Cole Dockery is an online entrepreneur known for his expertise in TikTok Shop. He generated millions of combined sales on the platform. He founded the Ecommerce Business Builders, offering training and done-for-you TikTok Shop services. This includes product research, sourcing, marketing, fulfillment, and more. He also launched a TikTok Shop Creator Training Program and Inner Circle Community. These are for creators and brands looking to monetize the platform. Cole also shares his 3-step strategy for scaling a TikTok Shop. This involves choosing winning products, working with affiliates, and using simple ad strategies.
Reviews and testimonials about Cole Dockery and his programs on different platforms are mixed. Testimonials from YouTube and his website said that Cole's program helped them succeed. One student said that he earned $18,000 in sales. However, Cole faced criticism from customers, saying that he scammed them. Some clients filed a complaint at the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
TikTok Shop is a great business opportunity for beginners in the industry. Its algorithm makes organic content go viral without ads. It has over 1 billion active users monthly, as per We Can Track, and offers a vast customer base for your business. TikTok makes it convenient for users to buy products directly from the app. AutoDS said that the average profit margin for TikTok Shops is 20%-40%. TikTok gets a 5%-8% commission rate for every sale. Its features also make collaborations between the brand and creator easier. However, with the growing number of sellers, it is also becoming more competitive. You need more than a winning product and engaging content to stand out. You must also employ marketing strategies like influencer collaboration or paid ads.
Working as a digital entrepreneur for over a decade, I have tried affiliate marketing, dropshipping, and other ecommerce business models using different platforms. It always follows a cycle of discovery, success, competition, and saturation. Staying afloat in marketplaces like TikTok Shop is challenging unless you have a strong brand identity and offer unique services. In this Cole Dockery Review, I will share its program's pros, cons, and success stories. We will also look at TikTok and other business model's potential to create a passive cash flow.
Cole Dockery's Programs Pros and Cons
Pros
Cole Dockery’s programs provide hassle-free, done-for-you service TikTok Shop ecommerce business.
Cole is a successful TikTok Shop seller who achieved 6-7 figures in sales.
Cole Dockery’s program is good for beginners, even without technical expertise.
Cole’s programs have a private community where you may share insights and get support.
Cons
Cole Dockery’s programs are expensive.
Some of Cole’s clients reported unfulfilled promises after investing in his programs.
Success stories from other students do not guarantee you’ll achieve the same.
A lot of free information about starting a TikTok Shop is available online.
Price
The costs of Cole’s done-for-you services are not officially disclosed. Some students have reported spending over $20,000. His TikTok Inner Circle Community costs $50 per month.
Training
Cole Dockery’s program training includes video lessons and live calls. It also comes with monthly challenges and actionable steps to build an online store.
Group
Cole’s TikTok Shop Mastery has a Skool private group with 2.1k members.
Refund Policy
Cole’s done-for-you services have no refund policy posted on its website. His TikTok Inner Circle Community has a 30-day refund policy.
Origin
Cole Dockery’s Ecommerce Business Builders started in 2018.
Reputation
Cole Dockery has a modest reputation as a TikTok shop and e-commerce expert. He is a rising star in the digital marketplace and has earned significant sales from his shop. However, he faces scrutiny from some students who are unsatisfied with his services. Cole has a significant presence on different platforms. He has 6.49K subscribers on YouTube, 4.1K subscribers on Facebook, and 71.3K followers on Instagram. His TikTok Shop Mastery Skool Community has 2.1k members.
Cole shares a lot of valuable stuff on TikTok e-commerce on his social media and YouTube channel. However, I am in doubt about whether to invest because of the things I heard about people not making a profit. But I also know someone who is earning on TikTok modestly.
Why Sell on TikTok Shop?
Who Is Cole Dockery?
Cole Dockery is a 27-year-old digital entrepreneur and agency owner from Hicksville, Ohio. He is an expert in TikTok, TikTok Shops, and TikTok Marketing. Cole has been an online entrepreneur for over 15 years. He sells various products online. He transitioned to TikTok Shop a few years ago. Cole earned 2.2 million dollars in product sales in just 8 months of launching multiple products. With his success, he started his TikTok Shop Creator Training Program. He helps creators and sellers monetize the platform using Cole's 3-Step strategy.
Before becoming a digital entrepreneur, he worked in a factory. He also dropped out of college to explore affiliate marketing and e-commerce. Outside work, he loves traveling, playing guitar, and going out with friends. Cole is also featured on many platforms, conferences, and webinars. This includes Market Insider, Future Shark, Medium, and more. He uses these events to share his success stories and his strategies to get them.
Cole founded the Ecommerce Business Builders, LLC. It is an agency that develops and manages TikTok Shops. Services include product research, customer service, inventory management, content creation, and order fulfillment. He has over 100 clients and has launched over 150 TikTok shops. His team has generated over $12,000,000 in combined sales.
