort for their fans. This setting is perfect for creators who design and fabricate their products themselves or want to directly connect the audience to said products. From merch to digital downloads, TikTok Shop aims to create a hassle-free experience for the creators and followers alike.
Deploying the seller account on TikTok Shop renders a marketplace for creators to display products while talking to their audience. It is one of the ne plus ultra ways for people to garner money within the app, hence the popular choice.
6. Giving Virtual Gifts to Performers in Live Streaming
TikTok Live has turned out the ultimate drawing cards for creators wanting to engage further with an audience in real time. Attendees send virtual gifts during the live streams, which after can be converted into cash.
This opens up another type of engagement, as viewers love being able to reward their favorite creators with gifts. The interactive and vibrant nature of live streams places the creators in a more intimate environment with their followers, which in turn boosts gifting.
For optimum gains from this particular side hustle, the creators must constantly conduct engaging live sessions by encouraging interactions. Viewers will most likely want to send gifts when the stream is fun and real.
Which Are the Best Side Hustles to Make Sustainable Income?
The most dependable TikTok side hustles are those that channel artistic skills and foster interaction with the audience. These are selling, promoting by affiliate links, and starting a subscription community: a great way to generate consistent income. These methods are designed to allow will-be creators to form long-term relationships with their followers, which are necessary for sustained success.
On the other hand, hustles like dumpster diving or selling life insurance through multi-level marketing (MLM) can be risky and inconsistent. These methods may promise quick gains, but they often require more luck than strategy. Approaching these with caution is advised, as their success is highly unpredictable.
Conclusion
TikTok provides a wealth of opportunities for side hustles, but success depends on choosing the right approach. Focus on building a strong brand, creating engaging content, and utilizing TikTok’s built-in tools like the Creator Fund and TikTok Shop. With persistence, creativity, and the right hustle, making money on TikTok is not just a possibility—it can be a sustainable and profitable venture.
