If you ever wonder what the cool kids are up to these days, just scroll through TikTok. Just be warned, you might emerge hours later with a newfound appreciation for the art of lip-syncing and a burning desire to learn the Renegade dance.

But TikTok is not all about fun and games. Amidst the sea of viral dances and comedic skits lies a goldmine of potential for businesses. With the right strategy and the best TikTok scheduler, you can leverage TikTok for business and engage with audiences authentically and creatively.

How can I use TikTok for business? You might be wondering. This guide explains everything you need to know to turn those scrolling thumbs into serious business gains.

What Is TikTok?

TikTok is a social media platform that allows people from all walks of life to create, share, and binge-watch short-form videos ranging from hilarious to downright mesmerizing.

On this platform, you’ll see people lip-syncing to their favorite songs, showing off their dance moves, sharing life hacks, and even delivering mini cooking tutorials, all in bite-sized, 60-second videos.

As of March 2024, TikTok was the fourth most downloaded social media platform globally, with over 31 million downloads worldwide. Even with its staggering popularity, TikTok shows no signs of slowing down. Projections show that the platform will grow by 7% between 2024 and 2025, and that it will be the largest social network in total daily minutes in 2025.

Why Use TikTok for Business?

When business owners and leaders are advised to establish a presence on TikTok, they often ask, “Is TikTok good for business?” The short answer is YES. Using TikTok for business is like tapping into a gold mine of potential customers and brand exposure.

Here are the reasons why using this platform to market your brand could be a game-changer:

1. Massive User Base

   With over 1.9 billion users worldwide, TikTok offers businesses access to a vast and diverse audience spanning across demographics, interests, and geographical locations.

   Whether you’re using TikTok for business to promote a product, share a story, or spread good vibes, an eager audience is waiting to devour whatever you throw their way. You can reach teenagers in Tokyo, grandparents in Texas, and everyone in between—all with a few taps on your smartphone.

2. Global Reach

   Imagine showcasing your products or services to potential customers in Cape Town, Paris, New York, and Sydney—all from the comfort of your office. That’s the power of TikTok’s international reach.

   With users across continents, cultures, and languages, TikTok offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with audiences globally. But it’s not just about reaching many people; it’s about reaching the right people.

   With TikTok’s sophisticated targeting options, you can tailor your marketing campaigns to specific regions, demographics, interests, and languages, ensuring your message resonates with worldwide audiences.

3. Engagement and Virality

   TikTok loves nothing more than a good old-fashioned viral sensation, and it will do everything possible to push your video out to as many people as possible. If you can create something genuinely entertaining, informative, or just downright awesome, TikTok’s algorithm will take notice and boost you.

   With its help, you can reach a wider audience, boost brand awareness, and maybe even go viral—all without breaking the bank. Before you know it, you could be the talk of the town, racking up views, likes, and followers.

4. Authenticity and Creativity

   Today’s users crave authenticity like never before, with studies showing that 86% of consumers value authenticity when deciding which brands to support. In a sea of sponsored posts and paid promotions, authenticity stands out like a beacon of light, drawing users in and forging deeper connections between brands and their audiences.

   Enter TikTok, the ultimate playground for authentic, user-generated content. Unlike other platforms where polished perfection reigns supreme, TikTok celebrates imperfections and embraces life’s raw, unfiltered side. It’s a place where you can let your hair down, ditch the corporate facade, and connect with your audience on a more human level.

   Whether it’s sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of office life, introducing the faces behind the brand, or highlighting real customer stories, TikTok for business allows you to peel back the layers and show the world what you’re truly made of.

5. Trendsetting Platform

   TikTok is a trendsetting powerhouse with its finger firmly on the pulse of popular culture. It has a knack for igniting trends that spread like wildfire across the internet, from viral dance challenges to catchy hashtags to hilarious memes.

   For businesses, this presents a golden opportunity to stay relevant and connect with their target audience in real time. If you can create trending challenges, hashtags, and memes, you can insert your business into the cultural conversation and ride the wave of popularity to increased visibility and engagement.

   Imagine your brand’s logo becoming synonymous with the latest TikTok craze or your product being featured in a viral challenge that’s sweeping the nation. It’s like free advertising with the added bonus of being seen as hip, current, and in-the-know.

6.  Influencer Marketing Opportunities

   Influencers are the unsung heroes of the social media world. They aren’t your run-of-the-mill celebrities with millions of followers. No, they’re everyday people who have managed to amass a loyal fan base through their relatable content, engaging personality, and yes, a healthy dose of talent.

