All right, so get ready.
Because today we're driving into the world
of TikTok dropshipping.
Oh yeah, this is gonna be a good one.
It is, basically it's all about turning your,
for you scrolling time on TikTok,
it's like, how do we turn that into some cat?
Right, make some money in the process.
Yeah, and we're actually basing this deep dive
on a YouTuber named Stevie Sells.
Yeah.
And he documented like his entire dropshipping experiment.
Kind of put it all out there.
Yeah, and he's got some really interesting insights
about what works and what doesn't.
Definitely.
And so by the end of this, you'll have a better idea
if this whole dropshipping thing,
you know, is something you wanna try yourself.
Yeah, and the interesting thing about Stevie's story is,
he wasn't a believer right off the bat, you know?
Really?
Yeah, he was actually pretty skeptical.
Okay.
Because he'd seen those screenshots,
like we all have people making tons of money.
Like overnight.
Yeah, exactly, like overnight dropshipping sensations.
But when he was actually on TikTok,
you know, just using it as a regular person,
his experience was totally different.
Like low engagement on ads and just those like,
kind of crappy infomercials.
Those are the worst.
I know, right?
Do people actually fall for those?
You have to wonder.
Yeah.
But you know, Stevie being the entrepreneur,
he is, he decided to dig a little deeper.
Okay.
Give it a shot anyway.
I like that.
Yeah, so he found this program called
the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program.
Okay.
And it's pretty cool actually.
So how does it work?
Basically you buy products on TikTok.
Okay.
And then you make these like cool engaging videos about them.
And then you tag the products in the videos.
Okay.
And then boom, you get a commission for every sale.
Oh wow.
So it's kind of like built right into TikTok.
Yeah.
It really leverages how people are already using
TikTok anyway.
Right.
You know, scrolling, shopping, watching.
Fall right there.
Exactly.
Very convenient.
Super convenient.
So what was Stevie's like strategy going into this?
Well, he was actually pretty smart about it.
Okay.
So instead of like trying to go for these huge sales,
he aimed for like a steady profit.
Right.
Like around $5 per sale.
Oh, it's not bad.
Yeah.
And he was looking for products in that like $30, $50 range.
Okay.
So his thinking was, you know,
if I can make a decent profit on each sale,
I don't need to sell thousands of these things.
Right.
To actually make some decent money.
Makes sense.
Yeah.
So which products did he end up choosing?
Well, he went for a variety, which I thought was smart.
Okay.
He picked five totally different things.
Five.
Yeah.
So he had this like cute, cuddly stuffed animal seal.
Like one of those big ones, you know.
And then he had this mini fire pit for like, you know,
those cozy vibes.
Ooh.
Exactly.
For your backyard.
Yeah.
And then he had this unique kitchen knife.
That looked pretty high end, you know.
Yeah.
And then for the like, you know,
the organization freaks out there.
A mini label printer.
Oh, those are handy.
Right.
And then lastly, a smartphone magnification lens.
Okay.
So like to make your phone screen bigger.
Exactly.
So yeah.
Five very different products.
Yeah.
And I think it was a smart move because, you know.
Why?
Well, by testing out different product categories,
he was basically increasing his odds of hitting a winner.
Oh, right.
Because who knows what's gonna go viral on TikTok, right?
So true.
You never know.
It was so unpredictable.
What kind of videos did he make?
Well, he started with those classic unboxing videos.
Okay.
You know, just simple, easy to make.
Good way to show off the product.
Right.
But he had this plan to kind of step it up
depending on how those first videos did.
Okay.
So he had ideas for like funny voiceovers.
Like product demonstrations,
even videos that like solved a problem using the product.
That's smart.
Yeah.
I think he was thinking like a true marketer there.
You know.
Yeah.
Starting simple and then adapting based on the data.
Right.
Which is so important in online business these days.
So what happened?
Okay.
So picture this.
He puts all this work into these videos.
Yeah.
Feeling pretty good.
Okay.
And then crickets.
Oh no.
So like nothing was working.
The stuff seal?
Nope.
Minifier pit, no luck.
Dang it.
Label maker, nothing.
Wow.
But then something crazy happened.
Okay.
I'm on the edge of my seat.
