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Blog / Ecommerce platform guide / How to Promote Products on TikTok: 7 Proven Strategies for Success

Ecommerce platform guide

How to Promote Products on TikTok + Expert Tips for Content Creation

How to Promote Products on TikTok + Expert Tips for Content Creation
Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa

By Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa

12 min read

In 2024, TikTok was the most popular social media app in the US and ranked among the top 3 most downloaded apps worldwide. It’s not only a highly engaging platform for short-form entertainment but a powerful marketing tool.

Yet TikTok’s marketing doesn’t follow traditional methods. Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok thrives on real, unfiltered content. TikTok users want to see companies being genuine, authentic, and transparent—and that’s what makes it a fantastic marketing opportunity.

TikTok helps you showcase the human side of your business and connect with your target audience on a more personal level. It’s a platform that encourages creativity and allows everyone to express their own voice, making it ideal for effective marketing.

Are you ready to tap into a market of over 1B active users? Read on to learn how to promote products on TikTok in a way that truly captivates your audience.

How to successfully promote products on TikTok

TikTok consists entirely of short videos of up to 3 minutes about anything and everything. Dance challenges, sports highlights, life hacks, tutorials, daily vlogs, lip sync battles—you name it. It’s an engaging (and addicting) platform, and a fantastic tool for attracting shoppers.

Before promoting your products on TikTok, make sure to create a TikTok business account. Then, link your account with other social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram for easy cross-promotion.

Once your TikTok business account is up and running, it’s time to create content to attract customers. Follow these steps to promote your products and convert TikTok users into buyers.

1. Set a winning strategy

To go viral on TikTok, you don’t need to have a specific follower count or a professional studio setup for filming. All you need is to post relevant, unique content that captivates the right audience. And staying consistent is paramount to success.

Before you start posting TikTok videos, it’s best to have a plan. Creating a solid TikTok marketing strategy will set you apart from your competitors. Start by asking yourself these questions:

  • Who is my target audience? Categorize them by age group, occupation/industry, gender, location, favorite brands, hobbies/interests, motivation to buy, etc.

  • What type of content resonates with them?

  • What do I want to achieve? Decide whether you want to boost brand awareness, drive traffic to your online store, or promote a specific product.

Knowing your TikTok audience is key to developing a winning marketing strategy. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your TikTok videos will help you reach your goals. It also helps you create content that consistently resonates with your audience and mission.

After answering the questions above, map out a clear strategic plan and keep it on hand.

Pro tip: Discover the 3 factors that determine how TikTok recommends content.

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2. Create original content

Once your TikTok account and marketing strategy are ready, it’s time for the fun part—filming TikTok videos! This is your chance to let your brand personality shine through. Create content that’s raw and engaging, but not salesy. TikTok users favor videos that are silly, fun, and original.

If you need inspiration, open the TikTok app and scroll the For You page. Jot down all your favorite ideas, and save sounds and filters to use in your videos.

Below are some cool content ideas to get you going.

  • Product tutorials: Product tutorials are a great way to show people why they need your product and how it’ll improve their lives. Make it fun and encourage questions from viewers. 

  • Behind-the-scenes videos: People love to see how a company makes its products. You can show the behind-the-scenes of your production or packaging processes. People will see first-hand how much attention and effort goes into each customer.

 

a hand opening a box with a bottle

Source: TikTok

  • Customer testimonials: Most shoppers will only buy from a brand after reading trust-worthy testimonials. Increase your conversions by republishing customer reviews in a TikTok video. Offering trending products is another great way to earn stellar reviews.
  • Humorous skits: 60% of TikTok users are Gen Z, and the younger generation loves to see brands showcasing their sense of humor. Create funny skits to connect with buyers and highlight your brand’s personality.

If you have a streetwear brand, you can create fun try-on-haul videos featuring your latest collection. Or you could sell custom pet bowls and create videos of pets drinking from bowls with their name on them. Don’t be afraid to take risks—TikTok rewards creativity and out-of-the-box content.

3. Engage with your audience

Engagement is crucial on TikTok. If you post a video and then disappear, people will think you only care about making sales.

Respond to comments, address questions, and express gratitude to your viewers. TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes videos with high engagement. So, the more you engage with your audience, the better your content will do.

