Lingkun Z.’s Post

Your decisions that will impact millions. Many people emphasize "impact." But I really relate with the "your decisions." The ownership opportunity, level of support and trust I have experienced in the last 3+ years at Bytedance has truly been nothing short of what professional development should look like. Supportive and humble leaders? Check. Interesting and challenging problems? Check. Supportive Team members? Check. And a lot of people ask me, how's WLB? Check. Strict user protection (especially minors)? Check. Competitive comp and benefits? Check. Fits my WLB Needs as a mom of 2? Check.

I joined TikTok's monetization team in 2020 and recently just left. It was one of the most intense and productive learning experiences of my career. Here are 5 key business takeaways from my time there:   #1 Sales is Everything In fast-growing companies, sales teams play a pivotal role, especially in the early stages. They connect directly with customers, gaining insights and feedback that fuel product development. This approach helps companies move quickly and capture market share, especially in new sectors.   #2 Partnerships Build Strong Platforms Partnerships are crucial in scaling any business. Successful platforms know how to creatively structure deals and integrate with existing industry infrastructure. Building strong alliances, especially in established fields (like advertising) can be the key to rapid growth. Developing a network of partners who can help expand reach and influence is often as important as the core product.   #3 Great Platforms Create Opportunities for Others Top platforms, like Airbnb, Amazon, and the App Store, have one thing in common: they serve as ecosystems where other businesses can thrive. TikTok flourished as a platform by helping creators, brands, and agencies drive their own success, fostering a community where everyone can thrive. This synergy is central to building a platform that scales sustainably.   #4 Iterate and Fail Fast on Multiple Ideas In high-growth environments, companies need to continually test and iterate to find the best product-market fit. Rather than taking a linear approach, successful companies experiment with multiple solutions in parallel, seeing what resonates and scaling up what works. This "fail fast" mentality is invaluable for achieving speed and innovation.   #5 Embrace a Global Perspective One of the most rewarding aspects of working at TikTok was collaborating with a truly global team, often coordinating across five time zones. Operating globally required us to understand and adapt to diverse local nuances. It was a daily reminder that TikTok was a global phenomenon and that the spirit of innovation, which rooted itself in Silicon Valley, had been adopted globally.   As a treat, check out the first TikTok I made in 2020 as a part of onboarding! 😂

📍  Nobody cares about your LinkedIn headline no one, especially if you are  IMEX Amazon I'm ex, Meta, I'm ex Google I'm ex Shopee. I'm sure you have seen those BIG Brand Headlines, right. Well, let me tell you, I don't care. And I believe many others with me. Don't care either. But Hey it's okay.  That you want to name drop. But I believe you should pair that with your results because just the name by itself, it's not doing anything. Just imagine at Meta alone,67,000 people working. In Amazon. There's 1.6 million people working. That's almost as big as a country 𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜'𝗺 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱. Do you want that? You know, or you're communicating that you like to hide your real skillsets behind the brick brand name. Or you like to communicate, especially with me that you are a fractional specialist and don't get me wrong. That's great. But don't just say Ex Shopee EX Amazon Ex Meta. • you're telling me that you love a big payday • a big bonus and a share option plan. • that you love governance, that you're adult in it for the hustle. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝘆. 𝗢𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, I really love to work with people who are coming from these big companies, because they are aware of the processes. So I believe that if you want to stand out, then pair your big brand name with a result. Take as an example, if you working • at Google, you say I launched Gemini at Google. • Worked at Meta and you were involved in creating the Thumbs up button, • You're saying I grew SHOPEE with 120% users year on year.      Here you have it, right. You still bragging, but you're putting your achievements there, which means that you are a rockstar having an amazing day.      What are your view points on these BIG Linkedin Headlines

