How To Use TikTok For Affiliate Marketing?
Let’s begin with some numbers, some of which may surprise you if you still think of TikTok as only a niche platform where Generation Z goes to unwind. (As a Xennial who spends far too much time on TikTok, I can attest that this is only a small sample of the site’s content. However, it is anecdotal evidence, so let’s look at some rigorous studies instead.
There are currently 1 billion active TikTok users, and they consume an average of 167 million hours of video per Internet minute, as reported by the Influencer Marketing Hub.
The popularity of TikTok has grown to the point where it competes with established media brands like Netflix and Disney for viewers’ time. Indeed, it is receiving it. In place of spending hours browsing Netflix in search of a show to watch (and, I mean, what do you do after you’ve pretty much seen them all? ), many people now spend those hours on TikTok, watching everything from comedic skits and makeup tutorials to mental health advice and nutritional breakdowns.
Being well-liked is one thing, but keeping an audience interested is another. Again, TikTok comes out on top, with unrivalled engagement rates per post across both micro- and mega-influencers (17.96% and 4.96%, respectively).
And you guessed it: a dedicated following fed consistently interesting material is the bedrock of effective affiliate marketing.
A Breakdown of Affiliate Marketing on TikTok
Much like on other social media sites, this one operates in much the same way. To put it simply, producers collaborate with businesses to advertise products and services, adding (or mentioning) affiliate links in exchange for a percentage on sales earned through such connections. But, TikTok may make things trickier.
If you want to promote your videos on TikTok, you’ll need at least 10,000 followers before you can embed a link in the video itself. A TikToker can promote a brand by obtaining a promo code and then using it in their movies and remarks. There is a prearranged cut of any sales made with the code.
Affiliate marketing on TikTok: A Primer
Do you remember when you needed a specific number of followers before you could include a link in your Instagram stories? (Also known as the “swipe-up” link at the time.) When you have more than 10,000 followers, TikTok still allows you to embed clickable links in your videos. Also, a business account and a registered business on TikTok are prerequisites for including a link in a user’s bio.
When your TikTok account is established and you have a following
If you’ve built up a sizable following on TikTok, you might be able to make some money off of it through affiliate marketing. You’ll need to upgrade to a TikTok business account to add a link to your bio and start promoting brands and goods. That is surprisingly simple, thankfully.
You can do this by visiting your profile, clicking the hamburger button in the upper right, and then selecting Settings and privacy > Manage account >. Change to a company profile
Choose the most appropriate business category when setting up your account. Afterwards, complete your profile by including your email and a brief biography.
A new “Business suite” option has been added to the hamburger menu, and it contains TikTok statistics for your videos in addition to TikTok advertising choices. Collaborations with other creators to promote a brand are something you can keep track of through branded content management.
Choose the “Business registration” tab to begin the process of registering your company. Once you’ve done so (and had your registration authorised), you’ll be able to include a clickable link in your bio that directs readers to your affiliate offers, landing page, or website.
For the bio, include anything that compels readers to click through to your link, prompts them to take action, and describes the benefits they’ll reap.
To put it simply, while you’re first getting started on TikTok
In addition to the aforementioned requirements, you will also need to have an audience before you can place a link in the bio and make money through affiliate marketing on TikTok. The key to successful promotion of affiliate links on TikTok (and in marketing in general) is having an active and interested audience (or really, anything.) That’s why it deserves your immediate attention.
Regardless of how many people follow you, you can switch your personal account over to a business account and use all of TikTok’s marketing features. But, embedded links in videos won’t be an option.
When you create a business account on TikTok, you may include a link to your website (or an affiliate link) in your bio. And before you do that, you should link your other social media profiles (Instagram and YouTube) in your account settings so that you can divert some of your traffic and grow your following on those platforms as well. Simply go to your profile page and click the “Edit profile” link to make the necessary changes.
Important points
If you’re an affiliate marketer, TikTok is where it’s at (or planning to be one). Gaining a large, interested audience for your affiliate offerings can be accomplished rapidly with its support. That is, as long as your content is actually helpful to the reader.
The sheer volume of videos and the sheer number of artists vying for attention mean that if you’re not prepared to stand out, you’re doomed to fail. Make your TikTok profile interesting enough that people want to watch your content, and you’ll attract viewers and earn affiliate commissions.