Replying to comments increases visibility and fosters a sense of community around your brand. If someone inquires about your product, respond promptly and provide helpful information. Use TikTok’s unique “reply with a video” feature to produce follow-up content addressing common questions or feedback.

a woman holding a phone screen

Source: TikTok

4. Post consistently

While TikTok says you should post 3–4 times per day, most brands on TikTok don’t play by the rules. Unless you have a dedicated team of video creators, posting 20 videos a week is unrealistic.

When it comes to posting on TikTok, quality matters more than quantity, and consistency is key. Most brands on TikTok post 2 to 4 times per week—definitely more manageable.

Here are a few tips for finding your perfect TikTok posting schedule.

  • Consider your creative capacity: Prioritize quality over quantity when posting content.

  • Review other creators: Look at successful accounts in your niche to see how often they post.

  • Watch your analytics: Experiment with posting frequency over time and observe how it impacts your views and engagement.

The TikTok algorithm doesn’t care how often you post, it just cares how much engagement your videos get. So, post when your audience is active.

The best times to post on TikTok are Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., and Thursday afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m (Central Time). Afternoons, in general, have the highest engagement as users are seeking entertainment. 

Whatever posting schedule and frequency you choose, stick to it. Staying consistent fosters trust and reliability in your followers.

5. Collaborate with influencers

Once you have some solid content on your TikTok account, it’s time to seek out influencers to boost your sales.

TikTok influencers hold the power to influence people’s purchasing decisions. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to promote your products: 69% of consumers trust influencers’ product recommendations. Influencers have built a strong relationship with their followers and can help you introduce your product to a new audience.

To find a TikTok creator that matches your vibe, type relevant keywords or phrases into the search bar and check the top videos. Or, take advantage of TikTok’s Creator Marketplace—browse creators, invite them to collaborate, and adapt your content strategy according to your insights.

Choosing an influencer whose personality and message align with your brand is best. And it’s even better if their followers match your target audience. TikTok users can easily spot overly commercial posts, so you want the videos to appear natural.

Besides the classic unboxing or product review videos, you can let the influencer decide how to promote your product. That way, you’ll have organic content that’s sure to appeal to their audience (and your potential customers).

Here’s an example of @milliet24 collaborating with Air Up and sharing her honest review.

a woman holding a bag of food

Source: TikTok

Check out these influencer marketing trends for inspo.

6. Take advantage of features

If you promote your products on TikTok, you should definitely be thinking about leveraging the platform’s built-in features. TikTok wants brands to succeed, and they’re ready to help every step of the way.

The TikTok Beta Program allows brands to test new tools and advertising formats before fully launching, giving you a competitive edge. 

TikTok’s Creator Tool lets you track performance metrics like video views, follower growth, and engagement rates. Analyzing these metrics can help you adjust your strategy over time to ensure your content resonates with your audience.

TikTok for Business helps brands boost sales, generate leads, attract new customers, and more. The program lets you use TiKTok ads to run marketing campaigns and get in front of the right audience.

Since there are so many types of TikTok ads to choose from, they deserve their own section.

7. Invest in TikTok ads

If you have the resources, TikTok ads can bring a high ROI (return on investment). The TikTok Ads Manager enables you to create effective marketing campaigns. Below are some popular types of ads the TikTok Ads Manager includes.

  • In-feed native video ads blend with user content and can be up to 60 seconds long (but we recommend keeping it under 15 seconds). They pop up as a normal video in TikTok users’ regular feed. These ads are in full-screen format and often include shoppable links. 

  • TopView ads are similar, but only appear as the first video in a TikTok user’s feed when they open the app. This makes it even more likely that the user will see the ad.

  • TikTok Shop Ads can help you target relevant audiences through feed, search, and shopping center ad placements.

  • Branded lenses are an excellent budget-friendly TikTok advertising tactic. Basically, you create an AR filter with your brand visuals that TikTok users can use when creating videos. Branded lenses help build brand awareness and encourage user-generated content.

  • Brand takeover ads are the first thing users see when they open the app. These ads take over the screen and are more in-your-face than TopView ads. However, TikTok only allows one brand takeover per category per day, so it can be costly (at least $20K). That said, they are highly effective. Brand takeovers can include animations, videos, and links to online stores. 

  • Branded hashtag challenges encourage user participation and engagement, creating interest around a specific topic or product. They’re an excellent tactic for building familiarity and trust around your brand. They can also be costly (up to $150K) so probably not the first option if your brand is just starting out.

While TikTok ads cost money, they can greatly boost the visibility of your products and brand. What’s more, consumers feel a deeper connection to brands they interact with on TikTok.  41% of viewers feel increased brand trust and loyalty after seeing a TikTok ad.

