How to Join the Creator Fund

Getting paid for your creative work is the goal for most social media creators, and creator funds are one of the most direct paths to making that a reality. These programs are designed to reward you for the engaging content you already produce. This guide breaks down exactly what creator funds are, the specific requirements you need to meet, and the actionable steps to get accepted and start earning.

What Exactly is a Creator Fund?

A creator fund is a pool of money that a social media platform sets aside to pay creators directly for their content. Think of it as a stipend from the platform itself. Instead of relying solely on brand deals or affiliate marketing, this is money that comes straight from the source. The idea is simple: platforms like TikTok want to keep users on their app for as long as possible, and the best way to do that is with a steady stream of high-quality, original content. By paying creators, they incentivize you to keep producing the viral videos that keep their communities thriving.

The most famous example is TikTok's Creator Fund, which has since evolved into their Creativity Program Beta. While programs on other platforms like Instagram and Facebook have come and gone, the core principle remains the same. They are merit-based programs designed to reward creators who can consistently capture an audience's attention. To get in, you have to prove you can play the game, and that means hitting specific milestones with your content.

TikTok's Creator Fund and the Creativity Program: The Eligibility Checklist

TikTok is currently phasing out its original Creator Fund in favor of the new Creativity Program Beta. The new program is designed to reward higher-quality, longer-form content and offers significantly higher earning potential. The fundamental requirements have been updated to reflect this shift. Let's walk through the exact checklist you need to complete.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Account Requirements

Before you even think about followers or views, your account needs to tick a few foundational boxes. These are non-negotiable and are the first things TikTok checks.

• Location, Location, Location: You must be based in one of the countries where the program is active. Currently, this includes the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, with more countries being added over time.
• Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to legally agree to the monetization terms and receive payments. TikTok will require you to verify your age with a government-issued ID during the application process.
• Good Standing: Your account must be in good standing with TikTok's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. This means you can't have a history of major violations or recent content strikes. An account that is constantly getting flagged or shadow-banned will be automatically disqualified.

Step 2: Hit the Follower and View Milestones

This is where the real work comes in. Hitting these metrics proves to TikTok that you have an established and engaged audience. The numbers are specific and require authentic growth - there are no shortcuts here.

• Follower Count: You need to have at least 10,000 authentic followers. The keyword here is authentic. Using "follow for follow" schemes or buying followers is a surefire way to get your application rejected. These followers need to be genuine people who want to watch your content.
• Video Views: You need to have at least 100,000 authentic video views within the last 30 days. This metric demonstrates that your recent content is resonating with the wider community, not just your existing followers. This high view count is a key difference from the old Creator Fund and reflects the program's focus on creators with true momentum.

Step 3: Switch to a Creator or Business Account

You cannot access monetization tools from a personal account. Switching your account type is free, easy, and unlocks essential features you'll need anyway to track your progress.

A Creator Account gives you access to detailed analytics that show your video performance, follower demographics, and the best times to post. This data is absolutely essential for understanding what's working so you can double down on it to hit that 100k view threshold.

To make the switch:

1. Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right corner for "Settings and privacy."
2. Select "Account."
3. Tap "Switch to business Account" (historically, "Creator Account" was also an option, and either will work). Follow the on-screen prompts.

Applying for the Creativity Program Beta

Once you've ticked every box on the eligibility checklist, the option to apply will become available within the app. The process is straightforward and designed to be completed in just a few minutes.

How to Find and Complete Your Application:

1. Navigate to Creator Tools: From your profile, tap the three-line menu icon at the top right, and select "Creator tools."
2. Find the Program: In the "Monetization" section, you should see an option for "Creativity Program Beta." If you're eligible, it will be clickable. If you haven't met the requirements yet, it will likely be greyed out and show you your progress toward the goals.
3. Submit Your Application: Tap on the program, and you will be guided through the application. This involves confirming that you are over 18, agreeing to the Program Agreement, and connecting a payment method.

After you submit your application, all you can do is wait. It can take a few days to a week to receive a decision. If you're approved, you'll get a notification and can start earning from your qualified videos immediately. If you're denied, don't panic. TikTok will typically tell you why. Most often, it's because of unoriginal content or guideline violations you may have missed. You can address the issues and re-apply in 30 days.

