If anybody would’ve told us in early 2020 that TikTok was going to be the next big social media platform, nobody would have believed it. A year and a half ago, TikTok was just a platform filled with lip-syncing, dancing teenagers. Now, it’s one of the fastest growing social media platforms with users of all ages.
As of January 2021, TikTok has over 689 million users, which is twice as many users as Twitter. That’s 689 million potential customers to get your business in front of. Out of those users, almost half have reported making a purchase after seeing a product or service advertised on TikTok.
And if you think that TikTok is just for children and pre-teens, think again. 48% of adults between the ages of 18-29 say they use TikTok on a daily basis. For adults between the ages of 30-49 years old, 22% report using TikTok. However, that number is rapidly increasing. The number of US adults using TikTok has grown 5.5 times in just 18 months.
It’s no question that the possibilities are endless when it comes to marketing your small business on TikTok. With so many users at your fingertips, you can get your products and services out in front of new potential customers with just a few 30-second clips. So, how do you get started marketing your small business on TikTok?
- Start Small
After hearing about all of the potential of TikTok, it might be tempting to dive in head first. Be careful — this can lead to burnout and will fail as a long-term strategy. It’s best to start off slow. Film a quick video introducing yourself and your business. Post another video showing off your products. Create a quick video answering frequently asked questions. It doesn’t have to be too complicated.
As you become more comfortable with the platform and different features, then start experimenting by taking part in new trends.
- Batch Your Content
While it may not seem like it, filming content can be a very time-consuming process (even if it is just for a minute-long video.) Between getting camera-ready, setting up lighting, and getting the perfect shot, a lot of time goes into the process.
The best way to save time is by batching your content. Decide which TikToks you want to film ahead of time and make a list of shots you’ll need. From there, set aside 2-3 hours to film all of the content at once. This will allow you to consolidate your time and make the entire process more manageable.
- Get Creative
As you start to get a hang of filming and editing, give yourself room to be more creative with your videos. Whether it’s hopping on the latest trend or thinking of a fun new way to show off your brand, don’t be afraid to put your business out there. TikTok is all about trial and error, so don’t hesitate to try new things. Constantly be looking for ways you can use the latest trends or trending sounds/music in a video for your business.
If you’re struggling to think of ideas, follow accounts that are similar to yours. Remember: Do NOT copy another business. Your audience wants something authentic and they will know if your content is not original. If you find a video that you wish to recreate, be sure to always give credit where credit is due. Tag the page you originally saw the video on to give them full credit.
While it can be overwhelming to get started on a new social media platform, there’s no doubt that it’s worth it in the long run. You may have to get out of your comfort zone, but it will ultimately lead to growth for you and your small business.
To help get you started, we’ve created The Ultimate TikTok Checklist. This checklist covers all of the essentials each of your TikTok posts should include in order to maximize your reach.
Still not sure how exactly to get started? We’ve got you covered! Learn more about our social media marketing services.