Podcast Summary: "Outreach Failing? 8 Organic Affiliate Ways to Beat TikTok Bots"

Podcast Information:

• Title: TikTok Shop Insiders
• Host: Ivan (TSI)
• Episode: Outreach Failing? 8 Organic Affiliate Ways to Beat TikTok Bots
• Release Date: May 16, 2025
• Description: "TikTok Shop Insiders" serves as an essential guide for affiliate marketers, aspiring sellers, and seasoned brands aiming to maximize their presence on TikTok commerce. The podcast delves into actionable news, trends, and strategies to build a thriving brand or creator presence on TikTok Shop.

1. Introduction and Host Updates

Ivan's Welcome and Personal Updates ([00:01] – [03:30]):

• Ivan extends a warm welcome to listeners, expressing gratitude for the supportive community and positive feedback.
  • "I was on a call last week where a seller was just listening to the podcast and made a lot of sales through what he learned from the podcast." ([02:45])
• He shares personal news, recounting a rejuvenating family trip to Hawaii where he appreciated unplugging and witnessing his team effectively managing client needs in his absence.
  • "Once you step away, the show goes on. So greatly appreciative of the team." ([03:10])
• Updates on business growth:
  • Signed two new clients: eight-figure brands transitioning from Amazon and DTC to TikTok Shop.
  • Progress on Affiliate Academy HQ, onboarding hundreds of affiliates weekly.
  • Teases an upcoming exciting project related to TikTok Shop without revealing specifics.
    • "I'll let you guys know, I'll kind of throw items here and there. You'll be the first ones to know when it launches." ([04:50])

2. TikTok Shop News and Updates

Current Developments in TikTok Shop ([05:15] – [09:30]):

• Deprecation of Co-Funded Free Shipping ([05:15]):

  • Effective May 29th, TikTok Shop will discontinue its co-funded free shipping offer for orders over $30.
    • "TikTok Shop is deprecating their co-funded free shipping on May 29th." ([05:25])
  • Ivan anticipates an increase in TikTok's commission rates from the current 8% to potentially 10-15% as TikTok asserts its growing influence in the commerce space.

• Changes to Refundable Samples ([07:00]):

  • TikTok Shop is revising its refundable sample policy by removing content-based refunds, now requiring sales performance for refunds.
    • "They're making it only sales performance now. You have to have sales attributed to it." ([07:15])
  • Ivan supports this change, noting that it ensures affiliates focus on generating genuine sales rather than merely producing content.

• Global Expansion of TikTok Shop ([08:30]):

  • TikTok Shop continues its global expansion, recently entering European and Japanese markets.
    • "TikTok Shop is launching all over the globe... it's getting bigger and bigger." ([08:45])
  • Encourages brands to explore opportunities in these new markets, citing interest from international sellers like those in Spain.

3. Main Topic: 8 Organic Ways to Find Affiliates

Introduction to Affiliate Outreach Challenges ([09:35] – [10:45]):

• Ivan addresses the common struggle among newer sellers to find affiliates without resorting to bots and automation.
  • "A lot of the people that listen to this are newer sellers... what are some other ways other than bots and automation that these smaller brands can find affiliates." ([09:50])

Eight Organic Methods to Discover Affiliates:

1. Paid UGC Communities ([10:50] – [15:30]):

   • Description: Platforms like Incense connect brands with vetted UGC creators who specialize in creating high-quality videos.
   • Pros:
     • Access to creators who are experienced in selling and have established profiles.
     • Vetted affiliates with an existing affiliate mindset.
   • Cons:
     • High costs, including monthly fees (ranging from $200 to $400) and per-video payments.
     • Expensive for brands aiming for a high volume of affiliate content.
     • "Traditional UGC creators are going to charge relatively higher... it's pretty expensive." ([12:20])
   • Conclusion: Suitable for brands willing to invest heavily in quality affiliate content but may not be scalable for all.

2. Twitter and X ([15:35] – [19:00]):

   • Description: Utilize hashtags like #TikTokShopAffiliates to find and engage potential affiliates directly via DMs.
   • Pros:
     • Free and straightforward method to connect with affiliates.
   • Cons:
     • Time-consuming and not easily scalable.
     • Requires building relationships individually.
     • "It's time-consuming and can't do it at scale." ([17:00])
   • Conclusion: Best for small brands seeking a personal touch with potential affiliates.

