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TikTok Live Shopping: Instantly Sell Your Apparel on Live Stream
Whether you’re a TikTokker or not, you can’t deny that everyone is talking about the video-fueled platform. In March 2023, there were over 150 million Americans on the TikTok app. (Yes, Americans—that number doesn’t include the global audience!)
Before you write off TikTok as just another social media platform, we want to introduce you to a game-changing feature that’s taking the apparel industry by storm: TikTok live shopping.
50% of TikTok live viewers have bought something from a stream. That’s a huge opportunity for apparel brands to instantly sell limited-edition items to an engaged and enthusiastic audience.
So, why does selling apparel in real-time on TikTok work so well? When you think about it, it’s not that surprising.
Modern consumers crave instant gratification. For example:
- Due to the rise of fast fashion, shoppers want to get their hands on trendy items as soon as possible.
- According to recent data from Statista, 41% of shoppers worldwide expect their online purchases to arrive within 24 hours.
- “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services have also fueled the “I need it now!” culture.
With TikTok live shopping, consumers can purchase an item they see on a live stream at that exact moment. That’s instant gratification at its finest.
Today, we’re going to dive into why you should use TikTok live shopping to sell your own garments—and we’ll give you a few quick tips on how to use the feature for optimal results!
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What is TikTok Live Shopping?
Live shopping is a groundbreaking approach to TikTok Live that’s turning the retail world upside down. It provides a real-time, interactive shopping experience that captivates audiences, allowing brands to sell their products instantly during a live stream.
Talk to Your Customers in Real-Time
As a brand on TikTok Live, you’ll enjoy the unique opportunity to interact with your customers instantly.
Need to showcase a product up close? Your customers can ask for it in real time.
Want to answer their burning questions on the spot? They can ask them right then and there.
This level of communication helps you build a robust bond with your customers, cultivating trust and loyalty.
Access a Global Market
Remember, TikTok isn’t just a local platform—it’s a global one. By using live shopping, you’re not just reaching out to your local customers—you’re connecting with a global audience. It’s a fantastic opportunity for you, as a brand, to extend your reach and penetrate new markets.
Boost Your Brand Visibility
Here’s the good news: TikTok’s algorithm is on your side. It’s designed to expose new content to users and often promotes live streams to an audience wider than your current follower base. This can effectively elevate your brand’s visibility, draw in new customers, and encourage repeat business. So, plan to make the most of this visibility boost!
The Power of Gen Z: TikTok’s Primary Users
Gen Z, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, is the first generation to grow up in a fully digital world. Instead of traditional media, they consume content on social media platforms like TikTok.
In 2021, a Bloomberg report projected that Gen-Z holds over $360 billion in disposable income. This generation is known for its love of unscripted, real-time content—a perfect match for the live shopping experience.
As digital natives, they know what’s authentic and what’s not. To appeal to this audience, you must create genuine, interactive content that reflects your brand’s values.
They’re active users of TikTok, using the platform not just for entertainment but also for information, inspiration, and you guessed it—shopping.
TikTok as a Shopping Hub
For Gen-Z, TikTok serves as a personalized shopping hub. These digital natives use TikTok as a search engine for discovering the latest trends, evaluating products, and making informed purchasing decisions.
The hashtag #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt currently has over 79.8 billion video views. This is the ultimate user-generated content (UGC) hashtag in which users share items they were “influenced” to buy after watching content on TikTok.
So, how do users find items they absolutely must have? TikTok’s “For You” algorithm curates a feed of content tailored to their individual preferences, effectively pushing product recommendations to each user.
It’s not uncommon for a Gen Z TikTok user to stumble upon a product review or a brand’s live shopping event in their feed, get hooked, and eventually make a purchase. (That could happen for your brand!)
What sets TikTok apart from traditional online marketplaces is the authenticity of its content. Gen Z values genuine interactions and recommendations, and TikTok’s user-generated content delivers just that. TikTok has ingeniously transformed passive scrolling into an immersive shopping journey.
Exploring the Strategic Value of TikTok Live For Apparel Brands
Live shopping on TikTok has shaken up the retail scene in a thrilling way, especially for apparel brands. This platform has transformed into a bustling marketplace where you can put your products on display and watch them fly off the virtual shelves instantly.
But to tap into the full potential of live shopping, you need to play your cards right. If you understand your audience and strategize correctly, this platform can be an instrumental tool in lifting your brand, boosting sales, and creating enduring bonds with your customers. Let’s dive into how TikTok live shopping can be a game-changer for your apparel brand.
Unveiling Limited-Edition Collections
TikTok live is a brilliant stage for you to introduce your fresh, limited-edition collections. A live reveal creates a thrill and anticipation among viewers, often leading to on-the-spot purchases driven by the scarcity and exclusivity of the items.
