How to Join TikTok Creator Marketplace

Joining the TikTok Creator Marketplace is one of the most direct ways to turn your creative content into a reliable income stream by connecting with brands for paid partnerships. This guide breaks down exactly what the Marketplace is, who can join, how to apply step-by-step, and what you need to do to land brand deals once you’re in.

What is the TikTok Creator Marketplace?

The TikTok Creator Marketplace (TCM) is TikTok’s official, in-house platform designed to connect brands with creators for marketing campaigns. Think of it as a professional bridge between advertisers looking for talent and creators who have built a dedicated audience. It’s not just a directory, it's a full-service collaboration hub where brands can discover you, send you campaign invitations, negotiate terms, and pay you securely - all within the TikTok ecosystem.

It’s important to distinguish TCM from other monetization features. The TikTok Creator Fund, for example, pays you a small amount based on the views your videos get. A TCM deal, on the other hand, is a direct partnership where a brand pays you a flat fee to create a specific piece of content promoting their product or service. This is where serious creators build sustainable businesses.

Key Benefits of Being in the Creator Marketplace

Joining might seem like just another step, but the benefits are significant for any creator serious about monetization:

• Increased Discoverability: Brands actively search the Marketplace using filters for niche, audience demographics, location, and reach. Being listed puts you directly in front of businesses looking to pay for content.
• Legitimacy and Credibility: An official TCM profile signals to brands that you meet TikTok’s standards and are serious about professional collaborations. It eliminates the guesswork for advertisers who might be wary of direct, unsolicited outreach.
• Streamlined Collaboration Tools: Brands can send official campaign invitations through the platform. You get access to a dashboard to manage briefs, negotiations, content submissions, and feedback, keeping everything organized.
• Secure and Guaranteed Payments: Payment is handled directly through TikTok. The brand deposits the funds before the campaign starts, and it's released to you upon completion. This eliminates the risk of chasing invoices or dealing with non-payment.
• Access to Campaign Analytics: Once a campaign is complete, you get access to first-party data showing how your video performed. This data is invaluable for proving your ROI to brands and helps you negotiate better rates for future partnerships.

Am I Eligible? TikTok Creator Marketplace Requirements

Before you can apply, you need to meet a specific set of criteria. TikTok sets these floors to ensure brands are connecting with established, active, and responsible creators. While the exact requirements can vary slightly by region and change over time, they generally include:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Account Type: You must have a Creator or Business Account. A Personal Account is not eligible. Switching is easy and can be done right in your settings.
• Follower Count: You generally need to have a minimum of 10,000 followers. This is the most common prerequisite.
• Video Views: You need to have reached a certain number of video views in the last 30 days (often 100,000 views, but this can vary).
• Posting Frequency: You must have posted a certain number of public videos in the last 30 days (typically at least three).
• Account Standing: Your account must be in good standing with no repeated violations of TikTok’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. A clean record is essential.

The easiest way to check if you qualify is directly in the app. Go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner to open your "Settings and privacy," and select "Creator tools." If you’re eligible, you’ll see the "Creator Marketplace" tab there with an option to join or check your status.

How to Join the TikTok Creator Marketplace: Step-by-Step

If you meet the requirements, getting set up is straightforward. The platform will guide you, but here’s what to expect and how to make sure your profile stands out from day one.

Step 1: Switch to a Creator or Business Account

If you’re still on a Personal Account, this is the first thing you need to do. A Creator Account is the best fit for most influencers, as it unlocks analytics and monetization tools without restricting your access to commercial sounds, which can sometimes happen with a Business Account.

To switch, go to Settings and privacy >, Account >, Switch to Business Account or tap on Creator tools, which will prompt you to upgrade to a Creator Account.

Step 2: Apply to the Creator Marketplace

Once you’re eligible, head to Creator tools >, Creator Marketplace. Here, TikTok will check your account against the eligibility criteria. If all the boxes are ticked, you’ll see a button to "Apply." For some creators, an invitation from TikTok might appear automatically in your notifications once you hit the benchmarks.

