While it’s not the first social media that allowed users to create and share short video content, TikTok has quickly taken the social media scene by storm. The social media platform now has billions of users worldwide. And aside from individuals who use it as an entertainment hub, different brands are jumping on board to use TikTok as a marketing tool to promote their business offerings.
If you are here chances are, you want to use TikTok to increase your brand awareness and convert loyal customers. You’ve come to the right place. TikTok presents a unique opportunity for all types of businesses, regardless of their size and industry. On this page, we’re going to learn how to use TikTok for business. We also included some of the TikTok marketing strategies that may help your business.
Is TikTok good for Marketing?
There are still people who are doubting the power of TikTok, despite its popularity. One of the main reasons for this is that they think the platform only has a “young” user base. And if you are one of those people asking “Is TikTok good for Marketing”, our answer is, yes.
When it comes to business reach, TikTok can provide a massive audience. As of January 2023, the social media platform has 1.53 billion users and 1 billion out of those are monthly active users. In the Philippines, TikTok has 42.8 million users. It was also the most downloaded app in 2021.
While it’s true that the majority of early adopters are teens, the platform has been steadily gaining the attention of young adults. According to data from Influencer Marketing Hub, 39.91% of all TikTok users fall into the 18 to 24 age brackets, equating to nearly two out of every five users. If your business is trying to reach a younger demographic, then TikTok is the right platform for you.
TikTok’s user interface also has been created with the aim of maximizing user engagement and keeping people within the app for longer periods of time.
TikTok users are known for their high engagement with the content they view and interact with. In fact, according to Upfluence data, TikTok has the highest social media engagement per post, with17.96% engagement rate. To compare, Instagram and YouTube stand at 3.86% and 1.63%, respectively.
How to create a TikTok business account?
While you can use your personal account to promote your business online, there is a significant number of benefits to having a TikTok business account as well. Good thing the process isn’t complicated. Follow this step-by-step guide to set up your TikTok business account:
- Get started with TikTok by downloading and opening the app on your device.
- Use your email or log in with your Google, Twitter, or Facebook account to sign up for a TikTok account.
- Go to the “Me” section located in the bottom right corner, then tap “Edit Profile.”
- Add your profile picture, a bio, and links to your other social media accounts.
- To switch to a Business Account, tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Manage Account.”
- Tap “Switch to Pro Account” and select either “Business” or “Creator.”
- Choose the category that best fits your brand and tap “Next.”
- Don’t forget to add your website and email address to your profile for increased visibility and credibility.
7 TikTok Marketing Strategies to promote your business
Now that your TikTok business account is all set, it’s time to develop a TikTok Marketing strategy that will work for your business. This part is easier said than done. The competition is fierce with a large number of businesses vying for audiences’ attention, like you do, making it difficult to stand out. However, with the right approach and gameplan, you can achieve results from your TikTok marketing campaign
1. Try a more laid-back approach
Go beyond your traditional advertising method. After all, TikTok was originally made to create fun. Instead of producing a hard-sell video, create content people will want to watch. You can use your creativity to create quirkier and more lighthearted content rather than overly commercial-style videos. This way your TikTok content will be more fun and engaging for your audience.
TikTok provides you with a way to unleash your creativity in marketing and promote your brand in a whole new way. However, make sure that you do go far away from your brand voice, culture, and identity.
2. Master the trend
There is no surefire way that can help you increase your audience engagement in TikTok. But following the trends might help you. Know the trending songs, activities, and challenges on the platform and create your brand version on it. This helps you create more relatable content on your TikTok account.
People enjoy supporting brands that they feel a connection with. Following a trend or participating in TikTok challenges can help build a genuine relationship with your audience. This is important if your target market is teens and young adults.
3. Put hashtags to your content
Putting a hashtag on your content has a significant impact on the discoverability of your video. It helps the TikTok algorithm determine the themes and subjects of your content.
One ideal TikTok marketing strategy is by using trending hashtags. You can find these on the “discover page”. Make sure to use only the hashtag that is related to your business and the content you are showcasing.
Launching a hashtag challenge is also a good way to promote your business on TikTok space. A hashtag challenge is a strategy where you encourage your follower or other TikTok user to create content using the branded hashtag you created. This is also a creative way to engage with your audience.
4. Connect in the comment section
Now that your content attracts the attention of your audience. It is time to engage with them. Responding to comments is the way to do that on the TikTok platform.
You can take advantage of the comment section to explain and communicate with your audience. You can also “like” comments that you want to acknowledge. If you have a verified account, a simple action like this can lead to new followers. And being consistent in engaging in the comment section allows you to convert them into customers.
Comments play a crucial role in the TikTok experience. If your startup and have small followers, there is no reason for you to ignore them. We recommend engaging with each and every comment until your channel becomes too large to manage this level of interaction.
5. Take advantage of the Live Feature
Going Live on TikTok is a great opportunity for you to create a human connection with your followers. By taking advantage of the live stream feature of TikTok you can directly connect with your followers. You can answer questions, provide behind-the-scenes insights, and give a sneak peek of your products or services to your target market. It’s also a good TikTok marketing strategy to have a special guest during one of your live-streaming sessions. This can be your ambassador, TikTok influencers, or maybe just people working in your company.
TikTok’s algorithm tends to prioritize live content as well. This helps your brand gain more exposure and visibility on the platform. The app will send a notification to your followers that you’ve started live streaming. This then easily grabs the attention of your followers and creates a sense of urgency to tune in.
6. Consistent Posting
Consistent posting is the backbone of a successful TikTok marketing strategy. Imagine a store opening its doors only once a month, or a radio station playing music sporadically. That’s how your audience would feel if you only post on TikTok occasionally. Your audience and followers may lose interest in your business.
Consistently posting content, on the other hand, allows your brand to build a steady stream of engagement with your audience. They come to expect new content from you, and they’re more likely to remember your brand when they need your products or services.
We suggest posting one to two times each day. You can also go Live each day to offer a different type of content to your audience. To keep track of everything, we suggest creating a content, Calendar. This is just similar to a real-life calendar. The only difference is that instead of your personal plan, it shows the date when to go Live, or when you will post a new video.
7. Collaborate with TikTok Influencers
Teaming up with a TikTok Influencer can be a game changer to your business. Influencers usually have a large following. Partnering with them gives you access to a new and potentially untapped audience. This can help you expand your brand reach.
Influencers have also built a relationship with their followers. This only means that their followers trust them. Having them promote your business and products on TikTok have more chance to increase conversions.
8. Run TikTok Advertising
If you don’t mind spending the amount for the TikTok marketing campaign then running ads can be a good investment. Like in other social media platforms, TikTok ads help reach a wide number of audiences on the platform. You can also filter or target certain audiences to make sure your advertisement reaches the right users.
Partner with the right TikTok agency
With an impressive number of users and the quality of engagement to each content, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for businesses to reach new customers. However, the competition on the platform is also fierce, with different businesses constantly finding a way to get their audiences’ attention.
Be Global E-commerce has a dedicated team that specializes in creating impactful TikTok marketing campaigns. Whether you are a small business looking for a way to increase brand awareness or an established brand that wants to stand out, our team of experts can help you achieve your goal. Let us help you craft a TikTok marketing strategy that will boost your brand visibility, drive engagement, and increase conversions.
