TikTok has exploded from a fun video app to a powerful social media marketing platform.
It appeals to massive, highly engaged younger audiences, making it a goldmine for businesses looking to connect with customers and gain profit.
But standing out on the platform requires effective TikTok strategies. This guide will equip you with 10 actionable tips to master TikTok marketing and turn scrollers into loyal fans and paying clients.
Create a TikTok Business Account
Before diving into TikTok marketing strategies, set up a TikTok Business Account. This type of account offers additional features to help entrepreneurs succeed on the platform. Here’s how to get started.
- Download and Install the TikTok App from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Sign up or log into your TikTok account or log in to your existing one.
- Switch to a Business Account:
- Go to your profile by tapping the Profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Tap the three dots (or lines) at the top right corner to access the Settings and Privacy menu.
- Select Manage Account, then tap Switch to Business Account.
- Choose Your Category: Select the category that best describes your business. This will help TikTok tailor content and recommendations for your profile.
- Complete Your Profile: Fill in the necessary information for your seller profile, including your business name, bio, and profile picture. Ensure your bio clearly describes your business and includes relevant keywords. We’ll dive deeper into crafting an effective bio later.
- Verify Your Information: Business sellers will need to provide an official ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, for verification purposes. Additionally, upload a document proving your company registration (a business license, certificate of incorporation, articles of association, or others, depending on your location and business type).
- Link a Shop: Add a direct link to your shop.
Disclaimer
TikTok constantly adds new resources for your business, and some information may change quickly. Stay in the loop by regularly checking the TikTok for business page and Printify’s blog.
Benefits of a TikTok Business Account
- Access to Analytics: TikTok Business Accounts come with comprehensive analytics tools that provide insights into your audience, video performance, and follower growth.
- Advertising Options: Business Accounts can access TikTok’s advertising platform to create and manage ad campaigns. This includes various ad formats like In-Feed Ads, Spark Ads, and more. We’ll return to that soon.
- Creative Tools: TikTok Business Accounts can access creative tools to help you create engaging and high-quality content. This includes the Business Creative Hub, which offers inspiration and best practices for content creation.
- Integration with eCommerce: TikTok continuously develops features to support eCommerce, such as TikTok Shop. A Business Account ensures you can take advantage of these evolving services and integrations.
Learn more about creating a TikTok Business Account in our TikTok for Business and eCommerce guide.
Make it happen today!
1. Optimize your TikTok profile
Consider your TikTok profile as your storefront window on the social media platform. Make it count! An optimized profile will significantly improve your ability to attract and retain followers.
Key traits of an optimized profile
- Profile Bio: Write a clear and concise description of your brand and offerings in your bio. Use keywords related to your niche to improve discoverability.
- Link to Shop: Ensure that you have a direct link to your shop within your profile – this guarantees viewers can seamlessly transition from discovery to purchase. Avoid linking to external sites that can distract potential customers.
- Profile Picture and Username: Use a recognizable profile picture or visual asset (a logo, for example), and choose a username that is consistent with your brand across other social media platforms.
2. Bring your A-game to product listings
Product listings are fundamental for converting leads into paying customers. High-quality listings can significantly boost your profits on TikTok.
Tips for optimizing product listings:
- List New Products Constantly: Frequently list new products based on trends and keyword research. Remember, merchants who regularly list new products and designs get more sales. Just be sure your listings are unique and avoid repetition as much as possible. After all, TikTok favors fresh, original content.
- Clear Titles and Descriptions: Use clear, concise titles that accurately describe your products. Highlight the key features and benefits of your products.
- High-Quality Images and Captivating Videos: Invest in high-resolution images and TikTok videos showcasing your products in the best light. Ensure they are well-lit and visually appealing.
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent style and format across all your product listings to create a cohesive brand image.
3. Create engaging content
Attention spans are short on TikTok, so create short-form videos (think 15-60 seconds). Infuse humor, storytelling, or trending sounds to grab viewers’ attention in the first few seconds.
Use TikTok editing tools to reduce length and add effects. TikTok’s algorithm seems to give some extra traction to videos edited within the app.
Don’t forget popular hashtags and keywords. Research relevant hashtags and keywords that align with your brand and following. While trending hashtags can broaden reach, don’t neglect niche hashtags that attract a highly engaged TikTok community.
Product demos and tutorials
Showcase your products in action. How do they work? What problem do they solve? Demonstrate their main characteristics and benefits in real-life scenarios – show, don’t tell.