The video with the kitchen knife went viral.
What?
Really?
Out of all of them?
I know, right?
It's like you just can't predict TikTok.
So what did you do?
Well, he saw those views and those sales just skyrocketing.
Yeah.
And he knew he had to act fast.
Right.
So he doubled down on that kitchen knife.
Okay.
And he started making even better videos.
To keep the momentum going.
Exactly.
It's like that classic marketing principle, right?
What's that?
Capitalize on your wins.
Oh, OK.
I like that.
When something's working, you got to like pour more resources
into it.
So literally maximize it?
Yes.
And it also shows how important it is to be adaptable.
Yeah.
You know.
In the world of online business.
Totally.
You got to be ready to pivot based on what's working.
That'll be on your toes.
Yeah, for sure.
OK.
So I want to pause here for a second.
Ask our listeners.
Put yourself in Stevie's shoes.
OK.
Your first few products tanked.
Uh-oh.
Would you throw in the towel or would you find a way to adapt?
That's a good question.
It's something to think about, right?
Definitely something to consider.
Because it's a question we'll all have to answer
if we decide to give this drop shipping thing a try.
Yeah, absolutely.
OK.
So let's take a break here.
OK.
And we'll be back in just a minute
to dive into more of Stevie's store
and what he learned from this whole experience.
That's good.
OK.
So we're back.
And we were just talking about Stevie's Kitchen Knife
video that like totally blew up on TikTok.
Yeah, it's crazy, right?
And he ended up making over $1,000 in profit.
Oh, just one week.
Good one week.
Yeah.
That's pretty inspiring.
Yeah.
It's amazing.
It kind of makes you wonder if drop shipping really
is this easy.
Right.
It seems like is this all it takes?
Well, it definitely shows the potential, you know?
But it's also a good reminder that any business, even
a side hustle, it has its challenges.
OK.
So what are some of the things that we should be aware of?
Well, one thing that comes to mind is product quality.
Yeah, that's a good point.
Because when you're drop shipping,
you're not actually handling the products yourself, right?
Exactly.
You're relying on a third party supplier to do everything.
To get it to the customer.
Yeah.
And so if the customer gets a product that's flimsy or poorly
made, it's going to reflect badly on you.
Right.
Even though you didn't make the product.
Totally.
And then you're going to get bad reviews, people demanding
refunds.
Good.
Yeah, it can really damage your reputation.
So how do you avoid that?
Well, I think it's really important to vet your suppliers
carefully.
OK.
So do your research.
Yeah, exactly.
Like look for suppliers who have a good track record.
Read reviews from other businesses who have used them.
And try to get samples of the products if you can.
Yeah, that's a good idea.
So you can see it for yourself.
Exactly.
OK.
What else?
Another thing to think about is shipping times.
OK.
Because a lot of times with drop shipping,
those items take longer to arrive, right?
Yeah, because they're often coming from overseas.
Or they have to go through multiple steps
before they get to the customer.
And we've all gotten so used to things being delivered super
fast.
I know, right?
Like two-day shipping?
Yeah, exactly.
So if customers have to wait weeks for their order,
they might not be too happy.
Right, they might get impatient.
Totally.
And what about like the ethical side of things?
Well, that's something we definitely need to consider.
Yeah, because those unboxing videos that Stevie was making,
they're cool and all.
But they can also contribute to people buying more stuff
than they really need.
Right.
It's easy to get caught up in that.
Totally.
Like online shopping and social media
can really make it easy to buy things impulsively.
It's like a feedback loop, you know?
You see it.
You want it.
You buy it.
Exactly.
And so it's good to step back and ask ourselves,
are we encouraging people to buy mindfully,
or are we just like fueling a cycle of constantly wanting more?
Yeah, that's a good point.
Yes.
What about the environmental impact?
Well, sustainability is a growing concern.
For good reason.
Yeah.
And it's definitely something to think about with drop shipping.
Because more products being shipped all over the world.
Means more packaging, more trucks and planes burning fuel.
More emissions.
Yeah, more carbon emissions.
So is there anything we can do about that?
Well, I think it's important to support suppliers who care
about the environment and who use ethical practices.
Right.
