1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,320 All right, so get ready. 2 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:03,240 Because today we're driving into the world 3 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:05,520 of TikTok dropshipping. 4 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:07,480 Oh yeah, this is gonna be a good one. 5 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:11,360 It is, basically it's all about turning your, 6 00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:12,880 for you scrolling time on TikTok, 7 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:14,960 it's like, how do we turn that into some cat? 8 00:00:14,960 --> 00:00:16,760 Right, make some money in the process. 9 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,400 Yeah, and we're actually basing this deep dive 10 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:21,560 on a YouTuber named Stevie Sells. 11 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:22,400 Yeah. 12 00:00:22,400 --> 00:00:26,640 And he documented like his entire dropshipping experiment. 13 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:27,720 Kind of put it all out there. 14 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:29,840 Yeah, and he's got some really interesting insights 15 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:31,120 about what works and what doesn't. 16 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:31,960 Definitely. 17 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:35,320 And so by the end of this, you'll have a better idea 18 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:37,440 if this whole dropshipping thing, 19 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:38,920 you know, is something you wanna try yourself. 20 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,480 Yeah, and the interesting thing about Stevie's story is, 21 00:00:42,480 --> 00:00:45,440 he wasn't a believer right off the bat, you know? 22 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:46,280 Really? 23 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:47,800 Yeah, he was actually pretty skeptical. 24 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:48,640 Okay. 25 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:49,800 Because he'd seen those screenshots, 26 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,600 like we all have people making tons of money. 27 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:53,440 Like overnight. 28 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:56,520 Yeah, exactly, like overnight dropshipping sensations. 29 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:58,720 But when he was actually on TikTok, 30 00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:01,560 you know, just using it as a regular person, 31 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:03,680 his experience was totally different. 32 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,440 Like low engagement on ads and just those like, 33 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:07,920 kind of crappy infomercials. 34 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:08,760 Those are the worst. 35 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:09,960 I know, right? 36 00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:11,440 Do people actually fall for those? 37 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:12,520 You have to wonder. 38 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:13,360 Yeah. 39 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:14,600 But you know, Stevie being the entrepreneur, 40 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:17,280 he is, he decided to dig a little deeper. 41 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:18,120 Okay. 42 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:18,960 Give it a shot anyway. 43 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:19,800 I like that. 44 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:21,160 Yeah, so he found this program called 45 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:23,480 the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program. 46 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:24,320 Okay. 47 00:01:24,320 --> 00:01:25,840 And it's pretty cool actually. 48 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:26,920 So how does it work? 49 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,440 Basically you buy products on TikTok. 50 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,280 Okay. 51 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,680 And then you make these like cool engaging videos about them. 52 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,000 And then you tag the products in the videos. 53 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:35,840 Okay. 54 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:37,720 And then boom, you get a commission for every sale. 55 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:38,560 Oh wow. 56 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:39,920 So it's kind of like built right into TikTok. 57 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:40,760 Yeah. 58 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:42,600 It really leverages how people are already using 59 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:43,920 TikTok anyway. 60 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:44,760 Right. 61 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:46,600 You know, scrolling, shopping, watching. 62 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:47,440 Fall right there. 63 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:48,280 Exactly. 64 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:49,120 Very convenient. 65 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:49,960 Super convenient. 66 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:53,280 So what was Stevie's like strategy going into this? 67 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:55,040 Well, he was actually pretty smart about it. 68 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:55,880 Okay. 69 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:58,800 So instead of like trying to go for these huge sales, 70 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,080 he aimed for like a steady profit. 71 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:01,920 Right. 72 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,560 Like around $5 per sale. 73 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:04,400 Oh, it's not bad. 74 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:05,240 Yeah. 75 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,840 And he was looking for products in that like $30, $50 range. 76 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:09,680 Okay. 77 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:10,600 So his thinking was, you know, 78 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,760 if I can make a decent profit on each sale, 79 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:17,400 I don't need to sell thousands of these things. 