The most downloaded social media app in the world is also the app with the least competition for small business sales. It may pay well to get in on the ground floor.

You can now make TikTok sales through the TikTok sales integration, TikTok Shopping. TikTok Shopping allows business owners to connect an online store with a TikTok business profile, which allows you to sell on TikTok without customers ever having to leave the TikTok platform. Business owners can make TikTok sales through profile pages, video product links, and ads.
Keep reading to learn how to sell on TikTok using the TikTok Shopping integration.
How To Sell On TikTok
To sell on TikTok using the TikTok Shopping integration, you need a:
- Store located in an eligible country (currently, TikTok Shopping is available in the US and UK)
- TikTok Business account
- TikTok Ads Manager account
- TikTok Business Center account
- TikTok pixel
- Paid subscription to an online store with a product catalog to sync to your TikTok Business account (otherwise known as an eligible partner)
- Confirmation of account/product approval from TikTok’s internal reviews board
To better understand how to sell on TikTok, let’s first understand the requirements.
What Is A TikTok Business Account?
A TikTok Business account is an account dedicated to your business or professional brand. TikTok Business accounts are free to make and use.
TikTok Business accounts are nested under the overarching TikTok For Business platform. TikTok For Business includes business tools such as TikTok Ads Manager accounts, the TikTok Creator Center, business analytics, and exclusive TikTok sounds.
With your own TikTok Business account, you can leave a link for your online store in your business account profile, create shoppable posts, and showcase a shoppable social media storefront.
How To Create (Or Convert) A TikTok Business Account
You can make your personal TikTok account into your business account, which is a good idea for influencers looking to sell merch or do affiliate marketing. If you fit into this category, skip to the second step.
Step 1: Download the TikTok app (if you haven’t already) and create a new profile.
Step 2: Click on the three horizontal lines on the top right side of your profile.
Step 3: Click “Manage Account”, then “Switch to Business Account”.
Step 4: Follow the prompts to finish creating or converting to a business account.
Step 5: Edit your business account profile.
Don’t forget to add your website link to your TikTok business profile, so users can easily access your website.
What Is A TikTok Ads Manager Account?
A TikTok Ads Manager account is an account that is authorized to create and analyze TikTok ad campaigns for a TikTok Business account.
It’s free to sign up for an Ads Manager account, but it’s not free to run ads.
What Is A TikTok Business Center Account?
The TikTok Business Center is an all-in-one platform that houses all of a business’s TikTok Business accounts, TikTok Ads Manager accounts, product catalogs, business partners, user permission levels, campaign planning/outcome data, and more.
You can sign up and use a TikTok Business Center account for free.
Note: TikTok Business Center accounts and TikTok Business accounts are two different things that require two different account signups.
Essentially, the Business Center is an online office. There are different “employees” (TikTok Business and Ads account owners) with varying levels of authorization who all collaborate with each other. Important files and plans are contained in the Business Center. Sometimes, other businesses can join forces with your business in the Business Center (maybe you’ll go viral that way!)
What Is A TikTok Pixel?
A TikTok pixel is a piece of code that you add to your website. TikTok pixels allow you to measure how users interact with your site, which will inform you about who your target audience is, how well your TikTok campaigns are performing, and what you can do (or avoid) in the future to get more people to click on a link, complete a purchase, etc.
TikTok pixels are automatically generated for you when you add TikTok as a sales channel on your online store. This means that you don’t have to actually write any code to gain access to the rich amount of data TikTok pixels collect.
Best of all, you get to choose which events you want to monitor.
For example, when you don’t know who your target audience is, you can capture broad amounts of data about users, such as who viewed a page or added a product to their cart.
Once you understand your target audience, you can monitor who moves from contemplating a purchase to buying, and build campaigns that turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
Now that you have all the terminology down, this is how to connect your TikTok business account with an online store.
Note: Currently only Shopify, Square, BigCommerce, and Ecwid stores are eligible for the TikTok Shopping integration. However, TikTok does plan on creating integrations with more popular online store builders in the next year.
How To Connect Shopify & TikTok
Shopify is a store builder that’s easy to set up and a fan favorite of many online sellers. Here’s how to connect Shopify and TikTok.
Add TikTok As A Shopify Sales Channel
Step 1: Locate the TikTok app (by TikTok Inc.) in the Shopify app store, then click “Add App” to install it on your Shopify store.

