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How to Use TikTok for Etsy | A Beginner’s Guide

Don’t know how to use TikTok for Etsy?

Well, you’re not alone. 

TikTok seemed to spring up overnight. And what began as a social media channel for teens quickly became the hottest social media marketing channel for brands. 

What you may not realize is that your Etsy brand is ideally suited for TikTok marketing. In fact, 10% of Etsy brands state that they use TikTok to market their products. 

This article will take a look at how to use TikTok to market your Etsy products. 

What is TikTok?

person using tiktok on their smartphone

TikTok is a social media site with almost a billion monthly users spread out over 150 countries. It’s used for video sharing, where users edit the video they create and share it for any user of the platform to see. 

The power of TikTok is how often it’s used. TikTok states that the average user opens the app eight times a day and watches almost an hour of content a day. 

That’s a lot. 

So it’s not hard to see why your Etsy brand should be using TikTok to spread your name and products amongst potential new customers.

So if you want to start using TikTok for your Etsy shop, here’s how to get started:

Related: Etsy is taking some tips from the TikTok playbook… here’s what Etsy is learning about short-form video

Set up a business TikTok account for your Etsy shop 

Don’t bother with a personal account. A business account (it’s free) is a must, so you can link directly to your Etsy shop.

But before you can create your business account, you’ll need to set up a username with a personal account. Ideally, you should make your username the same as your Etsy shop name.

Once your personal account is set up, you’ll need to switch it over to a business account. In the main menu select “Manage account” and Switch to Business Account.

how to register for a tiktok business account for your etsy shop

Once you switch over to your business account, you’ll be able to select a category that describes what your business is about. This category isn’t displayed publically, and you can change it later if you ever need to.

how to use tiktok for etsy - choose a category for your tiktok business account

Now you can update all of the other important fields to start using TikTok for your Etsy shop.

At the very least, we recommend you complete these fields:

  • Profile Picture: Make this the same photo as your Etsy shop icon. It can even be the same exact file, as long as it’s not larger than 720 x 720 px.
  • Bio: This can be similar to your Etsy shop bio, but make sure it’s to the point. Let your followers know you’re a maker. Let them know what you make. And let them know where to buy it.
  • Website: This is where you should link back to your Etsy shop. You can link to a specific listing if you want to focus on selling that particular item. Or you can simple link back to your shop url.
how to use tiktok for etsy - editing your tiktok bio to match your etsy details

Creating a TikTok video for your Etsy shop

Log into TikTok, and hit the + button at the bottom of your screen. 

You’ll have to give access to your camera and microphone. If you deny access on accident, you’ll need to go into your phone settings to fix this.

You can choose to upload content from your camera roll or record your own video through TikTok. 

When using the TikTok camera, you can add effects, filters, sounds, and other eye-catching extras to make your video more appealing. This is where you can get creative to create something really original.

Pro Tip: Don’t be shy when recording your videos. Just have fun. Before anyone blew up on TikTok, they were right where you are now. Nervous about being on camera and not sure what to record. But they started, and they just kept it up until they found their stride.

So when you’re first starting out, just have fun and record yourself making your products. Everything else will begin to fall into place as you get more experience making videos and interacting with your followers.

Recording your TikTok video

how to use tiktok for etsy - recording video

All you have to do is hit record and shoot your video. Each time you let go of the record button, a new clip will be added after the last one.

Once you’re happy with your clips, hit the checkmark. From the next screen, you can edit each clip so the video flows better, or make any other adjustments you need to.

And once you like the finished video, post it for the whole world to see!

The sheer amount of TikTok editing effects gives the social media tool quite a steep learning curve. So it’s essential to play, experiment, and learn what works for you. Look at other popular videos on TikTok, try and figure out why they’re popular, and then try to work in your product to a similar type of video. 

TikTok for Etsy Best Practices

There are a few “golden rules” worth following to ensure that what you create is genuine and appeals to your audience while not overly promotional. 

Consistency – The more you post, the more you grow. Three posts a day is an excellent way to create healthy growth, but that’s a number to work up to. Don’t sacrifice quality to provide quantity.

Share on all channels – You’ll spend a reasonable amount of time creating your TikTok videos, so don’t limit yourself to that one channel. Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have been known to really like short, punchy videos, just like your TikTok content! You can also consider uploading your TikTok content to YouTube as a “short.” 

Be Genuine – You won’t get a lot of followers if your TikTok channel is nothing other than live selling. People want to know more about you and what makes you unique, so…

Be Vulnerable- Business isn’t always easy. It has its struggles, as does life itself. Of course, there’s no need to air your dirty laundry on TikTok (or any social media), but it can be a great way to show your business behind the scenes and what it takes to run one. 

Etsy TikTok video ideas

Struggling to figure out precisely what to post? Here are some go-to ideas to use when you need to create something. 

A day in the life.

Everyone likes to stick their nose where it doesn’t always belong. And that’s fine (in most cases) because many of us are naturally curious. 

TikTok is a fantastic channel to give insights to your audience that “behind the scenes” or “small business owner.” It might be something small, but if it’s interesting, it’ll spread like wildfire!

@angelsdelightsxx Another day in the life with me! 🥰💕💫 #CaliStarChallenge #smallbusiness #manifestation #manifest #smallbusiness #etsy #dayinmylife ♬ Bound 2 Slowed n Reverb by Kanye – Jxy.Creations

Address misconceptions.

You’ve no doubt heard “your product costs that much, just for that?”

This is a gross and sometimes frustrating misconception. And TikTok is a great way to address and solve this misconception – and many others!

If your product is premium and doesn’t compete on price, use TikTok to show how your product is a little extra special. Show how you create your products and why you make it the way you do. People love learning things they didn’t know they were wrong about!

Respond to comments and feedback.

Did you get a 5-star review? Use TikTok to say thanks. You’re simultaneously showing off that your product got five stars while also showing that you’re a real person who is grateful for that review. You can also use TikTok to follow up with comments from other social media channels. Answer the question on Facebook, but also answer it on TikTok!

Show off new products.

TikTok is a great channel to build a bit of hype. If you’ve got an exciting new product coming out, use TikTok to give a bit of a sneak peek. People love exclusivity, and if you’re showing your TikTok followers something that no one else is offering, they’re going to feel a little extra special. 

@mysticmetaldesign

thank you! my etsy store in linked on my profile and my website is www.mysticmetaldesign.com

♬ original sound – Daniel Davis

Order packaging.

You probably know a thing or two about the unboxing experience – the excitement that you feel when you get something new in the mail and start to unwrap it and use it for the first time. The reverse process – the boxing process – is oddly satisfying for many and makes for great TikTok content. 

Show you’re different. 

How do you go above and beyond? With the materials you use? Or the charities you donate to? Is it the extra attention to detail that you put into your products? TikTok viewers love content like that, so create it and share it!

Show the creation of your products.

From start to finish, use TikTok to showcase your process to create your products. “Watch me make” videos are very popular, especially if it’s just close-up details of the actions you’re taking, rather than a voice-over, step-by-step process.

@nickscustomwoodworks How to build a hollow mantle #diy #howto #learnontiktok #woodworkingtips ♬ original sound – morganwallen

Conclusion

TikTok is a social media channel that took off incredibly quickly and is here to stay.

It can help get your product to younger audiences who are more inclined to buy products made with care and last a while over products produced en-mass. Spend some time implementing the TikTok tips for Etsy that you’ve seen here, and you’ll see the benefits in terms of traffic and sales!


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