   For businesses, collaborating with TikTok influencers presents a golden opportunity to tap into their influence and reach new audiences authentically. With their charismatic personalities, creative content, and dedicated followings, influencers can sway hearts, minds, and purchasing decisions with just a single video.

7. Cost-Effective Advertising

   TikTok offers a plethora of advertising options for businesses looking to expand their reach, drive engagement, and ultimately, boost sales.  These advertising options include sponsored content, branded hashtags, and in-feed ads.

   Through the TikTok Business Manager, businesses of all sizes and budgets can access a variety of advertising options, allowing them to tailor their marketing strategies to suit their specific goals and objectives.

   So, whether you’re a small startup or a multinational corporation, TikTok allows you to set your own budget, target your ads to specific demographics or interests, and track your campaign performance in real-time.

8. Data and Insights

   One of the most powerful features of TikTok’s analytics tools is the ability to dive deep into audience demographics. Once you establish your presence on this platform, you can access information about your followers’ age, gender, location, and interests. This wealth of information can allow you to tailor your content and messaging to better resonate with your target audience.

   But it’s not just about knowing who your audience is. It’s also about understanding how they engage with your content. TikTok’s analytics tools provide a wealth of information about engagement metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and views.

   Moreover, TikTok’s analytics tools can allow you to track the performance of individual videos, hashtags, and campaigns, providing insights into reach, engagement, and conversion rates. This information can empower you to optimize your marketing strategies, connect with your audience more effectively, and ultimately drive better results.

Related Article: Master Your Guide to TikTok Ads Manager for 2024

How to Use TikTok for Business (12 Steps)

Looking to harness the power of TikTok for business? Follow these 12 steps to maximize your presence on the platform and connect with your audience:

1. Understand Your Audience

   Start by researching and understanding your target audience on TikTok. What content do they engage with? What trends do they follow? Knowing your audience is key to creating content that resonates with them.

2. Create a Business Account

   If you haven’t already, create a TikTok for business accounts.

   

   This will give you access to analytics tools, ad options, and other features specifically designed for businesses.

3. Define Your Brand’s Personality

   Determine your brand’s personality and tone of voice on TikTok. Are you playful and humorous, or informative and educational? Establishing your brand’s identity will guide your content creation process.

4. Participate in Trends

   Keep an eye on trending challenges, hashtags, and memes on TikTok, and find creative ways to participate while staying true to your brand. On the search bar, type “popular trends/challenges right now” and you can view what’s trending.

   

   Participating in popular trends will help you stay relevant and connect with a wider audience.

5. Leverage User-Generated Content

   Encourage your audience to create and share content related to your brand. User-generated content adds authenticity and credibility to your brand while increasing engagement and reach.

6.  Create Highly Entertaining Content

   It’s all about making people stop mid-scroll, double-tap that like button, and maybe even share your video with their friends. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping dance routine, a hilarious comedy sketch, or a mind-blowing life hack, the key is to create something that grabs attention and keeps people coming back for more.

7. Create Engaging Content

   Produce high-quality, engaging content that captures attention and encourages interaction. Experiment with different formats, such as behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, and storytelling, to keep your audience entertained and coming back for more.

8.  Utilize TikTok’s Features

   Take advantage of TikTok’s unique features, such as duets, challenges, filters, and effects, to enhance your content and engage with your audience innovatively.

   

9. Collaborate with Influencers

   Partner with TikTok influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographic. Influencer collaborations can help amplify your brand’s reach, credibility, and engagement on the platform.

10. Run TikTok Ads

    Consider running TikTok ads to increase your brand’s visibility further and reach on the platform. Explore options such as sponsored content, branded hashtags, and in-feed ads, and tailor your ad strategy to your specific goals and budget.

11. Track and Analyze Performance

    After creating your business account and posting your content, expect insights to become available approximately seven days into your activity. Be sure to monitor your TikTok analytics regularly to track the performance of your content, campaigns, and overall account. You can use these insights to refine your strategy, optimize your content, and drive better results over time.

12. Leverage a Social Media Management Tool

    Social media management tools like Social  Champ can streamline your TikTok marketing efforts.

    

    This handy tool can help you stay organized, track performance, and manage multiple social media platforms from one centralized dashboard.

    With this free scheduler, you’ll get to experience effortless management across all your social media platforms.

Related Article: User Generated Content: Reasons to Get Started in 2024

Conclusion

An impressive 40% of young consumers utilize TikTok as a search engine to find information about businesses, products, and services. This underscores the importance for businesses to establish a brand presence in a space where consumers actively seek information and entertainment. So, whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned marketer, you should leverage TikTok for business and propel your brand to new heights of success.

Frequently Asked Questions