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How To Become A TikTok Shop Affiliate

Becoming a TikTok Shop affiliate is a smart and easy way to boost your earnings by promoting products directly on your TikTok account. With the TikTok affiliate program, you can partner with brands, showcase products in your videos, and earn commissions on the sales your content drives. 

The best part? You don’t need to be a mega influencer to be eligible to join the program. This guide will walk you through how to join the TikTok shop affiliate program, grow your audience and maximise your earnings. 

What is TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is an e-commerce feature within TikTok that allows creators, brands, and merchants to sell products directly through videos and livestreams. You can easily tag products in your content, making them instantly shoppable for your audience without leaving the app. You can also earn commissions through TikTok's affiliate program by showcasing products you love. 

What Are The Benefits Of The TikTok Shop Affiliate Program?

Becoming a TikTok Shop affiliate comes with plenty of advantages that can help you grow as a creator and boost your earnings.

Monetize Your Audience

You can earn a commission on every sale made through your videos and livestreams. Whether you’re sharing makeup tutorials, fitness tips, or product reviews, your followers can easily buy the items you recommend. 

New Brand Partnerships

When you request to collaborate with a TikTok Shop seller, you’re opening the door to new brand deals. These partnerships help you connect with more companies, boosting your profile and helping you grow as a creator. More deals mean more exposure, which can lead to even bigger opportunities down the road.

Promote Products You Love

With the TikTok Shop affiliate program, you get to choose products you actually like. Promoting things you genuinely use or believe in makes your recommendations more trustworthy, and your followers will appreciate the authenticity.

Access to Free Products

Many brands will send you free products in exchange for promoting them. This not only gives you the chance to try new items but also makes it easier to feature the latest trends or releases without spending your own money. As you grow on TikTok Shop and begin generating commissions, you'll gain the ability to request free products more frequently.

Choose From a Wide Range of Products

Whether your content is focused on fashion, beauty, tech, or fitness, you’ll have access to a huge variety of products. This lets you choose items that fit your style and are likely to interest your followers, making your content more engaging.

Engage With Your Audience

Promoting products that align with your niche gives you more opportunities to connect with your followers. Whether you’re demonstrating how to use a product or sharing your honest review, this kind of content builds trust and increases interaction.

How To Become A TikTok Shop Affiliate

If you are eager to start earning commissions on TikTok Shop, just follow these short, easy steps, and you’ll be ready to connect with brands and start earning money in no time.

1. Open TikTok and Go to Your Profile

Start by launching the TikTok app and navigating to your profile.

2. Access Creator Tools

Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner and select "Creator Tools" from the options. This is where you’ll find all your monetization features.

3. Select 'TikTok Shop for Creator

Scroll through the Creator Tools section until you find "TikTok Shop for Creator." This option will allow you to apply for the TikTok Shop affiliate program​.

4. Submit Your Application

Click “Apply” to start the application process. TikTok will review your profile to ensure you meet their criteria. The approval process generally takes 1 to 3 business days.

5. Browse Products and Apply to Promote

Once accepted, you can browse through available products in TikTok Shop that fit your content style and audience. Apply to promote products, and once approved by the seller, you can start featuring them in your videos.

6. Create and Share Content

After receiving approval to promote a product, create engaging content that showcases it. Add shoppable links to your videos and live streams so your audience can purchase directly from TikTok, earning you a commission on each sale​. 

What Are The Requirements For Becoming a TikTok Shop Affiliate?

Before joining TikTok Shop as a creator, there are a few key requirements you need to meet. Depending on where you’re located, follower count and other eligibility factors can vary. 

Be At Least 18 Years Old

You need to be 18 or older to join TikTok Shop. This ensures that everyone in the program is legally eligible.

Be Located In A Country Where TikTok Shop Is Available

Not every country has TikTok Shop yet. To join, you need to be in one of the regions where it’s active, like the US, UK, or Southeast Asia​. 

Have A Minimum Of 1,000 to 5,000 Followers

The number of followers you have does matter. Depending on your region, you'll need between 1,000 to 5,000 followers to qualify. If you're from the US or the UK, you must have at least 5,000 followers. However, if you live in Southeast Asia, 1,000 followers are sufficient to be accepted into the program.

Regularly Post Original Content Related To Your Niche

Consistency is key. TikTok looks for creators who post relevant content in their niche, whether it's beauty, fitness, fashion, tech, gaming, travel, food, education, or lifestyle.

Comply With TikTok’s Community Guidelines And Terms Of Service

You must follow TikTok’s rules. This keeps the platform a safe and positive space for both creators and their audiences​.