You will be redirected to your Shopify admin dashboard.
Step 2: Click “Add sales channel” to add TikTok as a sales channel.

After adding TikTok as a sales channel in your Shopify Admin dashboard, you have to set up your TikTok Marketing, sync your Shopify products to TikTok, and set up TikTok Shopping.
From your TikTok sales channel in your Shopify admin dashboard, you’ll see your TikTok Channel Overview. You’ll see a features overview, which includes TikTok Marketing and TikTok Shopping.
Set Up TikTok Marketing
Before you set up TikTok Shopping, you’ll set up TikTok Marketing. This is how to set it up.
Step 1: Click “Set up Now” in the TikTok Marketing section.
Step 2: Create or connect to connect a TikTok For Business account.
If you already have a TikTok For Business account, click “Connect.”
If you do not already have a TikTok For Business account, click “Create New” and Shopify will generate an account for you during this setup process. Then, connect to your new account.

Step 3: Create or connect at least one TikTok Ads Manager account.
If you don’t have an Ads Manager account, create one now.
Step 4: Under Data Sharing, choose your data sharing preferences in the Data Sharing tab, then click “Confirm.”
Doing this generates a TikTok pixel for your store.
Step 5: Add your company information under the Company Information tab.
You may choose between automated and manual payments for ads. If you do not plan on paying for ads at this moment, choose manual payments.
At this point, you should have a green check mark next to every part of the marketing setup page.

Step 6: Click “Finish Setup”.
Set Up Marketing Catalog
Once you finish setting up your TikTok Marketing, you’ll set up your marketing catalog. This is the part where you sync your Shopify products with your TikTok account.
Step 1: Under the Marketing Catalog section, click “Set up Now.”
Step 2: Click “Connect” to connect Shopify to your TikTok Business Center account.

Step 3: Click “Approve” to approve Admin access to the connected TikTok Ads Manager account.
Step 4: Choose your marketing catalog locations (you can add multiple countries/regions) where you’d like your products and ads to be shown, then click “Confirm.”
Step 5: Click “Finish Setup.”

Product statuses can be “active”, “draft”, etc. You can also decide which sales channels you want to show and sell products on from the Products section, located on the left-hand side of your Shopify Admin dashboard.

Product statuses will take a few hours to sync up with TikTok.
TikTok also has to independently review and approve products before you can show them on your TikTok account. This process usually takes 3-5 days.
Set Up TikTok Shopping
If your business is eligible for selling within the TikTok app, this is how to set up TikTok Shopping.
Step 1: From your TikTok sales channel in your Shopify Admin dashboard, locate TikTok Shopping, then click “Set up Now.”
Step 2: You will be asked to connect your TikTok For Business account. Click “Connect.”
Step 3: Next, you’ll be asked to connect your TikTok Business Center account. Click “Connect.”
Step 4: Add your business’s Terms of Service and Refund Policy by clicking “Add Terms.”
Step 5: Choose the target country for your catalog from the dropdown menu and click “Confirm.”
Step 6: Connect to the TikTok profile your TikTok Storefront will be hosted on. This is where customers will find and shop for your products.

Step 7: Connect to your TikTok pixel to monitor events like a viewer adding a product to their cart or completing a purchase.
Step 8: Click “Finish Setup.”
How To Connect Square & TikTok
Eligible Square Online store owners can connect their products to a TikTok business account and create a social media shopping experience by completing the following steps.
Connect Square To A TikTok For Business Account
Step 1: From your Square Online dashboard, click on “Account and Settings”, located on the left-hand side of your dashboard. Then, click “Online sales channels.”
Step 2: You’ll see TikTok for Business listed as a sales channel. Click “Get Started”, then “Connect.”

Step 3: Keep following the prompts to prepare for your TikTok x Square integration.

You will then be redirected to TikTok’s integration page to connect your Square and TikTok accounts.
Step 4: Connect or create a TikTok account. This is the profile viewers will see on the TikTok app.
Step 5: Connect or create a TikTok for Business account.

Connect Square To TikTok Business Center & TikTok Ads Manager Accounts
Step 1: Connect or create a TikTok Business Center account. A TikTok Business Center account will help you manage your business’s TikTok users, product catalog, and advertising campaigns.
Step 2: Create or connect at least one TikTok Ads Manager account.
You can connect to multiple ad accounts if you want, or create a new one.