80 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:18,480 Right. 81 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:20,120 To actually make some decent money. 82 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:20,960 Makes sense. 83 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:21,800 Yeah. 84 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:23,040 So which products did he end up choosing? 85 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,480 Well, he went for a variety, which I thought was smart. 86 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:26,320 Okay. 87 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:28,280 He picked five totally different things. 88 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:29,120 Five. 89 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:29,960 Yeah. 90 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:33,360 So he had this like cute, cuddly stuffed animal seal. 91 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,240 Like one of those big ones, you know. 92 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,200 And then he had this mini fire pit for like, you know, 93 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:39,680 those cozy vibes. 94 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:40,520 Ooh. 95 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:41,360 Exactly. 96 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:42,200 For your backyard. 97 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:43,040 Yeah. 98 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:44,960 And then he had this unique kitchen knife. 99 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,200 That looked pretty high end, you know. 100 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:48,040 Yeah. 101 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:49,680 And then for the like, you know, 102 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:51,880 the organization freaks out there. 103 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:53,680 A mini label printer. 104 00:02:53,680 --> 00:02:54,520 Oh, those are handy. 105 00:02:54,520 --> 00:02:55,360 Right. 106 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:57,000 And then lastly, a smartphone magnification lens. 107 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:57,840 Okay. 108 00:02:57,840 --> 00:02:59,640 So like to make your phone screen bigger. 109 00:02:59,640 --> 00:03:00,720 Exactly. 110 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:01,560 So yeah. 111 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:03,080 Five very different products. 112 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:04,240 Yeah. 113 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,360 And I think it was a smart move because, you know. 114 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:07,200 Why? 115 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:11,080 Well, by testing out different product categories, 116 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:14,800 he was basically increasing his odds of hitting a winner. 117 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:15,800 Oh, right. 118 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:18,600 Because who knows what's gonna go viral on TikTok, right? 119 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:19,520 So true. 120 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:20,360 You never know. 121 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:21,480 It was so unpredictable. 122 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:23,320 What kind of videos did he make? 123 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,200 Well, he started with those classic unboxing videos. 124 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:27,040 Okay. 125 00:03:27,040 --> 00:03:29,680 You know, just simple, easy to make. 126 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,320 Good way to show off the product. 127 00:03:31,320 --> 00:03:32,160 Right. 128 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:34,600 But he had this plan to kind of step it up 129 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:36,880 depending on how those first videos did. 130 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:37,720 Okay. 131 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,040 So he had ideas for like funny voiceovers. 132 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:41,760 Like product demonstrations, 133 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:45,280 even videos that like solved a problem using the product. 134 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:46,120 That's smart. 135 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:46,940 Yeah. 136 00:03:46,940 --> 00:03:48,760 I think he was thinking like a true marketer there. 137 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:49,600 You know. 138 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:50,440 Yeah. 139 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,760 Starting simple and then adapting based on the data. 140 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:53,100 Right. 141 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:56,000 Which is so important in online business these days. 142 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,200 So what happened? 143 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:57,700 Okay. 144 00:03:57,700 --> 00:03:58,040 So picture this. 145 00:03:58,040 --> 00:03:59,960 He puts all this work into these videos. 146 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:00,460 Yeah. 147 00:04:00,460 --> 00:04:01,360 Feeling pretty good. 148 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:01,960 Okay. 149 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:03,440 And then crickets. 150 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:04,520 Oh no. 151 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:05,960 So like nothing was working. 152 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:07,080 The stuff seal? 153 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:07,840 Nope. 154 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:09,560 Minifier pit, no luck. 155 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:10,080 Dang it. 156 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:12,520 Label maker, nothing. 157 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:13,280 Wow. 158 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,200 But then something crazy happened. 159 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:16,520 Okay. 160 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:17,680 I'm on the edge of my seat. 161 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:20,160 The video with the kitchen knife went viral. 162 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:20,720 What? 163 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:21,160 Really? 