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Creators,

Have you seen numerous content creators on TikTok flashing those huge affiliate income screenshots yet? Well, there’s a new playbook you need to start implementing to catch this wave.

In the last four years, the three main ways for content creators to make recurring revenue on TikTok were by a) securing brand partnerships, b) promoting affiliate products, or c) earning (pennies) via the Creator Fund.

Not anymore. 

In 2024, being a TikTok shop affiliate is all the rage. 

Now, creators can take advantage of lucrative earning opportunities without leaving the app. Some creators consistently earn $10k—$20k per month from the social commerce platform, and even more, creators are flocking in droves to get a piece of the social e-commerce pie.

Are you curious how to get your first paycheck as a professional TikTok Shop affiliate?

I did the hard work for you, and below, I break down five simple steps for making your first $1k with the TikTok shop Affiliate program.

Thank me later…

Please follow this newsletter post to the “T” and get qualified and approved to be an affiliate as soon as possible.

Then get your first video posted and watch the magic happen.

The information in this edition of The Creator Report should NOT be taken lightly!

3, 2, 1….

Let's. Crawl. In. 🦎

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What is TikTok shop affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing allows creators to earn commissions on every sale they facilitate for a brand. You’ve likely encountered affiliate links in YouTube descriptions or Instagram swipe-up stories.

However, traditional affiliate marketing had a significant drawback. It required directing users from a social media platform to a brand's website to complete a purchase, which wasn’t ideal for platforms wanting to retain user engagement.

To do affiliate marketing correctly, you had to build squeeze pages to capture emails so you could re-market to those customers who didn’t purchase the products you were promoting the first time.

This was always a necessary friction point for the customer and the affiliate.

Enter TikTok Shop.

This new feature enables creators to select products they wish to promote, tag them directly with a button at the bottom of their videos, and allow viewers to purchase directly within the app with just a few clicks.

There are over 250,000 sellers in TikTok Shop, and the number is steadily increasing.

With commission rates ranging from 5% to 50%, it presents a highly lucrative opportunity for creators and sellers.

It is reported that 11% of all TikTok users have purchased through the TikTok Shop, and 70% of all social selling is done on TikTok alone.

Are you in the 11%?

Now that I have your attention, let’s break down the deets…

5 Simple Steps To Making Your First $1k As A TikTok Shop Affiliate

The Lucrative World of TikTok Shop

Currently, the TikTok Shop ecosystem is a goldmine for many creators, with some generating substantial incomes by leveraging this platform. However, it's important to note that numerous creators still haven't tapped into this opportunity. These individuals are essentially leaving significant earnings unclaimed.

Overcoming the Initial Hurdle

Getting started is the most challenging aspect of becoming a successful TikTok Shop affiliate. The initial phase of making your first few sales can seem daunting, but pushing through this stage is crucial. Once you break the ice, you'll find that the momentum builds quickly, and your earnings can scale dramatically.

Step 1: Sign up as an affiliate

Get off the sidelines and into the game! First things first, sign up! You’ve got to be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 5,000 followers.

If you check those boxes, head straight to Creator Tools in your profile and tap ‘TikTok Shop for Creator’ to apply. Let’s get started!

If you don’t have enough followers, there are workarounds. Starting a TikTok shop affiliate page with 5000 followers isn’t as easy, but it is possible. Workarounds include but aren’t limited to:

1. Post like a madman: There is no substitute for putting the reps in. Post 3-5 times a day for a month. It only takes a single video to take off to get the coveted 5,000 followers needed.

2. Acquire an already-built account: Online marketplaces such as Fame Swap allow creators to sell their accounts. At first glance, US-based accounts with 5k+ followers cost around $100-$200. This should be the second thing you try after posting on your own.

3. Utilizing grow rooms (not recommended if you want true followers for your content niche): Grow rooms are lives hosted by a TikTok creator that exists solely to help you grow your followers. Everyone attending essentially wants the same thing — follower growth. It’s a ‘you scratch my back I scratch yours’, kind of scenario.

It goes without saying that no workaround is risk-free, but once you meet the requirements, the possibilities are endless.

Step 2: Find trending products you want to market

Alright, so you’ve successfully become an affiliate — what’s next? It’s time to hunt for profitable products on TikTok Shop. While starting with items you own is a good move, it won’t take you far in the long run. To make those crucial first sales, you must choose products wisely. Focus on finding trending items with excellent reviews.

Picking a trending product means tapping into an already interested audience. Your content can be the final push they need to make a purchase.

Products with high ratings and great seller feedback ensure that TikTok won’t limit your visibility. That’s a double win for you!

Step 3: Get free samples or purchase the product (easier than you think!)

After pinpointing the product you want to promote, you can request a free sample from the seller on TikTok Shop. Many sellers will get you a free product sample in exchange for you creating a handful of videos.

I have found that sellers have a cap on how many samples they will distribute each month. If samples are still available, you can request one through the Product Marketplace for Creators.

Once the brand approves your request, the product will be shipped to you. Remember, there’s a monthly limit on how many samples you can request, so be strategic and avoid wasting requests on low-value items.

If samples are unavailable or your request is denied, don’t worry. Purchase the product yourself and create the content. In the UGC world, working for free can be seen negatively, but it’s a small investment for low-value items that can pay off in the long run.

Sign up to Levanta to earn more and partner directly with Amazon and TikTok sellers. As a creator, you can join for free!

4. Create content using existing TikTok shop frameworks

TikTok shop frameworks are like having a cheat sheet in your pocket. When we talk about frameworks, we're referring to creative approaches—video themes, specific hooks, or unique elements in your content.

Dive into the top-performing TikTok shop videos with tools like Kalodata and analyze their strategies. You'll frequently encounter techniques like reverse hooks, price comparisons, and engagement bait.

5. Repeat your efforts at scale (more content=more $$)

The creators killing it on TikTok Shop share two key traits: speed and volume. The top performers are consistently churning out multiple TikTok Shop videos every day. They focus on making quick, straightforward videos with minimal editing that takes 5-20 minutes to produce.

This approach maximizes your chances of creating a viral hit. Even if most of your videos don’t take off, you’ll quickly learn what doesn’t work, giving you valuable insights three times faster than if you only post once daily.

And that’s the short and skinny on how to become a TikTok Shop affiliate in 2024

For UGC creators or influencers accustomed to hustling for brand deals, TikTok Shop gives you the power to control your creator's destiny. It’s a game changer, but only if you’re actively participating. You can choose to sit on the sidelines or dive in headfirst.

So, get set up, discover winning products, and start making those sales.

WHAT YOU LEARNED TODAY

• Transition to TikTok Shop: The primary ways to earn money on TikTok have shifted from brand partnerships, affiliate product promotions, and the Creator Fund to focus on the TikTok Shop.

• Lucrative Opportunities: TikTok Shop offers creators significant earning potential without leaving the app, with some earning tens of thousands per month.

• Steps to Success: To make your first $5k as a TikTok Shop affiliate, sign up, find trending products with good reviews, request free samples or buy the product yourself, and use proven content frameworks.

• Consistency and Scale: Successful creators produce multiple videos daily with minimal editing, maximizing their chances for viral content and learning quickly from what doesn’t work.