Thank you for coming to my blog today! I hope everyone has had a great week so far. This week has been a whirlwind of activity and learning, and I’m thrilled to share it all with you. From diving into Amazon Associates to continuing my TikTok Shop bootcamp training, it’s been both exciting and a little challenging. Let’s get into it
Signing Up for Amazon Associates
I’m happy to share that I’ve officially signed up for Amazon Associates! This is a great step in my affiliate marketing journey, and I’m looking forward to exploring the opportunities it offers. For those who might not know, Amazon Associates is an affiliate program where you earn commissions by sharing Amazon links on your platforms. When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase within a specific time frame, you earn a commission on their shopping.
To start, I added a spot in the sidebar of my blog where visitors can click my link to shop on Amazon. It’s an easy way to begin sharing links, and I’m hoping it will lead to some commissions. Feel free to click on it and do your Christmas shopping or any shopping if you would like to help out. I also plan to share these links on Facebook to see if I can build some momentum there too.
The way it works is when you click on the Amazon picture in my sidebar or on link at the bottom of this post, it will take you to Amazon and the product I selected for my link. Don’t worry, you don’t have to purchase that specific product for me to earn a commission. As long as you stay in that window after clicking my link, you can shop for anything on Amazon, and if you make a purchase within 24 hours of clicking on my link, I should receive a commission. It’s as simple as that! Happy shopping! Click here to shop on Amazon.
There’s so much to learn about this program, and I’m eager to dive into all the details. From understanding the types of products that perform best to learning how to optimize my sharing strategies, there’s a lot to absorb. I’ll definitely keep you updated on how things go and share tips as I learn.
Here’s how you can sign up for Amazon Associates:
- Go to the Amazon Associates Website: Visit the Amazon Associates Program page and click on Sign Up.
- Create an Amazon Account: If you don’t already have an Amazon account, you’ll need to create one. Use your existing Amazon login credentials if you already have an account.
- Fill Out Your Profile Information:
- Provide your name, address, and phone number.
- Enter the URL(s) of your website, blog, or social media profile where you’ll promote Amazon products.
- Describe Your Content:
- Select the category that best matches your content.
- Write a brief description of your site or platform and how you plan to drive traffic to your Amazon affiliate links.
- Choose a Payment Method:
- Provide your preferred payment details, such as direct deposit information or mailing address for checks.
- You’ll also need to submit tax information, which can usually be done digitally during the sign-up process.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions: Read and accept Amazon’s operating agreement to finalize your application.
- Get Approved:
- Amazon will review your application. If approved, you’ll receive access to your Amazon Associates dashboard.
- Note: You’ll need to generate qualifying sales within 180 days to stay in the program.
- Start Generating Affiliate Links:
- Once approved, use the Amazon Associates dashboard to create affiliate links for the products you want to promote.
- Share these links on your platforms to start earning commissions!
Remember, consistent effort and high-quality content will help you make the most of the Amazon Associates program.
TikTok Shop Bootcamp Training
While I’ve been working on Amazon Associates, I’ve also been busy with the TikTok Shop bootcamp training led by my mentor, Dean. This week’s focus was all about setting up your account and understanding the do’s and don’ts of the platform. It’s foundational work, but incredibly important to get right.
Here’s how to set up your TikTok account for general use:
- Download the TikTok App: Start by downloading the TikTok app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Create an Account: Open the app and sign up using your email, phone number, or a social media account like Facebook or Google.
- Set Up Your Profile: Customize your profile by adding a profile picture, writing a bio that represents who you are, and linking to any other platforms or websites. Of course, any links can’t be added until you have gotten 1000 followers.
- Start Creating Content: To create your first post, tap the + button, record or upload a video, add music, effects, captions, and hashtags to make your content stand out.
- Engage with Others: Start following accounts that interest you, engage with their content, and begin building your own community by interacting with your followers through comments, likes, and duets. Engagement is how you will grow..
Now that you’ve set up your account, the goal now is to get to the amount of followers that you will need to get accepted into TikTok Shop, weather that is 1,000 or 5,000. It’s based on your region, so TikTok will let you know what it is for where you are located.
I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the nitty-gritty details, especially around creating engaging content. I’m hoping that next week’s lessons will cover this in more depth. TikTok is such a dynamic platform, and I’m excited to bring what I’m learning to life with actionable strategies and creative content.
Linktree Woes
Not everything has gone smoothly this week, though. While working on my Linktree page, I accidentally caused it to stop functioning. I was trying to update and improve it, but somewhere along the way, I must have made a mistake. Now, the page won’t load at all, and I’m not sure what went wrong.
