TikTok is the fastest growing social media platform that’s primarily used by Generation Z. TikTok is a mix between Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram, where users record short video sequences and share them.
It’s a place where you can see and share fun and positive content created by people from all over the world with the mission to inspire creativity and spread joy.
As TikTok is relatively new to eCommerce but enjoys a greater exposure than any other marketing platform, companies have increasingly started using TikTok to promote products and services and to provide an outstanding eCommerce customer journey and experience.
Marketing and selling on TikTok can be rather tricky as you need to show great creativity while working on your marketing strategy. Below we share some tips on how to use TikTok for eCommerce marketing.
TikTok Ads
The simplest form of successful TikTok eCommerce marketing involves good old-fashioned advertising. But you need to keep in mind that TikTok users are there for entertainment, fun, and creativity. So, creating ads is not quite as simple as making a quick video explaining the benefits of your product. In fact, traditional advertisement is something that TikTok users don’t want anything to do with.
The good news is that TikTok advertising tools are much easier to understand than those you find on sites like Facebook. There are superb editing features, quick upload tools, and solid metrics. No matter how you approach advertising on TikTok, do your best to avoid making a traditional ad as it’s the easiest way for people on TikTok to forget about your business.
On the other hand, if you feel like this requires too much effort on your side, you can consider hiring an experienced TikTok agency. These experts will do an in-depth analysis in order to create TikTok ads that actually convert. Additionally, a reputable agency will help you figure out the ads that are performing well and those that underperform, allowing you to better understand what works for your audience and what needs to be readjusted.
Hashtag Challenges
Hashtag challenges aren’t exclusive to TikTok, but it’s one of the few social apps that has gained a reputation for them. So much so that they have become an important part of the TikTok community. TikTok users enjoy doing, accepting, and seeing challenges.
This is an opportunity for eCommerce businesses to create hashtag challenges that involve their products. User-generated content works perfectly to get people to respond to the challenge. But if your follower base isn’t that strong, consider reaching out to an influencer with a large number of followers. They can make the announcement and demonstrate the challenge for you.
Remember that you need a catchy word or phrase for a hashtag challenge if you want to make it more popular on TikTok.
Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is not unique to TikTok, but it’s one of the most effective ways to market on the platform. This is because TikTok influencers have a huge impact on their users, having built trust over the years through their entertaining videos.
Young TikTok users yearn for authenticity, and that’s what influencers offer. Being marketed regularly isn’t really what young people want, but they’ve proven to be okay with it as long as they hear about interesting brands from people they like.
This is where influencers come into your marketing strategy. It’s important to remember that all you usually need from an influencer is for them to use your product or service in a video, maybe talk about why they like it, and explain where followers can purchase it from.
The best influencers know how to market products without being pushy, and you can choose different types of collaborations, such as letting them wear clothes with your brand logo, or perhaps sending a product and letting them unpack it before their followers.
One last thing to remember about TikTok influencers is that they probably know more about their audience than you do. Young TikTok users aren’t that interested in high production value. They’re used to videos from a phone, so it’s important not to control the influencer too much. They’re the ones who’ve built their following, so they tend to know what people want. TikTok is more about authenticity and fun, so it’s best to let influencers create the content instead of turning it into a simple advertisement.
Conclusion
TikTok is a great avenue for eCommerce, offering vast opportunities for brands. You only need a little creativity and your brand can flourish and tap into a massive curious audience that’s ready to buy. Alternatively, you can opt to hire professionals that will help your business thrive. Whatever you opt for, don’t forget to keep track of emerging trends if you want to remain relevant.
