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While I share money-making strategies, nothing is "typical", and outcomes are based on each individual. There are no guarantees.
I remember when I first learned about shoppable videos—it was a game changer. Suddenly, I realized that creating a single video could drive sales without needing a website.
By sharing product recommendations, tutorials, and demos directly on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram, you can create a flow of passive income where viewers can shop directly from your videos. The best part?
With a little strategy, you can share that same content across multiple platforms to maximize reach without any extra work. Here’s how to get started.
The Power of Shoppable Videos
Shoppable videos let you show viewers the value of a product and offer a link to buy it right there. Instead of watching and scrolling on, viewers can see a product they love and grab it immediately.
Social media is made for these moments; people go there to discover things, learn new ideas, and connect with relatable recommendations.
It’s natural and authentic, which makes shoppable videos perfect for building a trusted affiliate income stream. When I posted my first shoppable video, I quickly saw the potential in how easily it connected people to products.
It wasn’t salesy; it was simply helpful, and it turned into an opportunity to earn commissions every time someone clicked.
Start with One Platform and Build
Pick a platform to focus on as you’re starting out. TikTok is amazing for its quick, digestible videos and has its own TikTok Shop feature that allows you to link products directly in your content.
YouTube is ideal if you’re looking to create longer-form tutorials, tech reviews, or comparison videos.
Pinterest works well for DIY projects and visual niches like home decor or recipes. Instagram lets you create Reels with easy access to your affiliate links or link-in-bio tools like LTK (RewardStyle) or Stan, where you can house your top product recommendations.
When I started with affiliate marketing, I initially focused on Instagram and TikTok because they both made it easy to reach people who were ready to try new products. After a few videos, I noticed that videos focusing on practical tips or routines with linked products worked best.
For example, I shared a “Morning Routine” video that highlighted a few beauty items, and viewers loved being able to shop each item I mentioned.
Set Up Your Affiliate Programs and Add Links
Once you’ve chosen your platform, sign up for affiliate programs that support shoppable video links. TikTok’s affiliate program, for example, allows you to tag products directly in videos, so followers can buy them right there.
YouTube’s Partner Program lets you tag products directly in your videos, which is perfect for tutorials and reviews. Amazon Associates, on the other hand, gives you access to millions of products, and it’s easy to share links in YouTube descriptions, Instagram bios, or Pinterest Pins.
LTK (RewardStyle) is a powerhouse for fashion, beauty, and home decor, and it lets you create shoppable posts across Pinterest, Instagram, and beyond.
For example, if I’m sharing beauty products, I’ll use LTK to create a shoppable Reel on Instagram where viewers can find everything in one spot.
Repurpose Your Videos with Repurpose.io
One of the biggest lessons I learned early on is the power of repurposing content. When you put time and effort into a shoppable video, why not make it work for you on every possible platform?
With a tool like Repurpose.io, you can create a video once and have it automatically post across TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook. Instead of reinventing the wheel every time, I just start with one strong video and let Repurpose.io do the heavy lifting.
Repurpose.io makes it easy to share a TikTok video to your Instagram Reels, Pinterest Idea Pins, YouTube Shorts, and even Facebook. Here’s how I do it: I’ll film a short product demo on TikTok, showing how a particular skincare product works and tagging it with a TikTok Shop affiliate link.
Then, using Repurpose.io, that video automatically posts on Instagram Reels with a link in bio through Stan, where all my product recommendations are in one place. It’ll also post to Pinterest as an Idea Pin, where I link my Amazon storefront.
It’s a massive time-saver that gives each piece of content a second, third, and fourth life.
Crafting the Right Content for Each Platform
Each platform has its own unique style, so when repurposing, think about small tweaks to make your content feel natural everywhere. On TikTok, for example, I keep my videos short and to the point, using captions and hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt to reach more people.
On Pinterest, I’ll turn the same content into a step-by-step Idea Pin that walks users through a routine, like a morning skincare routine, with shoppable links to each product. On YouTube, I might make a longer video explaining how I use the products over time, which works well for affiliate income because people are more likely to buy products they’ve seen in multiple scenarios.
Track, Test, and Optimize
I’ll be the first to say that building affiliate income with shoppable videos is a learning process. Track your clicks, sales, and engagement to see what’s working best. For instance, I noticed that my Pinterest Idea Pins were getting tons of views, but not as many clicks, so I started experimenting with more engaging covers and clear calls to action.
On TikTok, I found that “before and after” style videos got more interaction and led to more product purchases. Each platform is different, and by keeping an eye on your analytics, you’ll be able to see what drives the best results.
Creating shoppable videos across social platforms is like casting a wider net—you reach more people and increase your chances of making a sale, all without needing a blog or website.
The process may take a little setup, but with each video, you’re building a more expansive, streamlined income source. Social media is ready-made for affiliate marketing; you just have to put the pieces together, get creative, and let your content do the selling.
