How To Use TikTok for Business: A 9-Step Guide [2024]

TikTok exploded in reputation in the course of the pandemic, and 4 years later, it’s nonetheless going sturdy. After surpassing the 1 billion consumer mark in 2023, TikTok now boasts 1.5 billion month-to-month energetic customers. If you happen to’re not utilizing TikTok for your enterprise, you’re lacking out on an enormous probability to succeed in your potential prospects.

From trending sounds to stay streams to viral challenges, TikTok isn’t nearly dancing anymore. And its energetic consumer base spans far past Gen Z.

On this article, we’ll train you easy methods to use TikTok for enterprise. We’ll stroll you thru figuring out traits, which modifying instruments to make use of, easy methods to measure success, and extra.

Word: this text is about easy methods to use TikTok as a advertising and marketing channel for your enterprise. To be taught concerning the “TikTok for Business” platform, take a look at this text about TikTok promoting.

How to make use of TikTok for enterprise

Under, we’ll take you thru 9 steps to set your enterprise up for success on TikTok. We’ll begin with the fundamentals of the platform. Then, we’ll assist you degree up by creating a technique, making partaking content material, and working advertisements.

Step 1: Create a TikTok Enterprise Account

Step one is to arrange your TikTok account and safe your username. If you have already got a private TikTok account, you’ll be able to simply swap it to a Enterprise Account. Scroll right down to step 6.

It’s free to create a enterprise account on TikTok. The benefits of having a TikTok enterprise account embody:

Web site hyperlink in your bio

Detailed account insights

Enterprise Suite instruments like promoting and auto-messaging

One draw back is that enterprise accounts solely have entry to a restricted music library. Nonetheless, that is good: TikTok prevents enterprise accounts from utilizing copyrighted music, so that you received’t unintentionally use a copyrighted music in an advert.

Comply with these steps to create your TikTok account:

1. Obtain and open the TikTok app.

2. Create a brand new private account. You should utilize your e-mail or log in along with your Google, Twitter, or Fb account.

3. Faucet Profile within the decrease proper nook, then hit the menu icon (three horizontal traces) within the prime proper nook.

4. Faucet Settings and Privateness.

5. Faucet Account.

6. Faucet Change to Enterprise Account.

7. Decide the class that finest describes your model and faucet Subsequent.

8. Add your enterprise e-mail handle to your profile.

And that’s it! You now have a TikTok Enterprise account.

Step 2: Create a TikTok technique

Earlier than posting on TikTok, you need to create a platform-specific social media technique. Having an Instagram or YouTube technique is a superb place to begin, however do not forget that TikTok could be very totally different in its content material types, consumer preferences, and algorithm.

Gathering data is the easiest way to construct a profitable TikTok technique. Listed here are the constructing blocks it’s worthwhile to get began.

Perceive the TikTok algorithm

The very first thing it’s worthwhile to perceive is the TikTok algorithm. The algorithm is the one impediment that stands between your movies and going viral on TikTok.

If you wish to hit the FYPs of your potential prospects, it’s worthwhile to be taught the components that may assist you get there. In line with TikTok, the algorithm ranks movies based mostly on a number of components. These components embody consumer interactions with previous content material, the video’s captions, sounds & hashtags, and viewer demographics.

Right here’s a video about how to decide on hashtags on TikTok:

Or attempt our completely free TikTok hashtag generator!

Spend time scrolling TikTok

Sure, as a enterprise proprietor or marketer, it’s your job to spend time scrolling via TikTok.

Watching your For You Web page is the easiest way to see what works and what doesn’t, particularly in your area of interest.

Over time, you’ll be taught what tends to go viral, how creators use animations and captions, remark tradition, and TikTok-specific vocabulary.

Supply: Lionsgate UK on TikTok

I opened my FYP, and it delivered the proper video for me — this Starvation Video games x Taylor Swift crossover from @lionsgateuk 😬

Study TikTok vocab

Talking of vocabulary, TikTokers use a whole lot of jargon.

Whereas Gen Z and youthful customers are inclined to set the tone and phrase utilization, they’re fast to unfold to all customers.

