Most marketing strategies require businesses to pay up front for an advertising plan in hopes of generating revenue. Even pay-per-click advertising is no sure thing; you can end up paying too much for clicks that don't ultimately lead to sales. Affiliate marketing is a rare exception; because payments are tied to sales, a well-run affiliate program rarely loses money, and a program that doesn't generate sales is ultimately free (or close to it).
Affiliate programs allow brands to access the relationship-building and niche targeting power of influencer marketing strategies with minimal financial risk, while allowing creators to monetize their followings and add an additional revenue stream. Learn how TikTok affiliate marketing works and how both brands and creators can take advantage of this strategy.
What is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a partnership model between brands and creators, where the merchant pays a commission on purchases generated by the creator.
For more details on how it works, see below.
1. Brands distribute custom links to creators
Each creator (or affiliate) is given a custom link or unique URL that identifies them, and in some cases, brands may attach a coupon code or other discount code to the affiliate link.
2. Creators promote brands
Creators post their affiliate links on their social media accounts, personal websites, or other marketing channels and encourage their audience to purchase through the link. Some creators also use paid advertising strategies to increase their reach and drive engagement with their affiliate offers.
3. Brands pay creators for their purchases
When a customer makes a purchase using a creator's link, the brand pays the creator a commission.
In some cases, a third party called an affiliate network acts as an intermediary between brands and creators. These services help brands and creators find each other and streamline the process of paying and receiving commissions.
How does TikTok affiliate marketing work?
TikTok is a social media platform focused on short-form video content. Like other affiliate marketing programs, TikTok affiliate marketing helps retailers increase brand awareness and reach specific target audiences. It's a key part of many brands' TikTok marketing strategies.
While TikTok users can't add clickable links to their videos, those with business accounts can use their TikTok profile page to link directly to affiliate offers or redirect traffic to link-friendly social network profiles. Creators can also upload videos that direct viewers to a dedicated URL, promote discount codes in video captions, and use paid TikTok ads to expand their reach, encourage click-throughs, and increase commission income.
Users with more than 10,000 followers can also add clickable links to their TikTok Stories, which are short videos that appear on an account's profile page and disappear after 24 hours.
How Content Creators Can Get Started with Affiliate Marketing on TikTok
- Define your niche
- Create a business account
- Join an affiliate marketing program
- Adding an affiliate URL to your TikTok profile
- Create quality TikTok content
Becoming a TikTok affiliate marketer is a low-risk way to add a creator revenue stream to your portfolio. Once you get started, it can also be a passive income stream. As long as your links are active, you'll earn money from clicks and purchases. Here's how to get started as an affiliate marketer on the platform:
1. Define your niche
The first step is to define your niche, i.e. the subject matter you cover and the needs and interests of your target audience.
If you have a sizable TikTok audience, you may already have an established niche. If not, consider what kind of TikTok content you want to upload and what type of product or marketing niche relates to your interests. For example, if you have expertise in fly fishing and camping, you could consider an outdoor skills and gear niche.
2. Create a business account
To share links on your TikTok account, you'll need to convert your personal TikTok account into a free TikTok business account. Here's how to switch:
1. Open the TikTok app and click on “Profile.”
2. Select Menu and then Settings and Privacy.
3. Select Manage Account.
4. Select “Switch to a Business Account.”
3. Join an Affiliate Marketing Program
The next step is to find affiliate marketing programs in your niche. You can sign up with an affiliate network, research individual companies in a directory like the Shopify Affiliate Program, or contact brands directly.
4. Add your affiliate URL to your TikTok profile
Once you have identified an affiliate program, it's time to start distributing your link. To add a link to your profile,[プロフィールの編集]and paste in the relevant links. If you have multiple links, you can also use a free in-profile linking tool like LinkPop to create a landing page that will take you to multiple URLs at once.
5. Create quality TikTok content
To maximize your sales, create videos that promote your affiliate products and direct users to your unique referral link. You can also use relevant hashtags to increase organic traffic or invest in paid advertising to reach a wider audience.
How Merchants Can Get Started with Affiliate Marketing on TikTok
- Develop your affiliate offer
- Setting up the program
- Recruiting affiliate partners
- Manage your affiliates
Unlike other types of creator marketing opportunities, TikTok affiliate marketing requires minimal upfront investment. Although you still have to set up your affiliate marketing program, promote it, and reach out to individual creators, your financial risk is limited. If your partnership doesn't result in sales, you're not responsible for paying any funds. Here's how to get started:
1. Develop your affiliate offer
Identify your affiliate products (those that pay you a commission on sales) and calculate the commission percentage you're willing to pay to the creators. Depending on your profit margins and marketing strategy, you can include affiliate links for your entire store or just for specific products, such as high-margin products or products you especially want to promote.
2. Set up the program
There are two ways to set up an affiliate marketing program: you can run your own program using an affiliate management app or affiliate marketing software, or you can join an affiliate network, which is a third-party service provider that connects content creators with brands. Joining an affiliate network can minimize the workload associated with recruiting affiliates and running your program, but it also comes with higher costs. Networks typically charge a setup fee and take a percentage of each affiliate sale.
When making your choice, consider whether you can invest the time into running an affiliate program. If you're considering a network, calculate how much sales you need to make from it each month to recoup your investment, and estimate how likely you are to achieve that goal.
3. Recruit affiliate partners
If you choose to join an affiliate network, you can recruit affiliates through their platform. If you run your own program, you'll have to put in a bit more effort to find potential partners. You can promote your program on your company website, post on social media, and even send targeted messages to creators on TikTok. Look for creators who are popular with your target audience, align with your brand identity, and publish high-quality content related to your products or services.
4. Manage your affiliates
Once you've recruited your affiliates, familiarize them with your brand, products, and program rules. If your budget allows, you can also provide your affiliates with sample products to use in their videos. You can also distribute an affiliate resource pack with product information, visual assets, and key marketing messaging. Encourage your affiliates to create high-quality content featuring your brand, so their videos are more likely to reinforce your company's messaging.
TikTok Affiliate Marketing FAQs
What are the standard qualifications for TikTok affiliates?
Affiliate marketer eligibility is determined by the brands that run their affiliate programs, not TikTok, and creators can visit individual brand websites to learn about their eligibility to join a particular program.
Can I use paid ads to promote my affiliate links on TikTok?
Yes, paid advertising can help you expand the reach of your content and potentially earn you more commission.
Can I promote multiple affiliate programs on TikTok at the same time?
Yes, you can use a linkinbio tool like LinkPop to create a landing page that hosts multiple affiliate URLs at once.
