Unlocking Revenue on TikTok in 2025: The Most Profitable Strategies for Creators

TikTok has established itself as a robust monetization ecosystem, leaving behind its early phase as a simple viral video platform. The Brazilian platform is growing exponentially, and with it comes an increasingly real opportunity: turning followers into tangible income. This article describes the main ways to make money on TikTok, from basic mechanisms to sophisticated business models.

The pillars of monetization on TikTok

Immediate earnings for beginners

For those just starting out, there are quick ways to make money on TikTok without needing a large audience:

Bonus System and Daily Tasks: The platform rewards simple actions with internal rubies, convertible into real money. Every 10,000 rubies equal R$ 1. Activities include video views, daily returns, and participation in recommended trends. This model is especially attractive for users without established followers.

Referral Program: Inviting friends brings reciprocal rewards. The referred user receives R$ 10 just for signing up, while the referrer earns R$ 2 per successful invite. If the new user remains active (30 minutes daily), the referrer can accumulate up to R$ 190 in seven days. Promotional periods significantly multiply these values.

Virtual gifts: monetizing interaction

TikTok’s gift economy represents a continuous revenue stream. Followers send virtual coins (rubies and diamonds) during live streams or videos, which convert into money. To qualify:

• Live streams: minimum 16 years old and 1,000 followers
• Receiving gifts: 18 years old mandatory
• Gifts in videos: requires 100,000 followers

Loyal creator communities report consistent flows through this mechanic.

Scalable revenue strategies

Business partnerships and sponsorships

Brands seek creators with engaged audiences for paid campaigns. Minimum requirements include 10,000 followers, consistent posting, and notable engagement rates. Sponsored videos must include the hashtag #ad for compliance.

Salary range by influence level:

• Nano-influencers (up to 10k): R$ 100-500 per video
• Micro-influencers (10k-100k): R$ 500-2,500
• Mid-tier creators (100k-500k): R$ 2,500-10,000
• Macro-influencers (500k-1M): R$ 10,000-25,000
• Mega-influencers (1M+): above R$ 25,000 per post

The niche (finance, beauty, education, humor) and engagement rate determine precise values.

Creator Marketplace and creativity program

The Marketplace functions as the official intermediary between brands and creators, generating proposals based on profile and target audience. Simultaneously, the TikTok Creativity Program rewards videos with more than 1 minute based on originality, retention, quality, and qualified views.

Participation requirements:

• Age of majority (18+)
• Minimum 10,000 followers
• Original content and long videos
• 100,000 views in the last 30 days

Affiliate marketing and direct commerce

Affiliate marketing allows promoting third-party products and earning commissions per conversion. Creators with 10,000 followers can use this strategy alongside TikTok Shop or links in bio.

Selling their own products directly through the platform eliminates intermediaries. Creators demonstrate real use, build convincing narratives, and convert views into orders — a particularly powerful strategy during live commercial broadcasts.

Consulting and specialization

Professionals — coaches, designers, consultants, educators — use TikTok as a prospecting channel. Additionally, algorithm experts offer account management for brands and small businesses, creating another revenue stream alongside their own accounts.

“Dark” accounts and alternative niches

Faceless content — focused on mystery, education, curiosities, or news — represents a viable alternative. Creative edits, engaging narratives, and well-crafted audio generate monetization without personal exposure.

Growth acceleration: prerequisite for revenue

TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes originality, consistency, audience retention, and quick engagement in the first 2 hours. Essential practices include:

• Frequent posting (1-4 videos daily)
• Strategic use of trending sounds and audios
• Agile editing with strong narratives
• Niche and moment-specific hashtags
• Optimization of lighting, sound, and video opening
• Collaborations with peers in the same vertical
• Weekly live sessions to increase presence

Strategic times of day:

• Monday: 5 PM
• Tuesday: 10 AM-1 PM
• Wednesday: 4 PM-6 PM
• Thursday: 7 AM-9 AM
• Friday: 4 PM-6 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM-7 PM
• Sunday: 9 AM-12 PM

Analysis via TikTok Analytics provides clarity on retention, average watch time, follower growth, and traffic sources.

Real earning potential

Creators who combine multiple sources — affiliation, TikTok Shop, virtual gifts, Creator Rewards, commercial partnerships, and sponsored content — unlock greater profit potential. Unlike isolated daily tasks, these modalities generate predictable and scalable income.

TikTok Shop enables selling dozens or hundreds of units daily through effective demonstrations and commercial streams. Creator Rewards complements this income with bonuses for high-performing videos.

Ultimately, making money on TikTok requires alignment of creativity, consistency, understanding of the algorithm, and genuine community building. For beginners, authentic content published regularly is the most direct bridge to sustainable and growing revenue on the platform.