TikTok has become one of the most popular online platforms
of the 21st century. From viral dances, hilarious skits and endless scrolls of
entertainment, millions of users spend hours online each day absorbing the
content. With this mass attraction from consumers, businesses have honed in on
the amazing opportunity the platform has presented.
Lockdown was a tough time for physical stores, but online
stores soared in sales due to the platform's lucrative TikTok shop. An
all-in-one location for products, buying and selling, e-commerce brands looking
to elevate their success have found exactly what they were looking for by
utilising this feature.
If you are a new up-and-coming brand looking to harness the
power of selling and brand awareness through TikTok, you have come to the right
place. We will take a deep dive into what it takes to become a force to be
reckoned with through TikTok, to surge your conversions and start a buzzing
conversation about your brand and products. Take a look at the following
suggestion:
Setting the Stage: Understanding TikTok Shop
First things first, let's get familiar with TikTok Shop.
It's essentially a built-in shopping mall within the app, allowing brands and
creators to showcase and sell products directly to TikTok's massive user base.
This translates to a seamless shopping experience – users discover a product
they love, learn about it within the video, and can purchase it with just a few
clicks, all without ever leaving TikTok.
For businesses, they can showcase their products through
their very own TikTok shop store, whilst also creating interactive content for
users to engage with. This can be done through organic posts ( in which the
products can be linked to, which is a huge bonus!) and also through in-feed ads
depending on budgets. Not only can you target specific demographics and
locations, but there is also a comprehensive analytics centre to review all of
your customer interactions with the content! Oh, did we mention you can also
run live stream videos to sell your products through too? Live TikTok shop
events are considered one of the most engaging and profitable ways to
communicate your products to customers.
For creators, businesses can leverage the platforms of
already established creators who host an audience which you ideally wish to
target. Through affiliate programs and sponsorship partnerships, your products
can be promoted hands-free using the platform creators who create engaging
content daily!
Now that everyone's on the same page, let's get down to
business!
1. Content Reigns Supreme:
On TikTok, captivating content is your golden ticket. First
of all, you need to quality-check your videos. Whilst the nature of TikTok is organic and predominantly
filmed on mobile devices, you still need to make sure the quality is
high-definition and not grainy. Make sure there is a clear shot of your creator
and products. Lighting is also key here, so consider using natural lighting or
the right light. Next, be sure to capture user attention within 3 seconds. Sounds
short right? Well, the attention span of TikTok users is unfortunately limited,
hence the need for haste. Make the video's objective clear from the beginning,
and position the most engaging part of the content right at the beginning. Last
but certainly not least, be sure to keep a consistent image, but keep in mind
that TikTok is a platform for entertainment and inspiration. Your content has
to be one of these two things to compete with the competitive algorithm.
2. Authenticity is Key:
Let your brand's unique personality shine through. Use your
brand's voice to speak and share a message in videos. Whilst trending sounds
are recommended, business accounts on TikTok are limited to the sounds they
have access to due to copyright. TikTok is now prioritising pages that are
organic and have users sharing stories and options, so keep note of this when
making your content. Transparency is also key here, so be open about your
business's aims and operations. People love understanding the journey of a
small business, so share yours.
3. Community Building: The Power of Connection
Engagement is the lifeblood of any successful TikTok
strategy. Be sure to start conversations in the comments of your videos, and
respond to any queries users have also. As mentioned, working with TikTok
influencers is also key here, so reach out to creators who have an audience
that you would like to target and begin a partnership.
4. Stay Ahead of the Curve:
Selling Through TikTok Shop: Turning Views into Revenue
Showcase Your Products: Run product demonstrations,
highlight features through creative videos, and showcase customer testimonials
to build trust.
Live Selling Power: Utilise live streams to showcase
products in real time, answer questions, and offer exclusive deals to create a
sense of urgency. For example if you sell black abayas, you
can use hosts to show the entire collection.
Short-form Storytelling: Tell compelling stories about your
products. How do they solve problems?
Bottom Line
Overall, TikTok shops have the power to send your business's
success into space! Stay authentic, and communicate why your product and
business are worth watching.
