‘Tis the Season to TikTok Shop: Clienteling Tips for Retailers
Want to reach Gen Z shoppers this holiday season? Discover how to use TikTok to boost engagement, build loyalty, and drive sales.
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Not sure if you’ve been sleeping on TikTok, but it’s no longer just the place to perfect your Renegade dance moves. It seems like it was just yesterday that people started finding new products and purchasing them right on the social platform, and today TikTok has since morphed into a global shopping destination that’s got Amazon, Instagram, and other more traditional online ecommerce outlets shaking in their boots.
Gen Z isn’t just watching viral lip syncing videos on TikTok anymore—they’re shopping, and they’re doing it in droves. In fact, a recent report from Fiverr found that nearly 54% of Gen Z will discover their holiday gifts on TikTok alone this season. That’s right, TikTok isn’t just the land of choreographed dances and cooking fails—it’s also where Gen Z plans to do their holiday shopping.
If you’re a retailer and you’re not offering clienteling to these TikTok-savvy shoppers, you’re basically serving up a giant “L.” But here’s the good news: You can meet Gen Z where they are and give them a personalized, white-glove shopping experience right on TikTok. The key is to offer clienteling in a way that resonates with this audience—think fun, fast, and highly personalized.
Let’s explore some ways that retail brands can offer killer clienteling for Gen Z on TikTok this holiday season.
1. Lean Into Influencers and Creator Collabs
If there’s one thing Gen Z loves more than Euphoria-inspired outfits, it’s influencers. And we’re not talking about the ones who post endless #ad content that screams “I’ve never actually used this product.” Gen Z craves authenticity, and they trust influencers who feel like their internet BFFs. So, if you want to offer clienteling to Gen Z on TikTok, you better get friendly with the creators they’re already obsessed with.
Here’s how it works: Partner with influencers who vibe with your brand and have them create personalized TikTok videos showcasing your products. These influencers can highlight exclusive items, holiday collections, or even share their “top picks” for gift-giving. Then, add a layer of clienteling by having them encourage followers to comment or message with any questions about the products, sizing, or availability. Your team (or AI chatbots) can help with the conversational load.
But don’t stop there—use TikTok shop to let Gen Z seamlessly purchase right from the app. You can also offer influencer-specific promo codes or early access to special items to keep things exclusive. The goal? Make the shopping experience feel like a personalized recommendation from a friend rather than a hard sales pitch.
2. Use TikTok’s Q&A Feature for Personalized Customer Support
Gen Z doesn’t want to jump through hoops to get the answers they need. They’re used to speed and instant gratification (ahem, DoorDash and Uber Eats), and if your brand can’t keep up, they’ll ghost you without a second thought.
That’s where TikTok’s Q&A feature comes in handy. Think of it as the perfect tool for offering real-time clienteling that speaks directly to your customers. Here’s how you can use it: Post a TikTok showcasing your holiday collection, and in the caption, invite your followers to ask questions about the products. Whether it’s sizing, availability, or gift recommendations, you can reply to their questions with short, snappy video responses that give them the personalized info they’re looking for.
Want to level up your clienteling game? Assign store associates to handle the Q&A responses, giving them a human touch. A quick video from sales rep Alex answering a sizing question can go a long way in making the customer feel heard and valued. It’s like having a personal shopper, but way cooler because it’s on TikTok.
3. Create Personalized Lookbooks and Gift Guides—TikTok Style
Gen Z loves personalization. Gone are the days when a one-size-fits-all approach worked for holiday shopping. This generation wants their shopping experience to be tailored, unique, and—most importantly—scroll-worthy. One of the best ways to deliver this kind of experience on TikTok? Curated, bite-sized lookbooks and gift guides.
Instead of flooding their feeds with endless product shots, create quick, visually-appealing TikToks showcasing “Gift Ideas for Your Bestie” or “What to Wear for the Holiday Party of the Year.” Think fashion show vibes, but in 15-30 second clips. Make sure to personalize the recommendations based on common holiday shopping categories, like gifts for boyfriends, parents, or even “self-care must-haves” for the stressed-out student in your life.