User-generated content (UGC)
Encourage your customers to create authentic content featuring your products by launching hashtag challenges, contests, and giveaways. UGC fosters brand loyalty and authenticity.
Contests and giveaways
Contests and giveaways boost engagement and attract new followers. Make the entry requirements simple and encourage participants to share their entries.
Behind the scenes
Give your followers a peek behind the curtain and take viewers on a journey into your world. Show the product creation process, your team, or the inspiration behind your products. Build a human connection with your audience.
Storytelling
Create narratives around your products and brand that resonate with your target audience and build a connection with them. Use humor, emotion, or inspiration to connect and leave a lasting impression.
Explore: How does TikTok work? Can you profit from this channel as you can from other platforms? Check out more ways to make money on TikTok on our blog.
4. Collaborate with influencers
Partnering with influencers is a solid move in any TikTok marketing strategy. These content creators have built a dedicated following of many users who trust their recommendations and opinions.
This inherent trust allows TikTok influencer marketing to effectively introduce your brand to new followers.
Tips for successful influencer collaborations
- Identify Relevant TikTok Influencers: Look for creators whose content and target demographics align with your brand values and target market. This guarantees your marketing content resonates with a large following made of the right people.
- Create Authentic Partnerships: Don’t force scripted promotions. Work with influencers to develop creative content that showcases your products in a natural and engaging way. Let their unique voice and style shine through while highlighting the benefits of your products.
- Consider a Mix of Macro and Micro-Influencers: While large-scale influencers with millions of followers can generate significant reach, don’t underestimate the power of micro-influencers. These TikTok creators often boast highly engaged communities and can be more cost-effective. Their audience loyalty can lead to higher conversion rates.
- Measure Impact: Track the performance of your influencer campaigns closely. Look beyond vanity metrics like follower count. Analyze metrics like engagement rates, click-throughs on your shop link, and even sales generated through affiliate codes to understand the true impact of your collaborations.
5. Sell through TikTok live
TikTok Live Shopping allows you to interact with viewers, showcase products, and answer questions in real time. Schedule regular live streams to build anticipation and excitement. This feature transforms your profile into a dynamic shopping experience.
Tips for successful live selling
- Stream Regularly: Post consistently and schedule live streams to build anticipation and maintain viewer interest.
- Engage With Viewers: Interact with your audience during live streams. Answer questions, respond to comments, and address them individually.
- Showcase Products: Highlight the features and benefits of your products during the live stream.
- Offer Discounts: Give your live viewers exclusive deals to encourage immediate purchases.
Make it happen today!
6. Include ads in your TikTok marketing strategy
TikTok Ads target specific demographics and interests. Explore various ad formats to enhance your marketing efforts, reach new audiences, and achieve your business goals.
In-feed ads
These are native ads that appear in users’ feeds. They grab attention without disrupting the TikTok experience and are effective for driving traffic to your website or shop. Designed to integrate smoothly into the user’s content feed, they foster organic engagement and are typically 9-15 seconds long. They support call-to-action buttons like Shop Now, Learn More, or Download.
Video ads
Video Ads can appear in various placements within TikTok. They are typically longer and more flexible in content length and style, ranging from 15 seconds to a minute or more. Although they can include interactive elements such as clickable buttons and links, they may not always blend seamlessly into the user’s feed as in-feed ads do.
Spark ads
Promote organic posts like high-performing user-generated videos featuring your products as ads to increase their reach.
Playable ads
Interactive ads allow TikTok users to engage with your new content before visiting your site. By offering viewers an interactive experience within the ad itself, these ads can increase engagement and product exploration.
Shopping ads
Showcase product images with clear pricing and direct links, driving viewers to your Printify shop.
Carousel ads
Feature multiple products in a single ad, allowing viewers to swipe through and discover different products or characteristics.
Pangle ads
Reach a wider audience by displaying ads across the Pangle Network, including popular apps and websites.
TopView ads
Full-screen ads that appear when users open TikTok, ensuring your brand is the first thing they see when opening the app. They offer maximum visibility.
Branded hashtag challenges
Launch branded hashtag challenges to encourage user participation, brand awareness, and UGC creation.
7. Launch an affiliate program
Imagine you could find other people to promote your products and get paid when they make a sale. That’s exactly how affiliate marketing works:
- You (the business) partner with affiliates (other businesses or creators).
- Affiliates recommend your products to their audience using special links or codes.
- When someone clicks the link or uses the code and buys something, the affiliate gets a commission (a small payment).
It’s a win-win. You get more sales, and the affiliate earns money by promoting your products.
