Podcast Summary: TikTok Shop Insiders – Episode: The Problem With TikTok Affiliate Outreach

Release Date: October 26, 2024
Hosts: Ivan and Pat

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Problem With TikTok Affiliate Outreach," hosts Ivan and Pat delve into the complexities of managing affiliate outreach within the TikTok Shop ecosystem. They discuss the challenges brands face in reaching affiliates, the evolving policies of TikTok, and innovative strategies to overcome these hurdles. The conversation is enriched with real-world experiences, actionable insights, and future-oriented solutions aimed at helping brands and affiliates thrive on TikTok Shop.

The Shipping Dilemma on TikTok Shop

One of the initial topics Ivan and Pat explore is whether brands should offer free shipping on their TikTok Shop offerings. This discussion revolves around the impact of shipping costs on product pricing and conversion rates.

Ivan's Perspective: Ivan explains his leanings based on observations from Asian TikTok shops, where "99.9% of the top Asian TikTok shops have pricing that does not include shipping costs. Instead, shipping is added at checkout" (02:48). He believes this approach can attract more initial clicks by presenting a lower price point, thus enhancing the likelihood of customers adding products to their carts.

Pat's Experience: Pat shares insights from their client experiences, stating, "If you have a product that's $10 and you're charging $5 for shipping, it doesn't look as great. But if the shipping cost is a small percentage of a higher-priced product, it might be acceptable" (03:43). They emphasize the importance of testing different shipping strategies to determine what works best for each product's price point.

Conclusion: Both hosts agree that "testing is really the only way to know" (05:16) which shipping strategy maximizes conversion rates, highlighting the necessity for brands to experiment with their pricing and shipping models.

The Challenge of Selling TikTok Shop Accounts

Ivan shares a noteworthy incident where someone offered to sell a US TikTok Shop seller account for $1,000. This anecdote underscores the high demand and difficulty international sellers face in accessing the US TikTok Shop.

Ivan's Observation: He remarks, "There's a growing community of international sellers that want to sell on US TikTok Shop, and they can't because of international restrictions or TikTok's terms of service" (05:19). This situation signals the lucrative opportunity available for those who have successfully navigated TikTok Shop's stringent requirements.

Pat's Input: Pat concurs, noting that "people are clamoring at the opportunity to get a US TikTok Shop seller account," which suggests that being on TikTok Shop is increasingly seen as essential for brands (06:34).

Navigating TikTok's Affiliate Outreach Restrictions

The core of the episode revolves around the evolving restrictions TikTok imposes on affiliate outreach, making it challenging for brands to connect with affiliates effectively.

Changes in TikTok's Policies: Initially, brands could send out thousands of messages daily to affiliates, turning outreach into a numbers game. However, recent changes have significantly reduced these limits. Ivan explains, "If you have between $0 to $2,000 in monthly GMV, you can send 2,000 messages per week. With $2,000 GMV, you can send 7,000 messages per week. Beyond that, messages become unlimited" (08:35). These restrictions aim to streamline the marketplace but inadvertently hinder new and smaller brands from effectively reaching affiliates.

Impact on Affiliates: Pat highlights the overwhelming number of messages affiliates receive, making it difficult for brands to get noticed. "Their inbox is probably forever filled with messages. To get through, you have to send a message right before they check their inbox" (10:01).

Cleaning Up the Marketplace: Both hosts discuss TikTok's intention to clean up the marketplace by reducing spam from small sellers. "Their overall goal is just to clean up the marketplace... they don't want it to turn into Temu Part 2" (10:33).

Strategies to Overcome Outreach Limitations

Faced with these limitations, Ivan and Pat brainstorm effective strategies to maintain and enhance affiliate outreach.

Curated Outreach Approach: Ivan suggests a more curated approach, focusing on high-quality affiliates rather than a broad, impersonal message blitz. "Target the best people and send out messages that have the maximum impact" (12:14).

Maximizing Existing Relationships: Leveraging existing relationships with affiliates can yield better results. "Reach out to affiliates that you have existing relationships with and get them to create more content or find a flat fee to create more content" (12:32).

