Affiliate marketing, a game-changer for entrepreneurs and small business owners
It's transforming the way businesses operate, says Pinn Yang
Affiliate marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for entrepreneurs and small business owners, offering a low-risk, cost-effective way to drive sales and build brand visibility.
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the ability to sell products without the burden of inventory has become a game-changer for those looking to break into the business world or scale their existing ventures.
Digital media entrepreneur and influencer who is also the brains behind Good Foodie Media Nicholas Lim Pinn Yang, recently shared his thoughts on how affiliate marketing is transforming the way businesses operate, particularly through social media platforms like TikTok.
“First of all, we don't have our own products. What we can do is become affiliates. A simpler way to explain this is to think of it as a stockist business.
“The beauty of affiliate marketing is that you don’t have to hold stock. You don’t need to fill your house with products. Whatever sale you make, you earn a commission. That’s what I love about it,” he said while appearing as a guest on the Sinar Daily Podcast recently.
Pinn Yang highlighted how platforms like TikTok have streamlined affiliate marketing, allowing users to easily create content such as product reviews and include direct purchase links that are trackable and simple to implement.
He shared his personal experience with live selling on TikTok during Ramadan, where he partnered with Bulan Bintang and went live daily to showcase various clothing colours while actively engaging with his audience. Pinn Yang stated that the interaction on TikTok was distinct and engaging.
He said that his audience appreciates direct engagement, prompting him to prioritise thanking purchasers and addressing their inquiries during live sessions.
He credits these interpersonal skills to lessons learned from his entrepreneur father, as is helps to foster a stronger bond with his viewers. Discussing the broader impact of affiliate marketing, Pinn Yang added that it extends beyond just selling products as it plays a crucial role in helping brands grow.
"Brands can send free samples to affiliates or creators, who will then review and promote the product. This generates User-Generated Content (UGC), which people trust more than traditional influencer marketing because it's organic.
"For local brands and SMEs, one video can make a huge difference. I've seen videos generate up to 100,000 views, and the snowball effect is real.
“More people start talking about the brand, creating more videos, and in turn, driving more sales,” he said.
Pinn Yang emphasised that affiliate marketing enables brands to gather valuable feedback from creators, which can be instrumental for improvement. He pointed out that brands often overlook how they can enhance their product presentation.
For instance, he added one brand that initially struggled with inadequate branding and packaging details, such as calorie counts and flavours. However, after taking creators’ feedback into account, they revamped their approach and experienced a significant increase in sales.
This dynamic strategy allows brands to tap into a broader audience by leveraging the influence of creators and their communities. Pinn Yang noted that brands can now invite creators to host live sessions on their channels, further extending their reach to new customers.
As a testament to the effectiveness of TikTok and affiliate marketing, Pinn Yang shared the success story of a small business that sells steamed buns (pau). Starting with just a motorbike, this business has now expanded to over 15 branches, all thanks to a single viral TikTok video.
He remarked that people are drawn to genuine stories, especially when the product quality is high. Pinn Yang also urged aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners not to underestimate the potential of digital platforms like TikTok.
"It's the best platform to start now. Even if you haven’t begun yet, it's never too late. The future of business is in content and engagement,” he added.
