How Do People Even Reach 10K Followers on TikTok for the Creator Rewards Program?

If you’re grinding your way toward the Creator Rewards Program and stuck in what feels like follower jail, you’re not alone. You post. You comment. You follow back. You tweak your content. And still… crickets.

Meanwhile, others are breezing past 10K like it’s nothing—or so it seems.

Whether you’re posting gaming clips, travel vlogs, or hobby content, the truth is:

TikTok growth looks a whole lot different than it did in 2020.

The algorithm’s pickier, trends burn out faster, and just being “good” isn’t always enough to get seen.

In this article, you’ll learn:

Why the Creator Rewards follower goal feels harder than ever
What actually influences TikTok follower growth in 2024
The difference between viral content and follow-worthy content
Why lives, slideshows, and niche consistency matter
What not to do if you’re trying to build long-term
And yes, how some people still game the system (and why it doesn’t always help)

Why the 10K Follower Mark Feels So Much Harder Now

There was a time when you could post almost anything—lip-sync, meme, random vent—and TikTok would push it to thousands of people. That time is very much gone.

Creators who joined during the COVID boom or earlier had the algorithm working in their favor. Fewer creators. More screen time. Less competition. Even just showing up could build a following.

Now?

The platform’s saturated. The algorithm has matured. And unless your content gives people a reason to follow beyond just watching, it’s easy to get stuck with good engagement but low follower growth.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible—it just means the game changed. You’re not doing anything wrong by struggling. You’re just playing on “hard mode” now.

Going Viral Doesn’t Always Mean Gaining Followers

This is the part that drives creators up the wall: you post a video, it blows up with views, and… barely any new followers.

It’s a pattern a lot of people are seeing. The truth is, views don’t equal loyalty. Someone might laugh, like, and scroll without a second thought—especially if your content doesn’t tell them why they should stick around.

That’s why niche consistency matters. If someone watches your video and can’t figure out what they’d get by following you, they won’t. People follow predictability just as much as personality.

Viral videos get attention. Branded, follow-worthy videos keep it. You need a bit of both to grow past 10K.

Content Quality Beats Quantity (Even If the Algorithm Says Otherwise)

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to post three to five times a day just to stay visible. And while consistency matters, spamming your feed won’t guarantee growth—especially if the content doesn’t connect.

Several creators in the discussion said the real turning point wasn’t how often they posted, but how intentional their content became. Strong hooks, better editing, more structure, clearer niche. That’s what turned viewers into followers.

If you’re struggling to stay consistent without burning out, I’ve found Flick to be helpful—especially their AI assistant, Iris. It helps with content planning and keeping things organized, so you’re not stuck staring at your phone wondering what to post next.

So yes, post regularly—but don’t confuse output with impact. You’re better off posting three solid videos a week than fifteen forgettable ones.

Lives, Slideshows, and the Weird Tricks That Actually Work

Like it or not, going live is one of the fastest ways to grow. Creators in all kinds of niches—from gaming to travel to “I just chat”—reported follower bumps of 500+ just from being live and talking.

If the thought of being live makes your skin crawl, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to perform. Just say hi, ask viewers questions, react to comments, or show something you’re doing. Even awkward lives can build connection faster than polished videos.

Another trick that came up? Slideshow posts (photo dumps with trending audio). They’re low-effort, weirdly viral-friendly, and some creators use them to bridge the gap to 10K before switching back to longer videos once they’re eligible for the Rewards Program.

Niche, Personality, or Both? What Actually Gets You Followers

If your follower count feels stuck, one of the most useful things you can do is take a step back and ask: what do people get from following me?

Some creators grow because they’re deeply focused on one niche—like a specific game, a type of makeup look, or hyper-targeted storytimes. Others grow because they have a unique personality or humor that makes even random content feel like them.

The sweet spot is finding a little of both. Stick to one theme long enough to build a base, then let your personality gradually take over. People will start following not just for the topic—but because you make that topic fun to watch.

And if your niche is broad (like “gaming”), try tightening it temporarily: focus on a specific game, genre, or even a recurring format. Give new viewers an easy reason to click “follow.”

The Paid Follower Shortcut—Why It’s Not What It Seems

Yes, some people are buying followers to get into the Creator Rewards Program. And yes, some of them are getting approved.

But let’s be honest—it’s a gamble.

Bought followers rarely engage. They inflate your numbers but hurt your performance over time. And if TikTok’s algorithm sees a big gap between your follower count and your engagement rate, you could end up getting less reach on every video you post.

Even worse? If the followers are fake enough, your account could get flagged, shadowbanned, or removed from monetization entirely.

So if you’re aiming to earn through the program, gaming the system might get you in—but it won’t help you stay in.

Building to 10K the Smart Way

If your goal is to hit 10K followers for the Creator Rewards Program, the most sustainable way to get there is with a combo of smart strategy and actual community-building.

Here’s what’s working for creators right now:

Pick a clear lane. Whether it’s a sub-niche or a repeatable format, make it easy for someone to know what they’ll get from your page.
Show up in lives. Even a few awkward minutes chatting can help your visibility and attract genuine followers.
Experiment without starting over. If something flops, don’t delete it. Just post again and test a new angle.
Post to attract—not just to express. Make content that helps, entertains, or connects. Not every post has to “go viral,” but every post should give value.
Track what gets you follows—not just views. Learn from the posts that convert viewers into actual fans.

You don’t need to post seven times a day. You don’t need to buy followers. You don’t need to become someone you’re not. You just need to stay consistent and adapt smarter than the people who give up at 1,200.

Getting to 10K Isn’t Easy Anymore—But It’s Not Impossible Either

The path to the Creator Rewards Program isn’t what it used to be. The algorithm’s tougher. The playing field is crowded. And getting followers takes more than just hitting “Post” and hoping for the best.

But creators are still getting there.

Some are doing it with smart slideshows. Others through niche lives or simple videos that offer value without going viral. And yes, a few are still finding their way with raw personality alone.

So if you’re stuck? You’re not failing—you’re learning. Keep going. Adjust your approach. Get better at one thing each week. Your growth may not be explosive, but it’ll be real. And when you do hit 10K, you’ll know exactly how you got there.