#TikTokMadeMeBuyIt — The driving force of social reviews
The hashtag #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt currently has over 4.1 billion views, establishing itself as a powerful force in social commerce. Users have been showcasing recent purchases within their passionate consumer communities, providing reviews, ideas and inspiration that drive purchasing decisions in ways traditional marketing cannot match.
The TikTokMadeMeBuyIt Social Commerce Phenomenon
The statistics around this trend are staggering: 42% of users say they're on TikTok to discover new things, and 67% say TikTok introduced them to products they had never even thought of before. This makes the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt social commerce trend a significant opportunity for brands looking to reach new audiences.
The fun, collaborative and easy atmosphere of TikTok reviews encourages users to join in on whichever trend or popular track is trending at the time with their own responses to products. Some trends like #AmazonLeggings worn by Lizzo took the app by storm, and even food trends with #FetaPasta last summer saw users make 'one-pan' dishes. Currently, #kbeauty is influencing thousands of UK consumers to try out clean and natural beauty products with millions of Korean beauty product reviews.
Perhaps most striking of all the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt social commerce statistics is that 71% of purchases after TikTok reviews were unplanned. This demonstrates the platform's extraordinary power to drive spontaneous buying decisions.
Buzzfeed even released their very own list of 'TikTok made me buy it' products they love. The article links straight to stores, making buying TikTok-inspired products easier than ever and bringing them to the attention of an even wider audience. Brands must catch on to these micro-trends within the Gen Z communities to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of social commerce.
How to Leverage the TikTokMadeMeBuyIt Trend for Your Brand
Here are our tips on how to utilise TikTok micro-trends in your brand's favour and tap into the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt social commerce phenomenon:
Product Demonstrations That Drive Engagement
The Pink Stuff cleaning products have thousands of videos of users wiping away dirt and mud from surfaces and giving tips on how to clean shoes or tough stains. Likewise, beauty products take the lead with millions of users demonstrating how they incorporate items into their beauty routines or even 'swatch' the item for a review.
Showcasing your product in use will not only encourage others to do the same but will educate your audience on how to use it and its benefits. These authentic demonstrations are the cornerstone of the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt social commerce movement, as they provide the social proof that consumers increasingly rely on for purchase decisions.
Strategic Influencer Partnerships
Gifting products has always been around, from the days of Instagram and the 00's. However, ensuring the right people with the right audience share your product in use, in a demonstration is incredibly valuable for leveraging the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt trend. Most #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt influencers earn money through affiliate commissions, but the easiest way for your brand to be showcased is by sending the relevant influencers a product to review for their thousands of followers.
When selecting influencers, look beyond follower count and focus on engagement rates and audience alignment. The most effective #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt social commerce partnerships come from authentic connections between creators and products they genuinely enjoy.
Behind-The-Scenes Content That Builds Trust
TikTok users love user-generated content that gives a glimpse into how products are made. Offering a behind-the-scenes view into how the product is made or lovingly packed is incredibly popular within the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt community. Smaller online businesses have recently begun using the trend of 'Pack an order with me' where at random they select an order number from the comments to pack live. This encourages loyal repeat customers, social interaction and even 'Open an order with me' response videos.
This transparency helps build trust and creates a deeper connection between consumers and brands, which is essential for sustained success in social commerce.
Active Community Engagement
Brands who take advantage of the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt social commerce trend should make sure they are prepared to reply in the comments and engage with the influx of customer comments or questions. Brands with witty, funny and kind responses are being praised and seen to have increased engagement from their followers.
This community management aspect is often overlooked but is crucial for maintaining momentum once a product starts gaining traction in the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt sphere. Conversations build communities, and communities drive sales.
The Future of TikTokMadeMeBuyIt Social Commerce
As TikTok continues to evolve its shopping features and more brands develop strategies specifically for the platform, we can expect the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt phenomenon to become an even more integral part of the social commerce landscape. Brands that understand and embrace this trend now will be better positioned to benefit from future developments.
By creating authentic, engaging content that resonates with TikTok's unique audience and culture, brands can harness the extraordinary power of social proof and community recommendations that have made #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt such a dominant force in consumer decision-making.