Here’s how to build a successful program that empowers a passionate army of affiliates to promote your products.
- Recruit Strategic Affiliates: Identify individuals or businesses that align with your brand values and target audience. Look for creators with engaged communities who can authentically represent your products.
- Provide Comprehensive Support. Equip your affiliates with everything they need to succeed. This includes:
- Product Information: In-depth details, specifications, and high-resolution images.
- Marketing Materials: High-quality product images, engaging videos, and compelling marketing copy.
- Custom Links and Codes: Unique tracking services for affiliates to monitor their performance and earn commissions.
- Guidelines: Provide clear instructions on promoting your brand, using links and codes, and adhering to program policies.
- Foster Open Communication: Maintain regular communication with your affiliates. Offer updates on product launches, promotions, and program changes. Host Q&A sessions to address their concerns and answer questions. This fosters a collaborative and supportive environment.
Provide resources and foster open communication to empower your affiliates to become committed brand advocates. They’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to effectively promote your products and increase your profits.
8. Offer exclusive deals
Everyone loves a good deal. Take advantage of limited-time promotions and discount codes to create a sense of urgency and incentivize purchases. Promote these deals through your TikTok content, captions, and pinned comments.
Tips for offering exclusive deals
- Limited-Time Offers: Create time-sensitive promotions to encourage quick decisions that appeal to viewer emotions.
- Discount Codes: Provide special discount codes to your followers. Make sure these codes are easy to use and clearly communicated.
9. Engage with your audience
Building a loyal community on TikTok is the key to long-term success. Responding to comments and messages can foster a connection with your followers and develop engagement.
Tips for promoting engagement
- Respond to Followers: Respond to TikTok comments, answer questions, and participate in conversations. Show appreciation for their support and feedback.
- Host live Q&A sessions: Show your audience you care about their interests, and they’ll reward you with loyalty.
- Follow Back: Follow back TikTok users who engage frequently with your content. This can strengthen the relationship and encourage more interaction.
10. Get the most from TikTok analytics
Don’t just post and pray! Monitoring your performance will help you improve. Regularly analyze your TikTok performance using the platform’s built-in analytics and see if your efforts are paying off.
Tips for using analytics
- Track Key Metrics: Metrics like video views, likes, shares, engagement rates, comments, follower growth, and click-through rates help you understand your content’s performance.
- Adjust Strategy: Use these insights to understand what resonates with your followers and refine your strategy accordingly. Focus on what works and improve on what doesn’t.
- Test: Try different content formats, captions, and hashtags to optimize your approach continuously.
Start a TikTok shop with Printify
Ready to turn your TikTok followers into paying customers? Printify makes it easy to connect your shop directly to your TikTok profile. Allows viewers to discover your products within the app and purchase them with just a few clicks. Here’s how to get started:
- Register for a Printify Account: Sign up for a free Printify account.
- Create Your Printify Shop: Design your products, set your prices, and customize your storefront.
- Connect Your Printify Shop to TikTok: Follow the instructions within TikTok to connect your Printify shop to your profile.
- Start Selling: Start promoting your shop on TikTok through engaging content and ads.
Make it happen today!
FAQ
TikTok is a powerful marketing platform that reaches massive and highly engaged audiences. Businesses can leverage creative video content, targeted advertising, and influencer marketing on TikTok to build brand awareness, drive sales, and connect with clients in a fun and interactive way.
Marketing on TikTok relies on creating engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Authenticity, humor, storytelling, and trending elements are key. Additionally, partnering with influencers, utilizing TikTok advertising, and actively engaging with your niche are effective strategies.
Remember to optimize your profile with TikTok organic marketing strategies for increased visibility and regularly analyze your performance.
Yes, TikTok marketing is successful for many businesses with a social media presence. Businesses across industries have seen significant results, including increased brand awareness, boosted sales, and improved customer engagement through creative and interactive content.
TikTok offers a robust suite of advertising options. You can target specific demographics and interests, choose from various ad formats (In-Feed Ads, Video Ads, Spark Ads, etc.), and set your budget to maximize your reach and return on investment.
To summarize
We explored how to use TikTok for marketing. Success on the platform requires creativity, to post videos consistently, and an audience-centric approach.
- By optimizing your profile, creating engaging content, collaborating with influencers, and utilizing TikTok’s advertising tools, you can effectively transform your TikTok presence into a profitable social media channel.
- Monitor your performance and adjust your strategies to stay ahead of the competition.
Start your shop on TikTok with Printify today and take advantage of the opportunities TikTok has to offer.