Balancing Work and Passion: My Journey into TikTok Commerce 🚀 🌟 Exploring New Avenues Alongside My Work Journey! 🌟 While continuing my professional role, I’ve recently stepped into the exciting world of social commerce by managing a TikTok Shop. 🎥🛍️ It’s been an incredible learning experience—balancing creativity with analytics, understanding customer needs, and exploring innovative ways to showcase products. Here’s what I’ve discovered so far: ✅ TikTok is more than entertainment; it’s a thriving business platform. ✅ Managing time effectively is the key to balancing multiple responsibilities. ✅ Every challenge brings an opportunity to grow! Grateful for the support and insights I’ve gained from both my job and this new venture. Looking forward to learning even more and seeing where this journey takes me. 🚀 #ProfessionalGrowth #TikTokShop #ECommerceJourney #BalancingAct #LearningEveryDay

$14,512 in TikTok Sales – November Success Story! November was a game-changing month for our TikTok Shop in the USA! We hit $14,512 in sales with an impressive ROI of 58%. Here’s a quick breakdown of the strategies that made it happen organically: ✅ Flash Deals: Ran 2-4 hour flash sales daily, creating urgency and driving quick conversions. ✅ Promo Codes & Coupons: Offered exclusive discounts to incentivize purchases. ✅ Free Samples: We sent free samples to creators, which led to a couple of viral videos that boosted sales. (Let me know in the comments—how many free samples do you think we sent to creators?) ✅ GMV Max Campaigns: Leveraged TikTok’s campaign tools to boost visibility and drive revenue growth. ✅ Testing Spark Ads: Spark ads didn’t perform as expected this time, but we’re refining our strategies to test again next month! TikTok Shop has proven to be a game-changer for organic eCommerce growth. Viral content, smart campaigns, and community engagement are the keys to success! 📩 Want to know more or collaborate? DM now to learn more about our strategies or explore partnership opportunities! Also, we’re hiring interns! If you’re interested, DM us now for more details. #TikTokShop #eCommerce #OrganicMarketing #SalesGrowth #SocialCommerce #DigitalMarketing

The Hard Truth: Why Unrealistic Expectations Are Setting Your Brand Up for Failure In my marketing career, which kicked off at Meta in 2019, I quickly learned how eager brands were to slap a hard number on key KPIs—often before they even laid a solid foundation. The reality? When your expectations are sky-high but your budget is modest, you're setting yourself up for failure. According to the Content Marketing Institute, 86% of B2B marketers attribute their success to consistent content distribution. Yet, many brands overlook this in their rush to see immediate returns. The truth is, building connections with your audience, delivering value that builds trust, and enhancing credibility takes time and effort. Early in my career, I realized the importance of playing the long game. Rather than being a yes man, I became the voice of reason. I'd tell decision-makers, "Here’s what you need to start with." It was about being realistic and strategic—understanding that growth doesn’t happen overnight but through steady, calculated steps. It wasn’t what high level executives liked hearing but it’s the point in which starting now is better off than never starting at all. If you’re looking to elevate your brand, be prepared to invest in more than just ad spend. Focus on content distribution, relationship-building, and delivering consistent value. This is the path that will ultimately yield those impressive KPIs you’re after. #marketing #linkedin

*The Amazon-TikTok Collaboration: A Powerful Collaboration* 💪🏻 🌟 The Amazon-TikTok collaboration has the potential to be a game-changer in the e-commerce landscape. Let's explore the benefits for both sellers and buyers.🕵️♂️ *Benefits for Sellers:* 📈 *Increased Visibility:* By integrating with TikTok, sellers can reach a massive audience of potential customers who are already active on the platform. This increased visibility can significantly boost sales. 🎥 *Enhanced Customer Engagement:* TikTok offers a unique opportunity for sellers to engage with customers through short-form videos, challenges, and other interactive content. This can help build brand awareness and loyalty. 🛒 *Simplified Sales Process:* The direct purchase option within TikTok streamlines the buying process for customers, potentially leading to higher conversion rates. *Benefits for Buyers:* 🛍️ *Seamless Shopping* Experience: The integration eliminates the need to switch between apps or websites, providing a more convenient and efficient shopping experience. 🔍 *Discover New Products* : TikTok's algorithm can introduce buyers to new products and brands that they might not have otherwise encountered. 👥 *Leverage TikTok's Community* 📣: Buyers can benefit from the insights and recommendations of TikTok's active community, helping them make informed purchase decisions. #tiktok #tiktokamazon #amazoncollaboration #tiktokers #tiktokshop #tiktokshopee #tiktokshopping #amazonadvertising #amazongrowth #amazonfba #amazon #amazonppc #amazonupdates #amazonnews #AmazonSale

