If you’re looking to expand your business through social media, learning how to sell on TikTok is essential. With its massive user base and engaging platform, TikTok offers unique opportunities for businesses to connect with potential customers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to sell on TikTok, providing you with practical steps and strategies to grow your brand and boost sales.
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Benefits of selling on TikTok
Selling on TikTok offers unique advantages that can help businesses reach wider audiences and drive sales. Here are some key benefits that make TikTok an ideal platform for growing your brand:
Wider audience reach
With a huge number of active users all over the world, TikTok is like a cultural center. Most trends, whether in fashion, music, food, movies, or anything else, begin on the app before spreading elsewhere. TikTok has 1.04 billion monthly active users worldwide, equating to 20% of all internet users globally. This means sellers can tap into various demographic groups, increasing the chances of finding potential buyers. The platform’s algorithm helps content reach audiences beyond the seller’s follower base. As a result, businesses can expand their reach far more quickly than on traditional platforms.
Affordable amount of budget
The TikTok algorithm gives users the chance to explore every corner of TikTok with lower budgeting than any other social media. Creative, simple, and funny content is what TikTok users enjoy. So you don’t need a large budget or staff to build a name for yourself on TikTok. The app truly values democracy in content, frequently elevating videos to the For You Page.
Easy setup
Setting up a TikTok business account or launching ads on the platform is incredibly straightforward, even for beginners. The intuitive interface allows sellers to quickly navigate through the process, from uploading products to creating engaging content. Additionally, TikTok’s built-in tools for ad creation streamline the workflow, enabling businesses to start selling in no time. This ease of use reduces the entry barrier, allowing more entrepreneurs to capitalize on TikTok’s potential.
Highly interactive and engaging features
TikTok’s interactive features, such as duets, reactions, and live-streaming, give sellers the opportunity to engage directly with their customers in real time. These features not only create a two-way dialogue but also encourage user participation, which can lead to higher engagement and brand loyalty. By fostering a sense of community and interaction, businesses can turn casual viewers into repeat customers more easily.
Huge potential for virality (sales boost)
TikTok’s algorithm and viral nature make it easier for content to go viral, giving businesses the chance to significantly boost their sales overnight. A single trending video or hashtag challenge can lead to a massive influx of traffic, resulting in rapid brand awareness and increased conversions. This potential for virality provides sellers with the opportunity to scale their business quickly, without relying solely on paid advertising.
How to sell on TikTok? (A step-by-step guide)
Selling on TikTok involves more than just setting up an online store. It’s about leveraging the platform’s unique features to create engaging content and build a loyal audience. Follow these steps to know how to sell on TikTok:
#1 Create your account
To begin, download the TikTok app, create an account, and start exploring the platform. If you already have a personal account, it’s a good idea to create a separate one for your business. Fortunately, you can easily switch between multiple accounts using the same login details.
Next, choose a username for your business page. Be creative, but ensure that your username is consistent across all your social media platforms to make it easy for customers to find and recognize your brand.
Lastly, upload a profile picture and write a concise bio that highlights your brand. Don’t forget to link your Instagram and YouTube accounts for seamless navigation across channels.c
#2 Switch your account to “Pro”
TikTok offers users the choice between a “Personal” account or two types of “Pro” accounts: “Creator” and “Business.”
By default, new accounts are set as Personal, but switching to a Pro account offers additional perks like access to analytics, and it’s completely free. Here’s a quick overview of each account type:
- Personal: Ideal for casual users who primarily watch videos from others.
- Creator: Suited for users posting regularly and growing their following. This account provides in-depth analytics, including audience demographics, and allows access to the Creator Fund after reaching 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days, enabling you to monetize your content.
- Business: Designed for those seeking advanced analytics. While you won’t have access to the Creator Fund, you can still track performance, add a bio link, display business contact information, and leverage unique engagement and advertising tools.
If you’re promoting a brand or business, a Business account is the ideal choice.
#3 Create content
With your account ready, it’s time to start creating content! Spend some time browsing the TikTok’s FYP to get a sense of the platform. You’ll quickly come across viral dances, challenges, comedy skits, and a variety of other popular content.
TikTok is all about creativity, so your content should be fun, engaging, and relevant to your brand. Here are some tips for creating TikTok content:
- Keep it light: Focus on making fun and entertaining videos without being too promotional. Keep viewers engaged so they’ll want to rewatch or share your video. More views and shares increase the chances of TikTok recommending your content to others.