Supply: Ryanair on TikTok

A warning: Test your model voice earlier than totally adopting “TikTok speak.” Whereas Duolingo can pull it off, the “unhinged social media manager” persona might not be a match for your enterprise.

Understanding frequent phrases, tropes, and their utilization may also help you keep away from embarrassing missteps.

Set targets and targets

Your technique ought to clearly outline what you wish to obtain on TikTok. Word that TikTok isn’t a sales-focused platform. The algorithm favors on-platform engagement.

So, how will you tie TikTok engagement again to enterprise targets? There are a number of methods:

Elevating model consciousness

Growing optimistic model sentiment

Bettering model status

Enterprise publication Morning Brew grew its e-mail listing by 70,000 subscribers by partnering with a preferred creator. Morning Brew requested the creator to craft a video that was 80% “skit” and 20% name to motion. This immediate produced an genuine and fascinating video that led to significant enterprise outcomes.

That is an instance of Morning Brew’s extremely profitable natural content material, which influenced its sponsored content material technique.

Establish your audience

Whereas TikTok is extraordinarily well-liked with youngsters and Gen Z, it’s nonetheless well-used by older age teams. So, it’s probably you can attain your goal market on TikTok.

Supply: Statista

So, the essential query is: How does your goal market differ from different platforms on TikTok? If not in demographics, then what about their preferences?

When you’re assured that you realize who you’re focusing on on TikTok, you’ll be able to transfer on to content material planning.

Plan your content material calendar

In contrast to different platforms, TikTok tends to really feel extra fast-paced and spontaneous. Developments come and go in a matter of days. By the point you consider a model tie-in, the chance for engagement might have handed.

Whereas it could really feel counterintuitive, having a social media calendar may also help. A calendar ensures you’ll be able to anticipate vital occasions that create buzz on TikTok, just like the Met Gala, and plan sufficient time for manufacturing.

A social media scheduler like Hootsuite may even assist you pre-load content material so it posts on TikTok on the optimum time (extra on that later!).

Ensure to adapt your content material pillars for TikTok. Content material pillars are recurring themes that tie your posts again to your model.

For a journey model, these pillars may embody vacation spot inspiration, resort & flight offers, and packing ideas. Content material themes offer you a robust place to begin to brainstorm movies and soar on traits as they emerge.

Put up TikTok movies at the most effective occasions FREE for 30 days

Schedule posts, analyze them, and reply to feedback from one easy-to-use dashboard.

Strive Hootsuite

Outline your TikTok visible model

Excellent news: You don’t want an enormous manufacturing finances to create content material for TikTok.

The truth is, 65% of TikTok customers suppose that professional-looking movies from manufacturers look misplaced on the platform.

All it’s worthwhile to begin creating TikTok movies is your telephone and a few creativity. After all, clear audio and good lighting are essential, however that’s it.

Listed here are just a few examples from manufacturers which have stored their TikTok aesthetic lowkey, like Scrub Daddy…

and Moonpie:

(And sure, there’s one other owl on TikTok who’s prettttty good at this too.)

Step 3: Optimize your TikTok profile

Customers typically go to your TikTok profile after seeing a video or remark. Your profile consists of your bio, a hyperlink, and a photograph. Collectively, they act as your digital storefront. With such restricted area, it’s important to hone them to signify your model in the most effective gentle doable.

Be constant along with your profile picture

Ensure your profile picture appears good and represents your model. Ideally, it ought to be constant along with your photographs on different digital platforms. Use the identical emblem or colours as your web site, branding, and different social media profiles.

Preserve your bio quick and candy

TikTok bios are restricted to 80 characters. That is tremendous quick—even lower than a tweet pre-2017!

With such restricted area, your bio wants to chop to the chase. Ideally, it ought to embody a CTA. Emojis can add character, however keep away from changing phrases with emojis per accessibility finest practices.

Are you caught on crafting the proper bio? Use our useful TikTok bio generator for inspiration.

Decide your URL correctly

TikTok Enterprise accounts can add a web site URL as soon as they attain 1,000 followers. If you happen to haven’t but reached that threshold, you’ll be able to register your enterprise (TikTok permitted my utility inside minutes). As soon as permitted, you’ll have the ability to add your web site hyperlink.