Enhancing DM Scripts: Pat emphasizes the importance of optimizing direct message (DM) scripts through A/B testing to ensure maximum engagement. "Including accolades like celebrity endorsements or sales milestones in DM scripts makes them more impactful" (13:04).

Diversifying Communication Channels: Expanding beyond TikTok to other platforms such as Instagram, Discord, and email can enhance communication with affiliates. "Reach out to these creators off TikTok, whether it's Instagram, Discord, email, or even SMS campaigns" (15:36).

Introducing Affiliate Academy HQ: Building a Sustainable Affiliate Network

To address the outreach challenges, Ivan introduces the concept of Affiliate Academy HQ, a community-driven initiative designed to bridge the gap between brands and high-quality affiliates.

Concept and Purpose: Pat elaborates on creating a free community where affiliates can access valuable strategies and brands can connect with reliable partners. "Our affiliate academy is going to be a free community... we'll generate a community of affiliates that these brands can reach out to" (23:07).

Content and Value: The academy will feature a podcast that interviews top affiliates, uncovering their success stories and strategies. "Interview top affiliates, get their stories and strategies, and compile a library of hundreds of different strategies that the community can pull from" (17:58).

Differentiation from Existing Groups: Unlike many existing paid affiliate groups, Affiliate Academy HQ will be free, funded by brands who want to participate in the ecosystem rather than relying on affiliate fees. "Ours is going to be free... our money is going to come from the brands who want to participate in this ecosystem" (19:58).

Future Vision: The initiative aims to create a symbiotic relationship between brands and affiliates, fostering a robust environment where both parties can thrive. "Combining what we have existing with Affiliate Academy, I think it's like the key differentiator for us in the future" (24:14).

Conclusion and Future Directions

Towards the end of the episode, Ivan and Pat reflect on the dynamic nature of TikTok Shop and the importance of adaptability. They emphasize the significance of building sustainable strategies and communities to navigate the platform's evolving landscape.

Ivan's Final Thoughts: Ivan acknowledges the necessity of adapting to TikTok's changes and highlights the strategic advantage of their Affiliate Academy. "It's essential... TikTok is getting strict, and we help curate that creator pool a little bit more" (24:36).

Pat's Commitment: Pat expresses enthusiasm for the Affiliate Academy and its potential to revolutionize affiliate outreach. "Affiliate Academy HQ is creating a free environment that rivals existing paid groups and fosters genuine connections between brands and top affiliates" (23:07).

Call to Action: The hosts encourage listeners to join their community, leave reviews, and reach out for more information. They promote their agency services and the upcoming Affiliate Academy platform. "Leave a review... Reach out to brands at tiktokshopinsiders.com and affiliates at affiliateacademyhq.com" (25:50).

Notable Quotes

• Ivan (02:48): "99.9% of the top Asian TikTok shops have pricing that does not include shipping costs. Instead, shipping is added at checkout."

• Pat (03:43): "If you have a product that's $10 and you're charging $5 for shipping, it doesn't look as great."

• Ivan (05:19): "There's a growing community of international sellers that want to sell on US TikTok Shop, and they can't because of international restrictions or TikTok's terms of service."

• Pat (10:01): "Their inbox is probably forever filled with messages. To get through, you have to send a message right before they check their inbox."

• Pat (13:04): "Including accolades like celebrity endorsements or sales milestones in DM scripts makes them more impactful."

• Pat (23:07): "Affiliate Academy HQ is creating a free environment that rivals existing paid groups and fosters genuine connections between brands and top affiliates."

Final Thoughts

This episode of TikTok Shop Insiders offers a comprehensive exploration of the current challenges and innovative solutions in TikTok Shop affiliate outreach. Ivan and Pat provide invaluable insights for brands and affiliates alike, emphasizing the importance of strategic communication, community building, and adaptability in a rapidly changing digital marketplace. Whether you're a seasoned brand or an aspiring affiliate, the strategies discussed in this episode can help you navigate and succeed on TikTok Shop.