TikTok Series – How to Create Video Cycles and Sell Paid Access to Them? Check it out!

If you’re a creator who is already doing something on TikTok—educating, showing behind the scenes of your work, providing financial advice, recipes, or cosmetic tips—then Series could be your specific source of income. No waiting for brands, no seeking sponsors, no arranging collaborations. And most importantly—without leaving the app.

TikTok has launched the Series feature, which allows users to upload sets of videos behind a paywall—users have to pay to watch them. You set the price, you choose what to post there, and it all operates directly within the app. It’s like an online course, but delivered in a TikTok style: accessible, mobile, and without formalities.

In Poland, this is especially important because the Creator Rewards Program, i.e., earning from views, is not operational here. We are cut off from that option—so if you want to sell something, you have to do it differently. Series is currently one of the few tools that allows you to earn directly from the platform without asking for donations or live gifts.

What are Series on TikTok anyway and why can they bring you more than a collaboration with a brand?

Series are simply paid video sets, that you can create and share with your audience. Each such package can contain up to 80 videos, and each video can be up to 20 minutes long —which is quite extraordinary for TikTok. In practice, this means you can record a mini-course, tutorial, analysis, case study, or something completely entertaining but gated behind a paid “door”.

These aren’t just ordinary videos. They are premium content. Content that your viewer can buy directly in the app—with just two clicks, using FaceID or a fingerprint. They don’t need to provide an email, they don’t have to go to an external site. Everything happens without leaving TikTok—and that’s precisely why conversion rates here are much higher than with traditional sales.

If you are already selling e-books, PDFs, checklists, consultations, or physical products, you can consider Series as an entry into your world. A mini-version of a larger product. A starter, after which someone will buy something bigger. Or a standalone option if you’re just starting out. And here’s a pro tip: if you don’t yet have your own place to recommend products, set up a Space on RefSpace. It’s free, doesn’t require a business entity, and you can gather all the things you mention in your Series there—from cosmetics to the tools you use. And best of all—you can earn commissions from their sales.

Thus, you combine TikTok, storytelling, Series, and monetization—all without creating your own store.

Have less than 10k followers? You can still sell—something else matters here

Many creators think that Series are only for large accounts—those with 50k+ followers, viral after viral, and brand collaborations. And sure, TikTok prefers accounts with at least 10,000 followers, but that doesn’t mean smaller profiles are ruled out. There’s a catch here—and it can be exploited.

If you have less than 10k, but have sold something before—like a course, e-book, consultations, anything—you can apply to the Series program. TikTok provides a special form where you can present proof that you are a creator of premium content. For the platform, this signals: “this person knows how to create value and how to sell it.”

So what’s next? You need to have:

• completed 18 years of age,
  
• an account with at least a 30-day history,
  
• a public account (personal or business),
  
• at least 3 posts in the last 30 days,
  
• 1000 views in a month.

Doesn’t sound unachievable, right? For many, it’s more about organizing their profile and strategizing than “chasing virals”. And if you already have your place on the net (a website, blog, profile on RefSpace), it only increases your chances. TikTok is looking for creators who know what they’re doing—and who can sell something valuable.

TikTok Series behind the scenes – how long can the videos be, how many can you upload, and how much will you actually earn?

Here’s some good news to start with— you can include up to 80 videos in a Series, and each one can be from 30 seconds to a full 20 minutes. This means you can create a full-fledged course, a topic analysis, a step-by-step guide, or a storytelling mini-series. And you don’t have to limit yourself to 60-second formats.

The second thing that offers flexibility is the pricing flexibility. You decide how much access should cost—within the range of $0.99 to $189.99, which translates to several to several hundred złotys depending on the dollar exchange rate and App Store or Google Play policies. The user sees the price in złotys, and the purchase is made directly in the app.

But here’s the first snag— remember that Apple and Google take a commission. And quite a hefty one— 30% from every transaction. TikTok doesn’t take anything “on its own,” but it operates on the net amount—that is, what’s left after the app store’s commission is deducted.

So for example: if you set the price at 99 PLN, you’ll actually receive around 69–70 PLN. The rest goes to Apple/Google and possible minor handling fees from TikTok. Payouts come monthly, after surpassing a threshold of 50 USD (about 200 PLN).

For some, this might be a dealbreaker; for others, it’s the price for convenience. Here, you don’t have to build a payment system, store, Stripe account, or deal with invoices. The user clicks – pays – watches. You receive the payout from TikTok. Without support, without the cart, without chaos.

How to sell so people actually buy – the “hook & paywall” strategy that works better than sales funnels

It’s not enough to just release a paid Series and wait. If you want people to buy access, you first need to catch them. And it’s not about clickbait, but about a well-thought-out three-step strategy. It works because it is based on the natural rhythm of a TikTok user—scroll → curiosity → decision. And it all unfolds in seconds.

