Books were Amazon’s first hit, and they’re still flying off the shelves. But now, it’s TikTok’s turn. Ready to sell where readers actually hang out? This guide shows you how to turn TikTok views into book sales with 7 proven steps to boost visibility, build trust, and own the TikTok Shop game.
Just keep in mind, TikTok Shop supports only physical products, so if you’re selling digital books, you’ll need to offer printed versions. Master TikTok marketing for your book sales together with M2E.
Book Selling in eCommerce: Key Data & Trends (2025)
The global book market is steadily growing and is expected to reach $132.25 billion by 2033. North America and Europe remain the top regions by sales volume, driven by high literacy rates, digital adoption, and consistent demand for both print and digital formats. Today, the Asia-Pacific region shows the fastest growth, with India and Mexico standing out. Their book markets grew by 7.1% and 11.4%, respectively, in 2023.
Key trends include the rapid rise of audiobooks (up to +35% annually), the growing influence of social media (especially TikTok and the BookTok phenomenon), and the expansion of self-publishing through digital platforms. These shifts open new opportunities for authors and publishers worldwide, especially those aiming to reach a global audience.
TikTok Shop insights:
- 55% of TikTok users have purchased after seeing a product on the app, a strong signal that book content can effectively drive sales.
- Nearly half of users have bought something during a TikTok Live, making live sessions ideal for book launches, Q&As, or real-time author-reader engagement.
- 58% use TikTok to find shopping inspiration, and 48% research products on the app, perfect for sharing book reviews, snippets, or themed content tied to your niche.
- 45% of users are influenced by paid creator recommendations, showing that BookTok collaborations can lead directly to purchases.
- TikTok aims to hit $20 billion in Shop sales in 2025, up from $4.4 billion, opening significant opportunities for indie authors and publishers.
- With over $2.5 billion in global consumer spending, and 49% of users saying TikTok helped them decide what to buy, the app is now a major discovery engine for online shoppers.
Given the explosive growth of the online book market and TikTok’s rising influence as a shopping destination, the connection is clear: books are in demand, and TikTok Shop is where today’s buyers are browsing. With readers actively engaging on the platform and increasing content-driven purchases, there’s never been a better time for authors and sellers to bring their books to TikTok Shop.
How much does it cost to sell books with TikTok Shop?
Please note: the listed fees are accurate as of May 21, 2025. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, we recommend visiting the official website of each marketplace.
| Platform | Commission/Referral fees | Other fees |
| TikTok Shop | 7.02% | 3.78% |
| Amazon | 15% | $1.80 closing fee per book + $0.99/item or $39.99/month |
| eBay | 15.3% (up to $7,500) | 2.35% over $7,500 + $0.35 per listing after 250 |
How to Sell Books on TikTok Shop with M2E Cloud
Already have a store on Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Ecwid? It’s great news that you can easily connect it to TikTok Shop and start selling your books where your readers are already scrolling. You’ll need a powerful integration tool like the TikTok Shop Integration by M2E Cloud to do that.
Let’s look at what this integration can do for you and why it’s a game-changer for authors and sellers.
List your books effortlessly
Got a large book catalog? M2E Cloud lets you manage it all in bulk, with no manual uploads needed. Easily sync your entire inventory with TikTok Shop, map categories in a few clicks, and get your listings in front of readers fast. It’s scalable, simple, and built for high-volume sellers.
Keep your TikTok listings updated automatically
Set flexible rules, not just standard syncs. With M2E Cloud, you can easily set different prices for TikTok Shop and your store, track stock in real time, and instantly reflect sold items. The system also checks that your listings meet TikTok’s requirements, including GPSR compliance if you’re selling in Europe, so your books get listed without delays or manual tweaks.
Manage TikTok orders in one place
When someone buys your book on TikTok Shop, M2E Cloud imports the order directly into your system. You can fulfill and ship everything from your main dashboard while keeping order statuses and tracking info consistent between platforms.