Set Up A TikTok Pixel
Step 1: Under Data Sharing, click “Create New” to generate a TikTok pixel. A TikTok pixel on your Square Online site will communicate information about users that interact with your site and buy your products from the TikTok platform.
Step 2: Make sure “Enable Advanced Matching” is active. This allows TikTok to better match your content to your target audience.
Set Up Your TikTok Product Catalog
Under Catalog, click “Create New” to sync your existing Square Online product catalog to your TikTok account. Products may take 3-5 days to be approved by TikTok’s internal review board.
Set Up TikTok Shopping
Step 1: If you are eligible for TikTok Shopping, click “Connect” to connect to the TikTok profile that you’ll show your product on.
Step 2: Authorize TikTok Commerce to access your TikTok business account. This will create a TikTok Storefront that users can interact with on your TikTok profile.
Step 3: Click “Finish Setup” to complete your TikTok Storefront setup.
How To Connect BigCommerce & TikTok
BigCommerce is another popular eCommerce web builder that is comparable to Shopify. Eligible business owners can integrate BigCommerce and TikTok Shopping by completing the following steps.
Connect BigCommerce To A TikTok For Business Account
Step 1: Log onto your BigCommerce store admin dashboard.
Step 2: Locate the TikTok For Business app, located in Channel Manager under “Ads and social.”

Step 3: Click “Connect” then “Install.”
Step 4: Connect to the TikTok account that your ads will be shown on. This is the profile that users will see on the app.
Step 5: Create or connect your TikTok Business account.

After each connection you make, you’ll see a blue check mark.
Connect BigCommerce To TikTok Business Center & TikTok Ads Manager Accounts
After you connect your TikTok for Business account, you’ll be asked to create or connect a TikTok Business Center account and TikTok Ads Manager account.
Step 1: Connect to a TikTok Business Center account.
If you have a TikTok Business Center account connected to your TikTok For Business account, click “Connect” to connect to your TikTok Business Center account.
If you do not have a Business Center account or want to create a new Business Center account altogether, click “Create New” in the Business Center section.

BigCommerce will automatically generate a new Business Center account and associate it with your TikTok For Business account.
Step 2: Connect to one or more TikTok Ads accounts.
If you already have one (or a few) TikTok Ads Manager accounts, you can connect as many as you want.
You may also create a new Ads Manager account to connect to.

Set Up A TikTok Pixel
Step 1: Under Data Sharing, click “Create New” to create and install a new TikTok pixel.
Step 2: Make sure the “Enable Advanced Matching” option is toggled on so that TikTok can better match your TikTok content with the right audience.

Once your TikTok pixel is set up, you can choose which user events you want to track from the Analytics page.
Set Up Your TikTok Product Catalog
Under the Catalog section, click “Create New” to sync your BigCommerce product catalog to your TikTok business account. Products are reviewed by TikTok to ensure they meet the platform’s advertising guidelines. It may take 3-5 days for TikTok to approve your products.
Set Up TikTok Shopping
Step 1: If you are eligible for TikTok Shopping, click “Connect” to connect your BigCommerce store to the TikTok account that you plan to post videos on.
Step 2: Authorize TikTok Commerce, which will create a TikTok Shopping storefront on your TikTok profile.
Step 3: Once all your accounts are connected, click “Finish Setup.”
How To Connect Ecwid & TikTok
Ecwid is a one-page storefront builder that acts as a standalone website. Eligible Ecwid store owners can complete the following steps to connect their Ecwid products to a TikTok Storefront on their TikTok business profile.
Connect Ecwid To A TikTok For Business Account
Step 1: Log onto your Ecwid store dashboard and locate the TikTok sales channel on the left-hand side.
Step 2: Enter your phone number and click “Connect TikTok for Business Account”.

Doing this will redirect you to the TikTok for Business webpage.
Step 3: Sign up for a TikTok for Business account, or log into an existing one, and click “Connect” to give Ecwid access to your TikTok for Business account.