How to Find Products to Promote in TikTok Shop

As a TikTok Shop affiliate, finding the right products to promote is key to building trust with your audience and driving sales. Here’s how to find the best products and sellers within the TikTok Shop:

1. Explore the Product Marketplace

The Product Marketplace is your primary resource for finding products to promote. To access it:

  • Go to your profile in the TikTok app.
  • Click on the shopping bag icon and select TikTok Shop.
  • Once in the TikTok Shop Creator Center click on “Product Marketplace” and explore a variety of product categories such as beauty, fashion, tech, and home goods.

2. Look for Sellers With Credibility

To maintain your reputation as a creator, it's essential to choose sellers who are reliable. Here’s what to look for:

  • Good Reviews: Select sellers with high ratings and positive reviews to ensure that you are promoting quality products. This helps build trust with your audience.
  • Inventory Availability: Verify that the seller has enough inventory to meet demand. Promoting a product that’s constantly out of stock can damage your credibility and frustrate your followers.

3. Choose Products With Viral Potential

Picking products that can go viral is a smart strategy on TikTok. Here's how to spot those opportunities:

  • Trending Categories: Focus on products in categories currently trending on TikTok, like beauty tools, gadgets, or fashion items.
  • Unique and Visual Products: Select products that are visually appealing or have standout features, as they tend to perform better in video content.
  • Engaging Stories: Choose products that allow you to tell a story or demonstrate their usage. Tutorials, product reviews, and unboxings are great formats for TikTok and can help drive sales.

For example, in July 2023, the Stanley tumbler cup became a huge trend on TikTok, leading people to look for affordable dupes. This created a great opportunity for sellers to offer cheaper alternatives on TikTok Shop.

@mamaclaire02, with just 99K followers, shared a video showcasing "the perfect Stanley cup dupe" for under $10, aimed at those who couldn’t afford the original. 

The video blew up, earning over 17 million views, 600K likes, 3K comments, 30K saves, and 12K shares.

In order to find these trending products, you can use the filters available in the marketplace to narrow down your search. For example, filter by Best Sellers to find products that have already proven successful on the platform. These items are popular and likely to resonate with your audience, giving you a better chance to create content that performs well.

4. Pro Tip

To get started quickly, find a product in the marketplace that you already know and have at home, even if you originally purchased it elsewhere. What matters is that it's available on TikTok Shop for your followers to buy.

Initially, you may not receive free samples from sellers, and you might need to buy the product yourself. If you already own the product, it saves time and allows you to start promoting it right away.

How Much Money Can You Make As a TikTok Shop Affiliate?

The amount you can earn as a TikTok Shop affiliate largely depends on the products you promote, the engagement of your content, and the commission rates set by sellers. Here’s a breakdown:

High Value Products Like Fashion Offer 15% - 20% Commission

TikTok Shop affiliate commissions can vary, typically ranging from 10% to 20% of the sale price, although they can sometimes go higher for premium products. 

Some sellers also offer a flat rate, which may be between $5 and $20 per sale. 

Higher-value products, like electronics or fashion, may offer 15% to 25% commissions, making them more lucrative for affiliates promoting expensive items.

Sales Volume and Content Performance Affect Influencer Earnings

Your earnings will also depend on how many sales you can generate through your content. If your video goes viral, it increases the likelihood of more sales. 

Creators with a smaller but highly engaged audience can still make significant earnings if their content resonates well with followers. 

For example, influencers with 1,000 to 10,000 followers can expect to earn between $20 to $150 per post, while those with 50,000 to 500,000 followers could make up to $1,650 per post​.

Influencer Followers Range Estimated Earnings Per Post
1,000 - 10,000 $20 - $150
10,000 - 50,000 $30 - $400
50,000 - 500,000 $80 - $1,650
500,000 - 1,000,000 $150 - $3,500
1,000,000+ $1,200 - Unlimited

Bekahsreview, who focuses on product reviews for TikTok Shop items, with around 22,000 followers, has dedicated her account to showcasing these products and generates around $4,000 a week by posting daily. 

Despite having a smaller following, her consistent and engaging content has helped her thrive in the TikTok Shop space. Bekah has been active on TikTok Shop for about 9 months, demonstrating that even newer creators can achieve significant earnings by focusing on product reviews and engaging with their audience.

Another creator example is steph_murphy, who shares a mix of product reviews and motherhood content. With over 173,000 followers, Steph earns around $5,000 per week through her engaging posts.

Her blend of relatable parenting experiences and product showcases resonates with her audience, making her a successful affiliate on TikTok Shop.

Factors That Affect Earnings

Impact of Engagement Rate on TikTok Earnings

The more engaged your audience is, the better your chances of driving sales. 

Brands prefer creators with high engagement because it means their products will likely reach more potential buyers​. 

