9 Lessons From the Ultimate World Cruise Creators Who Have Taken Over TikTok

These TikTokers rose to social media success (and internet fame) in a matter of weeks. Here’s their advice for other creators (+ more CruiseTok learnings).

Whether you’ve just made your first $100 or crossed the $100,000 mark, monetization is an ever-evolving part of your journey as a creator, thanks to platforms constantly innovating new ways to pay – and TikTok is no exception.

The platform introduced the TikTok Creativity Program to address issues with the (now defunct) TikTok Creator Fund, designed to reward creators for their high-quality and original content.

In this article, we break down what you need to know about the TikTok Creativity Program.

What is the TikTok Creativity Program?

The TikTok Creativity Program is a monetization initiative launched in February 2023 to reward creators with high-quality, original content. It was introduced as a response to the limitations and criticisms of the TikTok Creator Fund.

The program is part of a broader effort by TikTok to enhance monetization opportunities, including other avenues such as LIVE Gifts and subscriptions, TikTok Series, and TikTok Pulse.

The TikTok Creativity Program addresses these issues by offering significantly higher earnings potential. Creators in the program are encouraged to produce longer-form content, with a requirement that videos be longer than one minute, signaling a shift towards supporting more substantial and engaging content​​.

How the TikTok Creativity Program works

Here’s how creators can check their eligibility, become part of this program, and understand the payment mechanisms.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the TikTok Creativity Program, you must –

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Have at least 10,000 followers
3. Have a minimum of 100,000 valid video views in the last 30 days
4. Have a personal account that’s in good standing – business accounts are not accepted
5. Abide by TikTok’s Community Guidelines
6. Be located in a region where the TikTok Creativity Program Beta is available – currently, the U.S., Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and the UK. TikTok plans to bring the program to more regions in the future.

If you tick all these boxes, you can apply for the Program. Here’s how.

How to join the TikTok Creativity Program

To join the TikTok Creativity Program, here’s a simple guide to get you started:

• First, ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria mentioned in the previous section
• Navigate to the TikTok Creativity Program section within the app. You’ll typically find this in your account settings or under the 'Monetization' options. Look for any updates or notifications related to the “Creativity Program Beta”
• Follow the walkthrough TikTok provides to guide you through the application process
• Fill out the application form with all the required information. This usually involves confirming your eligibility, agreeing to the program's terms, and possibly providing additional information about your content and audience.
• Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by TikTok. The review process time can vary, so be patient. You’ll receive a notification once your application has been approved or if further information is needed.

If you have previously enrolled in the Creator Fund and want to switch to the Creativity Program, here’s how:

• Open the TikTok app and tap Profile.
• Tap the Menu button (☰), then Settings.
• Tap Creator tools and then Creator Fund.
• Tap Switch at the bottom of the page.

How do creators get paid through the TikTok Creativity Program?

The TikTok Creativity Program represents a significant leap forward in how the platform compensates its creators, promising up to 20 times more earnings than the Creator Fund. 

Unlike fixed ad revenue sharing models like YouTube's, the program’s payouts are based on TikTok's proprietary metrics, including the platform’s revenue per 1,000 views over 5 minutes. The program has specific criteria for what constitutes a qualified view and eligible videos, emphasizing originality, viewer engagement, and adherence to TikTok’s community guidelines​​.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of how payments work under the TikTok Creativity Program:

• Increased payouts: The program offers a generous payout increase, with potential earnings ranging from $4.00 to $8.00 per 1,000 views. This is a substantial uplift from the Creator Fund's payments, which generally ranged between $0.20 to $0.40 per 1,000 views​​.
• Variable earnings: Creators under the program have reported earnings varying from $100 to $600 per million views, with some exceeding $1,000 per million views. This range highlights the program’s potential for higher earnings, although the exact payout can depend on several factors, including content engagement, viewer demographics, and the nature of the content itself​​.

This approach to creator compensation underscores TikTok’s efforts to enhance the platform's content quality and provide its creators with a more rewarding and sustainable income stream.

