The Start of my TikTok Journey
I was never too much of a fan of TikTok. All the trends annoyed me, everyone did the same thing, used the same music and to me, no one was original. My husband watched it and, like everyone else, got addicted. It was 2019, Covid time and we were bored! Masks, essential workers, only allowed to go to specific places..it was a mess!
So my husband comes to me and says, “Du! (that’s his nickname for me), let’s make a TikTok!” He was so excited! He had an idea for a video, what it would be about, what we would say and how it had just the right amount of “OMG, factor”. Needless to say, we made our very first TikTok…with a “bloody” maxipad. Yeah, I know!
Well, let me tell you…WE TOOK OFF!!!!! That disgustingly funny video, that made everyone comment “WTF!?”, went viral! Our account, StuDuza, went from 0 followers to 7,000 followers overnight! That was all it took, my husband and I made video after video, growing, replying to tons of comments, we were having so much fun! I even withdrew some money we made from those videos! It was great!
From there, TikTok went downhill to just a memory of fun for us. Time passed, I went through my email and saw TT emailed me to become an affiliate, sell products, make money with videos..WHAT? HELL YEAH! …And I HAD FUN! I made videos of things I had in my house because I had $0 GMV, no videos, nothing! So I couldn’t get free samples, I was a nobody…yet!
My husband,trying to be supportive, kept on telling me, “just keep at it, you’ll get it!” He seemed to think it was all in the face, people will recognize me. All I thought was “NO! It’s not like that!” And it really is NOT like that! People were like, “Oh, selling shit”..scroll. But then I realized, I couldn’t keep making videos in my bathroom! I needed the “tools” to make those videos pop! So, off to Amazon I went, buying everything I needed to make a “good” video. Hoping that the lighting, audio, some makeup on my face and my “stupid” personality would get me somewhere..and it sort of did! I noticed the same people coming into my lives and liking my videos! I’M FINALLY SPECIAL! (laughing right now while typing).
TikTok, to me, is all about the timing, the algorithm and luck! But, I just kept on keepin’ on. What else was I supposed to do? Give up? HELL NO! I love promoting products, I love being in the camera, I love to help people purchase right, or stopping them from a bad purchase, I love everything about this! So give up? No way! My time WILL come!
Here we Go!
The start of my journey was exciting as f$ck! I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing! I had no one to talk to, I didn’t know where to find any tutorials through TT, I just recorded and went live! It was so bad! But honestly, I got people in my lives, but they were probably feeling sorry for me because I had no link to the product, I thought that little picture of the lipstick, WAS a link! Talk about violations!? I was a violation dream!! ….But I didn’t get any! OooOOFFff!
Understanding and Research
From here, I started watching more shop videos and lives. Watch, studied and wondered..Why isn’t anyone showing their face? They are so monotone and boring! I vowed to be different! I wanted to stand out! I wanted to be remembered! I wanted those sales! Videos and lives begin with a few things!
Lighting: Well lit areas, faces and products are one of the first steps! People need to see everything!
Audio: Don’t be a mumble mouth! Speak up! Get those little microphones if you have to! People need to hear what you are saying!
Authenticity: Here’s where I disagree with other creators.. I can’t stand promoting everything that’s viral! What’s the point? It’s already everywhere and bought from everyone else!? Also, if that’s the only reason your promoting it, your not gonna come off authentic, it’ll be “just another video”..scroll! Promote products YOU like, YOU use and YOU trust! And please, be yourself, be honest with the goods and the bads, customers look for that, that’s why their watching. Should they buy it or not? Is it worth it?
Tripod: You’re gonna go through so many of these until you find the right one! Circle light, clip on light, too low, too tall, face tracking..OMG, so many options! Find one you can work with and run with it! But get one!
Will you remember me?
When I do a video or a livestream, I want to be remembered. I want to make dumb faces, laugh. I’m not scared of looking like an idiot! Don’t like me, scroll! Try to get peoples attention with noises, bangs, drop your phone, yell at everyone, laugh and snort..whatever you do, try to stand out and be remembered. That’s what I try to do, anyway.
Engaging with Viewers
My pet peeve is going live, having 1-500 people in there watching….and no one talks!! I ask questions, I mention people by name, I make conversation, etc, and most of the time..you can hear a flea fart! This DRIVES ME CRAZY! But I’ve also done lives where everyone is asking me questions all at once and I have to apologize for missing someone’s question or comment! I love those lives!
Niche: What do I Promote?
Short answer: ANYTHING you like! As you go, you’ll find what works for you. Whether it’s beauty, cosmetics, health, home decor, electronics, etc, you’ll figure it out! Relax! Just promote what you love, be authentic and you’ll find what works for you, what feels the most natural for you to work with, what makes you feel and come off as authentic.
Conclusion
I hope I helped someone out there, at least a little bit. It all takes time…ALOT of time, but like they say…Fake it till you make it! Oh wait! wrong phrase! I mean, One day at a time (wink wink)
Exhaustion Sets In
OK, here we go! We are in it for the long haul! Let’s make that money!! I’m so ready for this! Got my first sample, it’s the phone charger cord with other attachments- C charge, Iphone charger, YES! First company I’m dealing with and they want it all! I did about 3 videos..not enough! “Make another!” ok..”Make another!” ok. DUDE! I’m DONE! I made 5 videos, 2 sales, $1 each sale. I was SO excited! GMV, here we come! It was low, but there WAS GMV!
I applied for everything I can and I found the app YouFinds- that app was my bitch! I got ALL my samples from there! 2,3,4,5 videos for each product! Lighting, Check! Audio, Check! Video upon video…nothing, nada, zilch! Not a sale. Going live. Not a sale. Ok, keep going. More samples, more videos, more lives…Not a sale. WTF is wrong with me?
I find a FB group, ask for help and I get told my videos suck and I need to make 10 videos for 1 product. Here comes the panic!
My house is a mess, no dinner being made, laundry piling up and an unhappy husband and best of all..NOT A SALE!
Keep pushing, keep trying. Holidays are coming, “makes a perfect gift”. I DID IT! My GMV was over $600 and I made about $150 for November. Then holidays were over, done, just like that!
My Conclusion:
Being a TT affiliate is draining, exhausting and takes a special kind of person. If you have a full time job, kids and a home, good luck! I was having such a hard time- and I DON’T work!
Fast forward to current times..I do what I want, when I want! I make about $100 a month, gives us emergency food money and keeps me busy. That’s it! This is what’s working for me right now. I’m 53 years old, slowed down and achy and I have to keep myself, my home and my head all sane. Being a content creator really is nerve racking and exhausting. If I can find a company to work with me full time and promote their products, I’d be so happy! But this is what I love doing! I LOVE creating content and trying new things!