Content creators and influencers on TikTok can soon sell their very own designed merch directly on TikTok for their fans to purchase. ‘Teespring’, a creator commerce platform is currently testing out the concept idea on around 7000 TikTok creators and will soon be able to carry out the launch!
Teespring’s CEO Chris Lamontagne revealed to The Verge how the launch will “allow creators to design their own merch products and push it directly on TikTok and then have fans be able to buy the products directly through TikTok.”
Questions about the eligibility of TikTok creators to use the feature and how the merchandise feature will appear on the platform page is still being figured out. A content creator’s Teespring merch shelf on YouTube is normally placed under the videos since the YouTube layout allows it. Chris Lamontagne told The Verge how the ultimate “goal is to essentially create a full shop functionality inside TikTok.”
According to a press release, creators will be able to create and design “from a choice of 180 different products as well as the opportunity to create bespoke products which are completely unique to them.” Merchandise normally entails T-shirts and Hoodies however, with this new launch, creators can go far and beyond with their products and make it more specialized.
Chris Lamontagne believes that based on current trends, non-apparel items will soon start outselling apparel items by this time next year. “Layering in really smart commerce opportunities is key, so it could be physical merchandise or it could be something more digital”, he says.
TikTokers currently have a few ways to monetize their popularity on the app, a few which are similar to Instagram. Working with various brands and posting sponsored content, brand deals and TikTok’s recent ‘Creator Fund’ allows influencers and content creators on TikTok to receive financial benefits from the app. With the emergence of the merchandise feature, creators on the platform can directly monetize their influence with easy accessibility!
According to Lamontagne, the goal is to “ensure that every creator who wants to sell merchandise can do so.” The feature is expected to launch sometime in September!