Maximize Your Holiday Sales: Get Your TikTok Shop Ready for the Big Holiday Push
If you’re wondering whether TikTok is the right place to sell your products this holiday season, consider this: TikTok’s influence on shopping behavior is undeniable, with over 75% of users reporting that they’ve discovered new brands on the platform, and over 40% saying they’ve made purchases directly through the app. During last year’s holiday season, brands saw up to a 10x increase in gross merchandise volume (GMV) on Black Friday and Cyber Monday alone.
TikTok has redefined shopping by merging the joy of discovery with ecommerce and creating a one-of-a-kind experience for both shoppers and sellers. This holiday season, TikTok is offering brands in categories like beauty, fashion, and lifestyle a unique opportunity to reach millions of engaged, deal-hunting shoppers through campaigns like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and December’s Holiday Haul. From in-app ad placements to co-funded discounts and creator partnerships, TikTok Shop makes it easy to stand out in a crowded holiday marketplace.
Let’s dive into how you can make the most of TikTok’s holiday opportunities to capture new audiences and drive sales this season.
Step 1: Register Your Products and Plan Your Inventory
Product Registration: Choose What’s Likely to Go Viral
Registering early can make a huge difference, especially when selecting products that resonate with TikTok’s unique, trend-driven culture. But how do you choose which products to showcase?
Here are some tips:
- Start with Seasonal Best-Sellers: Look at your previous seasonal sales data. Products that traditionally perform well during the holidays are a safe bet, as they already have an established demand.
- Analyze TikTok Trends: Explore TikTok’s “For You” page and hashtags related to your industry (like #BeautyTok, #FashionTok, #GiftIdeas) to see what types of products are getting traction. TikTok’s audience loves items that feel fresh, aesthetic, or offer clever solutions—think viral beauty gadgets, unique apparel items, or products with strong “before and after” appeal.
- Leverage Influencer Insights: TikTok creators often know what’s trending before the mainstream does. Partnering with influencers or simply following those in your niche can help you identify trending items with the potential to go viral. Some creators even showcase “Top Finds” or “Holiday Must-Haves” which can serve as inspiration for which products to prioritize.
- Consider the “Giftability” Factor: During the holidays, items with gift potential tend to perform well. Products that are affordable, easy to share, or that feel special (like limited editions or bundles) attract TikTok’s holiday shoppers looking for the perfect gift.
With registration deadlines for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in early November, and Holiday Haul registrations open until mid-November, ensure these top products are registered early to maximize visibility.
Inventory Planning: Prepare for Demand Surges
Once you’ve registered the right products, make sure you’re stocked up to meet demand. Many sellers see significant sales uplifts—often up to 10x or more—during holiday promotions, so having enough inventory on hand is essential. Consider your past holiday sales data, as well as TikTok’s strong potential for rapid sales spikes, to estimate stock levels. By planning early, you’ll be ready to capture as much of the holiday traffic as possible without running out of inventory.
Step 2: Engage Customers with Strategic Discounts and Deals
For budget-conscious holiday shoppers, nothing beats a great deal. TikTok Shop offers multiple co-funded discount opportunities, allowing you to attract customers with seasonal savings. However, to participate in these TikTok-funded discounts, sellers need to meet specific requirements and register their deals in advance.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Discounts
Sellers can opt into various discount tiers for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with TikTok co-funding up to 30% off select items. Here’s how to participate:
- Register Products with Discount Tiers: Sellers need to select products they want to discount and register them under specific discount tiers, like flash sales or category-specific deals, in TikTok’s Seller Center.
- Meet Discount Requirements: To qualify for co-funding, sellers must offer discounts within TikTok’s specified ranges and ensure that their promotional prices meet or exceed the minimum discount percentage required.
- Follow Registration Deadlines: Sellers must register for these discount programs by early November to be eligible for TikTok’s co-funded support during the holiday campaign period.
Flash sales and coupons work particularly well on TikTok, where users are drawn to time-sensitive, impulse-buy opportunities. These co-funded discounts can help drive quick conversions by making your products competitively priced and highly visible.
Holiday Haul (December 3–12) Discounts
During the Holiday Haul campaign, sellers can offer a 20% discount on orders over $69, with TikTok co-funding part of the discount. Here’s how to set it up:
- Register by the November Deadline: Sellers need to enroll in the Holiday Haul discount program through TikTok’s Seller Center, selecting the 20% discount tier to activate the promotion.