164 00:04:21,160 --> 00:04:22,000 Out of all of them? 165 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:22,680 I know, right? 166 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,680 It's like you just can't predict TikTok. 167 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:25,840 So what did you do? 168 00:04:25,840 --> 00:04:29,960 Well, he saw those views and those sales just skyrocketing. 169 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:30,440 Yeah. 170 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:32,400 And he knew he had to act fast. 171 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:32,800 Right. 172 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:35,040 So he doubled down on that kitchen knife. 173 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:35,480 Okay. 174 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:37,400 And he started making even better videos. 175 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:38,760 To keep the momentum going. 176 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:39,480 Exactly. 177 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,640 It's like that classic marketing principle, right? 178 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:42,120 What's that? 179 00:04:42,120 --> 00:04:43,640 Capitalize on your wins. 180 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:44,440 Oh, OK. 181 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:45,240 I like that. 182 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:48,160 When something's working, you got to like pour more resources 183 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:48,480 into it. 184 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:49,800 So literally maximize it? 185 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:50,440 Yes. 186 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,200 And it also shows how important it is to be adaptable. 187 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:53,560 Yeah. 188 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:54,000 You know. 189 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:55,360 In the world of online business. 190 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:55,680 Totally. 191 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:57,720 You got to be ready to pivot based on what's working. 192 00:04:57,720 --> 00:04:58,680 That'll be on your toes. 193 00:04:58,680 --> 00:04:59,800 Yeah, for sure. 194 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:00,040 OK. 195 00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,000 So I want to pause here for a second. 196 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:04,680 Ask our listeners. 197 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:06,160 Put yourself in Stevie's shoes. 198 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:06,440 OK. 199 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:08,520 Your first few products tanked. 200 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:09,320 Uh-oh. 201 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:12,920 Would you throw in the towel or would you find a way to adapt? 202 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:14,160 That's a good question. 203 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:15,520 It's something to think about, right? 204 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:16,720 Definitely something to consider. 205 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:18,960 Because it's a question we'll all have to answer 206 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:21,400 if we decide to give this drop shipping thing a try. 207 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:22,440 Yeah, absolutely. 208 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:22,960 OK. 209 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:23,880 So let's take a break here. 210 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:24,280 OK. 211 00:05:24,280 --> 00:05:25,840 And we'll be back in just a minute 212 00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:28,000 to dive into more of Stevie's store 213 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,120 and what he learned from this whole experience. 214 00:05:30,120 --> 00:05:31,400 That's good. 215 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:31,800 OK. 216 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:32,640 So we're back. 217 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,040 And we were just talking about Stevie's Kitchen Knife 218 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:37,880 video that like totally blew up on TikTok. 219 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,200 Yeah, it's crazy, right? 220 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:42,000 And he ended up making over $1,000 in profit. 221 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:42,720 Oh, just one week. 222 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:43,400 Good one week. 223 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:44,520 Yeah. 224 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:45,520 That's pretty inspiring. 225 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:45,880 Yeah. 226 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:46,560 It's amazing. 227 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:48,280 It kind of makes you wonder if drop shipping really 228 00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:49,760 is this easy. 229 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:50,760 Right. 230 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:52,600 It seems like is this all it takes? 231 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:55,040 Well, it definitely shows the potential, you know? 232 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:59,320 But it's also a good reminder that any business, even 233 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,160 a side hustle, it has its challenges. 234 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:02,440 OK. 235 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:05,480 So what are some of the things that we should be aware of? 236 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:08,720 Well, one thing that comes to mind is product quality. 237 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:09,720 Yeah, that's a good point. 238 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:11,280 Because when you're drop shipping, 239 00:06:11,280 --> 00:06:13,480 you're not actually handling the products yourself, right? 240 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:13,960 Exactly. 241 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:19,320 You're relying on a third party supplier to do everything. 242 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:20,560 To get it to the customer. 243 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:21,040 Yeah. 244 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,440 And so if the customer gets a product that's flimsy or poorly 245 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,480 made, it's going to reflect badly on you. 246 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:27,920 Right. 