With 2025 already in full swing, TikTok remains a goldmine for those who know how to navigate it. But if you're a beginner, you might be wondering: Is it too late to get started? Can I still make money? What’s the process?
I’ve been in this game since the end of 2019. I started with nothing—no funds, no connections, no training. Now, I run several successful TikTok accounts, some of which bring in thousands of dollars a day. This guide is my gift to newcomers—real, practical knowledge that will help you avoid common pitfalls and get started the right way.
📍 Before You Start: Know Your Direction
Ask yourself:
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Will you focus on live streaming or short videos?
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Are you monetizing through product sales or traffic income?
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Are you building an independent website, a TikTok store, or using a celebrity window?
Clarity at this stage saves you wasted time later.
1. Preparation Phase
To start your TikTok cross-border journey, you need a few tools and a good setup. Here’s what worked for me:
✅ Essential Equipment
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One idle smartphone (Apple or Android is fine).
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Remove the SIM card and reset (flash) the device to factory settings.
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Build a clean network environment—this is critical for account health and future traffic.
✅ Step-by-Step Device Setup (U.S. Apple Example)
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Flash and restart the device.
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Select English as the language and United States as your region.
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Connect to your own Wi-Fi.
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Turn off Location Services.
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Set up the phone as a New iPhone.
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Log in with a U.S. Apple ID.
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Install a secure login tool (e.g., W Tool), then download TikTok.
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Ensure your DNS and IP match your region—this will protect your account from shadowbanning.
✅ Account Creation
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Register using an email address (don’t use a phone number).
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Start posting content immediately.
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Once you reach 1,000 followers, apply for product promotion rights (i.e., the yellow cart window).
2. Product Selection: 70% of Your Success
You can’t overstate how critical product selection is. Even with average content, the right product can generate thousands in revenue.
🎯 Choose Products That Match Your Niche
For example:
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If your content is in the fitness niche, promote resistance bands, yoga mats, etc.
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Don’t promote unrelated items like kitchen appliances—it kills your conversion rate.
🧠 Tips for Finding Winning Products
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Look for products that solve a specific problem.
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Search Amazon Best Sellers or AliExpress Hot Products.
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Check TikTok trends for what’s going viral and find suppliers for those items.
3. Video Editing: Crafting for Virality
🎥 Where to Find Source Content
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Search by keyword, find popular creators in your niche, and analyze their top 3-day posts.
🧰 How to Edit and Transform Videos
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Never re-upload content directly. TikTok's algorithm can detect duplicates.
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Remove openings, endings, and watermarks.
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Add mirror effects, picture-in-picture, or slight speed changes.
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Use Happy Dou Toolbox on WeChat to remove watermarks from downloaded videos.
🎯 Final Tips for Editing
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Maintain logical flow in the video.
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Enhance visual appeal with transitions, emojis, or voiceovers.
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Make sure every frame counts—attention spans are short.
4. Batching & Scaling Your Content Production
Once you start getting traction, scale up smartly:
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Don’t overextend. Only increase production when your current setup is stable.
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Reuse winning formats but keep content fresh.
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Invest in multiple devices and accounts (each with clean environments) for batch posting.
⚠️ Warning:
Avoid overpriced training courses that promise overnight success. Most will only teach you basic setup and upload strategies. Real success comes from persistence, strategy, and trial-and-error.
5. Monetization Strategies
There are multiple paths to earning with TikTok, but not all are beginner-friendly. Here are the best ones to focus on:
💸 1. Fund Income (TikTok Creator Fund)
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Requires 10,000 followers and original content over 1 minute.
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Average earnings: $0.70 per 1,000 views.
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Pros: Passive income.
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Cons: Hard to scale without excellent editing and originality. Some regions have paused fund support.
🛒 2. Window Display (Small Yellow Cart)
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Requires 5,000 followers (in the U.S.).
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You promote products by placing their links under your video.
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Logistics and shipping are handled by the platform.
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Commissions range from $5 and up per product.
💡 Pro Tip: Some users make $500/month just by posting one product video daily.
🏪 3. Independent Store Sales
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Requires at least 1,000 fans to start funneling traffic.
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You control product pricing, giving you higher margins.
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Best for those ready to run a website and manage customer service.
✨ Bonus Monetization Options (Advanced)
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Live entertainment (not recommended—many countries restrict it).
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Traffic redirection to other platforms.
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Buy and flip TikTok accounts.
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Cross-border local stores (requires capital and infrastructure).
Final Thoughts: Is TikTok Still Worth It in 2025?
Absolutely, but with caveats:
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The golden era of easy virality is over, but focused and well-executed accounts still succeed.
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If you’re willing to learn, experiment, and stay consistent, you can absolutely carve out a profitable niche.
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Monetization is no longer just about views—it’s about community, content quality, and clever product strategy.
🙌 My Personal Take
I started from scratch. No mentor. No money. Just a hunger to change my life.
Now, TikTok has become not only my livelihood but my passion. I hope my experiences help you skip the pitfalls and head straight toward success.
If you want to learn more or collaborate, I’m always open to sharing my journey. Let’s grow together.
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