In contrast to Instagram, you solely get one hyperlink in your TikTok bio. For a enterprise, that may be one among many choices: your e-commerce website, a selected touchdown web page, one other social account, a present weblog put up—the listing goes on. You possibly can choose one hyperlink and stick with it or manually change it as wanted.

Or, even higher, you’ll be able to create a hyperlink in bio web page with Hootsuite, which lets you have as many hyperlinks as you need.

Get verified

Verified TikTok accounts profit from elevated publicity, authenticity, and trustworthiness.

You don’t need to be well-known to get one, and plenty of companies have them. There aren’t any clear standards or minimal followers to get verified. You possibly can request verification via your TikTok app’s Settings and Privateness menu.

Examine easy methods to get verified on TikTok right here, or watch this video recap:

Step 4: Create thumb-stopping content material

As a enterprise or marketer, your #1 focus for TikTok ought to be making content material that may cease somebody mid-scroll. Whereas there’s no secret components, just a few ideas will assist you establish what works along with your viewers.

Polish your video aesthetics

It could appear apparent, however the higher your sound and video high quality, the extra satisfying your content material might be.

Lighting is particularly essential in magnificence and beauty model movies to point out an correct depiction of the merchandise. Glossier’s feed exhibits many good examples of well-lit movies utilizing pure gentle.

That doesn’t imply it’s worthwhile to put money into expensive gear. As talked about above, you need to movie in quiet, well-lit areas. Listed here are 13 extra tips on easy methods to make short-form movies that stand out.

If clear audio is inconceivable, don’t stress. You possibly can add a voiceover throughout your modifying course of, in addition to an audio monitor. It is a good alternative to make use of a trending sound. Right here’s easy methods to discover business-friendly TikTok sounds.

Lean into well-liked codecs

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when creating content material for TikTok. My finest inspiration for movies comes from scrolling my very own FYP. I save movies I can later adapt for my viewers and content material pillars.

How-to movies like exercise routines and cooking demos constantly carry out effectively. TikTokers get pleasure from academic movies as a result of they acquire worth from watching them. They don’t need to be in depth or in-depth—only one key studying will do the trick.

Tip: Create movies that showcase your experience or present easy methods to replicate the method behind creating your services or products.

Collaborate with different creators

Are you uninterested in displaying your personal face in all of your movies? Give your movies a refresh by partnering with TikTok influencers and creators.

You possibly can fee UGC movies from creators to put up by yourself TikTok, identical to skincare model @airyday.

You too can sew or duet current movies to interact organically with different creators.

@charlieputh is the king of stitches. He’s made an entire factor out of taking a TikTok video and making a music from it.

Add captions and animations

After spending time in your FYP, you’ll discover some frequent components and patterns in how TikTokers edit their movies to seize your consideration.

The primary factor is video captions. As TikTok is a sound-on platform, it’s essential so as to add captions for accessibility and engagement. You possibly can allow automated captions for your movies, however many TikTokers nonetheless add their very own to have full management over styling, animation, and emphasis.

Talking of animations, you’ll probably discover a number of quick cuts and animated components, identical to on this video from @ashtonherndon.

These components assist to seize and maintain viewers’ consideration, rising watch time (an essential sign for the algorithm).

Use hashtags

Though the algorithm does many of the heavy lifting concerning the attain and discoverability of your content material, hashtags may also help refine its focusing on. Hashtags may also assist your content material get found by way of search.

Study extra about the most effective TikTok hashtags to develop your attain and consider counts.

Prepared to begin creating scroll-stopping content material? Dive deeper into our information to getting extra TikTok views right here and discover concepts for artistic, partaking TikTok movies right here.

Step 5: Harness the ability of Search engine optimization

As talked about above, hashtags are important in getting visibility for your content material. Nonetheless, key phrases and captions play much more vital roles because of TikTok’s improved search function. 40% of Gen Z primarily use Instagram and TikTok for search.