Connect Ecwid To TikTok Business Center & TikTok Ads Manager Accounts
After you connect your Ecwid store to your TikTok for Business account, you’ll be asked to create or connect at least one TikTok Business Center and TikTok Ads Manager account.
Step 1: Connect a TikTok Business Center account.
If you have a TikTok Business Center account connected to your TikTok For Business account, click “Connect” to connect Ecwid to your existing account.
If you do not have a Business Center account or want to create a new Business Center account altogether, click “Create New” in the Business Center section.
Step 2: Connect to at least one Ads Manager account.
You may create and add as many TikTok Ads accounts with permission to create ads featuring your Ecwid product catalog.

Set Up A TikTok Pixel
Step 1: Under Data Sharing, click “Create New” to generate a new TikTok pixel.
TikTok recommends you have only one pixel per website, as multiple pixels can make your website load slower (and can get confusing when you’re collecting a lot of data.)
Step 2: Check to make sure that the “Enable Advanced Matching” option is active. This feature helps TikTok better match your content to your intended audience.
Set Up Your TikTok Product Catalog
Step 1: In the Catalog section, click “Create New” to connect your Ecwid product catalog to your TikTok business account.
Step 2: Click “Finish Setup” at the bottom of the page.
Your Ecwid products will automatically begin syncing to your TikTok business profile.

TikTok reviews all products to make sure they meet advertising guidelines. It may take 3-5 days for product approval.
Set Up TikTok Shopping
Step 1: Go to the TikTok sales channel located on the left-hand side of your Ecwid store dashboard.
Step 2: If you meet TikTok Shopping eligibility requirements, scroll down and click “Connect TikTok Shopping”.

Step 3: Click “Authorize” to connect your TikTok with TikTok Commerce.
This will create a TikTok Storefront on your TikTok business profile in the TikTok app. Users will be able to see your products on the TikTok app.

You’ll then be redirected to the TikTok sales channel on your Ecwid store dashboard.
How To Advertise On TikTok & Make More Sales
You can advertise on TikTok by posting videos to grow organically or running paid TikTok ad campaigns using TikTok Ads Manager.
Here’s how to set up a paid ad campaign using TikTok Ads Manager.
Running A Paid Ad Campaign On TikTok
To run a paid TikTok ad campaign in your TikTok Ads Manager account, you must:
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- Have a TikTok Ads Manager account
- Create a new campaign with specific campaign objectives
- Create at least one ad group to show ads to
- Design your ad content
- Set a campaign budget and timeline
Set Up Or Log Onto A TikTok Ads Manager Account
Step 1: Create or log onto your TikTok Ads account.
If you connect your business’s TikTok account to one of the store builders above, you will create an Ads Manager account during the setup process. and all you have to do is log in.
If you don’t have an Ads Manager account, go to ads.tiktok.com to create an account. Then, follow the prompts to finish your setup.
Note: If you choose “Manual Payment” as your payment option, you won’t have to input any billing info in the initial setup.
Step 2: Make sure the TikTok pixel is installed.
If you connected TikTok to one of the store builders above, a TikTok pixel is automatically generated and installed on your website. You can make sure the pixel is installed by clicking on “Assets” on the top menu bar of your Ads Manager account.
To generate and install a new pixel, click on “Assets”. Then, click “Set Up Web Events.”

TikTok allows you to install a Pixel through an eligible partner platform, such as store builders and data capturing platforms like Google Tag Manager, or manually install Pixel code to your website.
Follow the prompts to connect to an eligible partner platform or copy the Pixel HTML code and paste it into the header section of your website. Only paste the code once.
Note: TikTok strongly recommends you only install one pixel per website. Having multiple pixels on your website makes it harder to organize ad campaigns and can make your website load slower.
Create A New Campaign
Step 1: Click on “Campaign” on the top menu bar on your Ads Manager account, then click “Create” to start a new campaign setup.
Step 2: Set your advertising objective.
If you choose to set up a campaign in Simplified Mode, your campaign objectives will be limited, but it will be faster and easier to set up campaigns.
To drive conversions and move people towards an in-app TikTok shop, you’ll need to enter Custom Mode and choose “Shop Purchases” as the advertising objective.