Reach more readers worldwide
With millions of active users on TikTok, your next loyal reader could be one scroll away. The M2E TikTok Shop Connector helps you get your books in front of the right audience, boosting visibility, engagement, and conversions across borders.
And remember that you can track your selling performance with M2E Analytics. Read more about The Best 13 TikTok Shop Analytics Tools.
Discover our documentation to learn how to set up your account, connect the integration, and start selling on TikTok Shop.
7 Steps of Selling Books on TikTok Shop
Ready to turn scrolls into sales? Here are 7 powerful steps to help you start selling books on TikTok Shop and grow your reader base fast.
Meanwhile, if you are selling books on Amazon, remember to check out our blog – How to Sell Books on Amazon 2025.
Still, keep in mind that TikTok Shop doesn’t officially support the sale of digital products like eBooks, templates, online courses, or digital art. The platform is built for physical goods that can be shipped to customers and lacks the infrastructure to handle digital downloads, licenses, or access codes. Sellers looking to offer digital content will need to explore alternative methods or convert their products into physical formats to meet TikTok Shop’s requirements.
Step 1: Understand TikTok’s Unique Power
TikTok isn’t a platform built around popularity; it’s built around engagement. The algorithm doesn’t favor accounts with huge followings. Instead, it pushes content that captures attention, keeps viewers watching, and sparks interaction. That means even creators with zero followers can go viral if their content resonates.
Many debut authors have seen their videos explode in reach within hours, simply because the idea or storytelling stood out. A well-timed post with a strong hook can hit hundreds of thousands of views even if the account was just created. This makes TikTok a powerful launchpad for first-time writers and small publishers looking to break through without a traditional marketing budget.
TikTok gives every post a chance. It tests videos with small groups first, and if engagement is high, likes, comments, shares, or rewatches, it rapidly expands reach. For book promotions, a single video can introduce an unknown title to a massive audience.
On TikTok, anyone can be discovered not because of who they are, but because of what they share.
Step 2: Hook in the First Second
TikTok is fast-paced, and so are its users. With endless content at their fingertips, viewers decide in a split second whether to keep watching or scroll past. That’s why the first second of any video is critical. There’s no time for slow intros or background context. A video must grab attention immediately with something unexpected, bold, or emotionally charged.
Whether it’s a surprising statement, a clever punchline, or a striking visual, the opening moment should stop the scroll. For book content, this could be a dramatic reading line, a relatable confession, or a bold teaser like “This scene got my book banned from school libraries.”
Pacing also plays a key role. TikTok rewards videos that feel natural but move quickly. Every second should serve a purpose; there’s no room for filler. For authors, that means getting to the point fast, maintaining energy, and delivering value or intrigue immediately.
The goal is to hook in one second and hold for thirty. That’s the sweet spot for going viral.
Step 3: Use Titles That Spark Curiosity
Most creators skip titles, but they’re powerful. Start with a face-to-camera shot and add a bold, readable title. Viewers read faster than you can speak, so it grabs attention instantly.
Try:
- “This Chapter Changed My Marriage”;
- “Things I Wish I Knew Before Therapy”;
- “Why I Wrote That Scene (And Regret It)”.
Titles invite binge-watching. Just make sure you deliver.
Step 4: Build a Series, Not Just a Video
TikTok thrives on series, not standalones.
Plan ahead: turn your essay or book topics into digestible video chapters. Example:
- “Things I Never Said Out Loud – Part 1”;
- “How My Past Still Shows Up Today”;
- “Stories I Only Tell in Writing – Part 1”.
When one part takes off, the others follow. And so do your book links.
Step 5: Hashtags = Targeted Exposure
Hashtags on TikTok aren’t just for categorizing con; they’re a tool for strategic discovery. Instead of relying on broad, overused tags like #booktok or #authors, they should focus on hashtags that align with their target audience’s interests and behaviors.
