TikTok for Business: Should You Use It?

TikTok is the latest social media platform that’s exploded in recent history, and it’s gaining users every second.

According to the brand itself, almost 1 billion people use the TikTok app each month.

Although the common opinion on TikTok is that it’s a video sharing platform that Gen-Z is obsessed with, that’s a misconception, considering the current numbers and trends.

Why Should You Care?

Savvy entrepreneurs can use it as an ideal opportunity to grow and market their business to a billion people worldwide.

Is Tik Tok for Business Marketing Purposes Right for YOU?

The truth is that while it’s wildly popular, TikTok may not be the ideal platform for all businesses. There are some factors you should consider before venturing into the world of TikTok and expecting a business boost.

Target Audience

The first and foremost thing to consider is your target audience on TikTok. According to recent demographic research, most active TikTok users belong to the age group of young adults ranging from 16 to 24 years of age. If your product is something that would interest and resonate with younger audiences, then TikTok is the place for you. If it’s not, you might be better served spending your time on a different platform.

Branding / Marketing Strategy

The next factor to consider is your marketing strategy. If your goal is to increase the exposure of your business, especially to a younger audience, then you should definitely use TikTok. However, if brand awareness is not your end game, or you don’t need to grow your brand, and/or you’re not open to trying new things to achieve those goals, you might focus your time on avenues that are more aligned with your goals.

Product / Service Type

You should also consider the type of product or service your brand offers. For promoting your business on TikTok to work successfully, your marketing efforts need to be presented in video format. That means your product or service needs to be something that lends itself well to being shown off using video, or you’ll need to be very creative in how you approach it!

Time / Resources

Establishing your brand on any new platform requires resources, time, and effort. Tiktok is no different. Although it is quite straightforward to make and upload videos in the app, there’s still a learning curve for videos to actually gain traction. For business marketing, you would need to learn the best way to showcase your products in your videos, along with choosing the right name and tags to accompany your video, to ensure your videos reach your target audience.

TikTok for Business: How to Do It

While there’s no proven formula for what makes a TikTok marketing campaign successful, there are some key things you should always keep in mind before starting.

Understand the Platform

This requires some forethought. Make an account on TikTok for yourself, and browse the millions of videos available. Follow relevant brands, people, and products to get an idea on how other people are using Tiktok for business. Identify common factors between the most liked videos and brands. Try out their video making feature in the app and check out the accompanying features like filters, sounds, and music.

Try Different Types of Content

To ensure your small business performs well on TikTok, the secret key is to not stick to one type of content. Try out different ways of engaging your audience on TikTok. Some ideas might be creating videos of your product and explaining how it works, sharing what kind of services your brand offers, recruiting customers to say a few words about your brand, videoing an office or workspace tour, making a time-lapse video of your processes, explaining the inspiring story of how you started your small business, sharing how your business is benefiting your community, and so much more.

Get creative! When your content is varied, it keeps your audience from getting bored because they never know what to expect. Ultimately, the goal is to produce entertaining, amusing, and light-hearted content, not hardcore business pitches.

Use the Right Hashtags

In our digital age, hashtags can directly affect how well your posts––and, indirectly, your brand––performs on social media. Check out trending hashtags and figure out how you can relate them to your content and brand. Research which hashtags are most often clicked by your target audience and then figure out how you can incorporate them into your posts.

Is TikTok Worth It for Your Business?

Honestly, it really depends on your goals and your market. When used well, with the right audiences and markets, TikTok can be as lucrative a marketing tool as any other social platform. It’s really up to you to determine what is right for your business. If it is, what are you waiting for?