TikTok Samples helps sellers drive sales through creator collaborations.
We share a step-by-step process to use product samples by collaborating with creators through the Affiliate Center. Sellers can offer Free Samples or Refundable Samples to creators, allowing them to promote products through engaging content.
Key steps include:
- Offer Samples: Use Open or Targeted Collaboration to provide Free or Refundable Samples.
- Manage Requests: Approve or reject requests based on creator metrics.
- Ship Quickly: Send approved samples within 7 days using the Seller Centre.
- Track Content: Creators post within 14 (Free) or 90 (Refundable) days.
- Analyse Results: Monitor engagement and sales to assess performance. This system increases visibility and builds creator partnerships.
This system helps sellers increase visibility, generate sales, and build long-term partnerships with content creators.
What are Samples?
Samples are products that sellers provide to creators for testing, reviewing, and promotional content creation. These authentic collaborations help increase product visibility and drive sales.
Benefits of Offering Samples
Note: You must be an Affiliate Seller to offer samples. Access the Affiliate Centre via the Seller Centre anytime.
Types of Samples
Sellers can provide two types of samples:
- Free Samples: Creators request free products through Open or Target collaborations. The seller covers product costs, shipping, and taxes.
- Refundable Samples: Available in Open Collaboration, these samples require creators to meet predefined conditions (e.g., generating sales) to receive a refund. If criteria aren’t met within 90 days, the sample remains a regular purchase.
How to Offer Samples in Open & Target Collaborations
Open Collaboration
- Go to the Affiliate Centre and click Open Collaboration.
- Choose the product(s) you want to offer as samples.
- Click Batch Free Sample.
- Toggle on the relevant options:
- Refundable Samples – Set refund criteria.
- Free Samples – Set quantity, request duration, and creator threshold.
- Creators can now request your samples.
Target Collaboration
- In the Affiliate Centre, select Target Collaboration.
- Invite creators to collaborate.
- Toggle on Set Up Free Samples.
- Choose manual or automatic sample approval.
- Learn how to manage sample requests.
Free Samples
- Go to Free Sample Order under the Sample Request section.
- View creator metrics like followers, sales volume, and average video views.
- Approve or reject requests (each approval reduces your sample quota).
Refundable Samples
- Go to Refundable Sample Order under Sample Requests.
- Monitor order status, refund criteria, and manage shipments via the Seller Centre.
Shipping Samples to Creators
- Navigate to Ready to Ship in Sample Requests.
- Click Ship in Seller Centre.
- Choose:
- Create Labels (purchase from TikTok) or
- Add Tracking Info (if using third-party shipping labels).
Step-by-Step Instructions for Free Samples
Open Collaboration Setup
There are three ways to add samples:
- Option A: Pop-Up Notification
Accept the pop-up in the Seller Centre to automatically add samples to existing Open Collaboration products.
- Option B: Auto-Add New Products Toggle
Enable the toggle to auto-add future products to Open Collaboration.
- Option C: Manually Add Products
Navigate to Affiliate Centre > Open Collaboration.
- Select your products and click Batch Free Sample.
- Toggle on Free Samples and set criteria.
Managing & Tracking Free Sample Orders
- Requests must be reviewed within 7 days (or they are auto-canceled).
- Use filtering options (followers, content type, past collaborations, etc.).
- Approved requests move to Ready to Ship.
Shipping Free Samples
- Ship approved orders within 7 days.
- Track shipments via Seller Centre.
Monitoring Creator Content
- Creators must post content within 14 days.
- Performance metrics include views, likes, and sales.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Refundable Samples
Open Collaboration Setup
- Option A: Pop-Up Notification
Accepting the prompt adds samples to all existing Open Collaboration products.
- Option B: Auto-Add New Products Toggle
Enable the toggle to auto-add future products.
- Option C: Manually Add Products
Go to Affiliate Centre > Open Collaboration.
- Select products and click Batch Free Sample.
- Toggle on Refundable Samples and set refund criteria.
Managing & Tracking Refundable Samples
- Requests must be reviewed within 7 days.
- Approved requests move to Ready to Ship.
- If a creator doesn’t meet the refund criteria within 90 days, the sample becomes a regular purchase.
Shipping Refundable Samples
- Ship within 7 days.
- Mark refundable samples accordingly in Seller Centre.
Analysing Creator Content Performance
- View performance metrics like views, likes, comments, and sales.
- Refunds process automatically (5-10 business days) upon meeting criteria.
Bulk Editing Sample Rules
For sellers managing large inventories, the Bulk Edit feature in Open Collaboration allows you to:
- Download your catalog as a flat file.
- Edit sample rules in bulk.
- Upload the updated file back into the system.
FAQs
Free Samples
Who can apply?
Creators with 1K+ followers.
How many samples can a creator request?
- Open Collaboration: Up to 5 ongoing sample requests.
- Target Collaboration: No limits.
What if a creator doesn’t fulfill content requirements?
The system cancels requests if the seller or product is banned, inactive, or deleted.
How do I reactivate a product?
Go to Seller Centre > Manage Products and restore or update the product status.
Refundable Samples
Can I set both minimum orders and content creation as refund criteria?
No, you must choose one.
What if a creator doesn’t meet the refund criteria?
The sample remains a regular purchase.
How long do refunds take?
5-10 business days after criteria are met.
Can creators use discounts for refundable samples?
Yes, eligible platform promotions apply.
By using samples, you can enhance product visibility, engage influential creators, and boost sales through the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program.
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