In Custom Mode, enter your campaign name. You can choose whether you want to split test your campaigns, but you might want to hold off on this until you’re a little more experienced.
Create An Ad Group
An ad group defines your target audience, which TikTok partner platforms your ads show up on, how long you want to show ads for, and how much money you want to spend on your ad campaign.
You can create/add multiple ad groups for campaigns. You should create different ad groups if you want to:
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- Show different ad types to different target audiences
- Spend more money trying to reach one target audience over another
- Advertise to one group over a longer period of time.
Step 1: Name your ad group and choose your promotion type. It can be towards an app for download, a website, a TikTok shop (if you have a TikTok Shopping connection), or a TikTok instant page.
If you’re promoting your own TikTok shop, you’ll specify your TikTok business account (your “identity”), your TikTok catalog, and promotion type (video or live shopping.)

Step 2: Choose your ad placements.
Depending on your promotion type and campaign objective, you can choose to have TikTok automatically place ads across supported platforms, or manually select your placements.
Shopping ads can only be placed on the TikTok platform.

Step 3: Choose your creative type.
If you have the option to activate the Automated Campaign Optimization option and decide you want to use it, TikTok will automatically generate combinations of your creative assets (image, video, and text) and show only the high-performing ones.
However, if you use Automated Campaign Optimization, you can’t use your own TikTok posts as ads (a.k.a. Spark ads).
If you use an existing trending TikTok, then more people are likely to see it organically.
If you make a new TikTok video ad but post it from your profile, users can like, comment on, and share your post.
They can follow you from your ad, click on your profile (which may have a TikTok Storefront tab), and potentially feature posts with product links (depending on whether you have TikTok Shopping enabled.)
You’ll add your creative assets when you build your ads.
Step 4: Set your targeting mode.
Use custom targeting when you know what kind of user is most likely to interact with your ad to maximize your conversion rate and make the most of your campaign budget.

