These include the TikTok Creators Fund, which launched last year, with an initial investment of up to $200 million and a commitment to reach $1 billion over the next three years.
Yes, there is probably a big bag of TikTok money just waiting to be picked up by the brightest and most engaging content creators. But what exactly is the TikTok Creators Fund, and is it worth your time?
We’ve answered all of your questions about this exciting (and potentially controversial) new initiative.
What is the TikTok Creators Fund?
Its name is there: the TikTok Creator Fund is a monetary fund for creators. It is not an advertising revenue sharing program like YouTube’s AdSense, nor is it a form of art funding. It’s just one way TikTok shares revenue with the creators who choke it on the platform.
TikTok first launched its creator fund in spring 2021 with an initial investment of $200 million. In the company’s own words, the fund was created to “encourage those who dream of using their voice and creativity to inspire inspiring causes.”
The TikTok Creators Fund was an instant success (though not without controversy, as you’ll read soon). In fact, the fund is so popular that the firm will grow it to $1 billion over the next three years.
TikTok has kept its payment structure secret, but the general idea is that users who meet its requirements will be compensated for videos that perform well. How TikTok calculates their spend is based on factors such as views , video engagement and even regional performance .
It goes without saying, but videos also need to comply with the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, so you must express your opinion without breaking the rules.
How much does the TikTok Creators Fund pay?
When TikTok users first learn about this massive fund, the dollar signs in their eyes are understandable (no need to filter). But even with millions of people playing, top-performing TikTok users shouldn’t expect a life-changing payday.
There are no hard and fast rules on how much the TikTok Creators Fund pays its contributors. But many creators have gone on the record explaining their own experiences with the Creators Fund.
The general consensus is that TikTok pays 2 to 4 cents per 1,000 views. Some quick math shows that after hitting 1 million views, you might expect $20 to $40.
At first glance, this might look bad. But remember: the fund should incentivize creators to keep creating. Master your TikTok game and you may get millions of views on a regular basis.
Once you’ve raised at least $10 from the fund, you can simply withdraw your Creator Fund payout using an online financial service like Paypal or Zelle.
Who can join the TikTok Creators Fund?
The TikTok Creator Fund is open to users in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Yes, Canadians and Australians are out of luck at the moment, but rumor has it that the fund will launch in their respective countries later in 2022.
There are a few additional requirements to join the Creators Fund, as long as you’re in the right place.
- You need a Pro account (if you don’t have one, it’s easy to switch)
- You need to have at least 10,000 followers
- You need to have at least 100,000 views in the past 30 days
You also need to be at least 18 years old and make sure to follow the TikTok Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. To make money from your work, you should produce original content.
If you meet these requirements, you can sign up for the Creators Fund. But should you?
Is it worth it to join the TikTok Creators Fund?
As with any new social media feature, there has been much debate (and downright drama) about the TikTok creator fund. From legitimate concerns to surprising benefits, let’s dive into the pros and cons of this fund:
advantage
money!
Needless to say, getting paid for your work is always a good thing, so spending from TikTok is clearly a plus. Even if the amount is small, money is a huge incentive to keep uploading.
Unlimited money!
Another advantage of the Creator Fund is that TikTok has no limits on how much money users can make. So if you do get the hang of the platform and break into the multi-million viewing area, you could theoretically start earning some decent cash.
friendship!
Creator Funds are also a great way to foster a community and differentiate users who show dedication to the platform.
shortcoming
conspiracy…
Some users claim that their views have been slashed (algorithmically?) since they signed up for the Creators Fund. TikTok has denied this theory, explaining that participation in the fund has nothing to do with algorithms. Others believe that views may look lower because more fund takers are pouring into the feed.
Puzzled…
While they do well in general analysis, TikTok is very secretive about how they calculate their spending. The 2-4 cents rule is based on user hearsay, like everything else in the fund. In fact, the User Agreement states that reporting metrics and other private information about the Fund are kept confidential.
promise…
Rumors aside, the Creator Fund’s biggest potential downside is the simple fact that you need to create a lot of content and make it perform well in order to make money from the app.
So is the TikTok Creators Fund worth it? It really comes down to personal choice. Knowing what we know, you won’t buy the TikTok hype house with the money you make from this program, but it’s also a low-risk way to generate more passive income from your content.
Assuming you meet the requirements, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try. Plus, if you don’t feel it, you can always quit.
Think of it as another tool in your influencer toolbox. Pair it with other monetization options, such as sponsored posts through the TikTok creator marketplace or merchandising, brand deals, crowdfunding, and other strategies.
How to join the TikTok Creators Fund
Applying for the Creators Fund is very easy if you meet all the requirements listed earlier in this article. Just follow these simple steps:
Make sure you have a Pro account.
If you already signed up for TikTok with a Pro account, you can skip this step. Otherwise, just open the app and tap me to go to your profile.
From there, tap the three lines in the upper right corner and click Manage Account. Under Account Control hit Switch to Professional Account. You can then choose a Creator or Business account under the Pro category.
Go to Settings and Privacy.
Click Creator Tools and select TikTok Creator Fund.
Read the fine print.
It might be a good idea to actually read the TikTok Creators Fund Agreement before you agree to anything. You also need to confirm that you are over 18 years old.
Submit and wait.
TikTok will notify you if they decide to approve your application. Don’t worry – if you are rejected, you can apply again within 30 days.
