The short answerA flash sale starts on the brand's side: the brand creates a Creator Flash Deal and assigns it to you. Once it's assigned, you set the inventory, per-buyer limit and timing in LIVE Manager, then hit Start during your LIVE. Viewers get the flash price until the countdown and sale time run out, then the price goes back to normal.
Before you go LIVE
- Confirm the deal is assigned to you. If you're in the SAMRAAT Alliance, we'll tell you in the Alliance chat when a brand drop includes a flash deal.
- Add the product to your LIVE shopping bag. The product needs at least one size or color in stock.
- Open LIVE Manager on a computer at business.tiktokshop.com/us/creator/live. Most creators keep it open on a laptop next to the phone they stream from.
Set it up (before you start the LIVE)
- In the Shopping Bag section, click Add LIVE Flash Sale, or click the lightning bolt next to an eligible product.
- Pick the product. To set up several at once, use Batch setup.
- Set inventory for each size or color. Leave one blank to keep it out of the sale.
- (Optional) Set a per-buyer limit so more of your viewers get a chance to buy.
- Set the countdown and how long the sale runs.
- Save it for later, or add it to your LIVE right away. If setup fails, LIVE Manager tells you why. Fix that and try again.
- To take a flash sale back off, choose Release allocation. The product returns to its regular price.
Run it on LIVE
- Hype it before you start. Tell viewers a flash deal is coming and when.
- Hit Start to begin the countdown, and pin the product.
- Keep demoing during the countdown. You can watch the timer in your shopping bag.
- When time runs out, the sale ends and the price goes back to normal.
- To stop early, click End and confirm, or delete the sale to end it and remove the product from your bag.
- To run another round, duplicate the sale if inventory is left and start it again.
Two versions you might see
- Recurring flash sales. If your account has the toggle, you set the total stock, the limit per round, the countdown, the sale length and the gap between rounds. The rounds then loop until the stock sells out or you stop it. Once a recurring sale starts, you can't edit it.
- Co-funded flash sales. These show under "Funding Source" in LIVE Manager. The price is already set, so you can't change it.
FAQ
Why don't I see the flash sale option?
Usually one of three things: the brand hasn't assigned a deal to you yet, the product isn't in your LIVE shopping bag, or no size or color has stock.
Can I set my own flash price?
No. The brand sets the price when it creates the deal.
Can I run a flash sale from my phone?
No. You start flash sales from LIVE Manager on a computer, not in the TikTok app. Keep it open on a laptop next to the phone you stream from.
What happens when it ends?
The product goes back to its regular price in your bag.
Are you a brand?
See How to set up Creator Flash Deals for your creators.
How SAMRAAT Network helps
SAMRAAT Network is an official TikTok Shop Partner in Los Angeles. Founder Samraat Ghosh has done $4M+ in TikTok Shop sales himself and is successful on both short video and LIVE.
- 30-Day Sprint: four weekly 1:1 calls with Samraat, focused on LIVE, short video or both. samraat.co/sprint
- Alliance: brand drops from iRobot, QVC, Comfrt and HSN, a curriculum and team access. $7 your first 30 days, then $97/mo. samraat.co/alliance
- SAMRAAT Studios: a 4,000 sq ft studio in South Pasadena with multiple built sets, professional lighting and a dedicated LIVE selling environment. samraat.co/studios
- The Network: for creators doing $10K+ a month, who keep 90% of their commission. samraat.co/link
New to TikTok Shop? Start at samraat.co/starttiktokshop.
Join the AllianceFree starter playbookMore guides
Sources- LIVE Flash Sale for Creators (TikTok Shop US Academy, 05/13/2026)
- TikTok Shop LIVE Promotions Tools (05/13/2026)
TikTok updates its rules often. Always confirm in your own Seller Center or Creator Center. Results vary and nothing here is a promise of income.