What’s the difference between the TikTok Creativity Program and the Creator Fund?

The TikTok Creativity Program and the Creator Fund represent two pivotal monetization strategies devised by TikTok to compensate its content creators, but that’s where the similarities end. Here's a detailed comparison:

• Geographical availability: The TikTok Creativity Program is available in more regions compared to the Creator Fund. Initially, the Creator Fund was limited to creators in countries like the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. In contrast, the TikTok Creativity Program has widened to include additional countries such as Brazil, Japan, and Korea from its inception, signaling TikTok's intention to support and monetize creators from a broader array of regions​​.
• Video length requirement: A distinctive criterion of the Creativity Program is its requirement for videos to exceed one minute in length. This underscores TikTok's strategic push towards longer-form content, possibly aiming to compete with YouTube. The Creator Fund did not impose a minimum video length, allowing for the monetization of shorter clips​​.
• Enhanced payouts: Perhaps the most significant difference lies in the payout structure. The TikTok Creativity Program has been introduced with the promise of substantially higher earnings for creators. While the Creator Fund's payouts were often criticized for being insufficient, with rates ranging from $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views, the Creativity Program aims to rectify this by offering enhanced compensation, potentially reaching up to $8.00 per 1,000 views for the most successful videos​​​​.
• Payout comparison: The payout disparity between the two programs is quite stark. Under the Creator Fund, creators reported earning modest amounts that didn’t reflect the value or time invested in the content. In contrast, the TikTok Creativity Program introduces a more lucrative framework, with creators sharing experiences earning between $100 to $600 per million views, and some even reporting higher rates. This significant increase in payout rates from the Creator Fund to the Creativity Program makes the latter a more appealing option for creators aiming to maximize their earnings on the platform​​.

As TikTok continues refining its monetization programs, the TikTok Creativity Program represents a pivotal step towards fostering a more sustainable and rewarding payment system for creators.

4 tips to make the most of the TikTok Creativity Program

Landscape is the video format of choice

TikTok is known for its vertical video format, optimized for mobile users who hold their devices upright – it literally popularized the format. Vertical video has dominated the platform since its inception, catering to the quick scroll-through nature of TikTok's content discovery.

However, in 2024, some creators started reporting a shift towards landscape videos a la YouTube. Some creators have confirmed that landscape content will get priority rankings in the TikTok algorithm.

Here’s how creators can navigate video formats on TikTok going forward:

1. Understand your content needs: Choose the video format that best suits your content. If your video involves wider scenes or includes multiple people, landscape might offer a better view. However, remember that most users browse TikTok on mobile devices in a vertical orientation.
2. Experiment and analyze content performance: Don't shy away from experimenting with different video formats to see what resonates with your audience. Use TikTok's analytics to measure the performance of landscape vs. vertical videos and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

3. Optimize for mobile viewing: Even if you choose to use landscape format, ensure your video is optimized for mobile viewing. This means clear visuals, readable text, and considerate use of the wider frame to ensure details are not lost on smaller screens.

4. Follow platform trends: Stay updated with TikTok's evolving content preferences and technical capabilities. If TikTok introduces features or trends that favor a particular video format, adapting to these changes can help maintain your content's relevance and visibility.

Regardless of the format, engagement is key. Ensure your content is compelling enough to retain viewer interest, whether landscape or vertical. Use captions, on-screen text, and engaging visuals to keep your audience hooked.

Videos should be a minute or more

Creating videos that are longer than a minute is not just a requirement for participating in the TikTok Creativity Program (TCP); it's an opportunity to deepen engagement with your audience.

Longer videos allow for more comprehensive storytelling, detailed tutorials, and richer viewer engagement. They provide the space to explore topics in-depth, offer valuable insights, and showcase creativity without the constraints of shorter clips.

