TikTok's Creator Fund Doesn't Pay Dancers

Introduction: In July 2020, TikTok announced its Creator Fund with great fanfare, promising to invest $1 billion in the United States over the following three years, and a total of $2 billion globally. This initiative was presented as a game-changer for content creators, offering them a way to earn money directly from their videos on the platform.

The Promise: TikTok's Creator Fund seemed to offer a solution to the age-old problem of monetization for social media creators. It promised to reward creativity, passion, and authentic engagement. The company projected that the fund could support hundreds of thousands of creators, potentially providing full-time earnings for top performers, and supplemental income for many others.

The Reality Check: However, as creators began to engage with the Creator Fund, a significant issue came to light - one that disproportionately affects a core group of TikTok's most influential creators: choreographers and dancers.

The Eligibility Bomb: To be eligible for payment from the Creator Fund, videos must be at least one minute long. This requirement creates a massive hurdle for choreography creators, who were instrumental in TikTok's meteoric rise to popularity.

Consider the platform's biggest stars, like Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae. Their dance videos, which typically range from 15 to 20 seconds, were the soil from which TikTok's success grew. Yet, ironically, these types of videos - the very content that made TikTok a cultural phenomenon - are ineligible for monetization through the Creator Fund.

The Ripple Effect: This eligibility criterion has far-reaching consequences:

1. Content Quality Issues: Creators report feeling pressured to artificially extend their videos to meet the 1-minute threshold, often leading to a decrease in content quality and engagement.

2. Adaptation Challenges: Choreography creators must significantly alter their content strategy to benefit from the Creator Fund. This might involve creating longer versions of dances, adding filler content, or developing entirely new types of videos that may not align with their skills or audience preferences.

3. Demotivation: Many talented choreographers and dancers find themselves unable to monetize their primary content, potentially discouraging them from pursuing their passion full-time on the platform.

Enter CollabVerse: With these challenges facing choreography creators, many are left wondering if there's even a purpose in continuing to post content that can't support their dreams of full-time creation. This is where CollabVerse steps in, to bridge the gap.

CollabVerse is a new platform designed specifically to address the monetization challenges faced by choreography creators. Here is how CollabVerse’s unique approach is changing the game:

1. Focused Monetization: CollabVerse recognizes the value of short-form dance content and provides monetization opportunities specifically tailored for choreography creators.

2. Fostering Direct Music Industry Connections: The platform helps creators find trending audio tracks, level up their status, and connect more easily with emerging and established artists, music labels, and management companies.

3. Content Deals and Income Offers: CollabVerse facilitates deals and offers directly on the platform, allowing choreography creators to pursue their dreams full-time through sponsored content, collaborations, and other opportunities.

4. Launchpad for New Creators: The platform provides new creators with opportunities to begin careers, and even take their first steps into the music field.

5. Niche Community: CollabVerse is building a community where creators and artists grow together, fostering collaboration and mutual support.

Conclusion: While TikTok's Creator Fund falls short for many choreography creators, unique platforms like CollabVerse are stepping up to fill the gap. By providing targeted support and monetization opportunities for dance content creators, CollabVerse is paving the way for talented individuals to pursue their passion professionally, ensuring that the art form that helped launch TikTok to stardom continues to thrive and evolve.

Written by: Nick Breen, Founder & CEO of CollabVerseMedia