- Engage quickly: Capture attention within the first few seconds to prevent viewers from scrolling past. Explore hashtags like #smallbusiness, #smallbusinesscheck, and #entrepreneur to see how other brands are promoting themselves.
- Be original: Add your unique spin to each video and avoid copying others. You don’t need perfection. TikTok encourages frequent posting, so aim for 1-3 videos daily to increase your chances of going viral.
- Use sounds: Select music or sound from TikTok’s Sound Library when creating a video. Using trending sounds boosts your chances of going viral.
#4 Engage with your audience
Building relationships with your audience is key to selling on TikTok. As users interact with your content through likes, shares, and comments, be sure to engage with them regularly in the comment section. This demonstrates that you’re not just focused on making sales but are genuinely interested in building a community around your brand and connecting with your customers.
#5 Utilize influencer marketing
Collaborating with influencers is a powerful way to amplify your reach on TikTok. Partner with influencers whose audience aligns with your target market. These influencers can introduce your products to new audiences in an authentic, trustworthy way, driving both awareness and sales.
To find a TikTok influencer who falls into your niche, use the TikTok Creator Marketplace, an official platform that connects brands with TikTok creators. The Marketplace allows you to search for influencers based on industry, audience demographics, engagement rates, and more. It’s a streamlined way to identify creators who are the best fit for your brand and establish direct collaborations for impactful campaigns.
Or just simply search keywords that apply to your niche or product category within TikTok to see if there are any influencers you’d be interested in working with. For instance, if you’re in the beauty industry, search for “beauty” and look for creators who share content that complements your brand.
#6 Promote user-generated content
Countless brands go viral on TikTok just because regular users post videos praising their products. Many of these viral clips aren’t even paid ads. They’re simply organic content that spreads across the platform, and soon enough, nearly everyone on TikTok knows about the product.
To tap into this, encourage your customers to share their experiences with your products by creating hashtag challenges or offering rewards. This serves as free promotion for your business while boosting brand awareness and getting your products in front of a wider audience.
#7 Take advantage of TikTok’s resource center
If you’re new to selling on TikTok, the Small Business Resource Center is an invaluable tool. It provides merchants with advertising templates, access to webinars hosted by industry experts, and insights from brands that have run successful TikTok ad campaigns.
Additionally, the resource center includes TikTok Pixel, a tool that gathers data on customers interacting with your content, allowing you to track and analyze ad performance effectively.
Tips to boost your sales on TikTok
You already know the basics of how to sell on TikTok. Now you’re ready to learn strategies that will catapult your TikTok selling to the next level.
Capitalize on trends
TikTok thrives on viral content, and its algorithm encourages creators to follow trends. You can join in by creating your own spin on the latest trends and using the popular sounds from viral videos. TikTok allows users to see who else has used a trending sound, increasing the visibility of your content. Incorporate your products into these videos subtly, so they blend seamlessly with the viewing experience without feeling too promotional.
Use the right hashtags
Hashtags aren’t just for Instagram and Twitter. On TikTok, hashtags help organize content, making it easier for users interested in your niche to find you. Be sure to research and use relevant hashtags to boost the visibility and reach of your videos.
Optimize your bio
Don’t expect visitors to your profile to already know your brand. Use your bio to briefly explain what your brand is about in one or two sentences. Include a call to action with emojis to encourage people to take the next step, like clicking on your store’s link or exploring your products tab.
Have affiliate partnerships with creators
By launching an affiliate program, you can collaborate with TikTok creators and influencers to promote your products and drive traffic to your store. Using TikTok’s Selling Center, you can easily set up a promotion plan and partner with influencers who align with your niche.
Creators then share content with affiliate links to your website or marketplace, earning a commission each time someone clicks their link and makes a purchase. It’s a mutually beneficial strategy for both parties!
>>> Read more: Unleash the power of Affiliate Marketing on TikTok to boost sales
Wrap-up
In conclusion, learning how to sell on TikTok can be a game-changer for your business. By leveraging TikTok’s unique features, creating engaging content, and connecting with your audience, you can boost brand awareness and drive sales. I hope that these tips have given you a solid foundation to start your TikTok selling journey successfully.
