How to Join the Creator Network on TikTok

Want to turn your TikTok passion into a real opportunity? The best way is to officially plug into TikTok's massive ecosystem of programs and tools for creators. This guide provides a clear roadmap, breaking down exactly how to join key monetization programs like the Creativity Program and the Creator Marketplace, along with the foundational steps you need to take to build a creator brand worth following.

What Exactly Is the TikTok Creator "Network"?

First, let's clear up a common misconception. Unlike some platforms, TikTok doesn’t have a single, formal "Creator Network" you apply to. Instead, it’s an ecosystem of different programs and features you can unlock as your account grows. Think of it less like an exclusive club and more like leveling up in a game. As you hit certain milestones - in followers, views, and engagement - you gain access to new tools that let you earn money, collaborate with brands, and connect with your audience in new ways.

Today, being part of this network really means gaining access to three core areas:

• The TikTok Creativity Program: The main way to get paid directly by TikTok for your video views.
• The TikTok Creator Marketplace (TCM): The official platform for landing paid brand collaborations.
• LIVE Monetization Tools: Features like Gifts and Subscriptions that allow your audience to support you directly during live streams.

Your goal is to meet the requirements for each of these programs. Here’s how you can do it, step-by-step.

Step 1: Get Paid for Your Views with the TikTok Creativity Program

Let's start with the one most creators aim for first: getting paid for their content. The TikTok Creativity Program is the platform's current flagship monetization model, replacing the older Creator Fund. The key difference? The Creativity Program heavily incentivizes longer, higher-quality videos, which is a major shift from the anything-goes virality of an earlier era. The goal is to reward creators who make more engaging, watch-worthy content.

Eligibility Requirements: The Official Checklist

To get your application accepted, you need to hit these specific benchmarks. There is very little wiggle room here, so treat this as a non-negotiable list.

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Location: Be based in a region where the program is available (this includes the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Australia, Canada, and Mexico, with more being added).
• Followers: You need a minimum of 10,000 followers on your account.
• Views: You need at least 100,000 authentic video views in the last 30 days.
• Video Length: You must create and publish videos that are longer than one minute to qualify for payments.
• Account Status: You need an account in good standing, free from repeated Community Guideline violations.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you've hit all the metrics above, applying is simple. The option will automatically show up in your settings.

1. Open the TikTok app and navigate to your Profile page.
2. Tap the three-line menu icon in the top-right corner.
3. From the menu, select Creator Tools.
4. Look for an option called Creativity Program Beta and tap it.
5. If you meet all the eligibility criteria, you will see a big button that says Apply. Tap it and follow the on-screen instructions, which will include verifying your age and identity.

After you apply, the review process usually takes a few days. If approved, your eligible videos (those over one minute long) will start generating revenue based on qualified views and other factors.

Tips for Getting Accepted and Maximizing Earnings

Meeting the criteria is just the first step. To actually succeed in the Creativity Program, you need a strategy.

• Think in 'Minutes, Not Seconds': Your content strategy must now include videos that are longer than 60 seconds. This might mean shifting from quick trends to more story-driven content, tutorials, commentary, or in-depth vlogs. Brainstorm ideas that naturally lend themselves to a longer format.
• Front-Load Your Hook: With longer videos, the first 3-5 seconds are more important than ever. You have to give viewers a compelling reason to stick around. Start with a question, a bold statement, or a preview of the end result.
• Post Consistently: That 100,000-view count is based on a rolling 30-day period. If you take a few weeks off, your views will drop and you could fall below the threshold. A consistent posting schedule is vital for keeping momentum.

Step 2: Land Brand Deals Through the TikTok Creator Marketplace

While the Creativity Program pays you for views, the real financial growth for many creators comes from brand partnerships. The TikTok Creator Marketplace (TCM) is TikTok's official, in-house platform designed to connect brands with creators for campaigns. Getting in is a major sign of legitimacy and opens up a floodgate of opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements for the Creator Marketplace

The entry requirements for TCM are slightly different and focus more on your readiness to work professionally with brands.

• Age & Account Type: You must be at least 18 years old and have a Creator Account (not a Business Account).
• Followers: While this can vary by region, the general benchmark is 10,000+ followers.
• Activity: You must have posted at least 3 videos in the last 28 days.
• Engagement: You must have received at least 1,000 authentic video views in the previous 28 days.
• Content: Your content must be original, safe, and align with TikTok’s Community Guidelines. No strikes or violations allowed!

How to Join and Optimize Your Profile

If you're eligible, you will either receive an invitation notification from TikTok inviting you to join, or you can check for yourself.

1. Go to your Profile > Creator Tools.
2. Look for Creator Marketplace. If you're eligible to join, you'll be able to proceed.
3. The most important step is setting up your public profile. This is what brands will see. You can set your rates for different types of videos, specify your content niche (e.g., comedy, beauty, tech), and highlight your best-performing content.

Take this part seriously. Your TCM profile acts as your professional resume. Brands filter creators by niche, location, and audience demographics. A well-crafted profile is your best chance of showing up in their searches.

The Foundation: What You Need to Do *Before* You Apply

Just hitting the follower and view counts isn't enough. The creators who get accepted and then truly succeed have something more: a defined brand. Before you even get close to the numbers, focus on these foundational habits. They are the "unofficial" requirements for long-term success on the platform.

Find Your Niche and Stick to It

Both TikTok’s algorithm and brands love a creator who has a clearly defined niche. Are you the go-to person for air fryer recipes? Do you explain complex financial topics in simple terms? Are you known for your deadpan comedy sketches about office life? A strong niche does two things:

1. It trains the algorithm: TikTok learns exactly who to show your videos to, leading to more engaged followers and higher-quality views.
2. It attracts the right brands: A brand selling cooking supplies knows exactly who to contact if you're the "air fryer guy." Your value is clear.

Post Content Consistently

Consistency is the engine of growth on TikTok. A steady stream of content keeps your current audience engaged and continuously puts you in front of new "For You" pages. This isn't about posting ten times a day. It’s about building a reliable, predictable schedule your audience comes to expect - whether that’s three times a week or once a day. This rhythm is what will propel you toward those 10,000 follower and 100,000 view milestones.

Engage with Your Community Like a Human

Don't be a broadcaster, be a community builder. Reply to comments. Use the Q&A feature to source new video ideas directly from your followers. Go live to chat with your most loyal fans in a more intimate setting. This engagement sends powerful signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable and sparks conversations. More importantly, it fosters a loyal community that is more likely to support you through monetization features and cheer for your brand collaborations.

Final Thoughts

Becoming an active part of TikTok's creator ecosystem isn't about finding a secret password to one exclusive club. It’s a process of graduated steps, starting with building an audience through consistent, niche-focused content and then unlocking powerful monetization tools like the Creativity Program and Creator Marketplace once you’ve proven your value.

Consistency is often the biggest hurdle to clear, especially when juggling ideas, a content schedule, and community management. We ran into these same struggles with older social media tools that just felt clunky and stuck in the past - they weren't built for a video-first world. That's why we built Postbase. Our visual calendar lets you plan and see your entire video strategy across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts, and our scheduling is rock-solid and reliable. It simplifies your workflow so you can concentrate on being creative, not obsessing over whether your next video actually published on time.