During this morning’s Zoom call with Dean, I asked him to take a look and he was so kind to look at it during our Zoom call, but even he couldn’t figure it out. If I can’t resolve the issue soon, I might have to redo the entire page from scratch. It’s frustrating, but these kinds of hiccups are part of the learning process. I’ll be tackling this issue head-on and hopefully have a fully functioning Linktree again soon.
Wrapping It All Up
This week has been a mix of progress and challenges, but every step forward feels rewarding. Signing up for Amazon Associates is a big milestone, and I’m excited to see where it leads. I’m also eager to continue growing through the TikTok Shop training and learning how to create impactful content. Even with setbacks like the Linktree issue, I’m reminded that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Thank you for being here and following along on this journey! As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, tips, or experiences. You can pick up your free guide for beginners here to start your affiliate marketing business. Don’t forget to check out the new Amazon shopping link in my sidebar if you have any shopping to get done, or you can click here. Stay tuned for more updates next week.
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Until next time!
To Our Success,
Becoming an Amazon Affiliate sounds amazing. I had no idea it even existed. I will definately be getting that going. I’m so anxious to have the TikTok legal issue settled so I can move forward without the thought of not being able to use it on my mind.
Thank you for always being so informative and helpful.
Hi Judith,
It’s great to hear you’re excited about becoming an Amazon Affiliate, it’s such a good opportunity to explore! I hope the TikTok situation gets resolved soon so you can move forward with a clear focus. You’ve got a lot of potential, and I’m sure you’ll make great progress. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I’m rooting for your success!
Meredith
It was good to read of your updates on both the Amazon and TikTok fronts. I am currently active on neither of them due to my own budgetary constraints but I look forward to the day when I can be an active consumer and affiliate again. Btu I really like the Internet Profits offerings with commissions being paid out in US dollars and with the only requirement to report that income on my Canadian Income tax filings – not the US!
It was actually Step number 5 of your signup process for Amazon that had me concerned up until about a year ago. You see I was one of millions of American expats that had never worked for a US company nor filed taxes with the IRS. After all, I did most of my growing up outside of the US and I thought better of ever entering the US Tax system due to all the fees and penalties that were imminent had I entered the US tax system. Imagine my dismay when I found that there were thousands of dollars in fees per year of not filing taxes in the US! But that threat is now behind me now that I have renounced over a year ago.
Therefore your step-by-step guide will come in handy for next year for when – as I say – I become an active consumer again.
And BTW – Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hi Robert,
It’s great to hear that you’ve sorted out those tax concerns, it must be such a relief to have that behind you. I can see how Step 5 could have been a tricky part of the process before, but now it sounds like you’re in a good place to move forward when the time is right. Internet Profits does seem like a great option, especially with the ease of reporting in Canada. I hope you get to dive back into both Amazon and affiliate work soon! Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas too! 🎄
Meredith
Hi, Meredith!
So many exciting things going on in your world! I’m so happy to see it! I wish you the best of luck as an Amazon affiliate. Those commissions really add up! I hope you can figure out what went wrong with your LinkTree page. Those technical problems make my head spin! Question: What are duets on TikTok? Are they like interviews?
Have a very merry Christmas, Meredith!
Nakina
Hi Nakina,
Thank you so much for your kind words and support! Yes, being an Amazon affiliate has been fun, and I’m hoping those commissions start adding up soon. The LinkTree issue is definitely frustrating, but I’m working on it, fingers crossed I’ll get it sorted out!
Great question about TikTok duets! They’re not interviews exactly. Duets let you create a video side-by-side with someone else’s video. You can react, add to what they’re saying, or just have fun with their content. It’s a creative way to engage with others!
Wishing you a very merry Christmas too! 🎄
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
What an inspiring update! It sounds like you’ve made significant strides in your journey with Amazon Associates and TikTok Shop training. Congratulations on officially signing up for Amazon Associates—it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore affiliate marketing!
I love the idea of enhancing your blog with Amazon links. It’s a smart move, especially with the holiday season upon us! I have no doubt your readers will appreciate the convenience.
Your dedication to mastering TikTok is impressive, and it’s exciting to hear about the foundational steps you’re taking. I’m sure your creativity will shine through in your content as you continue to learn.
It’s unfortunate about the Linktree hiccup, but it’s great to see you approach challenges as learning experiences.
Looking forward to seeing how your journey unfolds. Keep sharing your experiences—I’m eager to learn from your insights!
All the Best,
Hi Ezequiel,
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Joining Amazon Associates has been such an exciting step, and I’m really looking forward to exploring all the possibilities.
I’m glad you like the idea of adding Amazon links to my blog, I think it’ll be a great way to offer helpful recommendations, especially during the holiday season!