247 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:29,040 Even though you didn't make the product. 248 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:29,520 Totally. 249 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:31,880 And then you're going to get bad reviews, people demanding 250 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:32,880 refunds. 251 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:33,240 Good. 252 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:35,120 Yeah, it can really damage your reputation. 253 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:36,680 So how do you avoid that? 254 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:39,280 Well, I think it's really important to vet your suppliers 255 00:06:39,280 --> 00:06:40,240 carefully. 256 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:40,680 OK. 257 00:06:40,680 --> 00:06:42,760 So do your research. 258 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:43,640 Yeah, exactly. 259 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,840 Like look for suppliers who have a good track record. 260 00:06:47,840 --> 00:06:51,520 Read reviews from other businesses who have used them. 261 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:55,080 And try to get samples of the products if you can. 262 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:56,360 Yeah, that's a good idea. 263 00:06:56,360 --> 00:06:57,360 So you can see it for yourself. 264 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:57,880 Exactly. 265 00:06:57,880 --> 00:06:58,280 OK. 266 00:06:58,280 --> 00:06:59,360 What else? 267 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:01,640 Another thing to think about is shipping times. 268 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:02,080 OK. 269 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:03,840 Because a lot of times with drop shipping, 270 00:07:03,840 --> 00:07:05,960 those items take longer to arrive, right? 271 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,600 Yeah, because they're often coming from overseas. 272 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:10,680 Or they have to go through multiple steps 273 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,160 before they get to the customer. 274 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:14,560 And we've all gotten so used to things being delivered super 275 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:14,920 fast. 276 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:15,800 I know, right? 277 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:17,120 Like two-day shipping? 278 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:18,280 Yeah, exactly. 279 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:21,200 So if customers have to wait weeks for their order, 280 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:22,480 they might not be too happy. 281 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:23,640 Right, they might get impatient. 282 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:24,640 Totally. 283 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,720 And what about like the ethical side of things? 284 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,120 Well, that's something we definitely need to consider. 285 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:33,040 Yeah, because those unboxing videos that Stevie was making, 286 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:34,800 they're cool and all. 287 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,240 But they can also contribute to people buying more stuff 288 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:38,200 than they really need. 289 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:38,640 Right. 290 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:40,040 It's easy to get caught up in that. 291 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:40,800 Totally. 292 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,120 Like online shopping and social media 293 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:46,480 can really make it easy to buy things impulsively. 294 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,320 It's like a feedback loop, you know? 295 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:48,840 You see it. 296 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:49,480 You want it. 297 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:50,160 You buy it. 298 00:07:50,160 --> 00:07:51,040 Exactly. 299 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,200 And so it's good to step back and ask ourselves, 300 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,200 are we encouraging people to buy mindfully, 301 00:07:57,200 --> 00:08:01,360 or are we just like fueling a cycle of constantly wanting more? 302 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,040 Yeah, that's a good point. 303 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:03,480 Yes. 304 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:05,040 What about the environmental impact? 305 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,080 Well, sustainability is a growing concern. 306 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:07,840 For good reason. 307 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:08,480 Yeah. 308 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:10,920 And it's definitely something to think about with drop shipping. 309 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:13,080 Because more products being shipped all over the world. 310 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:17,080 Means more packaging, more trucks and planes burning fuel. 311 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:17,880 More emissions. 312 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:19,360 Yeah, more carbon emissions. 313 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:22,120 So is there anything we can do about that? 314 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:26,520 Well, I think it's important to support suppliers who care 315 00:08:26,520 --> 00:08:30,320 about the environment and who use ethical practices. 316 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:30,680 Right. 317 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:33,000 So like sustainable packaging, things like that. 318 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:33,840 Exactly. 319 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:35,880 And there are certifications you can look for. 320 00:08:35,880 --> 00:08:36,640 Oh, OK. 321 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:38,040 So do your research there too. 322 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:38,600 Yeah. 323 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:39,520 Exactly. 324 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:41,080 What else should we be thinking about? 