If you’re a small business owner, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of TikTok. The popular app has taken the world by storm, and TikTok for small businesses has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms. While TikTok may seem like a platform for Gen Zers to share funny videos, it has a lot of potential for small businesses.
Utilizing TikTok for small businesses is an easy way to connect with potential customers without spending a lot of money, and can be a powerful tool for marketing and promoting your products and services.
Getting Started with TikTok for Small Businesses:
Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty. How do you actually start a TikTok for small businesses?
Creating your TikTok account:
While you may feel intimidated by TikTok or confused by Gen-Z’s humor and dance trends, it’s actually pretty easy to make a TikTok. All you need is a smartphone and the TikTok app, which is free to download. You also have the option to create a TikTok Business Account, where you’ll have access to performance insights, advertising, and more. Once you’ve created an account and you’re logged in, you can start creating your own content.
Creating a TikTok video:
To start making videos, tap the plus sign in the bottom center of the screen. This will bring up the video recorder. You can film yourself or use pre-recorded videos that you have saved to your device. Remember to keep your TikTok videos short – under 15 seconds is ideal. You can film multiple takes and edit them together later, or you can go live and film your video in one take.
Adding Sound to your TikTok:
One of the things that makes TikTok unique is the “sound” feature. To add a sound to your video, tap the ” add sound ” button at the top of the video recorder screen. From there, you can browse through the different categories of sounds, or use sounds you’ve saved. Once you’ve found the perfect sound, tap on it to add it to your video. If you want to join in on a trend, you can save a sound for later or hit “use this sound” to create your video.
Following TikTok Trends:
If you’re not sure what kind of content to make, take a look at the For You page. This is TikTok’s main page where popular videos are featured, whether you follow the creators or not. This is a great way to see what others are doing and what trends and sounds are popular at the moment.
You can also browse through TikTok’s categories to get some ideas by hitting the search icon in the top right corner of your screen. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, or just want to browse trending categories, you can use the “You may like” list.
You want people to find your TikTok videos when they’re searching topics related to your business. This can be done through hashtags. To use hashtags in the description your TikTok, simply add a “#” before keywords or phrases (without any spaces) that describe your video. For example, if you’re a beauty vlogger, you might use hashtags like #makeup, #hair, or #skincare. Just keep in mind that using too many hashtags can look spammy, so it’s best to stick to 1-3 relevant hashtags per TikTok video.
Making a TikTok is easy, but making a great TikTok for small businesses takes some practice. Keep experimenting and have fun with it – that’s what TikTok is all about. Who knows, you could even end up going viral.
TikTok Tips for Small Businesses:
While you may feel overwhelmed by the possibilities that the platform offers, it’s a lot easier than it seems. So, If you’re serious about using TikTok for small business, here are a few extra tips to get you started:
- Showcase your products in creative ways
TikTok is all about being creative, so think outside the box when it comes to showcasing your products. If you sell clothes, for example, you could do a fashion show or style challenge. Or if you sell food, you could do a cooking demo or food review. Be creative and have fun with it!
- Behind-the-scenes content
People love seeing behind the scenes content because it gives them a glimpse of what goes into making your products or running your business. This type of content humanizes your brand and makes it more relatable to your audience.
Whether it’s a sneak peek of new products, a quick tutorial or before and after of your services, or just having some fun with your employees, the key is to be authentic and engaging. Keep your TikTok videos short and sweet, and make sure to include a call to action at the end.
- Use trending Hashtags
TikTok is all about trends, so make sure you’re using trending hashtags in your TikTok videos to reach a wider audience. You could also consider doing collaborations with other businesses or influencers who have similar hashtags and target audience as you.
- Partnering with influencers
Influencer marketing is a great way to reach a larger audience on TikTok for small businesses. Find influencers who align with your brand and work with them to create sponsored videos. If you find the right TikTok influencer, they can open your business to a whole new audience that could be interested in your products or services. And don’t get preoccupied with the blue checkmark – anyone in your market with a decent following of your desired customers has potential to lead traffic to your business.
Simply put, TikTok for small businesses is a great way to connect with potential customers on a personal level. If done well, it can be used to create engaging content that will help you stand out from the competition. At the same time, don’t forget to have fun during the creative process and don’t take it too seriously. Just remember to show off your products, and keep on trend to reach a wider audience. With some planning and creativity, TikTok can be an exciting new way to promote your small business.
Rachel Solway is a seasoned marketing professional dedicated to empowering small businesses through innovative marketing strategies. With extensive experience at OneLocal, a leading marketing solutions provider, Rachel’s insights are helping thousands of local businesses navigate the digital landscape.
