TikTok has taken the world by storm, and with its massive audience, it has become a key platform for businesses wanting to expand their reach and tap into a highly engaged market. Embracing private label selling on the TikTok Shop can give your brand the exposure it needs to thrive in the digital era. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about private label selling on the TikTok marketplace.

What is Private Label Selling?

Private label selling is a business model that involves creating and selling products under your own brand name. This is achieved by partnering with a manufacturer who produces the products for you, which you then sell under your unique brand. Private label selling allows businesses to have more control over product quality, pricing, and branding, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking to differentiate themselves from the competition. Looking to start selling private label products? Check out our guide to researching and choosing products. 

Why TikTok Shop is Important for Private Label Sellers

The TikTok Shop is an eCommerce platform within the popular social media app, TikTok. With over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide, TikTok is a goldmine for businesses seeking to connect with a highly engaged audience of potential customers.

An Audience Ready to Buy

Research shows that 43% of Gen Z start their product search on TikTok, a higher number than those who start on Google. This means that TikTok users are not only engaged but also eager to discover and purchase new products.

Content That Keeps on Giving

Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok’s algorithm has a unique ability to make content go viral, even long after it’s been posted. This means that investing in quality content for your private label brand can pay off in the long run as trends shift and your content gains traction. Tik Tok makes it easy to source content by sending samples to creators with their shop affiliate program. Creators report that videos they post with tik tok shop links get more views than videos without. 

How to Start Private Label Selling on TikTok Shop

Step 1: Create a TikTok Account for Your Business

If you haven’t already, create a TikTok account specifically for your private label business. This will help you establish a consistent brand presence across all social media platforms. Be sure to include a profile picture, a short bio, and links to your website or other social media profiles.

Step 2: Switch to a TikTok Business Account

Switching to a TikTok Business account allows you to access detailed analytics, add a link in your bio (such as your Amazon storefront), and utilize unique engagement and advertising solutions. To switch to a Business account, simply go to your account settings and select “Manage Account,” then choose the “Switch to Business Account” option.

Step 3: Create Engaging Content for Your TikTok Audience

To succeed in private label selling on TikTok, you need to create content that resonates with your target audience. Focus on creating entertaining, engaging, and informative content that showcases your products without being overly sales-y. If you don’t want to create content you can use the tik tok affiliate program to promote your products on the For You Page. 

Tips for Creating TikTok Content:

Stay on top of trends: Keep an eye on popular sounds, challenges, and hashtags that relate to your niche, and incorporate them into your content. You can use tools like TrendTok to see trending sounds. 

Be original: Put your unique spin on trending content while staying true to your brand identity.

Post consistently: Aim to post at least 1-3 times per day to increase your chances of going viral and growing your following.

Step 4: Utilize Influencer Marketing

Partnering with influencers in your niche can help you reach a larger audience and boost your brand’s credibility. Search for influencers on TikTok using relevant keywords, or use TikTok’s Creator Marketplace to find the perfect match for your private label brand. Influencer marketing often leads to user-generated content as users post products that they see their favorite influencers promoting. 

One example of this is the Patrick Ta Beauty promotional strategy for their Major Sculpt contour product, where Patrick used a collaboration with Alix Earle to educate users on how to use the product. It immediately went viral and sold out online as other tik tok users scrambled to buy it and try the unique application process for a traditional bronzer product. Many users recreated the look and bought every product used in the video. The brand created content for their tik tok page and to be promoted on the influencer’s page. 

Step 5: Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content can significantly increase your brand’s visibility and credibility. Encourage your customers to create their own videos featuring your private label products by hosting challenges, offering incentives, or featuring their content on your own TikTok account. You can also collaborate with UGC professionals to purchase content for organic and paid promotion on TikTok. 

Step 6: Advertise on TikTok

Leverage TikTok’s advertising platform to reach a broader audience and drive sales. Choose from various ad types, such as in-feed video ads, branded hashtag challenges, and more, to create effective advertising campaigns that blend seamlessly with TikTok’s organic content. You can promote your organic content or upload videos just to be ads, but remember that overly sales-y content does not do well on tik tok.

Step 7: Track and Optimize Your Performance

Monitor your TikTok account’s performance using the platform’s analytics tools, as well as any additional resources provided by TikTok’s Small Business Resource Center. Use this data to refine your content strategy, improve your advertising campaigns, and ultimately, increase your private label sales.

Success Stories of Private Label Products on TikTok

Several products have gone viral on TikTok, leading to massive increases in sales and brand awareness. To see a full list and more examples, check out the hashtag #tiktokmademebuyit Examples include:

• Cat Crack: A viral video featuring a catnip product called “Cat Crack” quickly gained over 21 million views, leading to a significant spike in sales.

• L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara: Beauty influencer, Mikayla Noguira, created content showcasing the benefits of this mascara that went viral after users thought she used fake eyelashes in the results clip. The video racked up nearly 60 million views, and sales for the mascara skyrocketed as other influencers purchased the mascara to review it and say for themselves if they thought Mikayla’s results were real. 

Private label selling on the TikTok Shop offers a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with a highly engaged audience and experience rapid growth. By creating engaging content, leveraging influencer marketing, and utilizing TikTok’s advertising platform, private label sellers can reach new heights in the ever-evolving digital marketplace. So, don’t wait any longer – start promoting your private label brand on TikTok today!