325 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:44,120 Well, another thing that could be tricky with drop shipping 326 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:45,760 is customer service. 327 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:46,920 Oh, yeah, that's right. 328 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:50,840 Because when a customer has a problem with their order, 329 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:52,360 they're going to come to you. 330 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,280 Even if the issue is with the supplier. 331 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:56,000 So you're the one who has to deal with it. 332 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,520 And that can be really challenging, 333 00:08:57,520 --> 00:08:59,840 especially if you're like running a business on your own. 334 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:00,920 Or with a small team. 335 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,680 Yeah, you need to have really good communication skills. 336 00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:04,360 Yeah. 337 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,080 And a solid system for handling customer service. 338 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,400 So that things run smoothly. 339 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:14,280 OK, we've talked about product quality shipping, times, 340 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:18,360 ethical concerns, customer service. 341 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:19,120 What else is there? 342 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,000 Well, we can't forget about the competition. 343 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:21,960 Oh, yeah, that's a big one. 344 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:24,040 Because drop shipping is becoming super popular. 345 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,400 So you're going to be up against a lot of other people. 346 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:27,720 Trying to sell similar products. 347 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:28,360 Yeah. 348 00:09:28,360 --> 00:09:31,320 So it's really important to stand out from the crowd. 349 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,240 OK, so how do you do that? 350 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:36,000 Well, you need to find a way to be unique. 351 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,760 Whether it's your product selection or your brand 352 00:09:38,760 --> 00:09:41,280 or the way you connect with your audience. 353 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:42,440 Like your personal style. 354 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:43,280 Yeah, exactly. 355 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:46,280 Because if you're just copying what everyone else is doing. 356 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:47,320 You're not going to get very far. 357 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:47,720 Nope. 358 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:49,520 So it's not just about hopping on a trend. 359 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:52,320 It's about creating a business that can last. 360 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:52,840 Right. 361 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:53,960 You got to think long term. 362 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:55,080 Exactly. 363 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:58,520 And that means having a solid plan, doing your research, 364 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:01,680 and really understanding who your target customer is. 365 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:05,280 And Stevie also mentioned like making follow up videos. 366 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:07,120 Responding to comments. 367 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:11,120 And basically guiding people towards making a purchase. 368 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:12,320 Those are all good strategies. 369 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:14,920 But they can also raise some questions about being 370 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:16,040 genuine with your audience. 371 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:17,360 Yeah, that's a great point. 372 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:21,520 Because there's a fine line between like engaging 373 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:26,000 with your audience and using tactics that feel pushy 374 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:26,880 or manipulative. 375 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:27,120 Right. 376 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:28,880 So like how do you strike that balance? 377 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:31,120 Well, I think transparency is really important. 378 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:31,480 OK. 379 00:10:31,480 --> 00:10:34,160 People need to know that you're affiliated with the products 380 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:35,240 you're promoting. 381 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:38,640 And that you're being honest about your experience with them. 382 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:38,920 Right. 383 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:40,120 So don't try to hide it. 384 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:40,840 Exactly. 385 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:41,800 Be upfront about it. 386 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:45,440 So at the end of the day, it comes down to asking yourself, 387 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,320 are you trying to genuinely help your audience? 388 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:51,040 Or are you just trying to make a quick buck? 389 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:52,520 Because people can tell. 390 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:55,040 They can definitely sense when someone's not being authentic. 391 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:56,960 And that can hurt your brand in the long run. 392 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:57,680 Absolutely. 393 00:10:57,680 --> 00:11:00,440 Because building a loyal following 394 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:02,400 is about creating real connections. 395 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:04,160 Not just pushing sales. 396 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:06,200 So we've talked about a lot of challenges here. 397 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:06,840 We have. 398 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:09,520 Product quality, ethical considerations, 399 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,880 shipping times, the impact on the environment competition 400 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:14,840 being genuine with your audience. 