If you haven’t seen me around on Twitter or here lately, it’s because I’ve been head down learning everything I can about TikTok. 6+ hours a day on the platform. I’ve spent so much time on the platform in the past few months, that I’m now an honorary Zoomer.
I wanted to do a full writeup about all things TikTok Shop/Ads/Affiliate like I did with WordPress and Shopify. Then it hit me.
The platform is changing so much and so quickly that it would be quickly out of date. So instead, I’m going to do a high level write up and dive into specific reader requested sections.
One of which is a guest post from someone that’s recently had massive success with affiliates.
As of today, TikTok is the most interesting
New platform for ecommerce
Organic opportunity
Affiliate/influencer opportunity
Advertising channel
Why?
Because we’re currently in a gold rush and I don’t know how long it’s going to last. TikTok has been a gold rush for a few years in the creator space. If you can make short form video, you can bring eyeballs to anything you want on the platform.
I’m not talking about the creator space though. I’m talking about the ecommerce space. TikTok Shop.
I’m also not saying it’ll die by Q1 2024, but gold rushes never last. They end up in one of two categories.
Category 1
There’s a risk that TikTok Shop does die and it’s going to go to the history books like Myspace.
Category 2
On the opposite end of the spectrum, TikTok could turn into the next Amazon for commerce.
TikTok’s Goal
Social Commerce.
In short, social commerce is about using your platform and the social aspect of it to sell product. Everyone has their own definition. Don’t @ me for my definition.
Google was on their way to trying to dominate it with Google+. They failed.
Facebook had moderate success with local social commerce with Marketplace.
Instagram had less success with Instagram Shopping.
IMO, Amazon Creator Hub and Amazon Vine were failures.
I knew TikTok was eventually going to try social commerce and go after Amazon. This was confirmed in 3 ways.
Talking to a TikTok employee that goes to my gym
Talking to my TikTok ad rep
Running ads and building on the platform
Let me be very clear here. TikTok is going after Amazon. They may actually succeed in pulling a large share of sales away from Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, etc.
The Gold Rush
TikTok needs to do 3 things to succeed.