This week I have had some great success in selling not only on TikTok as a creator but also in the Affiliate Marketing business I have developed under the training of my mentor Dean Holland. I will tell you all about it about that next week. For today…….
TikTok isn’t just for dance trends and funny skits anymore—it’s a goldmine for affiliate marketing and selling products. But here’s the big question: How do you make TikTok videos that actually SELL?
Most people try to reach everyone—and fail. The secret? Creating content for a specific audience that connects, engages, and converts.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to make TikTok videos that stand out, get engagement, and drive sales. Plus, I’ll share insider tricks that most people don’t know about!
🎯 Who Are You Really Making Your TikToks For?
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to reach everyone. Instead, focus on a niche audience that will actually engage with your content and buy from you.
How to Define Your Ideal Viewer:
- Age & Gender – Who is most likely to be interested in your product?
- Hobbies & Interests – What do they love? What content do they already watch?
- Problems They’re Facing – What are their pain points, and how can your product solve them?
- Buying Triggers – What will make them take action and buy?
💡 Pro Tip: Scroll through the comments on similar content. You’ll find out EXACTLY what your audience wants and how they talk about it.
🔥 The Secret to High Engagement: Speak Their Language
TikTok users connect with creators who feel authentic and relatable. To build trust, use their style of speaking, humor, and trends they already love.
Here’s how:
✅ Use relatable phrases and slang your audience understands
✅ Keep it casual and natural—like you’re talking to a friend
✅ Use humor, challenges, and trends to blend in while standing out
💡 Goldmine Tip: Comments on viral videos in your niche are filled with insight into what your audience wants!
💡 6 Insider Tips for TikTok Affiliate Marketing Success
1️⃣ Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds ⚡
Your first 3 seconds determine whether people keep watching or scroll away.
🔹 Start with a bold question, shocking fact, or problem statement
🔹 Show eye-catching visuals right away
🔹 Use a controversial or curiosity-driven hook (lightheartedly!)
Example: “STOP wasting money on skincare that doesn’t work! Try this instead…”
2️⃣ Don’t Sell—Tell a Story 🎭
People don’t want a sales pitch. They want a story they can relate to.
Instead of “Buy this now!”, show how the product solved a real problem for you or someone else.
Example:
- Before: Struggling with dry skin, spending money on bad products
- After: Found this one product that actually WORKS (and here’s why!)
3️⃣ Get More Engagement with Interactive Content 🗣️
TikTok rewards videos that get engagement. Get people to comment, like, and share by making your videos interactive!
🔹 Ask a question that encourages responses
🔹 Use TikTok’s polls, stickers, and duet features
🔹 Get people to tag a friend who needs this product
Example: “Would you rather have glowing skin or clear skin? Comment below!”
4️⃣ Hashtags: Use Them Strategically 🏷️
Don’t just use popular hashtags—use targeted, niche ones!
✅ DO use: #BudgetSkincare #OilySkinSolutions #SkincareHacks
🚫 DON’T use: #FYP #Trending #Viral (too broad & competitive)
The goal is to appear in searches where your ideal customer is already looking!
5️⃣ Boost Visibility with Trending Sounds 🎵
TikTok prioritises content that uses trending sounds.
🚀 Pro Tip: Jump on a trending sound early before it blows up!
Go to TikTok’s “Trending Sounds” section and choose a sound that fits your content.
6️⃣ CTA (Call-to-Action) That Converts Without Being Pushy 🎯
A great CTA guides the viewer toward taking action, without sounding desperate.
Instead of “Buy this now”, try:
✅ “Want to level up your skincare routine? Check out the link in my bio!”
✅ “If you struggle with oily skin, this might change everything. Tap my profile for details!”
✅ “Comment ‘LINK’ and I’ll send you more info!”
🧠 Understand TikTok’s Algorithm to Get More Views 👀
TikTok favors videos that keep people watching longer. Here’s how to work with the algorithm:
✅ Make shorter videos that loop naturally
✅ Use captions to keep people reading
✅ Encourage comments (engagement boosts visibility!)
🚀 Challenge: Create Your First (or Next) High-Impact TikTok Video!
Try this 15-second challenge:
🎵 Use one trending sound
🏷️ Add one niche hashtag
🎥 Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds
📣 Give a clear CTA (call to action)
Then… email me! I’d LOVE to hear about your progress.
📩 Email me (subscribe to my FREE email newsletter and reply to the email you received to connect with me here), with your updates:
- What videos have you made so far?
