It’s hard to imagine what viral moment will take the world by storm this year, but we can almost guarantee that it will trend first on TikTok. And the endless popularity of the app means there are many ways to make money.
Among them is the TikTok Creator Fund, which launched last year with a massive $200 million initial investment and a commitment to reach $1 billion over the next three years.
Yes, there is a huge chunk of TikTok money waiting to be claimed by probably the smartest, most engaging content creators. But what exactly is the TikTok Creative Fund and is it worth your time?
We’ve answered all your questions about this exciting (and potentially controversial) new program.
What is the TikTok Creative Fund?
@tik tok_uk The Creators Fund is open! We are very excited to celebrate creativity with a €254 million European fund. See link in bio for more info 🥳
♬ Originalton – TikTok Turkey
Right next to its name: TikTok Creator Fund is a monetary fund for creators. This is not an ad revenue sharing program like YouTube’s AdSense or a form of art donation. This is TikTok’s way of sharing revenue with the creators who killed it on the platform.
TikTok first launched its Creative Fund in the spring of 2021 with an initial investment of $200 million. In the company’s own words, the fund was launched “to encourage those who dream of creating inspiring careers using their voice and creativity.”
The TikTok Creative Fund was an instant success (though, as you’ll soon read, it’s not without controversy). The fund is so popular that the company will increase the fund to $1 billion over the next three years.
TikTok has been strictly secretive about its payment structure, but the general idea is that users who meet their requirements will be compensated for well-performing videos. How TikTok calculates its payouts is based on factors such as: views, video interaction and even region specific performance.
It goes without saying, but videos also need to abide by the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, so you’ll need to increase your views without breaking the rules.
How much does the TikTok Creative Fund pay?
@birdcomplex don’t ask about my eye I don’t know #creatorfund
♬ Months of the Year – Kiboomers
When TikTok users first learned of this enormous fund, they understandably had dollar signs in their eyes (no filter needed). But even with millions of games played, high-performing TikTok users shouldn’t wait for a life-changing payday just yet.
There are no strict rules about how much TikTok Creator Fund pays contributors. But many creators have signed up to describe their own experiences with the Creators Fund.
The general consensus is that TikTok pays between 2 and 4 cents for every 1,000 views. Some quick math shows you can expect $20 to $40 once you hit a million views.
At first glance, this may seem pretty bad. But remember: funding should inspire creators to keep creating. Master your TikTok game and you can regularly get millions of views.
Once you have accumulated at least $10 in the fund, you can withdraw your Creative Fund payment using Paypal or an online financial service such as Zelle.
Who can join the TikTok Creative Fund?
@tblizzy #greenscreen PLEASE UPGRADE, SHARE, COMMENT, LIKE & FOLLOW ME ‼️ Tikt0k really messes Canada up #YearOnTikTok #creatorfund #HelloWinter #boost #fyo
♬ Monkey Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod and Kevin the Monkey
TikTok Creator Fund is available to users in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Yes, Canadians and Australians are out of luck for now, but rumor has it the funding will start in their home countries later in 2022.
As long as you’re in the right place, there are a few other conditions to participate in the Creators Fund.
- You must have a Pro account (or it’s easy to switch)
- You must have at least 10,000 followers
- You must have received at least 100,000 views in the last 30 days.
You must also be 18 years of age or older and make sure you follow the TikTok Community Guidelines and terms of service. And to monetize your business, you must produce original content.
If you meet these requirements, you can enroll in the Creators Fund. But should you?
Is it worth joining the TikTok Creator Fund?
@itsjessicahawks I’ve always been transparent about schmoney so let’s talk about its creative fund #business owner #socialmedyapazarlama #creatorfund
♬ Wii – Mii Channel – Super Guitar Brothers
As with any new social media feature, there has been a lot of controversy (and downright drama) over the TikTok Creative Fund. From valid concerns to surprising benefits, let’s examine the pros and cons of the fund:
@jesssthemess @jcestre1979 reply, let’s talk money #money #finance #creatorfund #rentfree #BiggerIsBetter #tiktokcreatorfund
♬ original voice – Jess Marciante
pros
Money!
It goes without saying that getting paid for your work is always a good thing, so payouts from TikTok are an obvious pro. Even if the amounts are small, it’s a great motivator to keep loading money.
Unlimited money!
Another great thing about Creator Fund is that TikTok has not set a limit on how much money a user can earn. So, if you master the platform and get into the multi-million viewport, you could theoretically start making a decent amount of money.
Friendship!
The Creators Fund is also a great way to encourage the community and separate users who are committed to the platform. From TikTok’s perspective, it’s a great way to keep its high-performing users committed to the app rather than switching to YouTube or Instagram.
@not_not_mariah_ Want to know how much you will be paid for 1 million views in the #greenscreen Creators fund? WATCH! #student loans #creatorfund
♬ Buttercup – Jack Stauber
cons
Complo…
Some users have claimed that their views have been cut (by the algorithm?) since they signed up for the Creators Fund. TikTok refuted this theory, explaining that participation in the fund had no effect on the algorithm. Others think the view counts may appear lower as there are many more Fund buyers filling the feed.
Confusion, confusion…
While they are proficient in general analytics, TikTok is very secretive about how they calculate payments. The 2-4 cents rule, as with everything else in the Fund, is based on rumors from users. In fact, the user agreement states that reporting metrics and other proprietary information about the fund must be kept confidential.
Loyalty…
Aside from the rumors, the biggest potential downside to Creator Fund is the fact that you have to create a ton of content and perform incredibly well to monetize the app. For some, this may make TikTok feel more like a job than a fun hobby.
@erinmcgoff anti-watchdog-welcome to TikTok-creator-tok 🥳 #tiktokcreator #howto #makemoneyfromhome #tiktokteacher
♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco
So is the TikTok Creative Fund worth it? It really comes down to personal preference. As far as we know, you won’t be buying a TikTok hype house with the money you earn from the program, but it’s also a low-risk way to generate more passive income from your content.
Assuming you meet the requirements, it won’t hurt to try. Also, you can always quit if you don’t feel it.
Think of it like another tool in your impressive toolbox. Pair with other monetization options such as sponsored posts or product sales, brand deals, crowdfunding, and other strategies through the TikTok Creator Marketplace.
How to join the TikTok Creator Fund?
@sharontseung How to apply for TikTok creative fund! #tiktok #creatorfund #tiktokcreatorfund #contentcreator
♬ original voice – Sharon Tseung
Applying for the Creators Fund is a breeze if you meet all the requirements listed earlier in this article. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Make sure you have a Pro account.
If you have already signed up for TikTok with a Pro account, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you need to open the app and Me to go to your profile
From there, tap and click the three lines in the top right. Manage account. Hit under Account Control Switch to Professional Account. You can then select a Creator or Business account under the Pro category.
2. Go to Settings & Privacy.
click Creator tools and Select TikTok Creative Fund.
3. Read the fine print.
It’s probably a good idea to actually read the TikTok Creative Funds Agreement before agreeing to anything. You must also confirm that you are over the age of 18.
4. Submit and wait.
TikTok will notify you if they decide to approve your application. Don’t worry – you can reapply within 30 days if you are denied.
@edprnt RICH ‼️💰 #fyp #creatorfund
♬ lol – Milo