What does the classic “Hook & Paywall” model look like?

• 1. Viral video – a short, specific TikTok (up to 60 seconds) that addresses a small issue but suggests a larger topic.
  Example: “How I stopped paying 300 PLN a month for ZUS as a freelancer?” – you show one trick and leave them wanting more.
  
• 2. CTA with a link to the Series – pin the video to your profile or link it in the description. Clearly say: “Want the full story? I recorded a whole Series – link above the description.”
  
• 3. Purchase without leaving the app – the user clicks, pays via FaceID/fingerprint, and watches. No forms, no emails, no codes.
  

This is not a typical e-commerce funnel. You’re not collecting data, you’re not building remarketing. But the conversion can be surprisingly high, because the whole process takes literally 2-3 seconds. If you meet the user’s need – they’ll purchase. Without wondering if they’ve known you for 3 months.

That’s why it’s worth preparing the content structure in advance. Know what the Series is about, what you’ll show in the free teaser, and how you will build value. This way, you don’t throw in content chaotically, but instead guide the user to purchase like clockwork. And TikTok – if it sees your Series is selling – can additionally boost its reach.

Which is more profitable – Series on TikTok or your own store? Pros, cons, facts, not opinions

Alright, let’s be honest – Series on TikTok are not the perfect solution. But they can be turbo effective if you integrate them well into your system. The key is understanding, how they differ from selling through your own store, e.g., on WordPress with WooCommerce.

Let’s look at a specific comparison.

• Conversion – TikTok wins. Buying a Series takes 2 clicks. In a store, you have to click through, provide data, often quit halfway.
  
• Commission – the store does better here. Apple and Google take 30%, while payment gateways like Stripe or PayU – only 1–2%.
  
• Customer Base – Series don’t build one. You don’t have access to emails or user data. In a store, you can collect a list, do follow-ups, and remarketing.
  
• Reach – TikTok sometimes promotes Series if it sees they are selling. In a store, you have to generate all traffic by yourself.
  
• Security – TikTok is rented land. An account can disappear. Your store is yours and won’t vanish overnight.
  

Conclusion? Treat Series as an entry-level product. Something lightweight that you can sell to new users from TikTok – without barriers. But if you want to build a brand long-term, it’s worth combining it with something more: a newsletter, a blog, RefSpace. For example: someone bought your Series on budget planning, and then at the end they get info about a free PDF download – with a link to your newsletter. Or even to RefSpace, where they can find tools and products you use.

You earn on the Series while also moving people into your ecosystem. That’s how you build more than just a single sale.

FAQ

Do I need 10,000 followers to enable Series?

Not always. This is the official threshold required by TikTok in the “standard path,” but if you’ve previously sold paid content elsewhere (e.g., on Patreon, a blog, an online course), you can apply manually and request access. All you need to do in the form is include proof – TikTok wants to see that you can monetize your expertise.

How much will I earn from one Series sale?

It depends on the price you set. But realistically – from each transaction, TikTok will pass you the amount minus the 30% commission from the App Store or Google Play. If you set a Series at PLN 99, you’ll get around PLN 69–70. TikTok takes nothing “for itself,” but operates on the net amount. Payouts are monthly, after exceeding 50 USD.

Can I upload an entire video course there?

Yes. A Series can have up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long. So there’s plenty of room for a mini-course, thematic guide, checklists, step-by-step tutorials – you don’t have to limit yourself to short TikToks.

Do I need to have a business to make money from Series?

You don’t need a company. TikTok pays the money into your account, but you decide if and how you settle it. In Poland, it’s still a “grey tax area,” so it’s worth checking if you exceed income limits and whether it’s worth sorting out the matter with an accountant.

How do people buy my Series? Is it difficult?

This is the power of TikTok Series. The purchase literally takes two clicks. The user clicks on the link above the video description, pays with FaceID or fingerprint, and starts watching immediately. No need to log in, no need to provide an email – it’s a maximally simplified path.

Can I link my other products or, for example, RefSpace there?

Yes – and it’s worth doing. The best place is the last video in the Series. You can say there: “if you want a checklist PDF or to check the products I recommend – link in my bio or on RefSpace.” It works and allows you to direct people from paid content to your system.

What if my Series doesn’t sell?

It happens. But TikTok sometimes test-promotes Series that have potential. That’s why it’s worth creating a good teaser (a free video that sparks curiosity), setting an accessible price (e.g., PLN 29–49), and only then thinking about higher thresholds. Series are not a rocket from the start – it’s a tool that needs to be worked with.

Can I sell physical products through the Series?

Not directly, but you can cleverly combine it. For example: you make a Series about styling curly hair and in the last video recommend specific cosmetics from your Space on RefSpace. People trust you, they’ve watched 10 videos, they click – and buy. It works better than a raw affiliate link from a single TikTok.