TikTok have you spooked? This infectious social media platform brings video, audio, and quick trends to the forefront, making it overwhelming for some businesses to get started (and keep up with!). Keep reading for tricks to launching your business on TikTok!

What is TikTok

In a nutshell: it’s a social media platform that allows users to share video content. Most videos are edited on the platform and feature popular audio (music or sound).

Why Should My Business Be on TikTok

Don’t let TikTok scare you, there are so many reasons why your business should be using TikTok to reach your audience and gain new customers. For example:

• Users stay on the platform longer than any other social media platform. Meaning they are paying attention and connecting to the content they see in the social media feed. Tik Tok Users spend an average of 45.8 minutes on the app per day (eMarketer, 2022).

• TikTok can help you reach the fastest-growing consumer groups: Millennials & Gen Z . Over 60 percent of TikTok users are aged 10-29 (Statista, 2020).

• TikTok is the most downloaded app in 2022. Meaning the momentum behind the platform is high and will continue to grow and remain popular with high market audiences (Millennials & Gen Z).  Apple’s App Store for Q2 reported 60 million downloads (Sensor Tower, 2022).

How to Get Started on TikTok

• Download the app on your phone. Though this social media platform can be accessed via a computer or laptop, it is meant to be used and viewed on a mobile phone. Once you’ve downloaded it, go through the steps on your phone for creating a business account.

  Pro Tip: Make sure your username reflects your business name to make you easily searchable and ensure you include a link to your website in your bio.

• Plan the posts you want to share on the platform. Social media planning is vital to making sure you are consistent on the platform and not struggling to come up with ideas on the fly. We recommend planning out one post per week for two months to get you started and begin working in more posts as you get more comfortable.

• Record your videos. If this has you turning white as a ghost, you’re not alone. It can be scary having to be in a video! However, it’s important to remember to be yourself and do things that best reflect you and your business. No need to do the latest dance trend with your team unless you love dancing (or are a dance studio business). Keep it simple and go with what you know. Read on for more tips and tricks!

Tricks for TikTok

TikTok can take a lot of practice to get the hang of. You turn into a cameraman, video editor, audio editor, and content writer all in one when using the platform. Check out these helpful tips to help you wear the many costumes of a TikTok marketer.

• Keep it short and sweet! Videos should range from 7-30 seconds. Only consider doing longer videos if you are telling a detailed story (and in that case, consider making it into a two-part video!)

• Your phone will do just fine! No need for fancy cameras, microphones, and lighting. One of the biggest trends on social media is authentic-style videos that are being recorded directly on cell phones.

• Audio is everything when it comes to TikTok. Don’t share a video without featuring a song or audio clip to go with it.

• Use words to your advantage. Highlighting the top three things about your product? Use the text button to type in keywords about your product so recall is higher with viewers.

  Pro Tip: Filming a video where you are giving a lot of great advice or explaining a business process? Consider using the closed captioning button so viewers can read along, and you reach audio-impaired users.

• Content doesn’t have to be fancy, just genuine. If you’re struggling to decide what videos you should share out, consider these ideas:

  • Highlight your team, their personalities, and what skills they bring to the table.

  • Highlight a recent project or product. Better yet, show how the product works or the process behind the project!

  • Give advice to your viewers. Who doesn’t love free tips & tricks from an expert?

  • Show behind-the-scenes clips of your business. Insider details can feel very exclusive to viewers.

• Post and monitor how your videos perform. Always review your videos and continue to track their performance one day, one week, and one month after they are posted to see what performed well. It will help you build the magic recipe for what your audience engages with most. Learn more about tracking metrics here.

It’s not too late to hop on TikTok and we hope you’re now convinced why you should! TikTok is a leading social media platform offering you an opportunity to reach your customers in the way they prefer most (video!). Don’t let TikTok scare you, create your account, make a plan, and begin creating videos that connect with your audience.

Need more help getting started on TikTok? Contact us today to learn about our social media packages and customized services.