So like sustainable packaging, things like that.
Exactly.
And there are certifications you can look for.
Oh, OK.
So do your research there too.
Yeah.
Exactly.
What else should we be thinking about?
Well, another thing that could be tricky with drop shipping
is customer service.
Oh, yeah, that's right.
Because when a customer has a problem with their order,
they're going to come to you.
Even if the issue is with the supplier.
So you're the one who has to deal with it.
And that can be really challenging,
especially if you're like running a business on your own.
Or with a small team.
Yeah, you need to have really good communication skills.
Yeah.
And a solid system for handling customer service.
So that things run smoothly.
OK, we've talked about product quality shipping, times,
ethical concerns, customer service.
What else is there?
Well, we can't forget about the competition.
Oh, yeah, that's a big one.
Because drop shipping is becoming super popular.
So you're going to be up against a lot of other people.
Trying to sell similar products.
Yeah.
So it's really important to stand out from the crowd.
OK, so how do you do that?
Well, you need to find a way to be unique.
Whether it's your product selection or your brand
or the way you connect with your audience.
Like your personal style.
Yeah, exactly.
Because if you're just copying what everyone else is doing.
You're not going to get very far.
Nope.
So it's not just about hopping on a trend.
It's about creating a business that can last.
Right.
You got to think long term.
Exactly.
And that means having a solid plan, doing your research,
and really understanding who your target customer is.
And Stevie also mentioned like making follow up videos.
Responding to comments.
And basically guiding people towards making a purchase.
Those are all good strategies.
But they can also raise some questions about being
genuine with your audience.
Yeah, that's a great point.
Because there's a fine line between like engaging
with your audience and using tactics that feel pushy
or manipulative.
Right.
So like how do you strike that balance?
Well, I think transparency is really important.
OK.
People need to know that you're affiliated with the products
you're promoting.
And that you're being honest about your experience with them.
Right.
So don't try to hide it.
Exactly.
Be upfront about it.
So at the end of the day, it comes down to asking yourself,
are you trying to genuinely help your audience?
Or are you just trying to make a quick buck?
Because people can tell.
They can definitely sense when someone's not being authentic.
And that can hurt your brand in the long run.
Absolutely.
Because building a loyal following
is about creating real connections.
Not just pushing sales.
So we've talked about a lot of challenges here.
We have.
Product quality, ethical considerations,
shipping times, the impact on the environment competition
being genuine with your audience.
Ah, it's a lot.
So is there still hope for someone
who wants to try dropshipping on TikTok?
Absolutely.
There is.
I think it's important to be aware of the challenges.
But they're not insurmountable.
OK, so you can overcome them.
Yeah.
If you approach dropshipping thoughtfully and ethically.
OK.
And you focus on quality, and you
build genuine relationships with your followers,
you can create a business that benefits both you
and your customers.
So it's not just about making money.
It's about doing it the right way.
And that brings us to a really important point
about dropshipping.
OK, what's that?
It's a tool just like any other business tool.
OK.
And it can be used in different ways.
So it's not inherently good or bad?
Exactly.
It depends on the person using it.
It's all about making conscious choices.
Right.
So if you're thinking about giving TikTok dropshipping a try,
ask yourself, what kind of business do I want to build?
What values are important to me?
Am I in it for the long haul?
Or am I chasing a quick trend?
Because those are important questions.
They are.
And we're not here to tell you whether dropshipping is
right or wrong for you.
Our goal is to give you the information and insights
so that you can make your own informed decision.
Right.
We're just trying to lay it all out there.
Yeah.
And we all have a role to play in shaping the world we live in.
Both as consumers and as entrepreneurs.
Exactly.
OK.
So let's shift gears a little bit.
OK.
And talk about what's next for TikTok dropshipping.
Sounds good.
Like what's on the horizon and what
are some practical tips for navigating
this ever-changing landscape.
That's it.
OK.
So we've talked about all the good and the bad stuff
with TikTok dropshipping.
Yeah, like all the challenges and stuff.
Yeah.
But what about like the future?
You know?
The future of dropshipping.
Yeah.
Like where do you think things are headed with all this?
Oh, that's a good question.
You know, because TikTok's always changing.
Yeah.
