April 24, 2025

Title: From $0 To $1m Arr In 3 Months With Influencer Marketing

I recently had the opportunity to examine Submagic's strategy, and what I discovered is truly remarkable. From a sophisticated affiliate program to clever implementation of watermarking, this startup has genuinely mastered the formula for generating explosive growth on TikTok. Let's examine the 5 essential techniques they utilized to achieve such extraordinary results.

Massive Affiliate Marketing Network

At the foundation of Submagic's TikTok conquest strategy is an extensive affiliate marketing network. They've recruited dozens, possibly hundreds, of affiliated TikTok accounts to showcase their product through brief video content.

These affiliate accounts, with names like "@submagicpro" and "@factomaniac2", are all sharing videos that highlight the capabilities and advantages of Submagic. And the outcomes have been phenomenal – this orchestrated effort has produced millions of views across the network.

The brilliance of Submagic's affiliate approach is that it enables them to expand their presence horizontally, utilizing the existing audiences of their brand ambassadors. Instead of attempting to construct a massive in-house content operation, they're harnessing the communities and ingenuity of their affiliate partners.

Micro-Influencer Marketing Blitz

Beyond their affiliate program, Submagic has also executed an incredibly effective micro-influencer marketing campaign. They've identified hundreds of TikTok creators who specialize in app recommendations and tech tips, and enlisted them to create content around Submagic's product.

The micro-influencers Submagic has collaborated with are ideally suited for their target audience of prosumers and creators. Their videos showcasing Submagic's features have consistently generated hundreds of thousands of views, driving substantial awareness and user acquisition for the brand.

By leveraging the credibility and authority of these micro-influencers, Submagic was able to swiftly reach a highly engaged, relevant audience on TikTok. It's a strategy that any app or software company can emulate to accelerate their growth.

Leveraging the "Free vs. Paid" Format

One of the more unanticipated growth tactics in Submagic's arsenal is their utilization of the "free vs. paid" video format. They've been featured in several viral videos that compare the free version of their product against the paid version, collectively earning over 10 million views.

These videos, which likely emerged organically rather than being orchestrated by Submagic, demonstrate the key distinctions between the free and paid tiers of the app. And they're connecting incredibly well with TikTok users – one of them even achieved 18 million views and 630,000 bookmarks.

The "free vs. paid" format is an exceptionally effective method to drive conversions, as it allows users to directly evaluate the value proposition of the free plan versus the paid plan. And Submagic has clearly benefited from this content format significantly.

Watermarking for Organic Virality

Another intelligent growth tactic that Submagic has implemented is the strategic use of watermarking. They've incorporated a watermark feature into their free plan, which enables users to add the Submagic branding to any short-form videos they create.

This watermark functions as a built-in viral marketing tool, as users naturally share their Submagic-branded content across TikTok and other social platforms. It's a clever way for Submagic to utilize their existing user base to generate awareness and new signups.

And the approach appears to be successful – Submagic's main TikTok account, which features this watermarked content, has already accumulated 1.5 million total views, with several videos exceeding 500,000 views each.

Cross-Platform Consistency

The final component of Submagic's TikTok growth puzzle is their emphasis on cross-platform consistency. In addition to their main TikTok account, they've also established a presence on other short-form video platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

By maintaining a unified content strategy and branding across these different channels, Submagic is able to amplify their reach and maximize the impact of each piece of content they produce. Their TikTok videos, for example, can then be repurposed and distributed on Reels and Shorts, extending their lifespan and earning potential.

This cross-platform approach also helps Submagic build a more comprehensive, omnichannel relationship with their target audience. Users can interact with the brand's content wherever they spend the most time, creating a more seamless and memorable brand experience.

Lessons for App Marketers and Creators

The Submagic story is a masterful demonstration in harnessing the power of TikTok to drive exponential growth for an app or software product. Here are the key insights that any brand or creator can apply:

1. Tap into Micro-Influencer Communities: Identify the niche creators and subject matter experts that your target audience trusts, and recruit them to create content around your product.

2. Experiment with Engaging Video Formats: From "free vs. paid" comparisons to strategic watermarking, discover the video formats that resonate most with your audience and focus on them.

3. Scale with Affiliate Partnerships: Develop a network of affiliated creators and accounts to expand your reach and access new audiences.

4. Maintain Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensure your content strategy is cohesive and optimized for distribution across all the major short-form video platforms.