TikTok is a popular social media platform that promotes short-form videos.
At the peak of the pandemic in August of 2020, TikTok came up with a rather unique concept of promoting creative talent and skills on its platform through a program that promotes videos longer than a minute. TikTok has always endeavored to support and empower its creator community.
Consistent with its objective of promoting talent, it has moved on to provide the right tools and resources to its creators now in a bid to produce innovative and engaging content through the TikTok Creativity Program. Some of the opportunities that Tiktok provides to gifted creators through this initiative are access to workshops, mentorship programs, funding opportunities, and promotional support to increase the visibility of their content.
Creators can produce entertaining, original, compelling, and popular content on the platform to increase their skills and earn money through various monetization features on the platform. In this context, however, it must be remembered that the Program does not directly offer payment or compensation to creators. It only introduces them to the right tools and resources to build their following and seek future opportunities, viz. through brand partnerships and sponsorships.
TikTok Creativity Program is open to all — it promotes inclusivity and diversity and there are no restrictions on gender, class, nationality, race, or community. This makes the program accessible to participants worldwide and allows them the golden opportunity to showcase their talent and unique perspectives to their audience. By doing so, TikTok helps creators to grow their following and connect with them in new and exciting ways.
The different forms of content promoted on and through the TikTok Creativity Program are — Dance, Comedy, Music, Education/Tutorials, Beauty and Fashion, Sports and Fitness, Drama, and DIY videos, among others. Through their videos, creators can find their voice, grow their confidence through competitive performance, share knowledge and expertise with their audience, connect with experts and talent acquisition specialists, connect with fellow participants, learn new skills, collaborate on exciting projects, and even increase their monetization skills.
The Creativity Program is open to all participants, irrespective of their level of experience or the type of content they produce.
Requirements of TikTok Creativity Program
Though the program is a diverse and inclusive one, participants must fulfill certain requirements to be eligible for some of the program’s features and resources. Let’s give you a lowdown.
- Age: You must be at least 16 years of age and above to participate in this Creativity Program.
- Account: You must have an existing account with TikTok to access all the features and resources offered by the Creativity Program.
- Originality of the Content: TikTok does not support or promote plagiarism. As a content creator, your concepts and creations should be completely unique and innovative, matching no one else’s. You cannot use copyrighted material like music and videos.
- Engagement: For higher viewer engagement, the creator must pitch ideas that are entertaining, informative, and has the potential to engage the audience for a longer time. Content that fulfills all the given criteria is qualified to rake in more reviews, likes, shares, and viewer comments.
- Community Guidelines: You must abide by TikTok’s policies and community guidelines. Your content should not be offensive or vulgar; should not have the potential to spark public controversies and outrage; and should not spam or spread misinformation. In other words, you must respect the sentiments of transnational viewers and must not post anything that can have an adverse impact on your audience. You must produce high-quality content that is safe and respectful to the TikTok community.
How to Apply and Monetize on Videos
The TikTok Creativity Program does not require you to formally apply or register separately for it. Here are some steps that you can take to participate in the program.
- Create a TikTok account first by downloading the app and entering your personal details as per the instructions you receive for sign-up.
- Once you are done creating your account, you can start creating and uploading content right away. TikTok has various in-app features to help creators edit their content. Experiment with different formats and styles to see which resonates best with your audience.
- You must stay active and consistent on the platform as a creator to steadily build your audience/following. Participate in community events, and challenges, and interact with your followers to understand their point of view. Learn to respond promptly to viewer comments, and be respectful and tolerant of negative feedback.
- You must take advantage of the tools, resources, and features that are available to you on TikTok, which include live features, Creator Fund, and other tools. Participate in workshops, mentorship programs, and other opportunities that may be available through the TikTok Creativity Program.
- Remember to comply with TikTok’s policies and the platform’s community guidelines, and refrain from posting harmful and offensive content that can negatively impact your following and put you at risk of being drummed out of the community.
Have Questions?
If you want to know more about the program, you can read the guide for creators. There is a feedback form available on the link here if you would like to give feedback or ask questions.
