Why TikTok?
By now, we have all heard of TikTok. In 2019 , the app counted 800 million users and it continues to grow. It’s clear that this app has a lot of potential and you don’t want to miss out on some great opportunities. If you are wondering if your small business should be on TikTok, let me show you exactly what you need to consider before making this decision. TikTok is first of all a great app to advertise your small business because it encourages engagement and user-generated content. This app is wonderful for its ability to reach your niche segment with their algorithm.
How do I Get Started?
There are three main ways to use TikTok for marketing which are paid advertising, content creation on your channel or partnership with influencers. As a small business, you might not want to spend much on marketing just yet. This is why creating original content on your business channel is a great way to reach your target audience without spending.
Create Value
It is important to define what value my content offers. People will follow and interact with your content because they get some free value out of it. For example, you might follow a clothing brand to get inspiration for outfits or follow an artist to get inspiration. Being aware of the reason people follow will guide you in your video creation to keep your engagement with your viewers. People don’t want to see pushy sales video on TikTok- they prefer candid, creative and humorous content that feels natural.
Hashtags
To build your audience, hashtags are very important. Using hashtags that are related to your brand and content is key. Popular and general hashtags will give your content the chance to be seen by a larger audience, but it can also mean that your content will get lost quickly in the many videos posted under it. On the other hand, specific and less popular hashtag will ensure that your video will reach its target but the potential number of people that can be reached will be smaller. It’s good practice to use a combination of both general and specific hashtags.
Follow Trends
Another way to reach people is to look at popular hashtags and music on the TikTok discovery page. This will give an idea of what are the current trends and give inspiration for videos that can be adapted to your business. Make sure that it still reflects what your small business is and that it’s relevant to your brand.
Don’t Dismiss Partnerships Just Yet!
Original content posted on your channel is surely the most cost-effective solution. But it can be a good idea to partner up with micro-influencers. These micro-influencers already have a target audience that you can take advantage of. It is much cheaper than working with big name influencers or to build an ad campaign directly on the app which is very costly. Deals with micro-influencers can take many forms such as sending them free products or giving a percentage of sales made by their audience throughout an affiliate code. Options are flexible and I’m sure you’ll be able to find an arrangement that will fit within your budget.
Get Started!
Now that you have learned more about how to use TikTok to grow your small business, keep our tips in mind, grab your phone and get started!
