TikTok’s soaring popularity presents a tremendous opportunity for businesses looking to amplify their brand visibility and engage global audiences. It’s no longer just a platform for catchy dance routines and lip-sync battles; it’s also for authentic brand storytelling and powerful customer engagement. If you’re looking to explore TikTok for your brand but have questions on how to get started or maximize its potential, you’re in the right place.
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions from CommentSold customers about TikTok. From setting up a business account to leveraging trends for viral success – we’ve got you covered.
Q: How do I set up a TikTok business account?
A: It’s easy to switch from a TikTok Creator Account to a TikTok Business Account:
- Log into your TikTok Account.
- Tap “Me” to go to your profile page.
- Tap the three dots at the top right corner of your profile page.
- In the Account menu, tap “Manage Account.”
- Tap “Business” under “Select Account Type.”
- Select the category that describes your account and click “Next.”
Q: Are brands actually successful on TikTok?
A: Absolutely. Many brands have found success on TikTok by understanding and embracing the platform’s unique “infinite path to purchase” customer journey, which includes discovery, consideration, purchase, review, and participation phases. Brands that post unique, meaningful, relevant content and personally answer users tend to have the most success.
Q: What’s the most important thing I should keep in mind for growing my TikTok reach?
A: Ace the first 10 minutes of your TikTok live sale. The initial moments of your TikTok live sale are crucial for attracting viewers, grabbing their attention, and converting them into customers. Here’s how to do it right:
- First 2 minutes: Introduce yourself and your business to new users. Share your passion and what sets your brand apart. Highlight why your products are worth their attention and why they should consider buying from you.
- Minutes 2 to 4: Provide a sneak peek of your products and their prices. Showcase the items you have for sale and clearly communicate their cost. This gives viewers a quick overview of what you’re offering.
- Minutes 4 to 7: Aim to secure a sale within the first 10 minutes to trigger TikTok’s algorithm, which will boost the visibility of your live stream. Emphasize budget-friendly products in the $9.99 to $15.99 range and offer instant discounts to entice purchases.
- Minutes 7 to 10: Use this prime time to highlight your signature products and unique items. Make them irresistible to potential buyers by providing exclusive discounts, particularly for first-time customers. These incentives will motivate curious viewers to take the leap and make a purchase.
Q: How do I optimize my TikTok profile for my e-commerce/retail business?
A: Your TikTok profile is your digital storefront, so it’s essential to optimize it for maximum visibility. To get the most out of your TikTok business profile-
- State your business name in your username
- Match your profile image with the branding on other channels
- Include an SEO-friendly bio with a call to action.
- If you’ve upgraded to a TikTok Business Account, the link in your bio should align with your primary business goal.
Q: How can I increase viewers on my TikTok content?
A: TikTok is a platform all about consistency and entertainment.
- Post regular content that’s entertaining and joyful.
- Experiment with videos like short connected stories, educational videos about your products, behind-the-scenes, or even scavenger hunts and special promotions.
- Be strategic with your use of hashtags, trends, and viral challenges by:
- Creating and using your own branded hashtags
- Researching popular hashtags relevant to your business and including two to three in every video you post
- Create customized filters and effects containing your brand themes, logos, or other callouts with the Branded Effects. This will help incorporate your brand into user-generated content.
- Do your research. Make sure your content is relevant and valuable.
Q: How do I engage more people with my TikTok content and content on other channels?
A: Build a community through consistent engagement. You can do this by posting regularly and by live selling on a regular schedule to build a following. Remember to:
- Respond quickly and sincerely to comments and direct messages.
- Be personable, speak authentically to your audience, and keep things casual– whether in posts or in lives.
- Create a deeper connection by going live and treating TikTok like your physical store, greeting customers as though they walked into your brick-and-mortar business.
Q: What tricks and tips can I use to go viral on TikTok?
A: First things first, you don’t have to be viral to be successful on TikTok. Regardless, virality will help you like nothing else. And to do that, you’ll have to keep an eye out for a few things:
- Keep track of trending challenges and hashtags. Users enjoy engaging with brands that take part in popular trends.
- Deeply understand your users, where they come from, and what they like. Study the demographics and their behaviours to cater to their needs.
- Get your customers involved. Happy customers posting videos about your products (which you can repost as compilations) can create an instant viral appeal. Using positive post-sale user-generated content can translate to repeat sales, referral sales, and sold-out products.
Q: How do I know what I’m doing is actually helpful? How can I track my success on TikTok?
A: Utilize TikTok’s Analytics feature. It allows you to:
- View follower and content statistics
- Learn when your audience is online
- Find out which hashtags and posts are performing best
- See how many views you’re getting
Besides, you can also use advanced analytics and reporting to keep track of your inventory and user engagement to see how well each live sale is performing.
Q: How can I boost my sales from TikTok and my other sales channels?
A: Since TikTok doesn’t have a way for customers to make direct purchases in its app, retailers can direct customers to complete their purchases via their e-commerce stores or mobile apps. Use the CommentSold platform to:
- Add a download link to your mobile app in your TikTok bio
- Add a website link in your bio to direct your users to your other sales channels
TikTok is an exciting and promising platform for brands, with the potential for great success if used strategically and authentically. It offers an opportunity to build stronger customer relationships and generate brand loyalty, which can translate to increased sales.
