How to Step Up Your Business’s TikTok Game
Image courtesy of Solen Feyissa
Building a Presence on the Hottest Social Media App
Does your business have the TikTok formula figured out yet? Chances are you haven’t and there’s a good reason as to why. TikTok is the “wild card” of social media platforms; constantly changing their algorithm, controlling which content hits the #foryou page and pushing out trends that call for quick turnaround times. Although it might be a lot of work, TikTok has been known to turn small businesses into booming businesses with one viral video. Viral videos, trends and influencer videos on TikTok have helped businesses grow in ways they might never have imagined.
Understand Your Audience
The first step to growing a successful TikTok account is knowing your audience. Once you understand who your audience is, creating content that they are interested in is next. With TikTok, it’s important to try everything: creative marketing, jumping on trends, utilizing the trending sounds, and being consistent with the posting schedule. It’s vital to try each technique to see what resonates with the audience most. Once the analytics show that certain videos perform substantially better than others, a niche has been found and this will be the content your business should focus on creating the most.
Keep in mind the primary demographic for TikTok is younger individuals, specifically those aged 16-24. Are you an investment fund looking to build a retirement portfolio? TikTok might not be the right space to spend your marketing dollars. Are you an indie coffee shop looking to gain a foothold in an urban community? Download the app and start posting latte art ASAP.
Image courtesy of Harry Cunningham
Create Authentic Content
Content is king on TikTok. Create short, fun, and engaging videos that resonate with your audience. Use humor, creativity, and novelty to stand out from the crowd. Try to avoid making videos that are overly promotional or “salesy”. Gen Z, having been born into the late capitalist digital age, are especially attuned to sniffing out when a product is being marketed to them. Instead, focus on providing value to your followers, whether that’s through entertainment, education, or inspiration.
Remember, authenticity is key on TikTok, so let your brand’s personality shine through. Use the platform’s unique features like sounds, effects, and challenges to make your content more engaging, but be careful not to overproduce your videos. Selfie-style confessional and talking head videos are often more popular than a sharply edited television commercial-style video.
Image courtesy of Cottonbro Studio
Leverage Trends
TikTok is all about trends and challenges. By hopping on popular trends and participating in challenges, you can significantly increase the visibility of your content. This can lead to more followers and greater engagement. Make sure the trends and challenges you participate in align with your brand and your audience. Don’t force a trend that doesn’t fit with your brand image.
Branded Missions
Now, you may be thinking: “I’m running a business! I don’t have time to scroll TikTok for hours, thinking about different trends and challenges that might be appropriate for my company.”Well, TikTok is already one step ahead of you with their Branded Missions initiative. Brands put out an advertising brief to creators. Any creator who is 18 years or older and has more than 1,000 followers is able to accept the branded mission and create a video. Brands then select their favorite videos and can promote them as ads. No muss, no fuss.
Image courtesy of Ron Lach
Consistently Post and Engage
Consistency is key to growth on any social media platform, and TikTok is no exception. Regularly post content to keep your followers engaged and to increase your chances of gaining new followers. Engagement also extends to responding to comments, collaborating with other creators, and acknowledging your followers. This helps foster a sense of community around your brand and encourages users to interact with your content.
Remember, growing a popular TikTok account doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a lot of trial and error. But by understanding your audience, creating engaging content, leveraging trends, and consistently posting and engaging, you can increase your chances of building a popular TikTok account for your business.
Ready to Take on TikTok?
Meerkat Media Group has a range of experience from daily content creation to complete brand marketing. With experience in e-commerce, hospitality, food, and more, our team is here to help you reach the audience you want in the way you want.