If you’re promoting a TikTok shop, your ad group must be for ages 18+.
Step 5: Set your ad group budget and schedule.
You can set a daily maximum amount of money to spend showing your ads to an ad group (budgets must be at least $20), or a lifetime budget to spend throughout the date range of your campaign (at least $280).
With a daily budget, you can choose to show ads between a certain timeframe or continuously.
You can also choose what time of the day to show ads to an ad group, which is a very useful feature if you know when your target audience is most likely scrolling.
Step 6: Set your bidding and optimization strategy.
Your bidding strategy defines how much you want to pay per campaign result and how quickly you want the TikTok algorithm to spend your ad budget.
Your bidding strategy options vary depending on your optimization goal.
With Standard delivery time, TikTok can spend your campaign money evenly throughout the entirety of your campaign timeline. With Accelerated delivery mode, TikTok will spend your budget to get the most results in the shortest amount of time possible.
After you finish setting up your ad group, click “Next.”
Create An Ad
This is where you (finally!) get to create the ad material that viewers will see.
Step 1: Choose your ad name, identity, and (if applicable), products to feature.
If you chose Automated Creative Optimization, you can’t use your own TikTok account posts as ads, so you’ll have to create a custom identity.
If you did not use Automated Creative Optimization, you can toggle on “Spark Ads” and set up an ad using your TikTok profile posts.
If you’re promoting TikTok shop items, choose from the products available in your TikTok product catalog. You can feature one or more products in your ad.
Step 2: Input or generate ad creative elements.
You can create or upload your own video, or have TikTok generate videos based on the video material you provide.
With Spark ads, you’ll choose an existing post to advertise or create a new one to be posted to your profile and advertised on TikTok.
With TikTok Shopping ads, you’ll choose a post featuring your products.
Write out your ad text to be displayed or leave it blank.
Choose whether you want your call to action button text to change depending on the viewer, or pick one standard call to action for all users.
Step 3: Input or create your ad destination page.
If your ad destination page is a website, enter the webpage link you want people to land on. Alternatively, if you want people to land on a TikTok instant page, create your page.
If your ad sends users to a TikTok Shopping catalog product, the destination will be the product for purchase within your TikTok shop.
Step 4: Click “Submit” to publish your campaign.
Running A Successful TikTok Ad
Looking for content inspiration to run a successful TikTok ad? Here are a few classic business-related ideas:
- Show the creative process. Create a video of your product being made.
- Post user-generated content. (For example, if you’re selling merch with a catchphrase on it, post a video of a buyer wearing it. If you’re selling a tool, post a video of someone talking about how the tool has changed their lives.)
- Create a video showing the different uses of your product. For example, if you sell clothing, post a video showing different ways to style a clothing item.
- Make an informative video that also relates to your product. For example, if you sell lotion, make a video sharing different ways to protect your skin, and highlight the importance of moisturizing.
- Start a giveaway or challenge to build user engagement and grow your following.
- Post any and all exciting business updates or merch releases!
Don’t forget to add product links to videos with the TikTok Shopping integration!
Also, monitor the results of all your ad campaigns. With TikTok’s data analytics, you can learn what makes customers buy and what makes them scroll past you. After a few campaigns, you’ll know exactly what kind of content to make and how to get it in front of the right viewers.
Check out our complete guide to social media marketing if you want to learn how to build a full-scale social media marketing strategy that works for your business.
FAQs: Selling On TikTok
Can TikTok drive sales to my site?
TikTok can drive sales to your site.
TikTok is the most popular platform in the world, and by understanding your target audience, you can get on the For You page of many future buyers.
If you create TikTok posts with shoppable product links, you can easily turn viewers into shoppers.
Is TikTok a good choice for selling products?
TikTok is an excellent choice for selling products.
TikTok is the most popular social media platform in the world, with less competition than other platforms, and you can directly link an online store to your TikTok business account.
Plus, you might create a sound that goes viral and gain an unexpected following from one video – things like that can happen on TikTok.
How can I sell merch on TikTok?
You can sell merch on TikTok by syncing a product catalog from your online store to your TikTok business account. You can leave a shoppable link in your bio, and create videos featuring product links to sell your merch.
Currently, TikTok syncs with Shopify, Square, BigCommerce, and Ecwid websites.
How can I sell on TikTok with Shopify?
You can sell on TikTok with Shopify by first adding TikTok as a sales channel in your Shopify online store.
Then, sync your Shopify online product catalog with your TikTok business account.
Finally, add product links to your new posts, and people can shop directly from your videos!
How can I add Square to make TikTok sales?
You can add Square to make TikTok sales by first adding TikTok as a sales channel in your Square online store dashboard.
Then, sync your Square online product catalog with your TikTok business account.
Finally, add shoppable product links to your new videos, and people can buy your products directly from your posts!
8 Tips To TikTok Selling Success
The following tips are here to help you get your TikTok shop in front of the right people.
1. Research Your Target Audience & Competitors
Your advertising efforts will only be worth it if the right audience finds your content. The best way to make sure you’re reaching the right people is to start with some market research.
To find your target audience:
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- Look into businesses or influencers selling something similar to your products, and how they’re making sales.
- Find trends within your current following, if you have one.
- Come up with an “ideal buyer” for your products, then find statistics about that kind of buyer, such as what time they’re most likely to be on TikTok.
- Do a hashtag search to see what’s relevant to your target audience.
- Use TikTok analytics to view demographics on your following and monitor your account growth.
2. Learn How The TikTok Algorithm Works
The TikTok algorithm is a complex system that determines what each individual user encounters on their discovery page, otherwise known as each person’s “For You Page.” It’s almost startlingly accurate when it comes to showing users content that they would be interested in.
