TikTok was the most downloaded app of 2021, with 656 million downloads. That’s over 100 million more than the runner-up, Instagram. This is also the third year that TikTok has held the number-one spot. Keep reading to learn about TikTok marketing strategies for small businesses!
Now, consumers have downloaded the app more than three billion times.
Improving TikTok marketing strategies for your small business can help you appeal to those users. Then, you can begin generating more followers, engagement, and even sales. Marketing with TikTok could help your business experience lasting growth.
Not sure how to use TikTok to grow your business? Read on for the 10 tips you need for successful TikTok marketing today!
1. Know Your Audience
TikTok has close to 700 million monthly active users worldwide. The majority of users in the US are between 10 to 19 years old. Meanwhile, only 16.4% of users are between 30 to 39 years old.
Only 22% of American millennials and Gen Z-ers use TikTok.
If you want to start improving TikTok marketing strategies for your business, set yourself up for success by gathering research. Audience research will help you develop personalized content. Personalization can help you build strong, lasting relationships with your target audience.
If you don’t know who your customers are and what they care about, you won’t create content they care about, either. In fact, there’s a chance your customers aren’t using TikTok at all. If you’re trying to reach older consumers, you might want to consider different social media platforms.
As you learn how to use TikTok to market your business, take the time to learn as much as you can about your customers.
First, think about the pain point your customers experience on a daily basis. How can your product or service help them? Think about the content you can create that will appeal to their interests or concerns.
Next, take a look at how they behave on the app. Many users check the app multiple times a day. With that in mind, you might want to post multiple times a day to ensure your followers always find fresh content.
Check out the influencers and brands your customers already follow on TikTok, too. Explore the content those accounts have already posted.
Which TikTok videos generated the most engagement?
Next, check out the challenges your followers are engaged with. Consider which hashtags they’re exploring, too.
This data can help you develop TikTok marketing content that appeals to your target audience.
2. Gather Hashtags
As you continue gathering research for your TikTok marketing strategy, pay attention to the hashtags you use within your posts.
Users explore hashtags to find content relevant to their interests. Meanwhile, the platform uses hashtags to catalog content based on different subjects.
Check out the Discover tab to find currently trending hashtags. Then, look at the video content under each hashtag. Think about unique content you can create that’s relevant to the hashtags that are currently trending.
Make sure to continue checking the Discover tab as trends change over time.
Try to jump on a trending hashtag as soon as possible (before it’s no longer relevant). Jumping on a hashtag can help you:
- Acquire more brand trust
- Attract new followers
- Identify your competitors
- Amplify your reach on TikTok
Try to avoid hashtags that are popular yet generic, though. Otherwise, your content might get lost in a sea of other posts. Consumers might struggle to find your content if you’re using generic hashtags.
Instead, choose hashtags that are popular but relevant to your niche.
Don’t overdo it, either. Instead of 20 hashtags, choose four or five that are relevant to your business and your content.
3. Track Trends
If you want to remain relevant while marketing with TikTok, sleep track of the latest trends.
Tracking trends can help you maximize your reach. You can create content your customers want to see from your brand, too.
Trends are constantly changing, though. If you want to maximize your reach, appeal to a trend as soon as it gains popularity.
Don’t copy and paste other brands, either. Instead, make sure each video you create is creative, unique, and suitable to your brand.
4. Work With Influencers
Collaborating with TikTok creators can increase ad recall by 27%. US influencers also see high engagement rates on the app, at 18% for micro-influencers. By comparison, Instagram influencers only have a 3.86% engagement rate.
About 45% of marketers already use TikTok for influencer marketing.
If you’re not using influencer marketing, you’re missing the chance to maximize your reach online. After all, consumers already follow and trust influencers. You could leverage that existing brand trust to encourage consumers to trust your brand.
First, look for the influencers your customers are already following on TikTok. Explore the content those influencers have already created.