401 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:16,360 Ah, it's a lot. 402 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:17,840 So is there still hope for someone 403 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:20,440 who wants to try dropshipping on TikTok? 404 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:21,000 Absolutely. 405 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:22,000 There is. 406 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:25,320 I think it's important to be aware of the challenges. 407 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:26,760 But they're not insurmountable. 408 00:11:26,760 --> 00:11:28,080 OK, so you can overcome them. 409 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:28,640 Yeah. 410 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:32,240 If you approach dropshipping thoughtfully and ethically. 411 00:11:32,240 --> 00:11:32,840 OK. 412 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:34,680 And you focus on quality, and you 413 00:11:34,680 --> 00:11:37,960 build genuine relationships with your followers, 414 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:40,480 you can create a business that benefits both you 415 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:41,800 and your customers. 416 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:43,400 So it's not just about making money. 417 00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:44,960 It's about doing it the right way. 418 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:46,720 And that brings us to a really important point 419 00:11:46,720 --> 00:11:47,760 about dropshipping. 420 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,120 OK, what's that? 421 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,480 It's a tool just like any other business tool. 422 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:52,120 OK. 423 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:54,360 And it can be used in different ways. 424 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,120 So it's not inherently good or bad? 425 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:57,600 Exactly. 426 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:58,880 It depends on the person using it. 427 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:01,160 It's all about making conscious choices. 428 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:01,440 Right. 429 00:12:01,440 --> 00:12:05,120 So if you're thinking about giving TikTok dropshipping a try, 430 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,920 ask yourself, what kind of business do I want to build? 431 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:09,840 What values are important to me? 432 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:11,280 Am I in it for the long haul? 433 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:13,480 Or am I chasing a quick trend? 434 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:15,120 Because those are important questions. 435 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:16,120 They are. 436 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,240 And we're not here to tell you whether dropshipping is 437 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:19,560 right or wrong for you. 438 00:12:19,560 --> 00:12:22,680 Our goal is to give you the information and insights 439 00:12:22,680 --> 00:12:24,960 so that you can make your own informed decision. 440 00:12:24,960 --> 00:12:25,280 Right. 441 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:26,840 We're just trying to lay it all out there. 442 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:27,120 Yeah. 443 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:30,480 And we all have a role to play in shaping the world we live in. 444 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:32,520 Both as consumers and as entrepreneurs. 445 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:33,440 Exactly. 446 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:33,940 OK. 447 00:12:33,940 --> 00:12:35,400 So let's shift gears a little bit. 448 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:35,800 OK. 449 00:12:35,800 --> 00:12:39,840 And talk about what's next for TikTok dropshipping. 450 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:40,520 Sounds good. 451 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:42,200 Like what's on the horizon and what 452 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:45,240 are some practical tips for navigating 453 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:46,840 this ever-changing landscape. 454 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:47,680 That's it. 455 00:12:47,680 --> 00:12:47,960 OK. 456 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:51,080 So we've talked about all the good and the bad stuff 457 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:52,480 with TikTok dropshipping. 458 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:54,000 Yeah, like all the challenges and stuff. 459 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:54,480 Yeah. 460 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,280 But what about like the future? 461 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:56,720 You know? 462 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:58,040 The future of dropshipping. 463 00:12:58,040 --> 00:12:58,240 Yeah. 464 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,440 Like where do you think things are headed with all this? 465 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,920 Oh, that's a good question. 466 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:05,080 You know, because TikTok's always changing. 467 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:05,480 Yeah. 468 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:08,400 It's hard to predict with a platform like TikTok. 469 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:08,880 You know? 470 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:09,160 Right. 471 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:10,160 It moves so fast. 472 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:12,040 Things change so quickly. 473 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:13,160 But what do you think? 474 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:16,240 Well, one thing I'm pretty confident about is that. 475 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:16,680 What's that? 476 00:13:16,680 --> 00:13:20,600 TikTok's influence on how we shop is only going to get stronger. 477 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:21,080 Yeah. 478 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,920 I mean, it's already kind of blurring the lines, right? 479 00:13:23,920 --> 00:13:24,320 Oh, totally. 480 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:27,200 Between like just scrolling for fun and actually buying things. 