Here are some tips for creating engaging videos over one minute:

1. Plan your content: Longer videos require thoughtful planning to maintain viewer interest. Outline your video to include a captivating introduction, informative or entertaining main content, and a strong conclusion that encourages viewers to engage further with your channel.
2. Maintain quality: With increased length, maintaining high video and audio quality becomes even more critical. Invest in good lighting and sound equipment to enhance the viewer experience, and pay attention to editing to keep the content dynamic.
3. Incorporate storytelling elements: Use narrative techniques to keep viewers hooked. Whether you're sharing personal stories, creating fictional narratives, or explaining complex concepts, presenting information in a story format can help retain attention.
4. Interactive elements: Encourage viewer interaction by asking questions, prompting comments, or including call-to-action prompts. Engagement boosts your video's visibility on TikTok and builds a community around your content.
5. Use visuals and transitions: Keep your videos visually interesting using relevant visuals, on-screen text, and smooth transitions. These elements can help emphasize key points and break up longer segments of dialogue or instruction.
6. Experiment with Series: Consider breaking down extensive topics into series. This approach can turn first-time viewers into repeat visitors, eagerly awaiting the next installment of your content.

Follow TikTok Community guidelines to the letter

Adhering strictly to TikTok’s Community Guidelines is not just a requirement for participation in the TikTok Creativity Program (TCP) – it's essential for fostering a positive and respectful community on the platform. There are many guidelines, but here are the most important ones to know:

• Safety: Content should not promote dangerous activities, self-harm, or violence. It’s crucial to consider the impact your content could have on the well-being of your audience.
• Intellectual Property: Respect copyright and trademark laws by only using content (music, visuals, etc.) you have the right to use or provide through TikTok’s library.
• Adult Content: TikTok is a platform for users of all ages, so keeping content appropriate for a broad audience is important.
• Hate Speech and Bullying: Content should not promote hate or discrimination nor target individuals or groups for bullying or harassment.
• Misinformation: Avoid spreading false information that could cause harm or mislead people about critical issues like health and safety.

Here are some strategies to help you stay compliant with the guidelines, 

• Regularly review the Guidelines: TikTok’s Community Guidelines can evolve, so it’s important to stay updated on any changes. Regularly reviewing the guidelines ensures your content remains in compliance.
• Educate yourself on ambiguities: If you’re unsure whether your content might violate the guidelines, seek additional information or clarification. TikTok often provides resources and updates about policy changes.
• Use TikTok’s tools: TikTok offers various tools and settings to help manage your content and interactions. Utilize these features to moderate comments, control who can view your content, and report violations.

Outside of these efforts, pay attention to your community and foster respectful interaction within your content and among your audience. This can help maintain a healthy environment that aligns with TikTok’s community standards.

Dive into your analytics to improve your content

Understanding the performance of your videos through TikTok's analytics can provide invaluable insights into what resonates with your audience, allowing you to tailor your content for better engagement and growth. Here's how to use your analytics effectively:

1. Understand your audience: Analytics provide detailed demographics about your viewers, including age groups, gender distribution, and top territories. This information can be crucial for crafting content that appeals directly to your core audience's preferences and behaviors.
2. Track video performance: Keep a close eye on which videos gain the most traction in terms of views, engagement, and watch time. High-performing videos can offer clues about topics, video styles, or presentation methods that work best for your audience. Use this data to replicate successful elements in future content.
3. Analyze engagement trends: Engagement metrics like comments and shares are strong indicators of how compelling your content is. High engagement suggests that viewers find your videos worth reacting to and sharing with others, a key factor in expanding your reach on the platform.
4. Optimize posting times: Analytics can also show when your audience is most active on TikTok. Posting your videos during these peak times can increase their visibility and engagement, giving your content a better chance of being seen by a larger audience.

TikTok offers a comprehensive analytics dashboard for creators, detailing various metrics such as view counts, engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), follower growth, and video watch time. Regularly reviewing these metrics can help identify trends and patterns in what your audience prefers to watch and interact with.

Explore multiple ways to make money on TikTok

The TikTok Creativity Program may not work for you for any number of reasons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make money on TikTok. If you need ideas for monetizing your TikTok, check out this article.

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