3. Affiliate Communities (Brands Meets Creators, Creators Corner, Discord Groups) ([19:05] – [22:30]):

   • Description: Engage with large communities where affiliates gather to learn and collaborate.
   • Pros:
     • Access to a vast pool of affiliates actively seeking opportunities.
   • Cons:
     • High costs for brand promotions (e.g., ~$4,000) to feature products.
     • Limited scope focused solely on affiliate outreach without broader shop management.
     • "It's an expensive route... it's only focused on the affiliates." ([21:15])
   • Conclusion: Viable for brands seeking extensive affiliate reach but may require additional investment for comprehensive shop management.

4. Competitive Sniping through Kalodata ([22:35] – [25:00]):

   • Description: Use analytics tools like Kalodata to identify and reach out to competitors' top affiliates.
   • Pros:
     • Targets high-performing affiliates who are already successful in your niche.
   • Cons:
     • Not highly scalable and may require significant effort to compile contact information.
     • "Obviously not super scalable, but when you're at a point where you don't have any... that's some place to look." ([24:10])
   • Conclusion: Effective for brands needing to jumpstart their affiliate program with proven performers.

5. Leveraging Your Own Brand’s Social Media ([25:05] – [27:30]):

   • Description: Identify and recruit affiliates from your existing social media followers who are passionate about your brand.
   • Pros:
     • Affiliates are already loyal customers and brand advocates.
     • Higher likelihood of genuine promotion and quality content.
   • Cons:
     • Limited scalability compared to other methods.
     • "One affiliate is probably worth a dozen kind of random affiliates." ([26:40])
   • Conclusion: Ideal for building a dedicated and enthusiastic affiliate base organically.

6. Facebook Groups for Affiliates ([27:35] – [30:30]):

   • Description: Participate in Facebook groups dedicated to TikTok Shop affiliates to find and engage potential partners.
   • Pros:
     • Large communities with thousands of affiliates.
   • Cons:
     • Time-intensive to engage individually and negotiate collaborations.
     • Potentially inconsistent quality among affiliates.
     • "It's a gray hat way of finding them but I guess these like again this is not like a tried and true." ([29:15])
   • Conclusion: Can supplement other strategies but may require additional vetting to ensure affiliate quality.

7. TikTok Comments ([30:35] – [32:50]):

   • Description: Interact with potential affiliates directly through the comments section of TikTok videos that align with your brand.
   • Pros:
     • Direct and personal way to engage with interested affiliates.
     • Affiliates are active and responsive within their content community.
   • Cons:
     • Labor-intensive and not easily scalable.
     • "It's a great way of finding these affiliates on TikTok and TikTok Shop." ([31:20])
   • Conclusion: Useful for targeting specific affiliates who actively engage with similar content.

8. AI Tools ([32:55] – [38:00]):

   • Description: Utilize AI-driven tools like Make UGC to generate promotional content and identify potential affiliates.
   • Pros:
     • Ability to scale content production rapidly.
     • Innovative approach that can lead to high-volume affiliate outreach.
   • Cons:
     • Currently challenging to master and implement effectively.
     • Mixed results; while some brands succeed, others struggle to achieve desired outcomes.
     • "AI tools is definitely a way to go. Requires a mastery. It's like a language of its own." ([35:45])
   • Conclusion: Promising for scalable affiliate marketing but requires expertise and continuous experimentation.

4. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Recap of the 8 Organic Affiliate Strategies ([38:05] – [39:30]):

• Ivan succinctly reiterates the eight methods:
  1. Paid UGC Communities
  2. Twitter and X
  3. Affiliate Communities
  4. Competitive Sniping through Kalodata
  5. Your Own Brand’s Social Media
  6. Facebook Groups for Affiliates
  7. TikTok Comments
  8. AI Tools

Final Remarks ([39:35] – [40:00]):

• Ivan emphasizes the importance of diversifying affiliate outreach strategies beyond bots and automation.
• Encourages listeners to experiment with these methods and share their successes.
  • "That concludes it for today... appreciate everyone listening. Leave a review if you can and that's it. Catch you next time." ([39:50])

Key Takeaways:

• Diversification is Crucial: Relying solely on bots and automation limits the quality and scalability of affiliate outreach. Exploring organic methods can lead to more authentic and effective partnerships.
• Quality Over Quantity: Prioritizing high-performing affiliates, especially those already engaged with your brand, can yield better sales and brand loyalty.
• Adapt and Experiment: The evolving landscape of TikTok Shop necessitates continual adaptation. Leveraging new tools like AI requires dedication but can provide significant advantages.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: While some methods offer robust access to affiliates, they come with higher costs. Brands must weigh these against their budgets and growth objectives.

By implementing these eight organic strategies, brands and creators can enhance their TikTok Shop presence, build genuine affiliate relationships, and drive sustained sales growth without over-relying on automated bots.