It is not yet too late to hop on the bandwagon of using TikTok for business! The social media platform is recently heralded as the fastest growing one, with over 1.5 billion downloads and 500 million monthly active users. If you’ve wondered how to use TikTok for your business, your question is about to be answered!
The fast-paced content and catchy audio make it such an appealing platform to users. The app features in-app editing tools for trimming clips, adding texts, and effects. As of today, the largest demographic of users is between ages 16 to 24, with other age groups quickly expanding in size. It started out as a platform for users to express their creativity through videos and it quickly became a tool for marketing and brand growth. (We’re not going to lie, the app can be addicting! Especially when your feed is full of adorable dog videos!)
How to Use TikTok for Your Business: Step-by-Step Guide
Get a TikTok Business Account
Here’s how to make a TikTok business account. Download the TikTok application and create a new personal account. You may sign up with your email address or log in using Facebook, Twitter, or Google. Tap Me on the lower right corner of the app, and click on Edit Profile. Here, add your profile picture, bio, and links to other social media handles.
Next, switch to Business Account by clicking on settings and Manage Account -> Switch To Pro Account -> Business or Creator.
Next, select the category that best fits your business. The categories include Arts & Crafts, Automotive & Transportation, Baby, Beauty, Clothing & Accessories, Education & Training, Electronics, Finance & Investing, and more. Click Next.
Input your website and email address in the profile section. After that, you’re done! Welcome to your TikTok Business Account! The first big step is done.
Create a TikTok Strategy
TikTok is still relatively new compared to the other popular social media platforms. There is still much to learn about the way the algorithm works. It doesn’t matter if you are skilled in advertising on other social media platforms because this is entirely new territory. As such, it is best to get to know how the app works as soon as possible. Here’s how to do that.
Research Trends, Stars, and Updates
Spend time browsing through videos and the various interfaces. Familiarize yourself with the built-in editing tools, features, and effects. Check out the latest video formats, dance crazes, and trending audios. These will help you craft content that has the chance to get on the ForYou page of your target audience. You may take a look at the viral TikTok stars and understand what they did to achieve such fame.
It also helps to understand the algorithm by researching the different updates. It is a constantly evolving platform and it is crucial that you are able to adapt to these evolutions.
Identify Your Audience and Plan Accordingly
A huge percentage of TikTok users include teenagers and Gen Z. Other age groups are likewise expanding in terms of active users. It helps to picture out what your target audience looks like so that you can adjust the demographics accordingly. Looking at your competitors is a good place to start.
After you have gathered this information, it is time to set your objectives. Your strategy should be able to achieve these goals. Use the SMART framework to ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. Next, craft your content calendar and plan out your posts. Identify key holidays and create relevant posts.
It is best to research at the time of the day when you have the highest audience activity and upload during those hours.
Optimize Your Profile
Think of your TikTok profile as your digital storefront. You only have one chance to make a good impression and to be as inviting as possible. Start with a profile picture that best represents your brand. Your profile picture should ideally feature the same logo and color family that you use on other social media platforms.
Maximize your bio by making the most out of 80 characters and adding a CTA. You may even use emojis if it helps promote your message without using up more characters. Next, input your URL. You may link your store, your homepage, or a recent blog post – whichever you wish your audience to see more of.
Create Captivating Content
This is where the real challenge comes in. It is not easy to craft viral posts all the time but with these tips and formula, you should be able to come up with content that is enjoyable and captivating.
This is a no-brainer but you need to ensure that your videos look good. Film your raw files in HD and ensure that the audio quality is clear. You do not need to invest in expensive filming and audio equipment since most TikTok content can be filmed with your phone. You just need to be mindful and avoid posting content that cannot be clearly understood.
Optimize your content with hashtags that will help you get discovered via search. It also puts your content in specific categories so that the TikTok algorithm can identify it accordingly.
Try creating content on tutorials and hacks. These are widely searched and viewed since people are always interested in learning something new and value-adding. These videos will also establish you as a credible entity in your niche.
Last, try teaming up with other content creators on the platform. You may use the Duet feature or partner with an influencer to create content on your behalf.
Engage With Your Followers
No matter how tempting it is, do not buy followers! This will severely hurt your account and the algorithm does not approve of those means. The best way to go is to build your following organically. You can do this with consistent interactions with your followers through:
- Live streams
- Polls and questions
- Respond to comments and questions
- Comment, like, and engage with other TikTok accounts, particularly in your niche
- Apply social listening
Review Your Analytics
Your TikTok strategy need not be based on guesswork. You can review your analytics so that you can quantifiably assess the performance of your campaign so far. TikTok has built-in analytics that you can look at so that you can make the necessary adjustments to your strategy.
Try TikTok’s Advertising Options
TikTok Advertising allows you to reach an international audience. There are different types of TikTok ads.
- In-feed ads
- Image ads
- Video ads
- Spark ads
- Pangle ads
- Carousel ads
- TopView ads
- Branded Hashtag Challenge
- Branded effects
Head to the TikTok Ads Manager to identify your objectives, set a budget for your campaign, and adjust to your target demographic.
Conclusion of How to Use TikTok for Your Business
That was some of our advice on how to use TikTok for your business! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Infinite Management for your TikTok marketing needs.