When I first started posting on TikTok, I had high hopes and a pocket full of dreams. I thought: just show up, be real, drop some knowledge, and boom—the views, followers, and commissions will roll in.
Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen.
Act 1: The Harsh Reality of Starting Out
My first few videos were… let’s just say rough.
Shaky camera, poor lighting, and me talking like I was reading from a script written by a bored robot. No hook, no energy, and definitely no value. I was basically saying, “Hey, here’s something I think is cool… maybe check it out?” Meanwhile, viewers were already halfway through another cat video.
Result?
200 views.
3 likes.
0 comments.
And you guessed it—zero clicks on my call to action.
TikTok is brutal like that. People scroll fast. If your video doesn’t grab attention in the first 1.5 seconds, you’re toast. It doesn’t matter if your message is life-changing—if no one sticks around to hear it, it’s like whispering into a hurricane.
Act 2: The Turning Point – Learning the Craft
I realised I was making a big mistake: I was creating content I wanted to make, not content people wanted to watch.
So I started studying the creators who were winning. Not necessarily going viral—but consistently pulling views, engagement, and conversions. I watched how they:
• Opened their videos with curiosity hooks
• Identified a pain point fast
• Gave a solution or shortcut
• Closed with a clear and simple call to action
I wasn’t just scrolling anymore. I was researching.
The Anatomy of a Compelling TikTok Video for Affiliate Marketing
Let’s break down what I learned into a repeatable method:
1. The Hook (0–2 seconds)
This is life or death. Your viewer needs a reason to stop scrolling.
Good Hooks:
• “Nobody talks about this side hustle, but it made me $300 last week.”
• “If you’re over 40 and tired of yo-yo dieting, watch this.”
• “Stop using ChatGPT like a beginner—do this instead.”
Weak Hooks:
• “Hi guys, so today I’m going to talk about…”
• “Let me tell you a story…” (unless you immediately make it interesting)
2. The Struggle or Pain Point (2–6 seconds)
Describe a relatable problem.
“I used to spend hours on surveys and make less than £10 a week…”
“I kept failing at affiliate marketing until I changed this one thing…”
3. The Value (6–15 seconds)
Offer the solution, shortcut, or insight.
“Then I found a free ebook that explains how to turn TikTok into a traffic machine…”
“I started using this simple 3-step method that saves me hours every day…”
4. The CTA (15–20 seconds)
You have to tell them what to do. Don’t assume they know.
“Grab the free guide—link in my bio.”
“Comment ‘INFO’ and I’ll send you the details.”
“Follow for the next step in the series.”
Act 3: Why Some Videos Blow Up (And Others Flop)
Here’s a comparison:
| Video Title | Hook Strength | Watch Time | Views | CTA Clicks |
| “Here’s a free tool to make £10/day online” | Strong | 65% | 42,000 | 1,100 |
| “This is how I got started in affiliate marketing” | Weak | 23% | 950 | 5 |
| “Stop scrolling if you want to make money using TikTok” | Mid | 47% | 12,000 | 300 |
| “Day 3 of trying to go viral with affiliate marketing” | No hook | 20% | 600 | 2 |
Key Takeaways:
• Strong hooks = higher watch time = more TikTok distribution.
• Mid hooks can work if value is high.
• No hook or personal diary-style videos without a “what’s in it for me” angle? TikTok punishes them.
Other Platforms: Should You Repurpose? Absolutely—But Know the Differences
As an affiliate marketer, don’t put all your eggs in the TikTok basket. Repurpose, but respect the platform nuances.
Instagram Reels
• Aesthetics matter more—crisper visuals perform better.
• Less forgiving of poor lighting/audio.
• CTA often lives in the caption or a Story highlight.
YouTube Shorts
• Slightly longer attention span.
• Use text overlays for impact.
• Great for building authority.
Facebook Reels
• Surprisingly strong for 30+ audiences.
• Older demographic = more buying power.
• Engagement might be lower, but warm traffic clicks more.
Pinterest Idea Pins
• Emerging space for affiliate marketers.
• Evergreen potential, especially for tutorials and how-to content.
• CTA must go through a blog or landing page (Pinterest restricts direct affiliate links).
Final Thoughts: It’s Hard, But Worth It
Creating TikTok content that converts is a craft. It’s frustrating, awkward, and discouraging in the beginning. But once you start nailing those hooks, packaging your message properly, and building trust—everything changes.
You don’t need to go viral to make money. You need to:
• Understand your audience’s pain
• Get good at stopping the scroll
• Provide quick value
• Guide people with a simple CTA
Bonus Tips From the Trenches
• Batch record: Once you’re in flow, shoot 5–10 videos. You’ll sound more natural and save time.
• Use trending sounds cautiously: Make sure they fit your message.
• Keep a swipe file of hooks that grab your attention. Use them as inspiration.
• Test, don’t guess: Run A/B variations of the same message with different hooks.
• Make it about THEM, not you: Always frame your story around the viewer’s transformation.
Your Turn
If you’ve been struggling with affiliate marketing on TikTok, don’t give up. Everyone starts off posting bad videos. It’s part of the process. The winners are just the ones who learned faster and kept going.
If you want to see real examples and my insights to affiliate marketing—join my newsletter.