Pro Tips to Get Approved and Maximize Your Earnings

Meeting the minimum requirements is one thing, building a sustainable source of income is another. Getting into the program is just the start. These strategies will help you not only get approved but also thrive once you're in.

1. Create High-Quality, *Original* Content

The Creativity Program is much stricter about what it considers "original" content than the old fund was. Reposting videos from other platforms, using other people's content without significant transformation, or even using a lot of Duets and Stitches with other videos will likely disqualify your videos from earning. The algorithm is smart enough to detect this.

Focus on creating content that is uniquely yours. This also means paying attention to production quality. You don't need a Hollywood film crew, but good lighting, clear audio, and crisp video recorded in-app or with a decent smartphone camera make a huge difference.

2. Go All-In on Videos Longer Than One Minute

This is arguably the most important tip for the Creativity Program Beta. Only videos longer than one minute are eligible to earn money. This is a deliberate move by TikTok to compete with YouTube for longer watch times. Creators who can hold an audience's attention for more than 60 seconds are rewarded handsomely.

Adapt your content strategy to include longer videos. Here are a few ideas:

• Storytelling: Tell a compelling story from start to finish.
• Tutorials: Break down a process step-by-step, whether it's a recipe, a makeup look, or a coding trick.
• Commentary/Deep Dives: Offer your opinion or analysis on a topic you're passionate about.
• Top 5 Lists: Create listicle-style videos that count down your favorite books, movies, travel spots, or life hacks.

3. Consistency is Your Most Powerful Tool

Hitting 100,000 views in 30 days is a numbers game, and you can't win if you're not consistently publishing. Posting one video a week is not going to cut it. When you're trying to meet the threshold, aim to post at least once a day, if not more.

A consistent posting schedule does two things:

1. It teaches the algorithm what your account is about, helping it find the right audience for your content.
2. It gives you more opportunities to go viral. Every video you post is another shot at catching a trend and hitting the For You Page.

Consistency shows the platform you're a serious creator who is invested in contributing to the community.

4. Master Your Niche and Your Analytics

Generic content gets lost in the noise. Finding a niche - whether it’s vintage fashion, sustainable living, a specific video game, or financial advice for students - allows you to build a loyal community that can be highly motivated to see you more frequently. This dedicated viewership can also give you some security for your next videos down the road.

Once you have a niche, turn to your analytics. Your Creator Account's analytics dashboard is your best friend. Pay attention to:

• Viewer Demographics: Where is your audience located? What is their age range?
• Peak Activity Times: When are your followers most active on TikTok? Schedule your posts for those golden hours.
• Video Performance: Which videos are getting the most views, likes, and comments? What do they have in common? Identify those patterns and repeat them.

What Happens After You're Accepted? Understanding Payouts

Once you're in, a new dashboard will appear in your Creator Tools where you can track your earnings. It’s important to set realistic expectations here. Your income will not be a fixed salary, it will fluctuate daily based on performance.

The Creativity Program offers a significantly higher RPM (revenue per mille, or revenue per 1,000 views) than the old fund, with some creators reporting RPMs that are 20x higher. However, the exact amount is calculated based on a complex and confidential formula that considers factors like:

• Qualified Views: Not all views are created equal. The views have to be from the For You Page, from unique users, and watched for a certain duration.
• Video Engagement: Comments, shares, and likes all signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable.
• Viewer Region: Views from regions with highly developed ad markets (like the US) tend to be worth more.

Payments show up in your dashboard about three days after the views are accrued. You can withdraw your earnings once you reach a minimum threshold (typically $10) and transfer the funds to a linked account, like PayPal.

Final Thoughts

Joining a creator fund like TikTok's Creativity Program is a clear, achievable goal for monetizing your content. It requires meeting specific follower and view milestones by consistently creating original, high-quality videos that resonate with an audience. By focusing on your niche, producing longer videos, and staying dedicated, you can turn your creative passion into a legitimate income stream.

Achieving the consistency needed to hit those high view counts requires strong organization and planning. At Postbase, we built our tool for this exact creative workflow. Our visual calendar lets you plan your social media content weeks or months in advance, so you never miss a posting day. Since we designed our platform for short-form video first, you can schedule your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts from one place without worrying about formatting issues or publish failures sinking your content strategy. It makes staying on track simpler, so you can spend less time managing and more time creating.