- Prepare Products for Discount: Ensure that your discounted items are tagged correctly and meet the “giftable” appeal, such as beauty kits, apparel bundles, or any item that makes a convenient holiday gift.
- Align with Bundle and Order Requirements: The 20% discount applies to bundled or multi-item orders over $69, so sellers should consider promoting items that work well together or highlighting “gift set” options to encourage higher cart values.
By registering for these co-funded deals and following TikTok’s discount requirements, sellers can boost their product’s visibility and attract deal-seeking holiday shoppers ready to buy. Co-funding allows the seller to split the cost of the discount with TikTok so everybody wins.
Step 3: Utilize TikTok’s Content Features to Reach New Audiences
One of the greatest advantages of TikTok Shop is its ability to make content shoppable, and this is especially powerful during the holiday season. Here’s how you can make the most of TikTok’s content features:
Short Video Challenge: TikTok’s hashtag campaigns, such as #TikTokShopBlackFriday and #TikTokShopHolidayHaul, encourages sellers to create and share short, engaging videos around campaign themes. With trending hashtags and TikTok’s algorithm at work, these videos can reach broad audiences and generate both visibility and conversions. A single video could capture hundreds or thousands of views, sparking interest and awareness for your products.
Livestream Shopping: For brands that want to go deeper, TikTok’s Livestream Championship provides another level of engagement. Hosting a livestream during peak days (December 3-12) lets you show off products in real time, answer questions, and create a more personal shopping experience. Livestream hosts that meet certain sales thresholds may even qualify for rewards like Promote coupons, further incentivizing participation.
Creator Collaborations: TikTok Shop also facilitates connections with influencers, letting brands partner with content creators to amplify their campaigns. Engaging with TikTok creators who resonate with your target audience adds authenticity and reach, helping you tap into new customer segments who value recommendations from trusted voices.
Step 4: Plan Your Marketing Timeline and Build Excitement
Timing is essential when it comes to promoting holiday deals on TikTok. A well-planned marketing timeline can build anticipation and drive traffic to your shop on the biggest shopping days of the year.
Tease Promotions Early: Use social media channels and teaser content on TikTok to get your audience excited. Short videos hinting at discounts or highlighting top products are excellent for building hype and reminding your followers to check back for deals.
Peak Days and Hashtag Use: The biggest shopping days of TikTok’s holiday campaigns align with Black Friday (November 24), Cyber Monday (November 27), and the Holiday Haul peak days (December 3-12). Posting during these times and using holiday-themed hashtags can boost your discoverability and ensure your products are surfacing when shoppers are actively looking for deals.
Use TikTok’s “Shop Tab” and Product Tags: Make sure your products are tagged correctly so they appear in the TikTok Shop tab. TikTok uses campaign-exclusive tags to spotlight registered products, which can attract extra traffic and conversions.
Step 5: Optimize for Holiday Shoppers’ Needs
To convert shoppers, your TikTok Shop should be optimized for a seamless shopping experience.
Enhance Product Listings: High-quality images, clear descriptions, and user-generated content (like reviews or videos) all contribute to trust and can increase conversion rates. Consumers want confidence in their purchases, so ensuring your product pages are optimized can make all the difference.
Plan for Efficient Fulfillment: Holiday shoppers are often under a time crunch, so ensuring efficient fulfillment and competitive shipping policies can set you apart. Leveraging TikTok Shop’s co-funded free shipping or setting up quick delivery options may help win over last-minute shoppers.
Ready to Make the Most of TikTok Shop this Holiday Season?
Setting up for TikTok’s holiday campaigns requires preparation, but the potential payoff can be substantial. By taking these steps—registering products early, offering appealing discounts, engaging through shoppable content, and planning a solid marketing timeline—you’ll be well-positioned to reach TikTok’s holiday shoppers and drive seasonal sales.
This holiday season, let TikTok Shop be more than just a platform—it can be your gateway to reaching new audiences and creating memorable, shoppable experiences. So, get started, tap into TikTok’s holiday magic, and make this season a standout for your brand.
Tinuiti is certified as a TikTok Shop Partner, making our agency a one-stop solution for brands interested in selling on the platform. Looking for more information on TikTok Shop or ready to get started? Contact us today.
You Might Be Interested In
