Four TikTok updates you should know about
TikTok, the wildly popular video app that skyrocketed in downloads during March 2020, is certainly here to stay in your target customers’ daily social media line up. If you own and operate a small business, it is almost imperative that you connect with followers on the platform as often as possible and learn to navigate its unique features. According to an article in TechCrunch, TikTok is launching some new tools you can get on the ground floor with. Here’s what to look out for on the app:
Shopping feed: A dedicated “Shop” feed is being tested in Indonesia right now, comparable to Instagram’s in-app shopping experience. Items available for purchase will be sectioned into categories such as clothing, electronics, accessories, beauty, office and more and allows merchants to create a hub for interested consumers. The tab will include perks, such as free shipping on select items, as well as a cart and several merchant features. Moving forward, this section will likely encourage brands to use the application with a more direct profit in mind.
I-commerce: According to an article in The Drum, social media as a whole has 4.62 million users worldwide — it is predicted that what used to be “f-commerce,” commercialization of a friend-based social network, will be surpassed by “i-commerce,” commercialization of influence. Influencers will continue to play a large role in the social universe in getting users to buy products backed by specific brands. In your small business outreach efforts, it will be increasingly important to reach out to micro and macro influencers.
Consumer packaged goods: Although beauty and fashion brands take up a significant amount of space on TikTok, CPG (consumer packaged goods) companies have been predicted to rise across social platforms. Since these products are often replenished and necessary to the consumers’ life — food, beverages and cleaning products — there is a vital market for them, and if promoted the right way, could lead to years-long devotion to the brand.
Augmented reality: According to Snapchat data, 51% of Gen Z are more likely to respond to an advertisement if it utilizes augmented reality. By utilizing this technology, brands will showcase the ways that their product could be used, whether on the body, in the home or at the office. In turn, users will form an affinity with whatever it is they’re looking at, since they will have seen a realistic portrayal of how it could actually fit into their life.