Wondering how TikTok for business could work for you? That’s not surprising. TikTok offers a unique space to connect with your audience in a dynamic, creative way. Who wouldn’t want to get in on the action?
In this guide, we’ll explore how you can start using TikTok for business to stand out from the crowd.
Ready to dive into the world of this platform and give your business a fresh, fun twist? Let’s break down the basics.
How TikTok Works?
TikTok is a social media channel for posting and consuming short, engaging videos–think 15 seconds to three minutes of pure, unadulterated fun. But there’s more to it than just hitting record.
When you open TikTok, you’re greeted by the For You Page (FYP). This is a never-ending stream of videos tailored to your interests.
But how does TikTok know what you like? Like all social media platforms, it uses algorithms. This clever little feature tracks what you watch, like, and share, then serves you more of that content.
Creating content on TikTok is an exciting opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality and connect with your audience. You’ve got plenty of tools to choose from: filters, music, special effects, and more. The more creative, true to yourself, and fun you are, the more engagement and followers you get.
But there’s more to TikTok than just watching and creating entertaining videos. What makes TikTok a great medium for businesses is its sense of community. Each user creates one. You can follow other TikTokers, comment on videos, and participate in trends.
How to Start Using TikTok for Business
Assuming you’ve already created a TikTok account, there are some tactics that will help your business to get noticed. Here’s how to start using TikTok for your business.
1. Understand your audience
Before you jump into creating TikTok content, take a step back. Who are you talking to? This understanding shapes your types of content to fit your audience’s tastes and preferences.
Start by asking yourself some questions: What age group are your viewers? What do they like? What do they laugh at? What makes them tap “follow”? TikTok’s crowd is diverse, but each niche has its own quirks and preferences.
Say you’re selling trendy, eco-friendly water bottles. Your audience might be young adults passionate about sustainability and fitness. Dive into TikTok’s ocean of content and see what these folks are watching. Are they into quirky humor, or do they prefer straightforward, informative content?
Rather than just guessing, use TikTok’s Explore page to find trends and hashtags related to your business. See what’s buzzing in your industry and what kind of content gets people talking. Your goal here is to speak their language, not just add to the noise.
Create a “buyer persona” for your typical customer. Now, whenever you create a TikTok, think, “Would my buyer persona enjoy this?”
2. Optimize Your Profile and Create First TikTok Video
Alright, you’ve got a handle on who your audience is. Now, let’s make your TikTok profile pop and craft your debut video.
First up, your profile. You want it to look inviting and clear about what your brand is all about. Choose a profile photo that stands out, This could be your logo or a catchy image related to your business.
Next, your TikTok bio. You’ve only got a few words. Eighty characters to be exact. So make them count! Explain who you are and what you do, and don’t forget to add a dash of personality.
Now, for the exciting part–creating your first TikTok video. TikTok loves authenticity. For this, you don’t need professional-looking videos. Your smartphone and a genuine smile are your most powerful tools.
A good tip for beginner TikTok creators is to keep it short and sweet. TikTok videos are quick bites of content. Hook your viewers in the first few seconds with something eye-catching or intriguing.
You can include a short caption in your video. If you don’t have the time to write, use AI generative platforms. Just make sure your team members understand how to properly use it for content creation. Implementing an AI policy template ensures your strategies are effective and ethically aligned with best practices in digital engagement.
End with calls to action (CTA). At this stage, your CTA could be encouraging viewers to like, comment, or follow you for more.
And once you’ve mastered the call-to-action, consider where you’re directing your audience next. You can use the popular tool Leadpages to create your landing pages. But if that doesn’t fit your budget, you can always look for Leadpages alternatives. Just make sure your landing pages complement your TikTok strategy and enhance user experience.
3. Use TikTok Advertising to Maximize Reach
Organic reach is great, but sometimes, you need that extra push to get your brand out there. To give your content an extra boost, consider diving into TikTok advertising. TikTok ads are designed to help you reach a wider audience and get your brand in front of the right eyes.
Here are the main types of TikTok ads you can explore:
- In-Feed Ads: These ads formats appear in the user’s “For You” page, blending in with natural content. They’re great for promoting products or directing an active user base to your website.
- TopView Ads: These grab attention the moment someone opens TikTok, displaying your full-screen video ad first thing.
- Branded Hashtag Challenges: Engage users by creating a sponsored hashtag challenge. It’s a fun way to encourage user-generated content and spread brand awareness.
- Branded Effects: Create custom filters, stickers, or effects related to your brand. It’s a creative way to get users to interact with your brand in a personal way.
To create TikTok ads, you’ll need to access the TikTok ads manager platform. Then just follow these steps:
Enter ad name: You can write up to 512 characters.
Select your ad format: TikTok only supports the video format, although its Global App Bundle supports both image and video forms.
Enter ad details: You can upload your ad content from your computer or choose a video template. There’s the option to create your own video as well.
Choose a thumbnail: You want a cover photo that grabs attention.
Input your text and link: This is where you choose your call-to-action and the link where you’ll drive those who click on your ad. You should also choose the profile image to be shown in your ad’s creative.
Preview your creative: See how your ad will appear on devices once published.
Add tracking links: Make sure you add relevant pixels or third-party tracking URLs at the ad group level so you can track the performance of your content.
Make sure you also leverage targeting in your ads. TikTok allows you to target your audience based on their interests, demographics, behaviors, and even devices used. Once done with all these steps, all you need to do is click on Submit. Click on the Add button if you wish to create additional ad content. If you wish to target a specific audience.
4. Participate in TikTok Challenges
TikTok challenges are a staple of the platform, often driving the most engagement and visibility. These are themed activities that users and brands alike can participate in, typically marked by specific hashtags.
