From Beginner to Pro: How TikTok Shop for Creators Are Building Thriving Businesses (Part 2)
This week, Bryce Lapham shares his expert tips on TikTok Shop for creators and how to start earning money. We cover essential equipment and software, the best content types and posting frequency, and even how to score free samples!
Before we jump in are you looking to make thousands a month from just TikTok Shop?
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Q: What equipment or software is recommended for creating TikToks?
Bryce: The iPhone is hands down the best option. The camera and microphone quality are unmatched, and it’s as simple as point-and-shoot. You don’t need any fancy equipment or expensive microphones, the iPhone does the job perfectly. When it comes to software I recommend CapCut for editing purposes and that’s because I don’t have editing capabilities in my Tiktok.
Q: How often should you post videos?
Bryce: When you’re starting out, I recommend posting at least 1 to 3 videos a day. If you’ve got the hang of it and can manage more, aim for 5 to 10. However, I wouldn’t recommend posting more than that, especially if your account is new. TikTok might flag it as spammy, which could prevent your videos from being pushed to a wider audience.
Q: What’s the difference between posting videos or conducting live streams? Is there a benefit to doing one or the other?
Bryce: It really comes down to personal preference. I’m more of a video person. While live streams can convert well if done right, they require a lot of time and energy. Videos, on the other hand, can continue to generate income for months.
For example, I have videos posted as far back as May that still bring in $20, $30, or even $40 a day. Videos are more of a long-term, passive income stream, while live streams offer immediate results. If you’re looking to start generating income quickly, going live is your best bet, since you can start making sales right away.
Live streams can be challenging. You have to keep talking the entire time or your audience will drop off. It’s a constant effort, and it can be draining. But once you crack the code to going live, it can be extremely lucrative. Many people in our program are making $30,000 to $50,000 a month just from going live.
Q: What’s important to know about samples? If a creator wants to feature a certain product that they don’t already own, how do they go about acquiring samples?
Bryce: Brands tend to be selective about who they choose to represent them and who they send products to. As a new affiliate, getting samples can be challenging, especially if you don’t have any sales or “GMV” (Generated Merchandise Value) on TikTok yet. Many brands may pass you over if you haven’t made any sales, but there are exceptions.
For example, a brand like Fan Tick is known for sending samples to anyone who’s interested, as they understand that getting their products into more hands increases their chances of success—and helps affiliates generate income as well.
When requesting samples, it’s important to be selective. You don’t want to just ask for samples from any brand. Some brands may have poor analytics, bad shipping times, subpar products, or bad customer service, which can reflect poorly on you as an affiliate. It’s crucial to have criteria in place to ensure you’re only requesting from reputable brands.
I always recommend promoting products you’re passionate about rather than just jumping on the latest trend for a quick profit. While following trends can be tempting, if the products don’t align with your values or interests, you’re less likely to succeed. Selling from personal experience and passion tends to yield better results than selling purely based on hype.
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