How can I make money today on TikTok?

This article has been written by our TikTok expert who will tell you what are the most efficient strategies in your niche

What type of content performs best on TikTok right now?

Educational tutorials and product demonstrations dominate TikTok's algorithm in 2025, particularly when they solve specific problems within the first 15 seconds.

Dance and challenge videos remain algorithmic favorites, but the key differentiator is using trending audio that's less than 48 hours old. Comedy and meme content consistently achieve viral status when they reference current events or adapt popular formats to niche audiences.

Transformation videos showing before-and-after results generate exceptional engagement because they create natural story arcs that keep viewers watching until completion. Unboxing content and product demos perform particularly well when they include honest reactions and detailed explanations of features.

Niche vlogs focusing on specific lifestyles (minimalism, plant parenthood, budget travel) build dedicated communities that convert at higher rates than general lifestyle content. Authentic testimonials and behind-the-scenes content create trust and authority, especially when creators share personal struggles or failures alongside successes.

If you're struggling to identify what content works in your niche, we can help you figure it out.

What niche should you choose that aligns with personal interests but has strong audience potential?

Pet wellness and pet POV content represents one of the highest-converting niches, with audiences actively seeking product recommendations and willing to spend on premium pet care.

Sustainable living and eco-friendly product reviews attract audiences with above-average disposable income who prioritize quality over price. Renter-friendly DIY content fills a specific gap for the growing rental market, with high engagement on problem-solving content.

Personal finance content, particularly for Gen Z and millennials, generates significant affiliate commissions through financial tool recommendations and course sales. Fitness content focused on home workouts and minimal equipment appeals to budget-conscious audiences while maintaining high conversion potential.

Mental wellness and self-improvement content builds deeply engaged communities that value premium products and services. Gaming accessories and tech gadgets create opportunities for high-ticket affiliate commissions with tech-savvy audiences.

Men's self-improvement and lifestyle content is particularly underserved on TikTok, creating opportunities for creators to establish authority in grooming, fashion, and personal development niches.

What trends, sounds, or challenges are currently going viral and how can you use them effectively?

Trending audio changes rapidly, but current viral sounds include "My name is" meme format, "Pretty Little Baby" by Connie Francis, and Lorde's latest single releases.

The "Miss, You Forgot Something" transition trend works exceptionally well for fashion, makeup, and transformation content. "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) content continues to generate high engagement when combined with trending audio and quick-cut editing.

AI CapCut template effects are dominating the platform, particularly those that create split-screen comparisons or dramatic visual transformations. Dance trends adapt quickly, so joining within the first 24-48 hours of a trend's emergence maximizes reach potential.

The most effective approach involves adapting human trends to your niche—creating "pet edition" versions of popular challenges or "budget version" interpretations of luxury trends. This strategy leverages trend momentum while maintaining niche relevance.

Emergency Contact and "You can ask for flowers" trends provide frameworks for storytelling that can be adapted across multiple niches, from relationship advice to product recommendations.

How many videos should you post per day to maximize visibility without compromising quality?

TikTok's algorithm favors accounts that post 3-4 times daily, but quality consistency matters more than volume for long-term growth.

Viral creators often post 5 times daily during their growth phase, then maintain 2-3 daily posts once they establish audience loyalty. The optimal strategy involves posting your highest-quality content during peak hours (6-10 PM in your target audience's timezone) and using additional posts to test trending sounds or formats.

Batch content creation allows for consistent posting without daily pressure—successful creators often film 10-15 videos in a single session, then schedule them throughout the week. This approach maintains quality while maximizing algorithmic exposure.

Monitor your analytics to identify your personal optimal frequency—some niches respond better to daily posting, while others prefer 2-3 high-quality posts weekly. The key is maintaining consistency rather than sporadic high-volume posting.

If you're unsure why your audience isn't growing, let's take a look together.

What hooks or formats get the most watch time in the first 3 seconds?

Direct address hooks like "If you [specific behavior], stop scrolling!" create immediate relevance for target audiences and generate 40% higher completion rates than generic openings.