Manufacturers and entrepreneurs can reap the benefits of TikTok’s rising search capabilities by making use of tried-and-tested Search engine optimization practices. Do key phrase analysis, suppose strategically about how your audience would use search, and experiment with longer captions filled with actual worth and, in fact, key phrases.

Study extra about TikTok Search engine optimization technique, and take a look at this free device to generate Search engine optimization-optimized TikTok captions.

Step 6: Put up on the proper time

To get your content material in entrance of your audience, it doesn’t simply need to be good. It additionally needs to be posted on the proper time.

Primarily based on our personal experiments and analyzing 30,000+ posts, we discovered the most effective time to put up on TikTok is Thursday at 7 pm PST. Your mileage might differ, so be certain to check this and test your analytics.

We suggest utilizing a scheduling device to keep away from being tied to your telephone to put up at that actual time. Technically, you’ll be able to schedule posts within the TikTok app, however solely as much as 10 days prematurely and on a desktop pc.

Fortunately, Hootsuite affords workarounds to each of these points. With Hootsuite, you’ll be able to schedule your TikToks months prematurely by way of desktop or telephone. Plus, after just a few posts, Hootsuite will mechanically calculate the most effective occasions for you to put up based mostly in your viewers and targets.

Watch this walkthrough of easy methods to schedule a TikTok put up with Hootsuite:

Step 7: Have interaction and develop your viewers

Creating high-quality content material (see step 4) is the easiest way to develop your viewers. There aren’t any different methods or shortcuts.

(Sorry, curious Quora questioner — it truly is that easy.)

Good content material apart, listed here are just a few extra ideas that can assist you develop your viewers on TikTok:

Decide a distinct segment and keep it up

Put up constantly

Have interaction with different posts and creators inside your area of interest

Experiment with the whole lot: codecs, modifying types, put up occasions

Reply to all feedback and questions in your posts

Use social listening to remain on prime of trending matters in your business

Add CTAs to your movies and captions (akin to “follow me to learn more skincare tips from a certified dermatologist”)

Run advertisements to complement your natural content material (see step 9 under)

Use new options once they launch (the algorithm tends to favor them), akin to Tales and picture carousels

Need extra in-depth ideas? Take a look at our full information on easy methods to get followers on TikTok.

Step 8: Use analytics to be taught and iterate

After you’ve received just a few profitable posts below your belt, it’s time to grasp your TikTok analytics.

Your analytics can reply many questions: are you reaching your goal market? Did that viral put up truly acquire you new followers? Which movies are resonating along with your viewers?

Whether or not you utilize TikTok’s built-in analytics or a third get together device (like Hootsuite!), studying out of your information is crucial.

Monitor metrics like common watch time, saves, and engagement price. These metrics sign which movies are offering probably the most worth for your viewers.

Tip: When you establish your top-performing movies, re-post them or create totally different variations.

Step 9: Run TikTok Adverts

If you happen to’re able to step into paid advertisements territory, TikTok is a robust choice for manufacturers and entrepreneurs to succeed in their prospects.

Regardless of being a more moderen platform, TikTok’s promoting options are simply as mature as Meta’s. And with the highly effective focusing on of the algorithm, TikTok advertisements are good at driving actions.

In line with TikTok, 65% of customers have adopted or bought from a model they found on the platform.

On TikTok, you may have a number of methods to run advertisements:

If TikTok promoting appears like a match for your technique, take a look at our information to creating nice TikTok advertisements.

I like this advert from BetterHelp—it’s native (filmed in the identical nation because the viewer), matches the “phone camera” aesthetic, and options somebody talking authentically to the digital camera.

Congrats, you’ve simply realized TikTok Enterprise 101! If you happen to bear in mind one factor from the information, let or not it’s this: posting high quality content material on TikTok is all that issues. Concentrate on making helpful, academic, or entertaining content material, and the remaining will comply with.

We are able to’t wait to see your posts on our FYP!

Develop your TikTok presence alongside your different social channels utilizing Hootsuite. Schedule and publish posts for the most effective occasions, have interaction your viewers, and measure efficiency — all from one easy-to-use dashboard. Strive it free right now.

Do it higher with Hootsuite, the all-in-one social media device. Keep up to the mark, develop, and beat the competitors.