TikTok has been a fun challenge to dive into, and I can’t wait to bring more creativity into my content as I keep learning. The Linktree issue was a bit of a hiccup, but you’re right, it’s all part of the learning process!
Thanks for following along with my journey, and I’ll definitely keep sharing updates. I appreciate your support!
Meredith
Wow, what an exciting week you’ve had! Congrats on signing up for Amazon Associates—that’s such a great step in your affiliate marketing journey! I love how you explained the program so clearly, especially for those who might be new to it. I might even click that sidebar link myself and start some Christmas shopping!
Thanks for sharing both your wins and struggles—it’s so inspiring to see how you’re navigating this journey. Can’t wait to hear more updates next week! Keep going—you’re smashing it!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you! I’m really excited about signing up for Amazon Associates, and I’m glad the explanation was helpful. Christmas shopping is definitely a great time to try it out and thank you if you go through my link!
I really appreciate you following along and supporting me through both my wins and challenges. I’ll definitely keep sharing my journey, and I’m looking forward to sharing more updates soon. Thanks again for the encouragement!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Great post with excellent information and possibilities!
Living in Canada may have some limitations as to what we have access to but you definitely have opened the “I’m intrigued” door for me!
Looking forward to seeing how all of this blossoms for you. Thanks for keeping us updated!
Hi Marc,
I’m glad you found my post helpful and that it sparked your interest. I know being in Canada can sometimes limit access to certain things, but the great thing is that everything I’m learning in this training can still be applied to other social media platforms. Many of the strategies, tips, and techniques work across different channels, so even though TikTok Shop may not be an option for you right now, there’s still a lot to take away that can help on other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or even a blog.
I’m excited to share what I’m learning, and I hope it’ll be useful no matter where you’re focusing your efforts! I’m excited to keep sharing my journey and appreciate your support.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Meredith
Wow, Meredith, what an exciting and inspiring journey you’re on! It’s so awesome to see you diving into both Amazon Associates and TikTok Shop Training. I really love how you’re documenting your progress and sharing your experiences—it’s not just informative, but also really motivating!
I’m especially excited about your Amazon Associates journey! I am trying to learn the best way to approach this as well.
I’m sorry to hear about your Linktree issue—tech troubles are always a pain, but you’re absolutely right that it’s part of the learning process. I’m sure you’ll have it up and running again in no time! Plus, you’ve got a great mindset by seeing challenges as opportunities to grow.
Thanks for sharing your journey. It’s super inspiring to see you taking these big steps and learning as you go.
Hi Alison,
I’m really glad you’re finding my journey inspiring. It’s exciting to dive into both Amazon Associates and TikTok Shop Training, and I’m happy to share what I’m learning along the way.
It’s great that you’re also exploring Amazon Associates! I’d love to share any tips that might help you too as we both figure it out.
Tech issues can be frustrating, but I’m staying positive and working through them. I’m sure I’ll have it sorted soon.
Thanks again for the support! I’m excited to keep learning and sharing my progress with you!
Meredith
Hi Meredith! – Congratulations on your many, many successes in your journey. Becoming an affiliate of Amazon as well as TikTok is truly amazing but not surprising. It is not surprising because if your tenacity and your never give up attitude. To be honest, it’s sort of contagious and I’m glad that you are blogging about this as it truly motivates me. I didn’t really understand the Amazon side of it until you explained it, so thank you! Have a great week!
Hi Ernie,
I really appreciate your thoughtful words, thank you! I’m really glad my journey is motivating you. It’s great to hear that the explanation of Amazon helped clarify things for you. I’m excited to continue sharing what I’m learning, and if you have any questions just ask. I appreciate your support!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Congratulations! You have made a nice and remarkable progress with your TikTok account. Now with Amazon, since you have experience with an audience and traffic generation, this should be a nice second stream of income for you. I remember having tried Amazon affiliate in the past without making any sales for 6 months. They closed my affiliate access because of this. But you gave me the idea to try again now that my knowledge of affiliate marketing is far better.
Martin
Hi Martin,
I’m glad to hear that my progress has inspired you to give Amazon affiliate marketing another try. It can be tough at first, but with more knowledge now, I’m sure you’ll see better results. Best of luck as you dive back in!
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Looks like a lot of good things happening on your journey, even the setback that you see as an opportunity!! I signed up for Amazon Associates about a month ago, but I haven’t done much with it yet. I’m thinking of incorporating it in the new year. Great to hear about your TikTok program, hope it all goes well for you in addition to the Amazon Associates program. I decided not to continue with TikTok and instead start a YouTube channel in the new year as well. Since Canada banned TikTok and forced all their offices to close here. There’s no real way of making income through them. All the best as you continue your journey!
Denny