Not ready to invest in TikTok ads? Our next method for promoting products on TikTok may be more for you.

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8. Leverage user generated content

If you spend time on any social media platform, you’ve probably stumbled on “TikTok Made Me Buy It” videos. Many brands blow up on TikTok when everyday users share videos raving about their products. These viral videos aren’t paid ads—they’re genuine content that spreads like wildfire, turning TikTok users into customers.

To get on the “TikTok Made Me Buy It” gravy train, create a cool hashtag or challenge to inspire your audience to share videos using your products. It’s an excellent strategy to get people talking about and trying out your products. Plus, nothing beats free advertising!

How else can you leverage user-generated content? Besides the “TikTok Made Me Buy It” videos, reposting product reviews is a great strategy. Create videos thanking your customers for taking the time to leave you stellar reviews.

Tips on creating appealing TikTok content

Before you go, below are 5 expert tips on creating viral-worthy TikTok content. Get your notepad out and jot these down.

a man sitting in a chair with a laptop

Source: TikTok

This is sort of a no-brainer, but staying relevant on TikTok means keeping up with trends. Incorporate trending sounds and popular music in your videos, and follow TikTok challenges. To find TikTok trends, go to the TikTok trends tab or type in keywords like #trendalert, #trendingsound, or #trending in the search bar.

Come up with fun ways to incorporate trends into your branded content. For example, join a fun dance challenge or lip-sync a popular song while showcasing your products.

Pro tip: Use a trending sound or popular song, but set the volume to zero. Then, add your own original audio. Now, the algorithm will still display your video when people search for that trend.

Leverage storytelling

People love stories. Whether you’re creating a product demo, a behind-the-scenes video, or a how-to guide, make your video tell a story.

Share engaging stories about your journey, products, customer experiences, or interesting industry anecdotes to evoke emotional investment. Storytelling helps build a connection with your audience, making them more likely to trust your brand and buy from you on TikTok.

Plan a livestream

If you have at least 1K followers, you can host livestreams on TikTok Live. Livestreaming is an excellent way to engage directly with your audience. Promote the live event ahead of time to build excitement and ensure viewers tune in. Offer exclusive discounts or promotions during the livestream to boost participation and sales.

Use strong visual cues and unexpected transitions

TikTok users need to be engaged almost instantly. Since 2000, the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to around 8 seconds, making those first few seconds of your video critical. 

Use text overlays, bold transitions, or unexpected actions to hook viewers right from the start and keep them engaged with your content. Mastering these techniques will make your products stand out, increasing the likelihood of driving sales on TikTok.

Do hashtags right

When posting on TikTok, it’s best to use a mix of trending and niche hashtags. Experts generally recommend using 3-5 hashtags per post. For example, let’s say your video is promoting custom t-shirts. You might use two industry-specific trending hashtags from TikTok’s Trend Discovery. Then, add two niche hashtags, like #customtshirt and #sustainablefashion. This approach helps you reach both a targeted group interested in your niche as well as a wider audience.

Make your days full of sales

Are you geared up and ready to start promoting your products on TikTok? Remember to craft content that’s binge-worthy, unforgettable, and drives action. Harness TikTok’s creator tools, influencer marketing, and TikTok ads. Most importantly, stay consistent and relevant.

To stand out even more, consider expanding your product offering. If you’re looking for white-label products to sell under your own brand without any upfront investment, partner with a print-on-demand provider. With POD, you can easily jump on trends and create timely products that resonate with your audience—no inventory management required.

As TikTok is constantly evolving, stay on the lookout for emerging trends and let your creativity shine through fresh content ideas. Embrace the ever-changing TikTok landscape and turn every day into a successful sales day!

Read next: How to Promote Your Print-on-Demand Business: 11 Free and Paid Ways

author

By Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa on Nov 14, 2024

Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa

Guest author

Zoe is a creative writer, multilingual translator, and certified yoga instructor with a passion for learning, traveling, and global cuisine. When she's not typing away at her PC, you can find her teaching yoga in the park, reading on the couch with her cat, or plunging in the Mediterranean.

Zoe is a creative writer, multilingual translator, and certified yoga instructor with a passion for learning, traveling, and global cuisine. When she's not typing away at her PC, you can find her teaching yoga in the park, reading on the couch with her cat, or plunging in the Mediterranean.