There are three different ways to reach a TikTok creator in Hubfluence, and each has a different best use. Here is how Messages, Open Collab Invites, and Target Invites fit together.
Quick answer
Messages are informal TikTok DMs, separate from the affiliate system, best for building a relationship. Open Collab Invites run through TikTok's affiliate system at one public commission rate any qualifying creator can accept, best for volume. Target Invites go to a specific creator at a custom commission rate you set just for them, best for locking in proven performers. Most brands run all three at once.
What are Messages?
Messages land in a creator's TikTok inbox the same way any other user's would: informal, conversational, and totally separate from TikTok's affiliate commission system. The creator can read, reply, ignore, or block. They work best when you are building a real relationship: introducing the brand, mentioning an upcoming launch, or pulling a creator into a Discord community where ongoing programs live.
What are Open Collab Invites?
Open Collab Invites run through TikTok's official affiliate system. You set one commission rate, broadcast the offer, and any qualifying creator can hop on under the same terms as everyone else. Think of it like posting a public job listing. The trade-off is no filter on who accepts, and the rate you set is the rate everyone gets. Open Collab Invites earn their keep when you want volume and your offer can stand on its own.
What are Target Invites?
Target Invites use the same affiliate plumbing but flip the dynamic. Each one goes to a specific creator with a commission rate you choose just for them. So a high-GMV creator might land at 30% while a smaller creator gets your standard 20%, all under separate invites. They are useful for creators you have already validated as a fit and want to formally lock into your affiliate program on custom terms.
Which should I use?
Most brands run all three at once. Messages warm up the top of the funnel, Open Collab Invites keep a steady stream of creators flowing in on standard terms, and Target Invites secure your top performers with rates that match what they are actually worth. Sequence Automation handles the volume across every channel, replies flow into one inbox, and you make creator-by-creator calls instead of getting buried in TikTok Seller Center.
Want to run Messages, Open Collab Invites, and Target Invites from one place without living in Seller Center? Book a demo and we will show you the full outreach flow. Quick question first? Our Discord is the fastest way to reach us.