How to Research the Market Before You Film

This blog is part of my journey to becoming a $10K/month TikTok Shop Creator Affiliate, not a seller. I don’t sell my own products. I promote other people’s products through TikTok Shop and earn a commission from each sale.

I’m documenting every step here and on TikTok, so you can learn alongside me and build a profitable creator affiliate business of your own.

Today’s topic is one that most people overlook but it’s the difference between content that gets scrolled past and content that actually makes sales. This blog is about how to research the market before you film your first product video. Let’s dive in.

Why Product Research Is Your Secret Weapon

Filming without research is like trying to bake a cake without knowing the ingredients or the recipe. It might turn out okay, but most likely, it’ll flop. That’s what happens to most new TikTok Shop creators. They guess. They grab any trending product. They film without a plan. And then they wonder why nobody’s watching or buying.

TikTok doesn’t reward randomness. It rewards relevance.

When you research properly, you make content that speaks directly to what people want to see. You understand who the product is for. You find out what types of videos are already performing. You know what problems people are trying to solve. And best of all, you create with confidence because you’re not guessing, you’re being strategic.

Great content starts before you ever hit record.

The Full Research Process I Use Before Filming

Let me walk you through exactly what I do every time I want to film a new product. This is the same process I used before promoting my first successful item, and it’s what I recommend to every new creator affiliate.

I begin by checking if the product even has demand on TikTok. I go to the TikTok app and use the search bar to type in either the name of the product or a phrase that describes it. For example, if I’m researching a suction phone holder, I might type in “TikTok suction phone mount,” “phone holder car,” or “TikTokmademebuyit phone stand.”

Then I look at the videos that come up. If I see content with more than 10,000 views, I know the product has some traction. If there are several different creators talking about it, that’s even better it means this is an active product category. If I only see old videos or none at all, that doesn’t automatically mean the product won’t work, but I treat it as higher risk. It may be an untapped opportunity, or it may just be a dead end.

Once I know people are talking about the product, I pick three to five of the top-viewed videos and study them in detail. I watch each one multiple times and break them down. I look at what the creator says in the first three seconds, that’s their hook. I pay attention to whether they speak or use captions. I watch how they demonstrate the product. I look at the background, lighting, and camera angles. And I make note of how they finish the video, is there a call to action? Do they tag the product? Do they mention the TikTok Shop?

This step is crucial. I’m not just watching for entertainment. I’m analysing the formula behind what works. I don’t copy these videos, but I use them as a blueprint to create something even better, in my own style.

Next, I go to Amazon. Even though I don’t sell on Amazon, I use it for market research. I look up the same or a similar product and start reading the reviews. First, I focus on the five-star reviews. What are people raving about? Why do they love this item? Then I look at the one-star reviews. What went wrong for people? What were they unhappy about? Finally, I pay close attention to the three-star reviews, because these usually contain balanced and honest feedback. They tell me what could be improved or what almost worked.

I take notes from these reviews because they give me insight into how customers feel and what words they use. Often, I’ll take actual sentences from reviews and build them into my script. For example, if someone wrote, “I was tired of my phone falling during video calls,” I might open my video with, “Sick of your phone falling mid-call? This solves it.”

Now I return to TikTok and check the comments under videos about the product. I want to know what people are saying, asking, or complaining about. If multiple people are saying things like “Where can I get this?” or “Does it really work?” I know there’s interest. If I see comments like “I bought this and it broke in a week,” then I dig into whether it’s a bad product or just poor handling.

While I’m reading comments, I also try to identify the audience. Who is this product for? Is it mums, drivers, students, gym-goers, beauty lovers, DIYers? The clearer I am on who I’m speaking to, the more focused my content will be.

Then I go to the product listing on TikTok Shop itself either through the Creator Center app or the TikTok affiliate website. I check the commission. I aim for 25% or more unless the item is low-ticket but very easy to sell. I also check where the product ships from, how long delivery takes, and whether returns are accepted. If the product takes three weeks to arrive or the seller has poor ratings, I move on. Reputation matters.

Now, this next step is where many beginners stop but this is where I find my edge.

I look for what I call “white space.” That means finding products where the content exists but the quality of that content is low. If I see creators using poor lighting, bad hooks, or no clear demonstration, I know I can make a better version. This is where you win by making the best content for a product that’s already selling.

I also ask myself what angle hasn’t been used yet. If everyone is filming in their bedroom, I might shoot in the car. If everyone is silent, I’ll speak on camera. If most videos are rushed, I’ll take time to show how the product works.

Finally, I sometimes use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate hook ideas, caption starters, or summaries of common product complaints. This isn’t cheating it’s being efficient. I still bring my creativity, but I let the tools help me move faster.

Before You Film: A Mental Checklist

At this point, I have everything I need to begin filming. I know the product has demand. I know what kind of content works. I know what customers are saying. I know who my audience is. I know how other creators are positioning it. I know the problems and how to present the solution. And I know how to make my version unique.

This means when I pick up the camera, I’m not nervous or unsure. I know what I’m about to say. I know how I’m going to film. I know why this video matters.

This is the real benefit of research. It’s not just about views it’s about clarity and confidence.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be perfect to be profitable. You just have to be prepared.

Research is what separates the creators who hope for views from the creators who make sales consistently. It doesn’t take long but it makes all the difference. The more effort you put into learning what already works, the faster you’ll create videos that connect and convert.

So before you hit record, do the work. Read the reviews. Watch the videos. Know your customer. And then film with purpose.

This is how we build real momentum.

What’s Coming Next

Next time, I’ll show you how to get your first product in hand and what to do when it arrives. We’ll talk about unboxing, testing, lighting setups, and how to turn the arrival of a product into multiple pieces of content.

In the meantime, you can catch my TikTok Creator Series, on @atifperwiz on TikTok

Let’s grow this together. Your first winning video might be just one smart research session away.

If you want to keep up with this journey and replicate it for yourself subscribe to my newsletter below and follow me on TikTok. Every blog post and every video is designed to help you grow from zero to $10K/month, just like I’m doing now.

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See you in the next one.

Progress over perfection. Always.

Atif