Make sure you’re impressed by their content. If they’re not creating quality content, they might struggle to support your social media marketing strategy. Check the engagement they’ve generated, too.
If they’re not generating views, comments, and likes, keep searching.
Once you’ve found a few influencers who appeal to your audience, ask them to promote your brand or product. Consumers might decide to trust a recommendation from an influencer they already follow. Then, they’ll check out your brand, allowing you to attract new customers to your business.
5. Post Consistently
Remember, TikTok users check the app every single day, multiple times a day. If you’re not posting consistently, they might forget about your account. As you develop your TikTok marketing strategy, take the time to create a content calendar.
Creating a content calendar can help you organize your ideas. It can also help you identify gaps in your schedule.
If you’re struggling to create enough content to post consistently, consider working with a digital marketing agency.
Otherwise, try creating episodic content. TikTok users like shorter videos. If you have an idea for a longer video, break it up into smaller segments.
Then, post a series of videos throughout the week.
Episodic content can encourage people to continue returning to your account. They’ll want to follow the narrative you’re creating. You can continue engaging your audience.
Meanwhile, consumers will continue viewing your brand, allowing brand awareness to grow. In time, they’ll begin remembering your brand. You can remain top-of-mind with your audience, which might encourage future interactions.
6. Engage With Others
TikTok is a social media platform. With that in mind, it’s important that you engage your audience on the app. Make an effort to check your account for fresh comments and direct messages every day or every few days.
Don’t wait for people to comment on your posts, though. Instead, make sure you’re engaging with other users on their content as well. Commenting on other posts can help more people become aware of your brand.
TikTok encourages constant engagement. Remaining active on the app could help more people find your brand.
Don’t post generic comments like “nice post,” though. Instead, make sure your comments add to the content. Consider asking questions or posting a thought-provoking message.
Make sure your comments are adding value to the post.
Creating engaging and entertaining comments could encourage more people to check out your content.
7. Use TikTok Ads
In 2021, TikTok became the top-grossing app worldwide. The app generated over $110 million in user spending. More brands are using TikTok ads to reach and engage their followers.
Advertising on TikTok will help you boost your online brand presence. It can also help you generate more engagement and sales.
If you want to reach your target audience on TikTok, consider working with an experienced TikTok advertising agency. Working with an agency can help you save time and money. With management services, you can set your campaigns up for success.
You can learn more about TikTok advertising services here.
8. Consider SEO
Consider aligning your TikTok and search engine optimization strategies (SEO). When writing your comments, make sure they’re detailed and descriptive. Consider the target keywords you’re adding within your captions.
Adding target keywords to your captions could help you reach more users online. TikTok will index your clip to ensure it reaches your ideal customers.
9. Experiment
About 67% of TikTok users feel inspired to shop (even when they weren’t looking to do so). Meanwhile, 20.6% of consumers who purchase products on social media say they do so all the time on TikTok. TikTok is now the platform with the highest percentage of frequent social shoppers.
TikTok ad revenues could reach $12 billion by the end of 2022.
If you want to generate more sales through TikTok marketing, don’t take it too seriously. Instead, have fun. Focus on engaging your audience over selling your products.
Experiment with different filters, effects, and challenges to attract and engage customers.
Consumers will become more aware of your brand and offerings, which could help you generate more sales.
10. Track Your Progress
If you want to continue improving TikTok marketing strategies for your business, review your analytics. Checking your data can help you determine which strategies are working (and which aren’t). Then, you can make adjustments to your strategy to reach even more customers online.
TikTok Tips: Start Improving TikTok Marketing Strategies for Your Business
Don’t let your social media marketing strategy flatline this year. Instead, keep improving TikTok marketing strategies with these tips. Using these tips can help you boost brand visibility, engagement, and sales.
With a strong TikTok marketing strategy, you can set your business up for serious growth.
Need help strategizing? We’re happy to lend a hand.
Contact us today to learn more!
