Join me as I sit down with Oren John, the internet’s creative director who’s worked with major brands like Red Bull, Ciroc, Grey Goose, and YRB. Together, we explore the game-changing potential of TikTok Shop and how creators are using the platform to build thriving businesses. Oren shares his expert insights on the role of luxury, craftsmanship, and storytelling in product design, and how these elements can elevate your brand. If you’re curious about using TikTok to grow your business, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways!
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Startup Idea 1: Collectible Pokemon iPhone Case
10:10 TikTok Shop is a game-changer
14:57 The power of creator communities
18:25 TikTok Shop success formula
21:28 Oren’s tech stack and tools
24:25 YouTube vs TikTok
26:16 Oren’s content creation philosophy
1) Startup Idea 1: Collectible Pokemon iPhone Case
• Combines collectibility and utility
• A product’s utility is the best way to standout on the interet
• Tap into current trends to leverage the zeitgeist
2) TikTok Shop is a game-changer:
• Scale through affiliate creators
• Brands pay $1,500-$2,500/month retainer
• Creators earn 20% commission on sales
"Kids aged 20-25 are making 10-25k/month off these commissions" – Oren
3) The power of creator communities:
• Discord channels like "Your First Dollar"
• Brands recruit creators for TikTok Shop
• Learn video creation, hooks, and editing
Pro tip: Brands can find pre-trained creators here
4) TikTok Shop success formula:
• Wide demographic reach
• Multiple creators across age/race/gender
• Leverage Amazon for fulfillment
Example: Goalie (gummy brand) offering Rolex, Lamborghini as affiliate incentives
5) Content creation golden rule:
• Provide saveable, shareable value
• Entertain (replace Netflix experience)
• Or fail
"So many people fall in that third bucket because they go say, I’m going to talk about my brand story" – Oren
6) TikTok vs Youtube:
• TikTok algo allows for hyper-specific targeting
• TikTok has wider reach than YouTube for niche products
• Youtube is a less direct sales driver
• Youtube is great for brand building
• Long-form content still valuable
Hot take: "YouTube as a primary sales driver for most businesses" is outdated
7) Oren’s content creation philosophy:
• 1) Value 2)entertainment 3)brand story
• Tell stories, not just facts
• Create content people want to bookmark
• Focus on your area of expertise
"I want your director to drop it in the Slack channel and be like, why aren’t we doing this?" – Oren
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