His programs are for those who want to succeed in the digital marketplace industry. Services included in the program are ecommerce platform mastery and in-depth ecommerce training. It covers Shopify, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and more. He also worked with Facebook Ads, funnels, and e-commerce.
However, his career has faced challenges. In July 2022, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit against him and his associates. It is for operating the unregistered National Anglers Association. He allegedly failed to deliver products and enrolled customers in unwanted subscription services.
What Is Cole Dockery's Claim?
Cole Dockery claims that his Ecommerce Business Builder helps you earn 10-20K monthly. It builds a profitable, done-for-you, and hassle-free TikTok ecommerce business. He also claimed his strategies are easily replicated. His team handles everything from product research to fulfillment. Investors receive a profit without worrying about shop management. Cole said investing in TikTok Shop automation does not have the risk associated with real estate and NFT or crypto investments. Cole also said that TikTok Shop automation is better than Amazon automation. It has less capital, higher profit, and quicker results.
Cole further claimed that the TikTok Shop is the largest opportunity of 2024. He said you may use it to launch a 6-7-figure business. He also said anyone can become a successful ecommerce store owner with TikTok Shop. It is way less complicated than managing Amazon or Shopify. You do not need to learn to make a website or learn how to do paid ads.
Debunking Cole's Claim
TikTok Shop has over 15 million sellers globally, as per Grab On. Achieving monthly profits of $10,000 to $20,000 may not be the same for all sellers. Earnings depend on products, marketing efforts and effectiveness, competition, and market demand. Replicating success may be difficult across different shops with different niches. Even Cole’s disclaimer says that success stories are not a guarantee but inspiration.
TikTok Shop automation reduces repetitive tasks in managing your store. However, it may lack personalized interaction with your target audience. In addition, automation often requires an enormous investment. Investing in TikTok automation carries risks like market competition and platform policy changes. Entry costs to TikTok Shop are lower. However, paying for automation services entails extra costs.
Cole also claimed TikTok Shop is superior to other platforms like Amazon and Shopify. However, Amazon has a massive global customer base and established logistics and policies. According to a Redditor, it has a full suite of back-end tools. Many comments comparing the two said TikTok also funnel customers to Amazon.
Choosing among these platforms should depend on business goals, target audience, and resources. TikTok Shop integrates e-commerce within the social media platform, simplifying the selling process. However, success with TikTok Shop automation requires a good understanding of the platform. You also need an engaging content and effective management. TikTok may be less complex than Shopify or Amazon, but it isn't without challenges.
Cole Dockery’s business practices also come under scrutiny. Complaints on the Revdex.com website have raised concerns about Dockery's services. Customers complained about unfulfilled promises, lack of communication, and financial loss.
What Does Cole Dockery Offer?
Cole Dockery offers a 3-step strategy to make sales on TikTok. This is for those struggling to get their shop off the ground and want to learn from a successful seller.
Cole’s formula includes the following:
What Is Cole Dockery's Ecommerce Business Builders?
Cole Dockery’s Ecommerce Business Builders is an agency specializing in TikTok Shop. It offers the following services:
1. Done-for-you TikTok Shop. It offers product research, inventory management, marketing, order fulfillment, and customer service. The program makes clients grow sales and establish a strong online presence. Here is the breakdown of how it makes you money with TikTok shop automation:
- Week 1: Onboarding
- Week 2-4: After identifying a product, it will be sourced within 7 days. A test order will be added to the local inventory to prepare for marketing efforts.
- Week 5-8: Products will be listed on TikTok Seller Centre. It will be followed by creating content and preparing for incoming sales.
- Week 9- onwards: Scaling marketing efforts through affiliate marketing. More content will be created together with active product management.
- Month 6: Increasing the number of products to expand your TikTok shop. This will include a broader selection of profitable items.
2. TikTok Scop Creator Training Program. This program was launched in October 2024. It equips content creators with automation tools to promote products through TikTok Shop.
3. TikTok Inner Circle Community. This is for entrepreneurs who want to launch their ecommerce store on TikTok. It gives you access to the exact system that Cole used to build his profitable TikTok Shop. Membership is at $50 per month. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you won’t be able to launch your products in 14-28 days. Besides Cole’s ecommerce system, you will also get:
- How to Build and Scale Your TikTok Ecommerce Shop
- How to Increase Sales and Reach a Broader Audience
- Strategies and Tools Used by Successful Ecommerce
- Step-by-Step Guidance Removing Guesswork from Starting an Online Store
- Support and Resources Needed
- Bonus 1: Master Print on Demand
- Bonus 2: Affiliates Cold Outreach Templates
- Bonus 3: Affiliate Tracker
- Bonus 4: Suppliers and Order Fulfillment Guide
- Bonus 5: Product Research Tools
4. TikTok Shop Profit Formula. Cole used this profit formula to drive 7-figure sales at his TikTok shop. It has video lessons on the following:
- Video 1: Profit Framework. This teaches an essential profit framework to maximize revenue and drive sales.