The concept of challenges on TikTok originated from the community itself, proving the platform’s collaborative and creative spirit. TikTok users love seeing different takes on the same theme. It’s a perfect opportunity for your businesses to showcase creativity and connect with your target audience.
And remember, humor and relatability go a long way on TikTok.
But how do you find the right challenge to participate in? Keep an eye on the Explore page, see what popular hashtags are trending, and listen to your audience. What challenges are they participating in? Which ones light up their eyes and get them talking?
Get your followers involved by inviting them to join your chosen challenge with you. This can increase engagement and create a sense of community. Always include the challenge’s hashtag in your posts to ensure they’re discoverable to a wider audience.
5. Post at the Right Time
Timing is key when posting on TikTok to make sure the most people see your content. So, when is the perfect moment to hit that ‘post‘ button?
First off, understand that the “best time” can vary based on your specific audience. Are your followers night owls or early birds? Do they scroll through TikTok during their lunch break or in the evening to unwind?
If your “buyer persona” is a college student, she might be most active in the evening or between classes. So, in this case, posting in the late afternoon or early evening might catch her right when she’s scrolling.
Consider the rhythm of your audience’s life. Are there specific times when they’re more likely to need a break and scroll through TikTok? That’s your window! You can check out your analytics data if you want the exact best time to post. We’ll talk more about this later.
Consistency is key. Once you find a time that works, stick to it. Your audience will start to expect your content at certain times, which can lead to higher engagement rates.
To maintain consistency and ensure your posts go live at the best times, consider using a social media posting scheduling platform like Bulk.ly. It can help automate your content calendar and keep your TikTok engagement strong without the stress of manual posting.
6. Make Use of User-Generated Content
User-generated content, or UGC, is the internet’s word-of-mouth. It’s genuine, it’s powerful, and best of all, it’s created by your users. But how can you harness this for your TikTok business strategy?
Think of UGC as your customers giving you a shoutout. They’re using your product and they’re telling the world they love it. This kind of endorsement is gold. It builds trust and shows potential customers that real people enjoy what you offer.
But how do you get more of this content? You could look for influencers who can get the ball rolling. Use an email finder tool to get their contact details and send your pitch. Just make sure you highlight the benefits of collaborating with you in your email.
What if you don’t have the budget for influencer marketing? Then, just encourage UGC! Run a hashtag contest, offer incentives, or simply ask your customers to share their experiences with your product.
With your audience permission, you could feature their content on your own social account. It’ll show appreciation and motivate others to share their experiences.
That’s exactly what Kylie Jenner does for her skincare products brand. She harnesses the power of user-generated content to showcase real-life applications of her products.
UGC shouldn’t replace your original content. It should complement it. It adds authenticity and variety to your TikTok page, making your brand feel more approachable and relatable.
Always acknowledge and thank users for their content. A little gratitude goes a long way and fosters a positive community around your brand. ❤️
7. Dig into Analytics to Grow and Optimize
Understanding your TikTok analytics is crucial for growth. It gives you valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not, and how to fine-tune your strategy for maximum impact.
Here’s how to use this information:
Start by accessing your TikTok analytics from your account. If you haven’t already, switch your account to a business account.
Check your video views. Notice a spike in views when you post at a certain time? Or perhaps a particular type of content that sends your likes through the roof?
Look for patterns in your most successful videos. What topics do they cover? When were they posted? Use this info to shape your future content.
Pay attention to the comments and shares, too. They tell you what your audience enjoys and wants more of.
Finally, keep an eye on your follower growth and engagement rates. They indicate the health of your TikTok presence. Use these insights to refine your strategy and content.
Regularly checking your analytics lets you adapt and improve your TikTok strategy over time.
Benefits of TikTok for Business
To sum up, here’s a list of unique advantages TikTok offers that can help your brand shine and sizzle:
- Massive reach: TikTok has over 100 million active users in the US alone. And this number is growing every day. This channel gives you access to a vast audience ready to discover new things. There’s a place for everyone on TikTok.
- High engagement: TikTok is about interacting with video content. Users can like, comment, share, and even create their own videos in response to yours. This high level of engagement can help boost your brand’s visibility and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Ever heard of a TikTok video going viral overnight? It happens! The platform’s unique algorithm can catapult your content to fame. And when your brand goes viral, it can lead to exponential growth in followers and even sales.
- Showcase your brand’s personality: TikTok users like authenticity and creativity. This social platform helps humanize your brand. You can do this through behind-the-scenes peeks, funny skits, or heartfelt stories.
- Connect with younger audiences: If you’re looking to connect with Generation Z or millennials, TikTok is the place to be. It’s the hotspot for younger audiences, giving you a direct line to the popular trends, language, and interests that matter to them.
- Cost-effective marketing: You don’t need a big budget to make a big impact on TikTok. Often, the most popular videos are the ones that look the least produced. This levels the playing field for smaller businesses and makes TikTok an attractive digital marketing strategy.
TikTok offers a unique blend of entertainment, community, and creativity. Master it and your business can tap into new audiences, create memorable content, and even set the next big trend.
Final Thoughts on TikTok for Business
TikTok for business is less about selling and more about connecting, engaging, and building a community. It gives you a chance to show a new audience what your brand is all about in a fun, creative way.
Thanks to our guide, you now know what to do when starting out on this unique social media platform. Understand your target audience and optimize your profile, then create your first TikTok video.
Keep checking TikTok’s analytics and ensure you post at the right time. To make things more fun, participate in popular challenges and make use of UGC. Also, consider using a content calendar and tapping into paid ads to maximize your reach.
But don’t stop there. Keep an eye on trends, listen to your audience, and be willing to experiment. With TikTok, the possibilities are endless.
