Affiliate marketing is a popular online business model that involves promoting and selling products or services for a commission. It allows individuals to earn money without creating their own products or setting up as a full-scale retailer. In this article, we will focus on affiliate marketing on TikTok, the fastest growing social media platform for Generation Z and Millennials.
Why Would You Consider Affiliate Marketing on TikTok?
TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users who watch 167 million hours of videos every internet minute, making it a prime platform for affiliate marketing. In addition, TikTok was the most popular app downloaded globally in 2021 and 2022, beating giants such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Moreover, TikTok users aren’t afraid to spend money. According to Sensor Tower data, TikTok was the top-grossing non-gaming app worldwide in February 2021, with more than $110 million of user spending. Although TikTok has a young audience, with 32.5% of its US users aged between 10 and 19, and a further 29.5% aged 20-29, there is a potential to succeed with affiliate marketing by selecting products that appeal to your audience.
How Does Affiliate Marketing on TikTok Work?
Affiliate marketing on TikTok works similarly to other social media platforms. There are three parties involved in affiliate transactions: the product creator or merchant, the affiliate network (optional), and the affiliate marketer. The product creator or affiliate network provides a unique code for each affiliate marketer. The affiliate marketers then reference their code somewhere in their TikTok videos or leave a link containing it on their TikTok profile page.
Leveraging Organic Traffic on Your TikTok Videos
To become a successful affiliate marketer on TikTok, you need to leverage organic traffic to your TikTok videos. This requires a reasonable number of viewers and engagement with your videos. If you don’t have good organic traffic, you can experiment with some suggestions on how to create videos that the TikTok algorithm will prioritize, such as focusing on a subculture/niche, keeping your videos short, leveraging popular hashtags, and making your captions relevant and engaging.
Marketing to Your Organic Traffic
TikTok’s users are primarily members of Generation Z, with strong pockets of supporters in Millennials and Generation Alpha. You need to establish a clear niche for your account and make and share videos that appeal to those interested in that topic. The affiliate products you choose to promote should also appeal to those people. You should blend your affiliate products into your videos naturally and subtly, selecting affiliate products that your typical viewers would use.
Use TikTok Paid Advertising to Promote Your Affiliate Products
If you don’t have a sizable engaged TikTok following, paid advertising is the best way to promote affiliate products on TikTok. Even if you have plenty of followers and a track record of having your videos appear in people’s For You lists, you could consider supplementing your organic video posts with some paid ads.
Paid advertising on TikTok works similarly to the system used on Facebook and Instagram, where you bid to have your ads appear on viewers’ screens. Video in-feed ads appear as a 5-60 second full-screen video in users’ For You feeds. You can target your ads to specific demographics and psychographics, and the amount you pay depends on what it costs to win your preferred slots in a silent auction. TikTok has other higher-profile ads, such as their TopView Ads, but these are more expensive and will generally not be cost-effective for all except the most popular affiliate marketers with massive audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of products are good for TikTok affiliate marketing?
The best products for TikTok affiliate marketing are those that appeal to your followers and fit your niche. Look for products that your audience is likely to be interested in, such as fashion, lifestyle, technology, and consumer products.
- How do I get started with affiliate marketing on TikTok?
To get started with affiliate marketing on TikTok, you will need to have a TikTok account and a following. Look for affiliate programs that offer products that fit your niche and audience, and sign up to become an affiliate. Once you are approved, you can begin promoting the products in your TikTok videos.
- How do I promote affiliate products in my TikTok videos?
You can promote affiliate products in your TikTok videos by including a link to the product in your bio or mentioning the product in your videos and captions. Be sure to make the promotion natural and subtle, rather than appearing like a traditional ad.
- How do I track my affiliate sales on TikTok?
Most affiliate programs will provide you with a unique code or link to include in your promotions. When someone clicks on the link or uses the code to make a purchase, the sale will be attributed to you, and you will receive a commission.
Conclusion
TikTok is a rapidly growing social media platform with enormous potential for affiliate marketing. With its engaged user base, high levels of organic and paid traffic, and potential for creating viral content, TikTok is a platform that affiliate marketers can’t afford to ignore.
To be successful with affiliate marketing on TikTok, it’s important to focus on building a following, creating engaging content, and promoting products that appeal to your audience. With the right approach, TikTok can be an excellent way to generate income as an affiliate marketer.