Using TikTok for Your Business

Think TikTok is just another Gen Z app? Not anymore. TikTok has over 1 billion monthly users, and the platform’s popularity is rising fast. 

TikTok may have started as a fun place to stream silly videos, but it has quickly changed the way we share content.

TikTok seems synonymous with dance videos, fun challenges, and crazy pranks. And that’s not wrong! But once you learn the language of the platform, you can leverage this fun and casual atmosphere to share engaging content and connect with your audience on a human level. 

Did you know that 47.4% of TikTok users are under the age of 30, and of these more than half are teenagers? So especially if your business targets a younger audience, you should get on this train.

Let’s discuss some benefits of TikTok for businesses.

Want to go viral? You can create entertaining content on TikTok. The platform offers various ways to spotlight your brand: collaborating with influencers, running ads, and using features like hashtags or stickers.

What sets TikTok marketing apart is that it doesn’t feel like marketing. The content created on the platform doesn’t feel as aggressive or sales-y as traditional marketing. Brands partner with creators who users trust, creating meaningful content with the intent of informing and entertaining their audience.

One of the easiest ways to attract more customers is to jump on the right trend at the right time on TikTok. Trending or not, authentic content that feels human builds strong relationships and brand trust with users. Plus, with millions of active users around the world, TikTok is a great place to reach a wider audience base. 

We hope the above points have convinced you of the positives of having a presence on TikTok. Now that you’ve decided to join the platform, let’s talk about some ways to get the most out of it.

Scrolling endlessly through videos on TikTok is a lot of fun, but the sheer number of videos means marketers need to create original, attention grabbing content to stand out from the crowd. Easier said than done!

Here are some tips to remember:

• No formal or scripted videos. Authenticity is the key for success on TikTok.
• No need for a high-tech video production setup. With a quality phone camera and adequate lighting, you are good to go.
• Share behind-the-scenes content or office culture to show the human side of your business.
• Jump on the bandwagon with TikTok trends and challenges. There is no scarcity of new ideas for videos on the platform. Look up trending topics and join in on what’s most relevant to your audience. 

Challenges are the soul of TikTok. Not only do challenges have the potential to go viral, but they are also highly entertaining, building buzz on and off the platform.

For example, Colgate started a challenge called #MakeMomSmile for Mother’s Day, encouraging people to share videos of how they celebrated the holiday. The hashtag received around 5.4B views on TikTok. Even other brands like New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys participated in the challenge.

Before you create a new challenge, have a clear goal in mind. Do you want to promote an event, increase brand awareness or push sales? Once you set a goal, you can prepare a plan to achieve it. 

Partnering with popular influencers will push their followers to jump on the bandwagon. Keep in mind influencer marketing can be costly, but it is highly rewarding as well. Learn all about Influencer Marketing in our Influencer Marketing guide. 

Brands love user-generated content (UGC). For many, sharing popular content is the easiest and most cost-effective way to grab attention. On TikTok, UGC often looks like an unboxing video or a testimonial about a product they love. With the user’s permission, brands share these videos on their accounts. 

Take a look at how Chipotle leverages UGC to keep their audience engaged.

There are many advantages of sharing UGC. Marketers don’t have to worry about constantly creating original content for their brands. Plus, users feel appreciated and recognised when you share their content, helping you delight existing customers and acquire new customers through social proof.  

One thing’s for sure: TikTok ain’t going anywhere. If you aren’t using it for your business, you are missing out on potential customer base and engagement. 

In the ever-changing world of social media, video is having a moment, and you don’t want to fall behind the times. So get ready to explore the world of TikTok, have fun with video content and connect with your audience on a whole new level.

Want to build a TikTok Marketing Strategy for your business? Request a proposal by contacting us.