I’m sure you’ve all heard of TikTok, either you were sent a link from a friend, or you heard about it in the media but what is it? TikTok is a video-sharing app that allows users to create 15-second to 3-minute (soon 10-minute) videos on any topic. It was released in 2016 but didn’t become available in the US until late 2018 when it partnered with Musical.ly, Since they have surpassed Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in-app downloads and continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Quick Facts
- 1.2 Billion Monthly Average Users as of Q4 2021
- Over 30 Million Active Users in the US
- Typical Screen Time per User is 26 hours a month
How do I promote my business on TikTok?
Getting your business on TikTok may seem daunting but it shouldn’t be! TikTok is about bringing the human element of your business and sharing it with the public. Smashed a new sales goal? Share it. Starting a new collab? Share it. New product or website launch? Share it. Anything and everything about your business is and can be content for TikTok.
Create fun and engaging videos
When getting started, think about your current audience. Is it new mothers or gearheads? What is something they would like to see? What are cool or unique ways you can use your product to make life a little easier? Be yourself and avoid sounding like a robot, there is nothing worse than a monotone video that sounds rehearsed.
Use content publishing features
When you are about to publish a video, you will be able to apply a variety of settings to your post. Hashtags, mentions, adding a location and link, and allowing comments are nothing new if you’ve managed a social page but there are a few unique settings to TikTok.
- Duet - two videos side-by-side that play at the same time. This allows people to react/participate at the same time as your video.
- Stitch - this allows a creator to combine their video with your video.
Note: Your profile must be public to allow others to stitch or duet.
Start a #hashtag challenge
Encourage your audience to create content for your product. This is an easy way to gain user-generated content (UGC)! Ask the public to duet/stitch your video and show how they use your product in their day-to-day life. Add a giveaway and you will be surprised by the amount of traction you could receive. When you gain UGC interact with their videos, being involved in your brand community.
Collab with an influencer
Still not sure if you want to be in the spotlight? Collaborate with an influencer! Use TikTok's Creator Marketplace to identify potential influencers. By using the TikTok Creator Marketplace you get an overview of each creator's video performance and audience demographic. You can filter through the creators by audience reach, location, and much more. Once you’ve identified a creator you will be able to see what other brands they have partnered with in the past and details on performance.
Advertise on TikTok
To start advertising on TikTok you will need to sign up for an account. Once you’ve set up your account you will need to pick your goal for your campaign and then pick how you want your ads to be displayed. There are a few ways you can advertise on TikTok but the most common are:
- TopView - As it sounds, TopView is the first video when the user first opens the app. TopView ads increase brand awareness and trigger interactions throughout the TikTok community.
- In-Feed Ads - Have your ads blend into the users For You Page. Like other social media ads, have your ads blend into the users’ scrolling.
The Numbers Don't Lie
92% of TikTok users say that after watching a TikTok they take action (such as liking/commenting on a video, sharing with friends, following a brand or purchasing/researching a product).
25% of TikTok users say that they purchase or research a product after watching TikTok!
[Stats from TikTok Marketing Science Global Time Well Spent Study, March 2021]
TikTok can be a great tool for brands to get noticed for little to no cost. If you are still needing help getting your brand on TikTok, reach out to see how we can partner, or if you are needing inspiration and just want to make our day give us a follow.