Increasing Brand Loyalty Through Engagement
The interactive nature of TikTok live shopping enables you to converse directly with your customers, nurturing stronger relationships and building loyalty to your brand.
By responding to questions and meeting your audience’s needs in real time, you demonstrate that your brand cherishes their opinions and satisfaction.
Exclusive Offers and Discounts
Proposing exclusive discounts during your live shopping events is another potent strategy to surge sales and viewer engagement. These time-bound offers encourage viewers to buy immediately and return to your live streams for more deals.
Continuous Learning Through Audience Feedback
TikTok live shopping presents an invaluable chance to obtain real-time feedback. By paying attention to your audience’s comments, you can modify your strategies and products to better meet their preferences and needs. This is also a great opportunity to show how customer-centric and responsive you are!
BONUS: Enhanced Shopping Experience with AR Try-Ons
Although this isn’t directly a TikTok live stream strategy, augmented reality (AR) try-ons can be a powerful tool to enhance the shopping experience for your customers.
AR try-ons allow viewers to virtually try on items, giving them a realistic preview of your products and leading to more confident buying decisions. On your live stream, you can let your viewers know that they can try on your garment in real-time using the AR feature to see how it looks on them.
You can use TikTok Effect House to create AR clothing representations of your garments.
Tips for Successful Live Streams: Enhancing Your TikTok Livestreams
Your goal should be to create an engaging, interactive, and exciting shopping atmosphere for your followers. Here are some strategies that will help you set the stage for success:
Preparation is Key
Preparation is crucial to ensure a successful live stream.
For example, you’ll want to:
- Plan the products you will showcase
- Create a script or outline
- Rehearse your presentation
- Set up all necessary equipment and tech requirements
Remember, professionalism and smooth execution can significantly enhance viewer engagement and sales—but don’t be robotic! Incorporate your brand’s personality and be personable.
Leverage Influencer Partnerships
Collaborating with influencers who align with your brand can help you reach a wider audience and increase the trust factor. Influencers can co-host your live shopping streams, showcase your products, and interact with viewers, adding authenticity and reliability.
Optimize for Mobile Viewing
Since TikTok content is consumed primarily on mobile devices, make sure your live stream is optimized for mobile viewing. This means ensuring all visual elements are clear and visible on smaller screens, and the audio quality is excellent.
Offer Quick Shipping and Easy Returns
Fast shipping and hassle-free return policies can influence purchasing decisions. Make sure to communicate these benefits during the live stream. This builds customer trust and encourages impulse buying.
Promote Your Live Stream
Don’t forget to promote your live event ahead of time on all your social platforms. This builds anticipation and ensures a larger viewership when you go live.
One easy way to do this is to add the upcoming live stream info to your TikTok bio so profile viewers can see when your next live stream is scheduled. You could also consider releasing teaser content or countdown posts to increase excitement.
There’s a World of Opportunity on TikTok!
The e-commerce landscape is ever-evolving, and TikTok live shopping is one of the latest revolutionary trends sweeping the retail world. It creates a unique, immersive shopping experience that builds deeper connections between your brand and customers.
This innovative platform allows you to unveil new products, interact directly with customers, and instantly sell limited-edition items in an exciting, real-time environment.
If you follow the tips we just shared, you’ll be able to embrace this opportunity and set your brand up for success in the ever-growing digital marketplace.
Sell Out Your Next Launch with Scrappy Apparel!
At Scrappy Apparel, we understand the complexities that come with scaling an apparel brand. From production to supply chain management, there are many facets that demand your attention.
However, the reality is that you can’t do it all—and that’s why we created our apparel solutions.
We offer end-to-end manufacturing and robust e-commerce solutions that streamline your logistics and supply chain processes, freeing up your time to focus on core business tasks.
We’re more than just a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. With our 3PL MGMT program, we go above and beyond to offer 4PL and 5PL solutions designed for your growing needs.
As your apparel brand matures, your operations will become more intricate—more suppliers, larger inventories, and broader distribution networks.
Our advanced solutions are designed to manage these increased complexities, ensuring your supply chain remains streamlined and efficient.
We offer more than just operational support—we work alongside you as a strategic logistics partner, aligning our operations with your business goals.
With us handling the heavy lifting, you can redirect your focus to areas where your expertise truly lies—designing apparel and marketing your products.
Ready to Take Your Brand to the Next Level?
Our 3PL MGMT program leverages our expertise to manage your production supply chain and integrate with 3PL warehouses, providing end-to-end support designed to align with the growing demands of your brand.
From one-time campaigns to eCommerce and retail fulfillment, our aim is to help your brand grow in an increasingly competitive apparel market.
Partner with us today, and let’s make your brand reach its full potential!
