Wednesday, June 28

Today's DTC news, tips, & tools you need to know

June 28, 2023

👩🏻‍🎤 TikTok launches UGC program

📰 TL;DR - TikTok is launching a new program that will connect content creators to brands. The Creative Challenge program will allow creators to pitch their content directly to brands in hopes of getting an ad partnership deal. Basically, a brand will be able to post a challenge and then review entries to see if there are any creators they’d like to work with. It looks like there will be a pre-determined reward pool for each challenge and brands will be able to give specific criteria for participants. It’s going to be open to US TikTokers 18+ with at least 50,000 followers.

💡 Insight - The word ringing in my ears with this is UGC. This will be a way to solicit UGC from creators without having to go and pick one directly and hope for the best. You’ll have options! This is super compelling because, as we know, authenticity matters more than anything on TikTok. If a professional UGC creator can make something authentic, will these be even better? Hard to say, but definitely seems worth giving a try.

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👾 12 AR and VR examples

📰 TL;DR - Here’s a great list of 12 examples showing brands using AR and VR. AR is augmented reality, so placing digital objects into the real world, virtually. VR is virtual reality — so immersive digital experiences. For example, clothing brands are using AR to let shoppers virtually try on outfits. For VR, we’re seeing a lot of virtual stores that are interactive and shoppable.

💡 Insight - Both AR and VR only seem to be growing in popularity. For what it’s worth, I think AR has some really practical applications. Being able to see a product in AR makes it easier to picture actually holding and feeling it. For large objects like furniture, it can be a way to see how a product fits into a space before buying. Interest in AR specifically has really ramped up and we all know that the closer a customer can get to accurately visualizing an online purchase, the less likely they are to return it.

🤖 How AI is disrupting e-commerce

📰 TL;DR - Is there anything AI isn’t disrupting? AI is touching every aspect of technology and e-commerce is certainly no exception. This piece lists three areas of e-commerce in particular: go to market, optimizing your merchandise mix, and intelligent inventory management. For example, it’s easier than ever to use AI to help you get products up across multiple marketplaces quickly. Another key area is using AI to predict what’s going to sell and when, allowing you to be so much smarter with your inventory.

💡 Insight - It would be nice if this article went a little more in-depth on how to do these things. However, a quick answer is apps. Look in the Shopify app store for example. You’ll find 607 apps that include the word “AI,” including generative AI applications, SEO optimization, search apps, inventory management, shipping helpers… the list goes on. Have a look!

🛠️ Things worth checking out

🔥 CHATGPT - You want more prompts? I got more prompts! This is a list of tools for ChatGPT prompt ideas. Check it out here.

🛍️ TIKTOK - TikTok wants to be an e-commerce player, but are Western markets keen on social shopping? Get some insight here.

👋🏽 AFFILIATE - More DTC brands are investing in affiliate marketing. Why? Find out here.

 💸 MONEY, HONEY - Shoppers are very price-conscious these days plus other insights in this new shopping survey.

 🎁 GRANTS - With Pride Month coming to a close, here’s a list of grants specifically for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

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