481 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:29,720 You can go from watching like a funny cat video 482 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:33,440 to buying a new pair of shoes like in a few taps. 483 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:34,560 It's crazy. 484 00:13:34,560 --> 00:13:35,680 Seamless. 485 00:13:35,680 --> 00:13:35,840 Yeah. 486 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:38,320 And I think it's because of that like community aspect. 487 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:38,640 You know? 488 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:39,680 Social proof. 489 00:13:39,680 --> 00:13:39,920 Yeah. 490 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,680 Like seeing someone you follow recommended product. 491 00:13:43,680 --> 00:13:44,640 That you trust. 492 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:44,920 Yeah. 493 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:47,240 It just carries more weight than like a regular ad. 494 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:48,080 Way more. 495 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:49,360 It feels more personal. 496 00:13:49,360 --> 00:13:49,800 It does. 497 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:51,240 Like you're getting advice from a friend. 498 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:51,680 Right. 499 00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:52,360 Exactly. 500 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:53,880 And those unboxing videos too. 501 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:54,440 Oh, yeah. 502 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:57,320 As much as they can be a little iffy. 503 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:57,760 Yeah. 504 00:13:57,760 --> 00:13:58,000 You know? 505 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:58,480 Yeah. 506 00:13:58,480 --> 00:13:59,720 They do tap into something. 507 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:00,480 That curiosity. 508 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:00,680 Yeah. 509 00:14:00,680 --> 00:14:02,480 Like we all want to know what's inside. 510 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:03,640 We're wired for it. 511 00:14:03,640 --> 00:14:04,880 It's like that anticipation. 512 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:05,920 And excitement. 513 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:08,480 And so as TikTok keeps innovating. 514 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:09,160 Yeah. 515 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,160 I think we're just going to see like even more creative 516 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:13,520 and immersive ways to shop. 517 00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:15,520 Built right into the platform. 518 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:16,600 It's exciting. 519 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:17,360 It is exciting. 520 00:14:17,360 --> 00:14:20,480 What do you think we'll see like augmented reality? 521 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:20,880 Oh, yeah. 522 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:21,600 For sure. 523 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:23,160 Virtual try-ons. 524 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:23,960 Definitely. 525 00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:26,120 Live shopping events where you can actually 526 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:27,440 talk to the sellers. 527 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:28,200 Oh, yeah. 528 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:29,360 That's already happening. 529 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:30,280 It's going to be wild. 530 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:32,400 It's going to be really interesting to see where it goes. 531 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:35,680 But with all that innovation comes responsibility too. 532 00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:36,440 Absolutely. 533 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:38,280 Like TikTok's going to have to step up and address 534 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,000 some of those ethical concerns we talked about. 535 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:40,200 Yeah. 536 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:41,440 Like sustainability. 537 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:43,840 And making sure there's a good balance 538 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:47,760 between like commerce and user well-being. 539 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:48,720 It's a tough balance. 540 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:49,280 Yeah. 541 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:50,280 But it's important. 542 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:50,480 OK. 543 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,880 So say someone's listening to this and they're like, 544 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:56,000 all right, I want to try TikTok drop shipping. 545 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:57,080 OK. 546 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:58,520 What advice would you give them? 547 00:14:58,520 --> 00:14:58,880 OK. 548 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:01,640 Well, first things first, understand the platform. 549 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:01,880 OK. 550 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:03,120 So do your research. 551 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:03,440 Yeah. 552 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:04,120 Do your research. 553 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:05,280 Learn about the algorithm. 554 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:06,240 The trends. 555 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:07,240 Competition. 556 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:08,680 Don't just jump in blindly. 557 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:09,280 No. 558 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:11,520 Don't just copy what someone else is doing. 559 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:11,880 Right. 560 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:13,960 Because it's not a get rich quick scheme. 561 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:14,960 It takes work. 562 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:15,760 Strategy. 563 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:17,280 And a willingness to adapt. 564 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:18,760 Like constantly adapt. 