Becoming a Tiktoker
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If you had told me a year ago that I would become a TikToker, I probably would have laughed. Me? Making videos? Absolutely not!
Since I started making jewelry, one piece of advice I keep hearing from my friends is: “You should start selling on TikTok!”
My immediate reaction? How exactly am I supposed to do that? I don’t even use TikTok! And if you’re suggesting that I get in front of a camera and start talking, forget it!
I truly believe there are people who are born to be in front of a camera, others who learn to become comfortable with it, and then there’s me. I don’t belong to either group!
I can write a post, find the right words to describe my creations, take photographs, and even write an entire blog about a particular subject. But videos? That’s an entirely different story.
One day, while talking to my son and daughter-in-law, they gave me exactly the same recommendation: Start posting on TikTok! They suggested sharing videos about how I make my jewelry, showing the creative process, and eventually using the platform to sell my pieces.
Apparently, everyone is on TikTok these days. People watch videos, discover products, interact with creators, and somehow, somewhere along the way, they end up buying things.
For someone like me, who didn’t even use the platform, this was completely foreign territory. But if there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I rarely say a definitive NO to something without investigating it first. So, I decided to give it a try.
First, Let’s Talk Technology. That’s My Comfort Zone! My first challenge was connecting my online jewelry catalog to TikTok. And guess what? I did it!
Thanks to Shopify, my online catalog is now connected to Google, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. My products are synchronized across all these platforms almost in real time. I have to admit, from a technology perspective, this is pretty cool! Technology has certainly changed the way small businesses can operate. I was quite proud of myself.
About two weeks ago, I was working on a new jewelry piece when an idea suddenly came to mind. What if I showed people the before and after?
Instead of appearing in front of a camera, I could simply show the transformation of materials into a finished piece of jewelry. No talking. No dancing. No uncomfortable camera appearances. Just my jewelry and the creative process behind it.
I spent some time reading about how to create TikTok videos, found the first available template that seemed appropriate, added my content, and pressed the button. Publish!
And then something completely unexpected happened. Within minutes, my video started getting views. Not just a few views. More than 900 views!, 54 likes, 11 new followers, several comments, and one conversation that almost turned into a sale! I couldn’t believe it! This is more than what I have achieved with FB and IG thru my friends in a year...!
Here I was, someone who had never imagined becoming a TikToker, watching complete strangers interact with my jewelry. If you’re curious, here’s the video that started it all:
Since that first video, I’ve created about three more posts. Have they been as successful as the first one? Not quite, but they’ve still received views and engagement, and more importantly, I’m learning something new with every post.
I’m beginning to understand that TikTok isn’t necessarily about being the most entertaining person in front of a camera. Sometimes, it’s simply about sharing something interesting, showing a transformation, or inviting people into your creative world.
Is TikTok Really Free Marketing? One of the most attractive things about TikTok is the possibility of reaching hundreds, or even thousands, of potential customers without necessarily paying for traditional advertising, that’s a wonderful opportunity.
But let’s not fool ourselves. Nothing in this world is completely free! as when the sale happens through social commerce platforms, commissions and other selling fees apply, and they are high.
So… Am I Officially a TikToker? Well, I guess I am! At least a beginner.
If you’re like me, someone who thinks social media videos are definitely not your thing, perhaps you should give it a try. You might surprise yourself. I certainly did! 😊