- Video 2: How To Find A Winning Product. You’ll learn methods and tools to find winning products.
- Video 3: How To Get Affiliates To Sell Your Products. This shows you how to attract affiliates to promote your products.
- Video 4: How To Find Affiliates. It is about recruiting affiliates to increase your sales and grow your business.
- Video 5: Two-Minute Ad Setup. This walks you through setting up effective ads that attract more customers and boost sales effectively.
Are Students of Cole Dockery Successful?
Yes, some students of Cole Dockery are successful. His own TikTok Shop has earned around $100,000 in one month using his 3-step strategy. Cole emphasized that his success is a product of hard work and branding. Success stories and testimonials on his platforms appreciate Cole's guidance and support.
Jerry was initially confused before joining Cole’s Training. But, with Cole’s guide, he generated $18,000 in sales and scaled his TikTok Shop faster. He said that Cole’s training is both powerful and a blessing. Another student earns $10,000 in one day and makes $100,000 in one month. She added that working and communicating with Cole has been great.
However, reviews and testimonials about Cole Dockery and his programs on different platforms are mixed. Some reviews are not as promising. One customer has invested $25,000 for an automation package. He was promised services like Amazon account management, inventory, and marketing. The profit would have been 70% for the client and 30% for the Ecommerce Business Builders, LLC. A promise was also made that the investment would be refunded if there were no profits for 18 months. However, Cole and his team had shown no profits, refunds, or proper communication. Some clients filed a complaint against Cole at the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
Is TikTok Shop Worth It?
TikTok Shop is worth it if you have a winning product, engaging content, and effective marketing. We Can Track posted that TikTok has over 1.58 billion monthly active users. It has an average daily engagement of 58.4 minutes per user. According to AutoDS, the average profit margin for TikTok Shop is between 20% to 40%. In addition, Gelato said that TikTok’s commission rate for every sale is 5%-8%. Furthermore, AMZ Scout mentioned that 58% of users shop directly from the platform. A Redditor also mentioned that TikTok Shop was good in the early days.
However, selling on TikTok has both opportunities and challenges. Although the platform has a vast user base and an easy shopping process, competition is also high. There are over 15 million merchants on TikTok Shop worldwide, according to AMZ Scout. Of these, over 500,000 sellers are from the US alone, according to Bloomberg. With this much competition, standing out is an absolute necessity. Root Digital added that 71.2% of TikTok shoppers buy when they find something interesting. To capture these customers, you need quality content with viral potential. However, creating quality content requires time and effort.
Managing orders and customer service is demanding, especially for small businesses. Partnering with influencers and content creators is another way to show your products. However, these extra costs eat up your profit. Like any ecommerce platform, you must adopt a thriving business model or a combination. For example, you may use dropshipping, affiliate marketing, or product sales. These models have their own set of drawbacks and challenges.
Earlier this year, Redditors said that their TikTok shops got banned without explanation. They believed it was because of integrating AI systems that also handle customer concerns. Although some Redditors still believe it is worth it, others say otherwise. Many Redditors believe these bans are from doing something against the TikTok policies, like trying to sell from a country that is not permitted.
TikTok Shop vs Instagram Shop
TikTok Shop and Instagram Shop are powerful platforms for e-commerce. However, they cater to slightly different audiences and serve distinct purposes.
FEATURES
TikTok Shop
Instagram Shop
Primary Audience
TikTok has primarily Gen Z and younger audiences. This might not be ideal for products aimed at older consumers. Younger users are accustomed to fast content consumption. This might not suit products requiring detailed explanation.
Instagram caters to a broader age range, including Millennials and Gen X. They are for businesses targeting various demographics.
Content Style
TikTok Shop focuses more on short-form video content. This is effective for showcasing products in a creative and relatable way.
Instagram Shop is a highly visual platform for showcasing product images and videos. It leans more toward polished, curated content.
In-app Shopping and Product Integration
TikTok Shop integrates products with short videos and live streams. It allows users to complete purchases without leaving the app. Live shopping is a strong feature. It offers real-time interaction between sellers and buyers.
Instagram Shop has shoppable posts, Stories, Reels, and live shopping options. Users may quickly view a brand's catalog via the "Shop" tab. While purchases happens in-app, the process isn’t as streamlined as TikTok Shop’s. Users are often directed to external sites to complete purchases. Its integration with Facebook Shops also allows cross-platform selling.