Try:
- #mykonmari – Reaches women 25–55 who love order (aka, your nonfiction readers);
- #marriagegoals – Sappy tag, but leads couples to discover serious relationship content;
- #intimacytips, #nfp, #enm – Niche, loyal, and curious audiences.
Use 3–5 intentional hashtags per video. Treat them like magnets, not labels.
The key is to meet the audience where they are. Thoughtfully chosen hashtags help surface book content in unexpected but relevant spaces, widening reach and attracting curious viewers who may not even know they want to read until they do.
Step 6: Build Trust Before Selling
TikTok thrives on connection, not hard sales. It’s not a traditional ad platform; it’s a space where users come to be entertained, inspired, and understood. That’s why direct sales pitches rarely work. People don’t buy from brands they don’t know, but from creators they relate to and trust.
Instead of leading with “Buy my book,” focus on creating genuine content, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, relatable stories, or insights that spark curiosity. Let viewers get to know the person behind the book. As trust builds through consistent, engaging videos, users are far more likely to explore your profile, and by the time they click your link, they’re not just a casual viewer. They’re potential fans.
For creators ready to deepen engagement beyond TikTok videos, Orbofi offers a way to bring your content universe to life. Imagine pairing your TikTok storytelling with AI companions styled as characters from your book or even in the tone of beloved authors like Agatha Christie or George Orwell. These companions can live in digital spaces where readers interact, ask questions, and unlock exclusive lore or content. It’s a natural extension of the connection built on TikTok, turning short-form video engagement into an immersive, ongoing relationship with your audience.
Step 7: Link It All Together with TikTok Shop
Once your videos are getting views and engagement, set up your TikTok Shop:
- Upload your book as a product.
- Link it to your bio or pin a video featuring it.
- Use TikTok Shopping tags in your content (if available in your region).
When someone clicks after watching your content, they don’t just meet the author; they buy the book.
FAQs About How to Start a TikTok Shop
How to Open Your TikTok Shop?
Begin by switching to a TikTok Business account. Navigate to the Commerce section and select the option to open your Shop. From there, follow the guided setup to upload your products, choose payment methods, and personalize your storefront layout. Already have an existing store? Use the M2E app to sync your listings directly to TikTok Shop; no need to start from scratch.
How to Add Shopify Products to TikTok Shop?
Although TikTok Shop doesn’t offer built-in integration with Shopify, you can connect the two using a third-party solution like M2E Shopify Connect. This tool lets you list your Shopify products on TikTok Shop, sync inventory in real time, and ensure accurate product data across both platforms while reaching a broader U.S. audience.
How Do You Import Products from Shopify to TikTok Shop?
To simplify the transfer, use an integration tool like M2E Multichannel Connect. After installing the app, link both your Shopify and TikTok Shop accounts. Choose the products you’d like to list, and the tool will help you adjust settings to match TikTok Shop’s guidelines. Your items will be synced and published automatically, so no manual uploads are required.
Final Words
If Instagram is a curated photo gallery, TikTok is a late-night house party full of wit, chaos, and depth. Your book deserves to be part of that conversation.
TikTok Shop gives you the tools. TikTok itself provides you with the crowd. All you need is a good story and a strong first sentence.
Ready to sell more books? Get your phone. Start recording. And remember: virality isn’t the goal, connection is.
2 comments
How do we fulfil book orders. Is there any Print on Demand platform that can handle the printing and fulfilment
TikTok Shop doesn’t offer built-in printing or fulfillment, so you’ll need to use a third-party service.
If you’re selling books and want to fulfill orders using Print on Demand, platforms like Lulu Direct, BookBaby, IngramSpark or Acutrack can help. They handle printing, packaging, and shipping to your customers once an order is placed.
Some of these platforms also integrate with major e-commerce systems, like Shopify, WooCommerce, etc. You can then connect your system to TikTok Shop using M2E Cloud.