- What’s working for you?
- What’s been your biggest learning point?
- What do you need help with?
I’m here for you—I’m learning too, and I want you to use me as a resource. Let’s grow together! 🚀
Let’s build your success together!
If you found this helpful, please:
✅ Comment below with what you’ve learned
✅ Share this with a friend who needs to see it
✅ Follow me on social media (links below!)
✅ Subscribe to my FREE newsletter for even more exclusive content!
📖 And don’t miss the book that started it all for me—The Iceberg Effect (FREE, just pay postage!)
Until next time, take care and keep creating! 🎥💡
Warm regards,
Atif
Atif, It’s funny you mention the secret of creating content for a specific audience. It had been in the back of my mind for quite a while that I have been attracting the wrong audience. And it really has been a life long struggle to get my branding right. For quite some time I have been attracting newbies and then talking to them like they actually have some experience with affiliate business. So this weekend I am once again working on a rebranding mission to be sure to set myself up for making content that – as you say – connects, engages and converts EXISTING affiliates.
But I do know the weather resonates with everyone and I include it in much of my messaging to invite higher engagement. I’m sure you’ve seen both Martin and I blowing around in the wind with our Canadian wintery backgrounds. And nothing engages people better than getting them out of the horrible weather they may be experiencing.
Each day of posting a video brings me closer to feeling more comfortable on camera and find less need for reliance on notes to keep the talk flow going. And step by step I can get better at using any one or more of those 6 insider tips for TikTok affiliate marketing success that you’ve nicely laid out in this post.
Robert,
I totally get what you mean about attracting the wrong audience—it’s a challenge so many of us face. It’s great that you’re taking the time to refine your branding and focus on engaging existing affiliates rather than beginners. That shift alone can make a massive difference in the kind of conversations you have and the results you see.
And you’re absolutely right—the weather is a universal connector! I’ve definitely noticed how you and Martin use it brilliantly in your content. It’s such a natural way to spark engagement, especially when people can relate to the struggle of freezing temperatures or escaping bad weather.
I love hearing that you’re getting more comfortable on camera with each post. It’s a game-changer when you can just talk naturally without feeling tied to notes. Keep going—before you know it, you’ll be delivering killer content with the same ease as chatting with an old friend.
Glad you found the 6 TikTok insider tips useful! Looking forward to seeing how you apply them in your rebranding journey. Let’s keep pushing forward!
Thank you for the great advice here on how to make a successful affiliate creator TikTok video.
A controversial statement in the very beginning of any video will keep people‘s attention. I sincerely look forward to seeing more of your videos and I know you will find your perfect pitch and can help us find ours.
Kate, Thank you so much for your kind words! I completely agree—a bold or unexpected statement at the start of a video is a great way to hook viewers. I’m always experimenting to find the best approach, and I appreciate your support. I hope my journey helps you on yours too! Looking forward to sharing more. Atif
Hi, Atif!
This is a great post with tips I hadn’t heard of yet! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I especially like the tip about checking the comments to see what viewers are interested in. That’s gold!
Nakina
Hi Atif,
This was such a great read! I’ve been working on improving my TikTok content, and your breakdown really was helpful. The reminder to focus on storytelling instead of just selling is something I needed, I’ve caught myself overthinking the “sales” part instead of just sharing my journey. I also love the tip about jumping on trending sounds early; I hadn’t thought about how timing can make such a difference! The engagement strategies are super helpful too, I’m definitely going to try asking more questions in my videos. Thanks for sharing this, it gave me a fresh perspective and some new ideas to test out!
Meredith
Hey Atif,
This is a great post. You really break down a lot of little tips that must all come together for your video to perform at its best.
I am starting to play around on Tik Tok as well, but I haven’t shot any videos yet. When I do, I’ll refer back to this list of yours.
Thanks for posting.
Atif – You are certainly one to model as a person of persistence and determination. These character traits are paying off now as you are seeing some success in your online business. As I have gotten to know you over the last year and a half through this blog and through our other associations, I am extremely motivated. I will be using your TikTok tips! Thank you for this post and for sharing your success!
Atif, your posts are always full of great information. I love how this post highlights the importance of understanding your target audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone. Focusing on their pain points and speaking their language can really make a difference in engagement. One thing I’ve found helpful is scrolling through comments on similar videos to see what questions or concerns people have, and using that as content inspiration.