You're posting videos. You're getting views. But how does that translate into dollars? The landscape of TikTok monetization has exploded in the last year. It is no longer just about "brand deals" or a tiny Creator Fund check. Here is how to actually get paid in 2026.

1. The Creativity Program (RPM is Real)

The "Creator Fund" is dead; long live the Creativity Program. This program pays for videos longer than 1 minute. The key metric here is RPM (Revenue Per Mille - or per 1,000 views).

Some niches (like finance, tech, and business) have RPMs as high as $1.00 - $2.00. That means a video with 100k views could pay you $200. Contrast this with dance or comedy content, which might have an RPM of $0.05.

2. TikTok Shop Affiliate

This is the biggest opportunity right now. You don't need your own product. You can finish a video reviewing a product, tag it from the TikTok Shop marketplace, and earn a commission (usually 10-20%) on every sale.

Strategy: Don't make "ads." Make "problem/solution" videos. "My back hurt until I found this chair." Then link the chair.

3. Digital Products

Creators are making fortunes selling $20 ebooks, templates, or courses. Why? Because you keep 100% of the profit.

• Fitness creator? Sell a workout plan.
• Excel wizard? Sell a spreadsheet template.
• Designer? Sell Lightroom presets.

Use a "Link in Bio" tool to direct traffic from your profile to your store.

4. UGC (User Generated Content)

You don't even need to post on your own account. Brands will pay you to create videos for their ads. This is called UGC. If you can make high-quality, convincing videos, you can charge $150-$500 per video, even with zero followers.

Conclusion

Monetization requires a shift in mindset. You are not just a "creator"; you are a media company. Diversify your income streams. Don't rely on just one. Start with the Creativity Program, then layer on Affiliate links, and work your way up to your own products.