TikTok Shop has emerged as a powerful platform for businesses of all sizes to connect with a vast audience and drive sales. However, navigating the intricacies of this dynamic marketplace can be challenging.
This guide will equip you with strategies to maximise your success on TikTok Shop, drawing from real-world experiences and expert insights.
The TikTok Shop Experience: What You Need to Know
If you’re not familiar with TikTok Shop, here’s a quick rundown.
TikTok Shop allows brands to sell products directly on TikTok. If you have your own brand, you can set up your shop on TikTok, add your products, and those items will appear on your profile. From there, users can browse and purchase items while enjoying your content.
In the beginning when you get started on TikTok Shop, you may not have an idea on what to expect. But after several months of trial and error, it’s easy to understand what works and what doesn’t.
Here’s what you should know before you start your journey.
1. Tag Only One Product Per Video
Focused Content = Higher Engagement
When creating a video showcasing a product, resist the urge to tag multiple items. It’s essential to tag just one product per video — or maybe two if they’re closely related. Here’s why: TikTok’s algorithm works best when you feature one main product in your video. When you tag a product, TikTok treats it as an engagement indicator (like a like, comment, or share). If someone watches your video, clicks on your product, and buys it, TikTok sees that as a clear sign of interest.
This laser-sharp focus signals to TikTok’s algorithm that this video is primarily about that specific product, increasing its chances of being promoted to relevant audiences.
Even if a product appears in the background of a video, prioritise tagging only that one item. While subtle product placement can be effective, over-tagging can confuse the algorithm and dilute the impact of your video.
Consider tagging two products if they are closely related, such as complementary accessories or items within the same product line. This approach allows for some flexibility while maintaining a clear focus.
Tip: Focus on creating videos that highlight your product, ensuring it’s in the spotlight. Don’t overcrowd your video with too many products. This will make TikTok more likely to promote your video, boosting both engagement and sales.
2. Make Your First Video Count
Stock Up and Be Ready for Success
Your first video is your chance to make a lasting impression, so make it a good one. Ensure the product you're showcasing is in stock and ready to ship. Once you post your first few TikTok Shop videos, gauge the demand for your product. Make sure you’re not in a situation where you don’t have enough in stock to meet the demand. This can lead to a lot of stress and scrambling to restock quickly.
Utilise live-streaming features to connect with your audience in real-time. Answer questions, showcase products, and offer exclusive deals during live sessions. Live streams foster a sense of community and provide valuable opportunities for direct interaction with potential customers.
Tip: Plan ahead and ensure that your featured product is well-stocked before hitting “publish.” This will help you capitalise on any viral potential right from the start.
3. Participate in TikTok Shop Sales
Discounts = More Sales
TikTok Shop frequently holds sales events like Black Friday, Spring Sales, and Holiday Promotions. Participating in these events can be a game changer. TikTok not only boosts your videos during these sales, but it also offers extra coupons and discounts to entice customers. This means more visibility and potential buyers for your products.
Tip: Always participate in TikTok Shop sales events. By offering discounts, you make your products more attractive to customers, and TikTok will promote your items more during the sales period. Prepare in advance by ensuring ample stock of your popular products and creating compelling video content that highlights the special offers.
4. Activate TikTok Affiliate Commissions
Let Others Promote Your Products for You
Here’s a little-known trick that can bring in sales with minimal effort on your part: enabling affiliate commissions for your products. When you activate the affiliate program, TikTok users (including influencers) can tag your products in their videos. In return, these creators earn a commission on each sale generated through their unique affiliate links.
This user-generated content can significantly expand your reach and introduce your brand to new audiences. If someone buys the product through their link, the influencer earns a commission — and you make the sale!
Tip: Set up affiliate commissions for your products. Offer a commission of 5%, 10%, or 15% and let influencers do the heavy lifting. This is a great way to leverage user-generated content without doing the work yourself!
5. Don’t Wait to Get Started
The Sooner You Start, the Sooner You’ll See Results
One of the biggest regrets of new brands is waiting too long to start selling on TikTok Shop. Many brands even hesitate for months before diving in, unsure if it is worth the effort. If you start sooner, you can avoid a lot of missed opportunities. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll gain momentum and start generating sales.
Tip: Don’t hesitate — jump into TikTok Shop as soon as you can. Even if you don’t have a large following yet, TikTok Shop can help you build an audience as you gain sales. The platform is designed to reward those who put in the effort, so don’t delay!
6. Consistency Is Key
Keep Posting, Keep Engaging
TikTok is all about consistency. Once you have your TikTok Shop set up and running, don’t just post once and forget about it. To keep the momentum going, you need to post regularly and keep engaging with your audience. Even if you’re new, consistency in posting content will help build your presence on the platform and increase your chances of going viral.
Tip: Keep a content calendar, and post consistently. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content to see what resonates most with your audience.
7. Don’t Fear the Learning Curve
It Gets Easier with Time
As with any new platform, the more you use it, the easier it becomes. And the good news? TikTok is constantly improving the platform, fixing bugs, and adding new features. So while there may be some growing pains, overall, TikTok Shop is a fantastic tool for growing your business.
Tip: Embrace the learning process. TikTok Shop may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, it gets much easier.
Additional Tips for Success:
- Engage with your audience: Reply to comments and create content that resonates with your followers.
- Use trends to your advantage: Participate in popular TikTok challenges and trends while showcasing your products.
- Monitor performance: Use TikTok analytics to track which types of content perform best, and double down on what works.
Don’t let hesitation hold you back. Start today, stay consistent, and you’ll be amazed at the results.
TikTok Shop presents a unique and exciting opportunity for businesses to reach a massive and highly engaged audience. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide — from tagging products wisely to participating in sales — you can turn TikTok Shop into a consistent revenue stream.
The best part? TikTok Shop will help you connect with a whole new audience and give my business the kind of exposure that is impossible on other platforms. If you’re a small business owner, especially if your products appeal to a Gen Z audience, TikTok Shop is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
Need a fresh perspective? Let’s talk.
At 360 OM, we specialise in helping businesses take their marketing efforts to the next level. Our team stays on top of industry trends, uses data-informed decisions to maximise your ROI, and provides full transparency through comprehensive reports.
