Affiliate Marketing on TikTok: A Beginner’s Guide for Merchants

If you’re a merchant looking for a low-risk way to drive sales on TikTok, affiliate marketing might be your best-kept secret.

The idea is simple. Instead of paying creators upfront to promote your products, you offer them a commission for each sale they drive. That means they’re motivated to sell, and you only pay when it works.

So, how do you get started?

First, you’ll need to set up your TikTok Shop and list your products properly. This part matters more than people realize. Clear photos, accurate descriptions, and even a short demo video will go a long way in attracting creators.

Once your listings are live, you can enable the affiliate function. This allows you to set the commission percentage. Most brands start with 10 to 20 percent, but it depends on your margins and the value of your product.

Now comes the important bit: make your offer appealing. Add a short message in your affiliate listing telling creators why they should choose your product. Mention if it’s easy to demo, popular with certain audiences, or has repeat purchase potential.

Creators will then be able to request accessor pick your product to promote. Some may reach out directly; others will simply start filming.

From your dashboard in TikTok Seller Center, you can track everything, who’s driving clicks, who’s getting conversions, and what content is working best.

The best part? You’re building a small army of sellers without the upfront pressure. And when you find creators who perform well, you can even offer them better rates or long- term partnerships.

Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to dip your toes into TikTok, and build traction fast.