Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how to start your TikTok affiliate business

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

U.S. Inflation Eases to 2.3% in April

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in April, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 2.3%, slightly below March's 2.4%. President Trump responded by urging the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, stating, "Just let it all happen." Despite the headline slowdown, core inflation remains at 2.8%, with shelter costs being a significant contributor.

Stock Futures Dip Amid Inflation Data and Trade Deal Optimism

U.S. stock futures edged lower on May 13, following a previous rally driven by the U.S.-China trade truce. Dow futures fell 0.6%, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures also declined. Investors are now focusing on upcoming inflation reports and the sustainability of the trade agreement.

U.S. and China Agree to 90-Day Tariff Reduction

In a move to ease trade tensions, the U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day suspension of most tariffs. The U.S. will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will lower tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. This truce is expected to boost trade activity in the short term.

President Trump Announces $142 Billion U.S.-Saudi Defense Deal

During a visit to Riyadh, President Trump unveiled a $142 billion defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Saudi Arabia committed to $1 trillion in U.S.-bound investments, including partnerships with major tech firms like Nvidia and Cisco. The deal signifies a strategic push in defense and technology cooperation.

GOP Introduces Decade-Long AI Regulation Ban

House Republicans have added a provision to the Budget Reconciliation bill that would block all state and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years. The move aims to prevent a patchwork of regulations and promote a unified national approach to AI policy.

Global Economic Outlook: Modest Growth Amid Trade Tensions

The global economy is projected to grow at 2.8% in 2025, unchanged from 2024. However, growth remains below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2%, constrained by weak investment, sluggish productivity growth, and high debt levels.

TikTok Gold

The TikTok Goldmine Nobody’s Talking About

TikTok isn’t just a place for dancing teens and viral cat videos anymore—it’s become a full-blown e-commerce powerhouse, and one of the most exciting ways to make money right now is through the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program.

Here’s how it works: You promote products listed on TikTok Shop, and for every sale made through your video or affiliate link, you earn a commission. Some products offer up to 20% commission, and if your video goes viral? You're looking at $1,000s or even $10,000s from just one post.

No inventory. No customer service. No shipping. Just content + clicks = cash.

If you’ve ever wanted to turn your phone into a money machine, this is the business model for you. Let’s break down exactly how to start.

Step 1: Set Up Your TikTok Account for Business

You don’t need a huge following to start—what you need is the right setup.

✅ Do This First:

1. Create a TikTok account (or use your existing one).

2. Switch to a Business Account in settings.

3. Go to TikTok Shop Affiliate Center and apply as an affiliate/promoter (not seller).

4. Get approved, and you’ll gain access to thousands of products you can promote for commission.

Once approved, you’ll see your TikTok Shop dashboard, where you can browse and request products to promote.

Step 2: Choose the Right Products to Promote

Not every product sells. You want to promote items that are already trending, visually engaging, and have high commissions.

🔥 Product Criteria:

• Eye-catching and "TikTok-able" (kitchen hacks, beauty gadgets, LED lights, etc.)

• Priced under $50 (easy impulse buys)

• High-quality videos already going viral

• Fast shipping + good reviews

• Offers 10%+ commission

Pro Tip: Sort products by "Affiliate Hot List" in the TikTok Shop to see what's moving fast.

Step 3: Request Product Samples (or Buy Them Yourself)

Some sellers will send you free samples if you have even a small following. If not, invest $10–$30 in a few viral products.

Then you can:

• Create unboxing videos

• Show how the product works

• Do side-by-side comparisons

• Add humor, storytelling, or shock value to make it go viral

You don’t have to show your face if you’re camera-shy—just focus on the product.

Step 4: Create Short-Form Videos That Sell

This is the heart of the business. A single 15-second clip can make you thousands in commissions if it pops off.

🎬 Video Tips:

• Hook people in the first 3 seconds (“Watch what this $5 gadget does!”)

• Keep it short (7–20 seconds is the sweet spot)

• Use trending sounds or music

• Show the product in action

• Always include your affiliate link or TikTok Shop tag

Post frequently—3–5 videos per day will help you test what sticks.

Step 5: Optimize for TikTok’s Algorithm

The more people watch and engage, the more your video gets pushed.

🚀 Boost Visibility By:

• Posting at peak hours (11am–2pm or 6pm–9pm local time)

• Using 3–5 relevant hashtags (e.g., #tiktokmademebuyit, #gadgets, #amazonfinds)

• Replying to comments quickly to boost engagement

• Dueting or stitching popular videos with your product

• Reposting slightly tweaked versions if a video does well

Virality is a numbers game—most videos flop, but one viral post can make your month.

Step 6: Track Sales and Scale Up

Your TikTok Shop dashboard will show you:

• Number of clicks

• Sales made

• Commission earned

• Top-performing products

Once you find a winning product/video combo, double down: make variations, use it in different formats, and even consider boosting the post with TikTok Spark Ads.

Eventually, you can build multiple niche pages, grow a following, or even start training others to run affiliate accounts for you.

Estimated Monthly Income Potential

Here’s what’s realistically possible depending on effort and virality:

Some creators with multiple viral videos make $30K+ per month just from commissions.

Pros and Cons of the TikTok Shop Affiliate Business

✅ Pros:

• No need to own or ship products

• Unlimited income potential (one viral hit = $$$)

• Start with $0 investment

• Scalable and flexible

• Works even with a small following

❌ Cons:

• TikTok algorithm is unpredictable

• Some videos may get 0 traction

• You need to post consistently

• Commission rates vary widely

• Some products can sell out or get delisted

Requirements to Get Started

✔ TikTok Business Account
✔ TikTok Shop Affiliate approval
✔ Smartphone with decent camera
✔ Willingness to post content daily
✔ Optional: Product samples, ring light, tripod

Optional Tools & Products to Maximize Results

• Ring Light & Tripod – $20–$40 for stable, well-lit videos

• InShot or CapCut – Free editing apps

• TikTok Creator Marketplace – For insights and sponsorships

• Notion or Trello – Content planning and idea bank

• Spocket / CJ Dropshipping – Find products to pair with affiliate content

Summary: How to Start a TikTok Shop Affiliate Business

1. Set up your TikTok Business account and join the affiliate program

2. Find trending, high-commission products from the TikTok Shop

3. Request samples or buy cheap products to create content

4. Post 2–5 short videos daily using hooks, humor, or storytelling

5. Track sales, optimize for engagement, and reinvest in winning content

6. Scale to multiple products, pages, and even a team if you’re crushing it

📱 Final Word: Make Scrolls Pay You

You’re already on TikTok—now turn your time into commission. This is one of the lowest-barrier, highest-potential online businesses out there. No experience? No problem. Just start posting and let the algorithm do the heavy lifting.

One viral video can change your income forever. Why not make it today? 💰🎥🚀

That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

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