The key here is to make these videos not only engaging but interactive. Use TikTok’s duet or stitch features to encourage your followers to react to your gift guides, try on the products themselves, or even ask for personalized recommendations. Then, follow up with direct messages or additional videos for one-on-one clienteling. It’s like having a digital store associate guiding them through every option—minus the awkward small talk.
Of course, if you want to control the full lookbook experience end-to-end, you can use Endear’s Shoppable Stories instead of TikTok to showcase your items via email or SMS. Not every brand has a strong TikTok presence, so this is another way to leverage lookbooks for holiday success.
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4. Host Live Shopping Events on TikTok
If there’s one thing we know about Gen Z, it’s that they are all about experiences. And your brand can give them that by hosting live shopping events on TikTok. Think of it like the modern-day version of QVC, but with less beige carpeting.
Live shopping lets you showcase your products in real-time, answer customer questions on the spot, and create an interactive, engaging experience that feels like shopping with a group of friends. You can even bring in influencers or popular TikTok creators to host these events and add some extra star power.
During the live, offer special promos, discounts, or early access to limited-edition items to create a sense of urgency. Make sure to interact with your viewers—respond to their comments, ask them questions, and make it feel like a two-way conversation. And here’s a bonus tip: Tease the live shopping event beforehand with sneak peeks, countdowns, or “mystery” items that will be revealed during the event to build hype.
5. Leverage TikTok’s Built-In Analytics for Personalized Follow-Ups
We all know Gen Z can be a bit… selective. They want personalized experiences, and they expect brands to remember their preferences (even if they’ve only bought from you once). TikTok’s analytics features can help you level up your clienteling game by giving you valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not.
Here’s how you can use TikTok’s analytics to offer personalized follow-ups: After posting a video or hosting a live shopping event, dive into your analytics to see who engaged with your content, how long they watched, and which products sparked the most interest. Then, use that data to send personalized follow-up messages to those who interacted with your posts.
For example, if a customer liked your video showcasing the latest puffer jackets, you can DM them with a quick, personalized message like, “Hey Taylor, I saw you loved our puffer jacket video—just wanted to let you know we have a few left in stock, and they’re 20% off today only. Let me know if you want me to set one aside for you!” It’s like old-school clienteling, but turbocharged with TikTok data.
6. Offer Holiday-Themed Challenges or Giveaways
If there’s one thing that gets Gen Z hyped, it’s a good ol’ challenge on TikTok. Use this to your advantage by creating holiday-themed challenges or giveaways that encourage user participation and brand engagement. Bonus points if you can tie the challenge back to your products.
For example, you could launch a “#HolidayDripChallenge” where customers create TikToks showing off their favorite winter looks—featuring your clothing, of course. Then, offer a prize to the best-dressed participant, like a gift card or exclusive item. Not only does this get your products in front of more eyes, but it also turns your customers into brand ambassadors who are spreading the word about your brand (and having fun doing it).
Once the challenge is over, use TikTok’s direct messaging feature to personally thank the participants or follow up with exclusive offers for those who joined in on the fun. It’s clienteling disguised as a TikTok challenge—genius.
If you’re not offering clienteling on TikTok this holiday season, you’re missing out on a goldmine of sales from the most connected, digital-native generation yet. Gen Z isn’t just passively shopping—they’re actively looking for brands that speak their language, make the shopping experience personal, and deliver on their desire for convenience.
This holiday season, clienteling via TikTok might be exactly what will set you apart from the competition. So, break out your best dance moves—because it’s time to get #clienteling.
More ways to boost holiday success
Learn from the best - subscribe to our clienteling newsletter now.
Latest posts in Black Friday/Cyber Monday
- Holiday Clienteling: How Retailers Can Sleigh the Holiday Season
- Black Friday Clienteling Checklist: 10 Essential Tips to Prepare for BFCM 2024
- How to Create Personalized Gift Guides that Boost Holiday Sales
- Why Your Store Associates Should Be on Live Chat this Holiday Season
- 5 Steps to Craft Response-Driven Campaigns that Increase Holiday Sales