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I Tried To Make My First TikTok Shop Sale Within 24 Hours
Introduction
As a newbie seller on TikTok Shop, I set myself a challenge: to make my first sale within 24 hours without having the product on hand. With many influencers and marketers sharing impressive results about TikTok Shop and its affiliate program, I was eager to find out whether it was legit or just another hype like many other online money-making schemes.
Getting Started with TikTok Shop
To get started with TikTok Shop, there are several requirements to meet:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have over 5,000 followers (or as little as 1,000, depending on your location).
- Have posted a video in the last 28 days.
- Be located in eligible countries.
Fortunately, I had an old TikTok account from 2021 with about 15,000 followers and was based in the UK. This meant I was approved instantly. If you don’t meet these requirements, don’t worry—there are some workarounds:
- Business TikTok Shop Account: You can set up a business account linked to your personal account, although this carries some risks.
- Purchase a TikTok Account: Websites like Fame Swap offer US-based accounts for less than $ 100. However, do your research before buying.
- Grow Rooms: These are mutual support systems where TikTok creators help each other gain followers. While it might be a slower route, it’s safer.
My advice? Focus on growing your account organically and it will pay off in the long run.
The Countdown Begins
The clock was ticking. At 12:01 a.m. on March 28th, the 24-hour countdown started, but after sleeping until 6:30 a.m. and working until 5:00 p.m., I had only 7 hours to make a sale.
Step 1: Finding the Right Product
Instead of scrolling aimlessly through the "For You" page, I took a more strategic approach by researching competitor accounts and checking TikTok’s product marketplace for best-sellers. I also tried using a TikTok e-commerce analytics tool called KAD, but the free version didn’t yield much useful information.
After about an hour of searching, I found nothing appealing, so I pivoted to Instagram. There, I stumbled upon a two-in-one wireless car phone holder that also served as a charger. This unique feature made it stand out among countless generic phone holders. It was trending and I could leverage existing content without needing to have the product physically in hand.
Step 2: Creating Engaging Content
It was now nearly 8:00 p.m. and I had finally chosen my product. I double-checked to ensure the exact item was available on TikTok Shop since linking the wrong product could lead to an unsuccessful sale.
I decided to repurpose an unboxing video with ASMR, as these types of videos tend to captivate viewers. Using an app called Repost, I downloaded the video from Instagram and trimmed it in CapCut to keep it fast-paced and under 15 seconds—key for maintaining engagement.
By 10:20 p.m., I had uploaded my video to TikTok with an upbeat song to catch viewers' attention, and it was live!
Results and Reflection
The next morning, at 7:36 a.m. on March 29th, I checked the video's performance. To my surprise, it had over 2,000 views! However, when I checked my commissions on TikTok Shop, I saw I had earned just £2.91, with only £0.89 coming from the phone charger.
Not discouraged, I observed that multifunctional brushes were trending as well. I followed the same process of finding a repurposeable product on Instagram and created another engaging video.
While I managed to make a sale, I pondered whether TikTok Shop could be relied upon as a full-time income source. It appears that while some may hit it big with viral content, it may not offer a stable long-term income. However, it can indeed be a lucrative side hustle, potentially earning hundreds of pounds each week with minimal effort.
Keywords
- TikTok Shop
- Affiliate Program
- New Seller
- 24-Hour Challenge
- Product Research
- Content Creation
- Sales
- E-commerce
FAQ
Q: What do you need to start selling on TikTok Shop?
A: You need to be at least 18 years old, have the required number of followers, have recently posted, and be in an eligible country.
Q: Can I sell on TikTok Shop if I don’t meet the requirements?
A: Yes, you can link a business account to your personal account or purchase an existing account.
Q: How did you find a product to sell?
A: I researched trending products on competitor accounts and other social media platforms like Instagram.
Q: Can I generate sales without having the product on hand?
A: Yes, by using repurposed content or existing videos from other platforms, you can promote products without having them physically available.
Q: Is TikTok Shop a sustainable source of income?
A: While some individuals may achieve rapid sales, it is not considered a stable long-term income source. However, it can serve as a lucrative side hustle.