Amazon x TikTok I'm thrilled about the groundbreaking partnership between BuyWithPrime and TikTok 🎉 In a landscape where TikTok is rapidly becoming the go-to platform for brand discovery, it's clear that this collaboration is a game changer. Did you know that a significant percentage of users on TikTok are engaging with brands for the first time? This platform is not just about entertainment—it's where brands can make their mark with a new generation of consumers. Here are some key points to consider: 🔹 Integration Power: The new BuyWitPrime feature showcases the Prime logo directly on TikTok ads, providing a seamless experience for users to discover and shop for products instantly. 🔹 Low Attention Span: With TikTok's notoriously brief content, grabbing attention is crucial. Engaging ads can prompt immediate action, allowing users to improve their lifestyle or health with just a few clicks. 🔹 Creative Opportunities: Vertical video content is set to take center stage in creative development. The potential for brands to innovate and stand out is immense! 🔹 Act Now: Early adopters of this integration will reap the most benefits. As competition heats up, CPMs are likely to rise. Now is the time to jump in! Remember, your ads don’t need to be perfect. Authentic, engaging content can be incredibly effective on TikTok. Whether you create it yourself or hire a professional, don’t miss the chance to be first to market! What are your thoughts on this exciting development? Let’s discuss how we can harness this opportunity together! 💬 #Ecommerce #TikTok #MarketingStrategy #BuyWitPrime #AmazonAccelerate

The Early Bird Gets the Worm (And the TikTok sales) Here's the truth: getting on TikTok Shop now isn't just an opportunity. It's a necessity. Why? 1. Low Competition: With only 26,000 active shops, your chances of standing out are huge. 2. Learning Curve Advantage: Master the platform before your competitors even join. 3. Follower Frenzy: Build a loyal following while the platform is still growing. 4. Incentive Bonanza: TikTok is offering killer deals to attract sellers. These won't last forever. 5. Potential for Explosive Growth: Some early adopters are already making millions per month. That could be you. The future of e-commerce is writing itself on TikTok Shop. You have two options: 1. Wait and watch from the sidelines as others seize the opportunity. 2. Jump in now and position yourself at the forefront of the e-commerce revolution. The choice is yours.

Meta just dropped a game-changer for advertisers. (It’s about the learning phase and you’ll want to pay attention.) Until now, exiting the learning phase required 50 events. But as of today, the bar has been lowered to just 10 events. Here’s what this means for you: → Faster results. Your ads can stabilize and perform sooner, cutting the trial-and-error time. More accessible for small budgets. Small businesses or limited-budget campaigns can now hit the learning phase exit threshold more easily. → Increased flexibility. Shorter campaigns? Niche audiences? No problem. The 10-event rule makes quick pivots and targeted tests smoother than ever. → For context: The learning phase is the time when Facebook’s algorithms test different ad combinations to optimize delivery. Exiting it sooner means you’ll see lower costs and more consistent performance faster. Why does this matter? Smaller advertisers often struggled to hit the previous threshold. Now, they can optimize with fewer hurdles, leveling the playing field with bigger brands. Meta isn’t just improving efficiency; they’re making digital advertising more inclusive. What’s your take on this shift? Drop your thoughts below! P.S. Repost this ♻️ to share the update with your network.