How to Set Up Free Samples for Creators on TikTok Shop

Choose how creators get samples

• Open Collaboration. Any creator who meets your rules can request a sample. Good for volume.
• Target Collaboration. You invite specific creators. You can auto-approve their requests so they go straight to Ready to Ship.
• Refundable samples (Open Collaboration only). The creator buys the product and is refunded once their content drives your sales goal. That goal is often 1 to 3 orders within 120 days.

Set up samples in an Open Collaboration

1. In Affiliate Center, open Open collaboration and select your products.
2. In Added products, click edit and turn on Offer free sample.
3. Set the sample quantity and the request period.
4. (Optional) Offer samples only on certain sizes or colors.
5. Set creator minimums on the Sample Settings page: follower count, average views, 30-day sales and estimated post rate. These apply automatically.

Set up samples in a Target Collaboration

1. Go to Target Collaboration and click Invite to collaborate.
2. Turn on Set up free samples.
3. Choose Use sample strategy (your Sample Settings rules apply) or Automatic approval (requests go straight to Ready to Ship).

Review, ship and follow up

1. Review requests under Sample Requests > To Review within 7 days, or they cancel automatically.
2. Ship within 7 days of approving, from Seller Center (create a TikTok label or add tracking).
3. Creators get automatic reminders, and the 14-day posting window starts when the sample arrives. Track posts under Content pending, and see views and orders under View Content.
4. (Optional) Rate creators after their content has been up for 3 days.

What we've seen work

These come from TikTok's own seller guidance:

• Start with your best sellers.
• Keep creator minimums broad at first, then tighten them once you see who delivers.
• Check requests every day. Slow approvals lose creators.

FAQ

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