565 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:19,200 Yeah. 566 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:20,800 Things change all the time. 567 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:21,120 OK. 568 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:21,600 What else? 569 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,000 Develop strong video creation skills. 570 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:24,200 OK. 571 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,760 So learn how to like make good videos. 572 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:27,120 Yeah. 573 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:28,360 Tell stories. 574 00:15:28,360 --> 00:15:30,960 Show off products in an engaging way. 575 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:32,920 Make people want to watch. 576 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:34,000 Capture their attention. 577 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,280 Because it's not just about making one viral video. 578 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:36,560 No. 579 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,280 You've got to show up consistently. 580 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:39,400 Engage with your audience. 581 00:15:39,400 --> 00:15:40,560 Build a community. 582 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:42,040 What about choosing products? 583 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:42,280 Yeah. 584 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:43,160 That's a big one. 585 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:44,480 What should people be thinking about? 586 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:46,080 Well, think about the quality. 587 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:46,800 Uh-huh. 588 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:48,600 The ethics of the supplier. 589 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:49,520 Shipping times. 590 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:51,440 The value you're providing to your audience. 591 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:51,720 Right. 592 00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:53,600 It's got to be something people actually want. 593 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:54,160 Exactly. 594 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:55,160 Don't just follow trends. 595 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,920 Now find a niche that you're actually interested in. 596 00:15:57,920 --> 00:15:58,440 Right. 597 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:00,880 And build a brand that reflects your values. 598 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:02,360 Your personal brand. 599 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:03,640 What about like mindset? 600 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,200 Oh, mindset's huge. 601 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:06,080 What would you say? 602 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:07,000 Be patient. 603 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:07,800 Yeah. 604 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:09,080 Be persistent. 605 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,120 Because success takes time. 606 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:11,640 It does. 607 00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:12,360 And effort. 608 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:14,320 But you might not see results overnight. 609 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:15,520 So don't give up too soon. 610 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,080 Don't get discouraged. 611 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:18,520 Keep learning. 612 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:19,920 Keep experimenting. 613 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:21,360 Keep refining your approach. 614 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:22,880 And most importantly. 615 00:16:22,880 --> 00:16:23,760 What's that? 616 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:25,360 Be yourself. 617 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:26,880 Oh, I love that. 618 00:16:26,880 --> 00:16:28,800 Don't compromise your integrity. 619 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,040 Build a business you can be proud of. 620 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:32,440 That has a positive impact. 621 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:34,880 Because success isn't just about the money you make. 622 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,320 It's about the difference you make in the world. 623 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:38,320 That's such a good point. 624 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:38,880 Yeah. 625 00:16:38,880 --> 00:16:41,360 Well, this has been a really informative deep dive. 626 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:41,920 I think so. 627 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:43,280 We covered a lot of ground. 628 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:43,960 We did. 629 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:47,480 We talked about how TikTok dropshipping works, 630 00:16:47,480 --> 00:16:49,120 the potential for success. 631 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:50,080 The challenges. 632 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:51,640 The ethical considerations. 633 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:52,400 All the things. 634 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:54,640 Hopefully you're feeling a little more informed now. 635 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:55,720 A little more knowledgeable. 636 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:57,440 About whether this is something you want to try. 637 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:59,080 If it's the right path for you. 638 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,600 And as always, we want to hear from you guys. 639 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:02,840 Yeah, definitely. 640 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:03,680 Drop a comment. 641 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:04,640 Let us know what you thought. 642 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:06,200 What resonated with you. 643 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:07,400 What questions you have. 644 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,120 We love hearing from our listeners. 645 00:17:09,120 --> 00:17:09,720 All right. 646 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:11,560 Thanks for joining us on this deep dive 647 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:13,720 into TikTok dropshipping. 648 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:14,840 Until next time. 649 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:24,080 Happy dropshipping, everybody.