Ready to Start with a Proven Roadmap?
If you’re serious about affiliate marketing and want a shortcut to skip years of confusion, I highly recommend starting with The Iceberg Effect by Dean Holland.
It’s a free book (just cover shipping) that breaks down affiliate marketing into a clear, step-by-step system. It helped me stop chasing trends and start building something real.
👉 Click here to grab your free copy of The Iceberg Effect
Atif
P.S. Don’t expect magic overnight. But do expect momentum—if you stick with it.
Hi Atif- You and I had the same experience it seems. My first TikTok videos were very weak as I did not have any knowledge or structure. I started to follow a formula similar to what you described in this blog post, and it started to work. Now, not all my videos do well and that is the curiosity of the platform. And some of the videos that I would consider to be terrible do pretty good, for novice like me. The key for me is just to keep consistent with producing content to get better and to trust that the algorithms will eventually push your video. I appreciate your blog post as it reinforced the lessons that I’ve learned. Have a great day!
Ernie, Thanks so much for sharing your experience—it really hit me! It’s funny how similar our journeys have been. My early TikToks were rough too (cringe-worthy, honestly), but like you said, once I started following a structure and kept showing up consistently, things began to shift.
You’re absolutely right—the unpredictability of TikTok is wild! Videos I almost didn’t post sometimes perform better than the ones I put the most effort into. But staying consistent and learning as we go is definitely the way forward. I’m really glad the blog post reinforced what you’ve already been discovering on your own. Keep going—you’re clearly on the right track! Wishing you continued growth and lots more wins along the way! Atif
I love this breakdown. Add to this the importance of enjoying what you are doing with purpose! If the person, like yourself, is displaying a sense of presence in the moment, and not merely a sense of rushing through to get it done, people will respond favorably!
Keep going! You got this!!
Kate, Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment! You’re absolutely right—enjoying what you’re doing with purpose makes a huge difference. People can feel it when you’re truly present and not just going through the motions. That kind of authenticity is what really connects with others, especially on platforms like TikTok. I really appreciate the encouragement—it means a lot! I’ll definitely keep going, and I hope you do too. Here’s to creating with purpose and presence! Atif
Hi Atif!
Your breakdown of TikTok content for affiliate marketing is super helpful, those hook tips are gold! I used to post on TikTok but stopped because keeping up with trends was exhausting. Constantly chasing new sounds and buying stuff I can’t afford to stay relevant took too much time and money. Plus, I wanted to focus on something more stable for my future, like building my email list and business, which can’t be taken away like a social media account can. With all the energy I was putting into TikTok I couldn’t do both, so I had to make a decision. You’re doing amazing though, keep it up if that’s the path you’re excited about! Keep going! 😊
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your journey—it really resonated with me. I totally hear you on the TikTok burnout. It’s such a fast-moving platform, and keeping up with trends (and costs!) can feel like a full-time job in itself. I think you made a really smart call focusing on building your email list and business—that’s an asset you truly own, and it will serve you long-term in ways social media just can’t.
I’ve been experimenting to find a rhythm that doesn’t burn me out while still enjoying the creative side of it. But hearing your perspective is a great reminder to stay grounded in what actually builds sustainability.
Appreciate the encouragement—it means a lot. Wishing you tons of success with your email list and business! Let’s keep cheering each other on.
Atif
Atif, I haven’t joined the tiktok revolution but I can tell by your post that you enjoy this platform. You do make some great points that can be used across alot of these platforms to make the needle move in your direction. Sounds like your making great progress, keep it up!
Hey Ken, thanks so much for your comment! You’re absolutely right—many of the strategies I shared can definitely apply across different platforms, not just TikTok. It’s all about understanding what grabs attention and builds connection, no matter where you’re showing up. I’m really enjoying the journey so far, and your encouragement means a lot. Wishing you continued progress with whatever platform you choose to focus on too!
Atif, this hit home, I was nodding all the way through.
I’ve been there—posting videos I thought were helpful, then wondering why they flopped. That part about making content for you instead of them? Oof. Took me a while to learn that lesson too.
Your honesty about the struggle is so refreshing. Making content on TikTok that converts, that goes viral, is tough, especially when you’re pouring heart into content and hearing crickets. But this post is a good reminder, it’s a craft, and we get better with each take. Looking at the data is also really helpful 😉
Thanks for keeping it real and sharing what actually works.
Wow, thank you so much—your comment really means a lot. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in feeling the sting of “cricket content” after putting in so much effort. That shift from creating for them instead of me was a game-changer (and a humbling one too!).
You’re absolutely right—this whole process is a craft, not an accident. Every post is practice, and the data is like a coach if we’re willing to listen. I’m so glad this post resonated with you, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Let’s both keep showing up, learning, and getting better with every take. Atif
A simple, useful post – tells me what to do and what not to do for Tik Tok, I like that you have broken the steps down.
Kim, thank you so much, I really appreciate your kind words! I wanted to make the post as clear and practical as possible, so I’m glad the step-by-step format helped. TikTok can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right guidance, it becomes a lot more fun (and effective!). If you ever have questions or want help with your content, I’m here for you. Keep creating, you’ve got this! All the best, Atif