First there was Facebook Live, Shopee Live, YouTube Live, Instagram Live and now TikTok has finally joined the foray into the live streaming space with the launch of TikTok Live.
There’s just something special about watching someone else live stream and knowing that you’re somehow connected to them at that moment. So what makes TikTok Live different?
TikTok Live is a live streaming feature on the popular social media platform TikTok. It allows users to broadcast live videos to their followers and other users. It is growing in popularity, with 1 in 5 live streaming users watch TikTok Live.
When I first tried it, I got random live streams of people, from someone who was playing a game, from a girl saying she couldn’t sleep, from two guys filming themselves talking on the phone (WHY?), from typical girls with bunny or cat ears acting cute, to a random live camera of Hakata Station in Fukuoka, Japan (this was my favorite because there were no people).
Those who go live can earn money in the form of gifts. To buy these gifts, viewers have to buy coins to be able to afford these gifts. The idea of making quick money from these live streams is probably why there are the most random streams on the airwaves.
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of TikTok Live is the new e-commerce opportunities on the platform. Creators can now sell products directly to their viewers during live streams. During these, viewers can browse products and make purchases without leaving the TikTok app. They can also ask the creator questions about the products and get answers. Plus, it seems to be an effective way to make money. Apparently 50% of TikTok users have purchased something after watching TikTok Live.
How to join a TikTok Live
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First, create your own TikTok account
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Click the “LIVE” button at the top left to join a live stream
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Swipe up until you find something that interests you.
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You can also click Explore to see other channels to browse and enter.
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(It takes a while for the algorithm to adapt to your preferences)
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Set up payment methods if you haven’t already. You’ll pay with the linked card in your app store.
TikTok LIVE has a wide variety of content, so you’re sure to find something you like. You can browse live streams by category or search for specific keywords.
Once you’ve found a live stream that interests you, simply tap on it to join. You can watch the live stream and interact with the host and other viewers in the chat.
However, not all live streams are shopping channels. I had to swipe for a while before I found a channel with shopping options.
The interface is quite similar to Lazada and Shopee, so if you are familiar with these platforms, you will have no difficulty shopping on TikTok.
However, have you ever wondered how a product is received, especially when there are no reviews with high-quality images?
The beauty of live streams is that you can interact with the host and ask questions. This means you can get the sellers to try on the items for you, compare sizes, or even ask them about styling options.
These real-time demonstrations are a great way to learn more about a product and see how it works before you buy it. Presenters also often offer discounts and special offers to viewers during live streams, so you can save money on your purchases.
When the host promotes a product, you can tap the product to learn more about it and purchase it. TikTok Live makes it easy to purchase products without interrupting your live stream experience.
How do I make my first purchase on TikTok Live?
When you see an item you like, simply add it to your cart. If this is your first time shopping with us, the checkout page will ask you to enter your debit/credit card or choose to pay with GrabPay and then place your order. It’s that easy!
Note that TikTok offers a coupon code for your first purchase on the app, so don’t forget to add the discount before placing your order.
The seller’s profile will indicate how long it will take for the product to be shipped. The sellers I found usually stated that the delivery time was within 48 hours.
TikTok has also introduced some policies to protect its customers. One of them is a Auto-cancellation function This will automatically cancel orders and compensate buyers if sellers ship their orders late.
If you’ve purchased something and later changed your mind, you can still cancel your order as long as it’s shipped by the seller less than 1 hour after you placed it. If the product is shipped by TikTok, you can cancel it as long as the order status hasn’t changed to “Shipment – Pending pickup.”
How to shop safely on TikTok Live
If you’re thinking about shopping on TikTok Live, it’s important to stay safe, especially given the number of scams going around these days where you can even get scammed when buying mooncakes and durians.
Do your research before you buy a product. Read reviews and compare prices on other websites to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Check that the seller is reputable and verified.
Don’t make impulse purchases either. It’s easy to get carried away by the excitement of a livestream and buy something you don’t really need. You don’t have to feel pressured to buy something just because everyone else is buying it.
Beware of scammers though as TikTok LIVE allows almost anyone to go live. Check the seller’s verified or official status, their bio, look at reviews and their rating. Clicking on the seller’s profile will also reveal their contact information including the last 4 digits of a Singaporean phone number.
And as always, be careful when sharing your personal information. No seller should ask you for your personal information.
Be sure to do your research before you buy anything. And be careful when clicking on links in chat. Some of them may be spam or phishing links. If you are unsure about a link, just don’t click on it.
Should you shop on TikTok Live?
Most of the products are nothing special. I found luggage, various skincare products that look suspiciously like MLM products, perfume (how do I know these are real?), power banks, Chinese OEM products like drinking cups and stainless steel mugs that you can also find on Shopee, Lazada and Taobao, pet items like cat sofas and scratching beds, cheap looking bags… the list goes on.
The appeal of live shopping lies mainly in the personality of the creators and the discounts on items during the live stream.
As someone who tries to avoid impulse purchases – and also because we encourage people here to be smart with their money – I would say don’t buy anything on impulse.
Do your research on these products, check if the seller has an account on other platforms, take note of the prices for something you really want, and wait for special offers if you really want the product.
Enjoy safe shopping!
Do you know someone who loves shopping on live streams? Share this article with them!
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Original article: A Guide to Shopping on TikTok Live.
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