In fact, brand posts on TikTok typically see engagement rates above 9%, which is much higher than what’s seen on other platforms. Plus, around 60% of TikTok users say they trust brands more when they hear about them from influencers rather than from in-feed ads​

A great example is TikTokler Abby Conway. One of her videos featuring a chair went viral, obtaining an impressive 21 million views, 600,000 likes, over 2,000 comments, 70,800 saves, and 22,000 shares

With such widespread visibility and interaction, it’s likely that many viewers clicked on her affiliate link to purchase the chair. Abby’s success illustrates how crucial engagement is; when your content resonates with viewers, it can lead to significant sales, benefiting both you and the brands you promote.

Niche Impact on TikTok Earnings

Some niches, like beauty, fashion, and tech, tend to perform better on TikTok, attracting higher commissions and more opportunities for partnerships​.

This is mainly because the products in these categories are often more affordable and used frequently, making them easier to promote effectively.

With clothing and beauty items, viewers can easily make impulse purchases after seeing them featured in a TikTok video. When a creator shows off a trendy outfit or a new makeup product, it sparks interest and encourages followers to buy.

In fact, about 81% of U.S. sales on TikTok Shop come from health and beauty products.

TikTok Shop Affiliate Commission Rates By Niche

The TikTok Shop Affiliate Program offers varying commission rates based on the niche, product, and agreements with individual brands. Here’s an overview of typical commission rates for different niches:

Niche Commission Rate
Beauty and Skincare 10% to 20%
Fashion and Apparel 5% to 15%
Health and Fitness 7% to 15%
Electronics and Gadgets 3% to 8%
Home and Kitchen 5% to 12%
Toys and Games 5% to 10%
Pet Products 5% to 15%

These rates can vary, and it’s important to check specific brand agreements within the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program to find the exact commission rate for the products you’re promoting.

Tech products also have great potential on TikTok. While they might be a bit pricier, gadgets and accessories capture attention with their cool features and innovative designs. 

Creators can make engaging content by doing unboxings, reviews, and demos, showcasing how these tech items fit into everyday life.

TikTok Shop Affiliate Commission Rates by Brand

The commission rates in the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program can vary significantly depending on the brand. Here are examples of typical commission rates for various brands that are known to be part of TikTok's affiliate ecosystem: 

Brand Category Commission Rate Notes
L'Oréal Beauty and Skincare 10% to 15% Competitive rates, especially for high-demand skincare products.
Shein Fashion and Apparel 5% to 10% Offers a wide variety of fashion products for influencers.
Lancôme Luxury Beauty and Skincare 10% to 20% Higher commissions for premium beauty products.
Dyson Electronics and Home 3% to 8% Lower commission due to high product prices, but potential high earnings.
Adidas Fashion and Fitness 5% to 10% Popular for fitness and sportswear; strong global branding.
Sephora Beauty and Skincare 5% to 15% Offers a wide range of beauty products with varying commission rates.
Nike Fashion and Apparel 5% to 7% Mid-range commissions, strong brand recognition in athletic wear.
Anker Electronics 4% to 8% Known for affordable electronic accessories like chargers and power banks.
Revolution Beauty Beauty and Skincare 8% to 15% Higher commissions, popular with influencers promoting affordable beauty.
Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Beauty 10% to 20% Luxury brand with premium commissions for cosmetics influencers.
Gymshark Fitness and Apparel 5% to 12% Popular in the fitness community, offering mid-range commission rates.
Fenty Beauty Beauty 10% to 15% Strong brand in beauty, offering attractive commissions for influencers.

Few Key Points

  • Luxury brands like Lancôme and Charlotte Tilbury tend to offer the highest commissions (10-20%), leveraging higher product price points.
  • Fashion and Apparel brands such as Shein and Gymshark offer lower to moderate rates (5-12%), with large product selections to promote.
  • Electronics brands like Dyson and Anker provide lower commissions (3-8%), but the high value of these products can still generate substantial earnings for influencers.

These rates can fluctuate depending on brand-specific promotions, product launches, and seasonal campaigns. Always check individual brand offers for updated commission rates.

Final Thoughts On The TikTok Shop Affiliate Program

Becoming a TikTok Shop affiliate opens up exciting opportunities for creators to monetize their content while sharing products they love. 

By following the steps outlined in this guide and focusing on engaging content, you can connect with brands, earn commissions, and grow your influence on the platform. Whether you’re just starting or looking to enhance your existing strategies, TikTok Shop offers a dynamic way to turn your creativity into profit.

As you embark on this journey, remember that authenticity and passion are essential to resonating with your audience. 

Choose products that align with your niche and interests, as this helps build trust and loyalty among your followers. By consistently posting original content and engaging with your audience, you can maximize your earnings potential.

FAQs
Can I use my existing TikTok account for the TikTok Shop affiliate program?
What happens if my application for the TikTok Shop affiliate program is denied?
How do I track my sales and commissions as a TikTok Shop affiliate?
Are there any fees associated with joining the TikTok Shop affiliate program?
Can I promote products from other affiliate programs alongside TikTok Shop?

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