While the mechanisms of the algorithm were previously kept a secret, TikTok has since let creators in on what factors influence the algorithm. Those factors include:
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- User Interactions: The more a user interacts with a certain type of video, the more a user will be shown that type of video. Also, the length of time that a user spends on a video before scrolling past will affect how the algorithm interprets content interest and quality.
- Accounts Followed: The algorithm will show users videos from creators that provide similar content to TikTok accounts they already follow.
- Video Information: Every piece of information about a video helps the algorithm understand what your content “is about”. Sounds, captions, video stickers, filters, hashtags, and video length all factor into how the algorithm understands who to show your videos to.
- Content Guidelines: TikTok has very specific community guidelines. Any creator that doesn’t follow them will have their video taken down.
Understanding (and keeping up on) how the TikTok algorithm works will help your videos land on the For You Page of interested buyers.
3. Create A Share-Worthy TikTok
You should strive to create share-worthy TikToks for two reasons: the TikTok algorithm weighs shares higher than likes or comments, and users trust videos that are sent to them from people they know more than they trust paid ads.
To create a share-worthy TikTok:
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- Take the time to learn all of TikTok’s different functionalities. High engagement videos are well-edited, often use effects and words, and use crisp transitions.
- Take advantage of video builders and editors on sites like Canva for more professional-looking videos.
- Create videos live on the TikTok app when you’re lip-syncing, dancing, or want to really make use of filters and stickers.
- Capture your viewer’s interest within the first three seconds.
- Use high-quality footage.
- Create a shareable sound using your own voice, a mashup of different songs, or a variety of effects, and allow others to use it.
- Use auto-captions or write out words/sounds in videos to make them more accessible to people who are hard of hearing or want to quietly watch videos.
- Create your own remakes of popular videos (but make sure to credit the original creator!)
- Hone in on your intended audience through targeted hashtags.
4. Build A Relationship With Your Viewers
Both viewers and the TikTok algorithm value relationships. To build relationships with your viewers:
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- Like, comment, and start discussions with people in the comments section of your posts.
- Engage with content made by others in your niche area.
- Make a duet responding to a TikTok, or plan a duet with someone.
- Focus on entertaining your audience, in addition to promoting your product.
- Don’t make every single post a promotion. Post some videos that just show your influencer or brand personality, in addition to product promotions and updates.
- Shoot for authenticity before all else. If you misrepresent your product, say something that doesn’t resonate with your intended buyers, or hop on a trend if it doesn’t align with your brand, you will probably lose followers.
- Try to post quality content at least once a day. The more content you put out, the more material there is for viewers to engage with. But don’t sacrifice quality for quantity.
5. Use Several Types Of Advertising
Advertising doesn’t start or end with posting on your own TikTok profile. You can also:
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- Cross-promote your TikTok account on other relevant platforms such as Instagram.
- Take advantage of TikTok Ads Manager, if your budget allows for it.
- Work with other creators to promote your products. Offer smaller influencers a spotlight on your feed too, if a paid influencer video isn’t in the budget right now.
6. Keep Up On Trends (Or Start One)
While trends don’t last very long on TikTok, hopping on a trend is a good way to get people on your profile, where they can learn more about your brand and your values.
To hop on a trend (or start one):
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- Find and use trending sounds/hashtags whenever possible.
- Create your own shareable sound and “tutorial” on what creators can “do” with the sound you’re sharing, then encourage others to use it.
- Start a silly or impactful hashtag challenge and invite others to join in.
- Encourage viewers to duet your video. Make sure to tell them what to do when they duet, or your video may fall flat.
7. Create A Consistent Posting Routine
Some of the most popular TikTok accounts post 1-4 times per day. That may not achievable for the majority of small business owners, but having a posting routine will make it easier for you to quickly create and edit content.
To get into a good posting routine:
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- Monotask. Choose one day to film and edit a bunch of videos, then schedule posts using TikTok’s video scheduler or another social media scheduler.
- Film a lot. You never know what random thing you’ll want to use in your next video.
- Organize your videos into categories to save time and internal storage space.
- Invest in props and equipment that will make filming easier. For example, many creators invest in ring lights and green screens to optimize their filming conditions.
- Keep all your props and filming equipment in one place, especially when you promote products in videos.
- Figure out your brand aesthetic, then stick to it – sometimes boundaries are very helpful.
- Don’t spend hours filming trying to get the “perfect” video. It will make you crazy and you might want to quit.
- Practice. The process will become easier.
- Try not to spend hours scrolling on TikTok becoming more of a consumer than a creator. Vegging out and watching TikToks is really nice, but not if you’re trying to be productive.
8. Optimize your TikTok Storefront
Your TikTok shop is where people make their purchasing decisions, so you should make it as appealing and scannable as possible.
To optimize your TikTok shop:
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- Take high-quality product photos. You can show products in use or products on a neutral or aesthetically pleasing background.
- Show multiple photos of products.
- Write short but informative product descriptions.
- Create high-quality short-form video ads.
Key Takeaways When It Comes To Selling On TikTok
Selling on TikTok, and social media selling across all platforms is the future of eCommerce.
TikTok Shopping offers a complete beginning-to-end customer journey, from discovery to purchase, and requires very little capital investment. The smooth in-app shopping experience is also a great way to reduce shopping cart abandonment.
To be successful on TikTok, stay true to your brand, provide value to your followers, strategically plan out your ads, and make the social media to online checkout process as smooth as possible.