Hook Type	Example Formats	Effectiveness Rate
Direct Address	"If you're struggling with [problem], this will change everything"	65-75% retention
Curiosity/Shock	"You won't believe what happens when...", "This secret trick..."	60-70% retention
Bold Questions	"Did you know this could save you $500?", "What happens if you..."	55-65% retention
Visual Surprise	Immediate transformation, unexpected reveal, fast motion start	70-80% retention
Countdown/List	"3 things that will...", "Here's what nobody tells you about..."	50-60% retention
Result Preview	"This is what happened after 30 days", "The final result will shock you"	65-75% retention
Mistake/Failure	"I wish I knew this before...", "Biggest mistake everyone makes"	60-70% retention

How can videos be optimized to keep viewers watching until the end?

Jump cuts every 2-3 seconds maintain visual interest and prevent viewer drop-off, with successful creators using 15-20 cuts in a 30-second video.

Building anticipation through verbal teases ("Wait until you see what happens next") combined with visual previews of the payoff keeps viewers engaged throughout the entire video. Loop-style endings that connect back to the beginning encourage multiple views and boost watch time metrics.

Caption overlays highlighting key points help viewers follow along, especially for educational content where missing information reduces value. Fast-paced editing with varying shot angles prevents visual monotony that causes viewers to scroll away.

Strategic reveal timing involves showing just enough information to maintain curiosity while delivering value throughout the video. The most successful creators place their biggest reveal or most valuable tip in the final 5 seconds, explicitly stating "wait for it" or "here's the secret."

Don't know which format works best for your audience? We can help you test and optimize.

What specific call-to-actions increase engagement and conversion in TikTok videos?

Engagement CTAs that create community discussion generate 3x more comments than generic "drop a comment" requests, with specific prompts like "Tell me your biggest struggle with this" driving meaningful interaction.

"Tag someone who needs to see this" performs exceptionally well because it leverages personal relationships and creates organic reach through shares. "Save this for later" combined with step-by-step content increases saves by 200% compared to videos without explicit save requests.

Conversion-focused CTAs work best when they create urgency or exclusivity—"Link in bio for the discount code I mentioned" converts 5x better than generic bio links. "Follow for part two" creates cliffhanger anticipation that drives immediate follows and return views.

"Swipe for a surprise" or "Comment 'READY' for the link" creates interactive engagement that signals high value to the algorithm. Timing CTAs for the final 3-5 seconds maximizes impact when viewer attention is highest.

Multiple CTAs within a single video (verbal, text overlay, and pinned comment) increase overall conversion rates, but each should serve a different purpose to avoid confusion.

What monetization options are available immediately?

TikTok Shop Affiliate program offers immediate earning potential with no follower requirements, allowing creators to earn 5-20% commission on product sales from day one.

Affiliate marketing through Amazon Associates, LTK, and brand-specific programs provides multiple revenue streams that can be activated within 24 hours of account approval. Digital product sales through platforms like Gumroad or Etsy allow creators to monetize expertise immediately without inventory requirements.

Service-based offerings like consulting, coaching, or design work can be promoted through TikTok with bookings managed through Calendly or similar platforms. The Creator Rewards Program requires 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days but pays for original videos over 1 minute.

TikTok Live gifting becomes available at 1,000 followers and provides direct audience monetization through virtual gifts that convert to real money. Brand collaboration opportunities exist even for micro-influencers (1,000-10,000 followers) through platforms like AspireIQ and Upfluence.

Crowdfunding through Patreon or Ko-fi can be promoted through bio links, allowing audience members to support creators directly through monthly subscriptions or one-time tips.

How should a Linktree or bio link be structured to drive traffic to monetized offers?

Prioritize your highest-converting offers at the top of your link tree, as 70% of clicks occur on the first three links displayed.

Use benefit-driven labels instead of generic descriptions—"Get my free productivity guide" converts 300% better than "Free download." Social proof elements like "As seen on TikTok" or "Join 5,000+ happy customers" increase click-through rates by 150%.

Limit your link tree to 3-5 primary options to prevent decision paralysis, with each link serving a specific stage of your conversion funnel. Include one free value-add option (lead magnet) to capture email addresses for future marketing.

Color coordination and branded design elements create professional credibility that increases conversion trust. Analytics tracking through platforms like Linktree or Bio Sites provides essential data for optimizing link performance and identifying top-converting offers.

Regular testing of link order, descriptions, and landing pages allows for continuous optimization based on actual performance data rather than assumptions.

What partnerships, brand deals, or affiliate programs are easiest to join for beginners?