Advertising Options
TikTok Shop focuses on video ads that blend well with organic content. It uses TikTok’s algorithms for viral potential. This requires consistent and creative content to keep engagement levels high. Keeping up with what is trending is resource-intensive.
Instagram Shop offers a mix of photo and video ads. It has advanced targeting capabilities through Meta Ads Manager. However, Instagram is saturated with brands and businesses. This makes it harder to stand out without paid advertising.
Profit Margin
TikTok Shop's profit margin is between 20%-40%.
Instagram's profit margin is up to 30%.
Minimum Followers
It is easier to grow on TikTok because there is no minimum follower requirement.
Instagram Shop initially needs a minimum of 10,000 followers for shopping features. However, this has been removed in some regions.
Initial Cost To Start
TikTok shop is free to set up, so the initial cost is low. It is primarily for initial inventory, content creation, and marketing.
Just like TikTok, it has a low-cost entry. However, you must also pay for advertising, content, and inventory.
User Experience
TikTok provides a seamless transition to shopping through engaging video ads and product demos.
Instagram Shop has a visually appealing and curated user experience.
Market Presence
TikTok Shop is relatively new compared to Instagram. So, it might lack the maturity and trust Instagram has built with its users. However, it is rapidly expanding, with over 1 billion monthly visits
Instagram is well-established globally. It has a significant user base across different demographics.
Product Discovery
TikTok Shop encourages discovery through viral content and trending challenges, enhancing product visibility. But you can also search for the product you are interested in.
Instagram users may use the “Explore” or “Collections” tab for personalized shopping posts. It helps users discover products tailored to their interests.
Display
TikTok Shop focuses on video content with product displays. It is often integrated into brief video clips or sponsored content.
Instagram Shop offers a mix of photo and video content. Displays are showcased through static posts, banners, Stories, and IGTV.
Payment
TikTok Shop supports different payment methods for each region. This includes credit and debit cards, digital wallets, and third-party payment services.
Instagram Shop offers similar payment options. This includes credit/debit cards and digital wallets.
Checkout Processes
TikTok Shop has a checkout process within the app, encouraging impulse purchases.
Instagram Shop also has a seamless checkout process integrated into the app. It also comes with options for saving payment information for future purchases.
Marketing and Promotion Strategies
TikTok Shop uses user-generated content, influencer collaborations, and partnerships. It also uses sponsored product promotion challenges.
Instagram also uses influencer marketing, sponsored posts, shoppable posts, and Stories to promote products and brands.
Audience Engagement and Interaction
TikTok Shop encourages user engagement through likes, comments, shares, and duets. This is to foster a sense of community around products and brands. One example is the "TikTok made me buy it trend".
Instagram Shop has likes, comments, shares, and direct messages. The focus of this platform is visual storytelling through heavily curated content.
Analytics and Performance Measurement
TikTok Shop provides performance analytics tools. This includes data dashboards to track traffic and transactions.
Instagram Shop has comprehensive analytics through the Meta Ads Manager, including campaign optimization.
Future Market Trends and Predictions / Shopping Feature
TikTok Shop is expected to continue developing its shopping features.
Instagram Shop is also improving its shopping features and enhancing personalization algorithms.
Create Sustainable Passive Cash Flow With Local Lead Generation
Creating a sustainable passive cash flow with local lead generation means optimizing sites to bring leads for local businesses. Connecting targeted potential clients with businesses gives a passive income stream. First, identify a specific industry and focus on a geographic area. Make sure it has a high demand and less competition. This improves the effectiveness of your lead-generation efforts. Examples are real estate, dental services, home improvement, HVAC, and legal services.
Once done, you develop a website tailored to the chosen niche and location. Use local SEO strategies to rank your site well in search engine results. Make sure it is easily discoverable by potential customers seeking the services. As your site attracts visitors, you may collect inquiries and forward them to local businesses. You get paid for each lead or a commission for successful conversions. By capturing leads, you provide value to businesses willing to pay for them.
They need little maintenance if your site is up and ranking. Once the initial site generates consistent leads, you may replicate the process. Create more websites for other niches or locations. This increases your income potential with very minimal changes or updates. Applying these steps builds a digital asset network that generates sustainable income.
Moreover, local lead generation offers distinct advantages over affiliate marketing and dropshipping, especially with platforms like TikTok Shop. With local lead generation, you do not sell physical products or manage customer service. This allows for greater control over your business operations. In contrast, affiliate marketing and dropshipping often involve promoting third-party products. Managing inventory and navigating complex customer service issues is a challenge. Additionally, local lead generation has less competition. It is less susceptible to market fluctuations and provides a more stable and sustainable income. If you want to create a reliable, sustainable passive cash flow, try local lead generation.