Ever since TikTok streamlined its online shopping experience by partnering with Shopify to launch TikTok Shopping, it feels like the platform is a sort of self-contained internet. Offering almost everything you could think of. From wildly popular internet famous users creating viral trends to very niche accounts sharing hyper-specific obsessions. It’s a real mish-mash of communities. And just like almost any other space on the internet, there is now a real opportunity to sell products on TikTok.
Yes, TikTok’s somewhat culturally ambiguous environment is the perfect place for your brand to sell its products!
So without further adieu, here’s how to sell your products on TikTok in just 5 steps.
1. Identify your niche
TikTok’s user base mainly consists of teenagers, followed by users aged 20-29 and then 30-39. Knowing this will help you tailor your marketing to your audience. But doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t sell to older people if that’s your goal.
Being clear on who your target audience is helps immensely when it comes to TikTok, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the app and all its various communities.
Let’s say you want to sell cakes, for example. It’s worth taking a deep dive into the #CakeTok hashtag and taking note of the kinds of videos that TikTok cake enthusiasts are posting. If you familiarise yourself with the type of content this particular audience enjoys making and seeing, then you can create content that will interest them.
2. Create a TikTok Business account
Whether you’re signing up for TikTok from scratch or already have an existing account, it’s important that you create a TikTok Business account. If you have an existing account, switching is easy and only requires you to open “Manage account” and tap “Switch to Business account”.
Once this is done, you’ll need to add all your relevant brand information and imaging as well as integrate your e-commerce platform. Aside from Shopify, TikTok Shopping also supports Prestashop, Base, Square, BigCommerce, OpenCart, Ecwid, Shopline, and Wix eCommerce. Instructions will differ depending on which shopping platform you integrate your account with.
Once you’re done with that, you’ll have successfully installed the TikTok Shopping tag on your page which will display all your products. From there you can choose from two integration points, one that will provide your customers with the entire retail experience contained within the app or the other that will redirect users to your website for the final transaction to take place.
3. Create content
Of course, it’s not enough to simply create the page and be done with it, you have to create content as well, a lot of it! And, unlike other social media platforms, quantity trumps quality on TikTok. So don’t worry if your content doesn’t look perfect, the main thing to remember is that it shouldn’t be too “salesy”. TikTok users are very sensitive to that, so keep sales to a minimum and when you do sell, do so subtly.
Another thing to keep in mind is to actually have fun and not just appear as though you are, because TikTok users can spot disingenuity from a mile away.
For content ideas, take a look at your niche research and make an effort to participate in trends and challenges specific to that particular niche. Whether it’s a trending song or viral meme, find a way to join in, while subtly promoting your product.
Once you’ve established your brand voice and following, you could try launching a TikTok challenge of your own, provided it’s responsible and safe and portrays your brand in a good light. With the right creativity and luck, it could end up paying off in unexpected ways.
4. Add product tags
One of the most important steps in this process is to add product tags to all the items in your videos.
The TikTok Shopping feature makes it easy to tag a product with a simple tap. This is key for advertising because any product you feature will be conveniently tagged for users if they choose to purchase directly from your videos.
It’s also a great way to indirectly advertise to users who pride themselves in not ‘falling for ads’.
5. Promote your posts
Promote your organic posts to amplify your reach and your sales.
You can access the Promote tool in several different ways, either from Creator Tools, a TikTok video, or your TikTok Business account.
From Creator Tools:
1. In the TikTok app, tap ‘Profile’ at the bottom of the page.
2. Then tap the hamburger Menu ☰ button at the top of the page.
3. Lastly Tap ‘Creator tools’, then tap ‘Promote’.
From a TikTok video:
1. From the video, tap the ‘More options…’ button.
2. Then tap ‘Promote’.
From your Business Account:
1. From your profile, tap the hamburger Menu ☰ button at the top of the page.
2. Then tap ‘Business suite’.
3. Lastly tap ‘Promote’.
You can choose from a few goals when it comes to promoting a post including:
• More video views
• More website visits
• More followers
TikTok also allows you to choose to advertise to an automatic audience that TikTok chooses or create a custom audience based on the demographics and interests that you choose. It’s entirely up to you.
The last step is to set your budget and duration, add your payment information, and start running your promotion. And that’s it!
Don’t feel like going through the stress of creating an online presence on TikTok, and then selling your products? Contact us today and we’ll help take your TikTok strategy to the next level!