TikTok Shop Affiliate program accepts creators with as few as 5,000 followers and provides access to thousands of products with competitive commission rates ranging from 5-25%.

Amazon Associates remains the most accessible affiliate program for beginners, requiring no minimum follower count and offering commission on millions of products. LTK (formerly RewardStyle) accepts creators with 1,000+ engaged followers and provides higher commission rates for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content.

Brand ambassador programs from direct-to-consumer companies often have lower barriers than traditional influencer marketing, with many accepting applications from creators with 1,000-10,000 followers. These programs typically offer free products plus commission on sales generated.

Creator marketplaces like AspireIQ, Upfluence, and TikTok's Creator Marketplace connect brands with creators based on niche relevance rather than just follower count. Niche-specific affiliate programs in health, wellness, pet care, and technology often provide higher conversion rates than broad marketplace programs.

Local business partnerships can be established through direct outreach and often result in mutually beneficial relationships with lower competition than national brand deals.

How can content be repurposed across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Pinterest to increase reach and earnings?

Format all content in 9:16 aspect ratio to ensure optimal display across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts without cropping or quality loss.

Remove TikTok watermarks before cross-posting to avoid algorithm penalties on other platforms, using apps like SnapTik or by recording screen captures during editing. Adjust captions and hashtags for each platform's specific audience preferences and discovery mechanisms.

Cross-promote content series by posting Part 1 on TikTok, Part 2 on Instagram Reels, and Part 3 on YouTube Shorts to drive traffic between platforms and increase overall reach. Pinterest Idea Pins allow for video content that drives evergreen traffic and can be optimized for long-term discovery.

Platform-specific optimization includes using Instagram's trending hashtags, YouTube's keyword-optimized descriptions, and Pinterest's SEO-friendly pin titles. Each platform's algorithm rewards native content, so avoid simply copying identical posts across all channels.

If your social media presence feels stuck, we can give you the push you need.

What analytics should be tracked daily to double down on what works and improve results fast?

Watch time and completion rate serve as the most critical metrics for TikTok's algorithm, with videos achieving 70%+ completion rates receiving significantly more algorithmic distribution.

Metric Category	Specific Measurements	Target Benchmarks	Tracking Frequency
Audience Retention	Completion rate, average watch time, retention graph analysis	70%+ completion, identify drop-off points	Per video
Engagement Quality	Likes, comments, shares, saves per view, engagement rate	8%+ engagement rate, high save-to-view ratio	Daily
Growth Indicators	Follower growth rate, profile visits, link clicks	Consistent growth, increasing profile traffic	Weekly trends
Content Performance	Top-performing formats, trending sounds usage, optimal posting times	Identify patterns in viral content	Weekly analysis
Conversion Metrics	Bio link CTR, affiliate click-through, sales conversion	2%+ bio CTR, track revenue per video	Daily
Algorithm Signals	For You Page placement, hashtag reach, trending participation	Increasing FYP exposure, hashtag ranking	Per post
Cross-Platform	Multi-platform growth, traffic between platforms	Balanced growth across channels	Weekly

Conclusion

Sources

1. RecurPost - TikTok Content Types
2. SocialBu - TikTok Content Ideas
3. EcoMobi - Best TikTok Niches 2025
4. Epidemic Sound - Latest TikTok Trends
5. SociallyIn - TikTok Posting Frequency
6. SendShort - TikTok Hooks Guide
7. TikTok Creator Academy - Monetization
8. Shopify - Make Money on TikTok
9. Brandwatch - TikTok Analytics
10. Sprout Social - TikTok Metrics

Who is the author of this content?

NAPOLIFY

A team specialized in data-driven growth strategies for social media

We offer data-driven, battle-tested approach to growing online profiles, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Unlike traditional agencies or consultants who often recycle generic advice, we go on the field and we keep analyzing real-world social content—breaking down hundreds of viral posts to identify what formats, hooks, and strategies actually drive engagement, conversions, and growth. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our website.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At Napolify, we analyze social media trends and viral content every day. Our team doesn't just observe from a distance—we're actively studying platform-specific patterns, breaking down viral posts, and maintaining a constantly updated database of trends, tactics, and strategies. This hands-on approach allows us to understand what actually drives engagement and growth.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through analyzing hundreds of viral posts and real-world performance data. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources and case studies from major brands.

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or performance metrics were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.