If you are an affiliate marketer worth your salt in 2024, you need to be exploring TikTok. It’s the fastest growing social network on the planet, and it’s where all the cool kids hang out these days.
But be warned, even with over 1 billion active monthly users, it’s not as easy as signing up and cashing in. You’ll need to learn and implement specific tactics and creatives to make serious money on the platform. Not to worry though, Advidi is here to give you the blueprint on exactly how to squeeze this lemon for everything it’s worth.
Get Set Up
Before diving into content creation, make sure you have the right foundation for affiliate marketing on TikTok.
- Create or Switch to a Business Account:
TikTok allows users to create a business account, which provides access to analytics, promotional tools, and the ability to add a clickable link in your bio. You’ll need this feature to direct your followers to your affiliate links or landing pages. - Optimize Your Bio:
Include a short, clear description of who you are and what kind of content your audience can expect from your profile. Don’t forget to include a CTA (call to action) in your bio.
A Good Start Is Half The Battle
Everyone knows the Gen Zs that populate this platform (60% to be exact) have the attention span of a newborn baby, so it’s all about short, sharp content that instantly engages. If you don’t intrigue them in the first 1 or 2 seconds, they’re on to the next one. Here are some content strategies you can use to engage viewers while promoting your affiliate products:
- Product Demonstrations & Tutorials:
Whether it’s a beauty product, gadget, or tool, a demo makes the product more tangible to viewers and increases their trust - Before and After Comparisons:
People love a transformation! Show the results of using a product, such as a fitness program or skincare item, in a quick before-and-after format. These videos perform well because they immediately show the product’s value. - Storytelling Videos:
TikTok’s most successful creators know the power of storytelling. Share a short story about how the affiliate product changed your life or solved a problem. Keep it authentic and relatable to build trust with your audience. - Unboxing/Reaction Videos:
Unboxings are incredibly popular on TikTok. Show someone opening a product for the first time and share your initial reactions. These videos spark curiosity and build excitement around the product.
Keep Content Low-Fi
One of TikTok’s unique features is its focus on authentic, relatable content. The platform’s users don’t respond well to overt sales tactics, so your affiliate marketing strategy should feel more like sharing recommendations with a friend than a hard sell.
Low-fi production has proven to work best, which is great because it’s cheaper and easier to create. By ‘low-fi’ we don’t necessarily mean low production quality, more like DIY quality production, with little to no editing. The focus is on authentic interactions/reactions taken on a handheld smartphone or camera.
Often, the less the video looks like it was made by a marketing team, the better. The platform’s audience don’t want to see a Hollywood production, so don’t over complicate it. Get real, relatable human beings in front of the camera with the product in their hands.
Offer valuable information that helps your audience, such as “5 life hacks using this product” or “Why this tool saved me hours of work.” Content that educates or entertains is more likely to get engagement.
Add Your Links
One of TikTok’s limitations for affiliate marketers is the lack of clickable links in video descriptions (unless you run ads). Affiliates must direct traffic to the link in their bio, which adds an extra step for users and can reduce conversions.
However, you can still direct traffic to your affiliate products in a few clever ways:
- Link in Bio:
Use the link in your TikTok bio to direct followers to a landing page, blog, or product page that contains your affiliate links. Be sure to mention this link in your videos, saying something like “Link in bio for more details” or “Check out my favorite products here.” - Use QR Codes:
Include a scannable QR code in your videos that links directly to the product or your landing page.
It’s Not For Everyone
While the platform has huge potential for some products, it may not be the case for others.
- Narrow Demographics:
If you’re trying to sell life insurance to pensioners, maybe stick to Facebook. Only utilize the platform if your target demographic is under 30, if not 25. It really is the land of the Gen Z. - Spending Power:
Due to the fact that you’re selling to a younger audience with less disposable income, it can be difficult to make conversions. - Staying Relevant:
Trends on TikTok move at lightning speed. Ensuring your content is fresh and current can take constant updating. This can be very time consuming and expensive.
Think You’re Good Enough?
There you have it, a blueprint for success on TikTok. With over 90% of its 1 billion users accessing the app daily, you certainly won’t be short of traffic. If you think you’re plugged into the Gen Z zeitgeist and can kick it with the cool kids, TikTok could really be your land of milk and honey. Want to test out your skills? Why not become an Advidi affiliate and get access to our exclusive offers. Sign up here, our dedicated account managers are waiting!