It's hard to predict with a platform like TikTok.
You know?
Right.
It moves so fast.
Things change so quickly.
But what do you think?
Well, one thing I'm pretty confident about is that.
What's that?
TikTok's influence on how we shop is only going to get stronger.
Yeah.
I mean, it's already kind of blurring the lines, right?
Oh, totally.
Between like just scrolling for fun and actually buying things.
You can go from watching like a funny cat video
to buying a new pair of shoes like in a few taps.
It's crazy.
Seamless.
Yeah.
And I think it's because of that like community aspect.
You know?
Social proof.
Yeah.
Like seeing someone you follow recommended product.
That you trust.
Yeah.
It just carries more weight than like a regular ad.
Way more.
It feels more personal.
It does.
Like you're getting advice from a friend.
Right.
Exactly.
And those unboxing videos too.
Oh, yeah.
As much as they can be a little iffy.
Yeah.
You know?
Yeah.
They do tap into something.
That curiosity.
Yeah.
Like we all want to know what's inside.
We're wired for it.
It's like that anticipation.
And excitement.
And so as TikTok keeps innovating.
Yeah.
I think we're just going to see like even more creative
and immersive ways to shop.
Built right into the platform.
It's exciting.
It is exciting.
What do you think we'll see like augmented reality?
Oh, yeah.
For sure.
Virtual try-ons.
Definitely.
Live shopping events where you can actually
talk to the sellers.
Oh, yeah.
That's already happening.
It's going to be wild.
It's going to be really interesting to see where it goes.
But with all that innovation comes responsibility too.
Absolutely.
Like TikTok's going to have to step up and address
some of those ethical concerns we talked about.
Yeah.
Like sustainability.
And making sure there's a good balance
between like commerce and user well-being.
It's a tough balance.
Yeah.
But it's important.
OK.
So say someone's listening to this and they're like,
all right, I want to try TikTok drop shipping.
OK.
What advice would you give them?
OK.
Well, first things first, understand the platform.
OK.
So do your research.
Yeah.
Do your research.
Learn about the algorithm.
The trends.
Competition.
Don't just jump in blindly.
No.
Don't just copy what someone else is doing.
Right.
Because it's not a get rich quick scheme.
It takes work.
Strategy.
And a willingness to adapt.
Like constantly adapt.
Yeah.
Things change all the time.
OK.
What else?
Develop strong video creation skills.
OK.
So learn how to like make good videos.
Yeah.
Tell stories.
Show off products in an engaging way.
Make people want to watch.
Capture their attention.
Because it's not just about making one viral video.
No.
You've got to show up consistently.
Engage with your audience.
Build a community.
What about choosing products?
Yeah.
That's a big one.
What should people be thinking about?
Well, think about the quality.
Uh-huh.
The ethics of the supplier.
Shipping times.
The value you're providing to your audience.
Right.
It's got to be something people actually want.
Exactly.
Don't just follow trends.
Now find a niche that you're actually interested in.
Right.
And build a brand that reflects your values.
Your personal brand.
What about like mindset?
Oh, mindset's huge.
What would you say?
Be patient.
Yeah.
Be persistent.
Because success takes time.
It does.
And effort.
But you might not see results overnight.
So don't give up too soon.
Don't get discouraged.
Keep learning.
Keep experimenting.
Keep refining your approach.
And most importantly.
What's that?
Be yourself.
Oh, I love that.
Don't compromise your integrity.
Build a business you can be proud of.
That has a positive impact.
Because success isn't just about the money you make.
It's about the difference you make in the world.
That's such a good point.
Yeah.
Well, this has been a really informative deep dive.
I think so.
We covered a lot of ground.
We did.
We talked about how TikTok dropshipping works,
the potential for success.
The challenges.
The ethical considerations.
All the things.
Hopefully you're feeling a little more informed now.
A little more knowledgeable.
About whether this is something you want to try.
If it's the right path for you.
And as always, we want to hear from you guys.
Yeah, definitely.
Drop a comment.
Let us know what you thought.
What resonated with you.
What questions you have.
We love hearing from our listeners.
All right.
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive
into TikTok dropshipping.
Until next time.
Happy dropshipping, everybody.