You’ll be asked to verify your info and agree to the terms. The review process is usually quick, and you'll receive a notification once you’ve been accepted.

Step 3: Build a Winning Creator Marketplace Profile

Getting accepted is just the start. Your TCM profile is your professional resume for brands. An incomplete or uninspired profile will get skipped over. Take the time to make it compelling.

Craft a Powerful Bio

Your Marketplace bio is separate from your main TikTok profile bio. This is your chance to speak directly to brands. Tell them who you are, what your content is about, and what your audience loves. Be specific. Instead of "I make lifestyle videos," try something like, "My content explores sustainable living for millennials, focusing on accessible eco-friendly swaps. My audience is highly engaged and passionate about conscious consumerism."

Select Your Content Niches

TCM allows you to tag your profile with specific categories (e.g., "Beauty," "Comedy," "Tech," "Pets"). Choose up to five niches that accurately represent your content. This is how brands filter creators, so make sure they’re accurate. If you’re a food creator who specializes in vegan recipes, make sure your niches reflect that specificity.

Set Your Rate

This is the part that stumps most creators. TCM will ask you to set a baseline rate for a sponsored video. Don't sell yourself short, but also be realistic.

• Do Your Research: A general industry guideline is around $20-$40 per 10,000 views your average videos receive. For example, if your videos consistently get 100,000 views, a starting point could be $200-$400.
• Consider Your Engagement: If your engagement rate is exceptionally high (lots of comments, shares), you can justify a higher rate. Brands aren't just buying views, they're buying influence.
• Be Open to Negotiation: Your listed price is a starting point, not a final number. Brands will often negotiate based on the scope of the campaign. Indicate that you're flexible.

Feature Your Best Videos

Your profile will automatically pull in some of your videos, but you get to pin a few to the top. Choose videos that best represent your style, show off your personality, and prove you can create high-quality, engaging content. Ideally, pick videos that have performed well and showcase the kind of work you want to do more of.

You're In! How to Land Brand Deals on TCM

Now that your profile is live, it’s time to start attracting brand partnerships. Here’s how to go from being a member to being a creator in high demand.

1. Keep Your Profile Updated

Just like any professional portfolio, your TCM profile needs to stay fresh. If you hit a new follower milestone, update your bio. If a recent video goes viral, pin it to your profile. Brands value creators who are actively growing and engaged.

2. Respond to Invitations Promptly and Professionally

When a brand sends a campaign invitation, respond within 24 hours if possible. Even if you're not interested, a polite and professional decline keeps you in good standing and leaves the door open for future opportunities. When you agree to a campaign, read the creative brief carefully, ask clarifying questions, and deliver on time. Professionalism is what turns one-off deals into long-term partnerships.

3. Know Your Audience Inside and Out

Brands using TCM have access to your basic audience demographics. But they want to hear your story about your community. Understand who they are, what they care about, and what they respond to. Talk about this in your conversations with brands. Saying "My followers trust me for honest reviews on affordable skincare" is much more powerful than just showing your view count.

4. Produce Consistently High-Quality Content

At the end of the day, your TikTok channel is your living portfolio. Brands scout creators by looking at their recent videos. Make sure your lighting is good, your audio is clear, and your editing is sharp. Show brands that you can create scroll-stopping content day in and day out. This consistency is what signals that you're a reliable and skilled partner.

Final Thoughts

The TikTok Creator Marketplace is a powerful platform for creators ready to professionalize their brand and secure paid partnerships directly. By meeting the requirements, creating a standout profile, and maintaining a high standard of content, you can transform your creative passion into a scalable business on your own terms.

Maintaining the kind of consistent, high-quality content that attracts brands and gets you Marketplace eligibility in the first place requires serious planning. That's a huge reason we built Postbase. It’s a modern tool designed to help you visually plan your video content across all your platforms, schedule it reliably, and analyze what’s actually working, so you spend less time wrestling with spreadsheets and more time creating.