TikTok As Key Digital Marketing Tool and How a VA Can Help

TikTok has emerged as a social media powerhouse, with an estimated 45% of social media users in the US using the platform. Plus, TikTok presents an excellent opportunity for businesses to expand their reach and drive sales. 

However, getting started on TikTok can be overwhelming for new users or those unfamiliar with social media marketing. In this article, we’ll cover TikTok for Business 101, outlining how businesses should create a TikTok business account, become familiar with TikTok’s algorithm, and develop a content marketing strategy that resonates with their audience.

Getting started on TikTok

To get started on TikTok, businesses must create a business account. Users can download, install, and open the TikTok app, register for an account, enter a username, and edit their profile to include a bio, profile image, and links to YouTube and Instagram accounts. Also, users should upgrade to a TikTok Pro account to access the full range of features. 

This requires clicking on the upper-right-hand corner of the Me tab and selecting ‘Switch to Business Account.’ Users can then choose Creator and Business as their account type, selecting the category that best describes their business and adding their email and website to complete their profile.

The powerful TikTok algorithm

The TikTok algorithm is a game-changer for businesses looking to expand their reach on the platform. Also, The For You page is a personalized feed of videos tailored to each user’s interests and curated by the platform’s algorithm. To make the most of the algorithm, businesses should focus on factors that influence the algorithm, such as user location, audience interactions, and trending sounds and hashtags.

Equally, companies should avoid factors that do not affect the algorithm, such as overall follower count, video performance track record, and age of videos.

Businesses can use TikTok for marketing by researching and analyzing their competitors and other brands in their industry and niche. Moreover, companies can gain insights into what works and what doesn’t by researching competitors’ TikTok accounts and analyzing the types of content they’re posting, how often they post, and how engaged users are with their posts.

Businesses should also set SMART goals − goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. SMART goals help to develop a consistent content marketing strategy that resonates with their audience.

Stay current with regular posts and great content.

Posting regularly is critical to staying in the feeds of TikTok users and building a relationship with the brand over time. Businesses should also take note of the best times of day to post, which can be found in the analytics section of their Pro account.

By following these steps, businesses can unlock TikTok’s potential as a marketing tool, tapping into the thriving TikTok community.

Create killer content

Now that you understand the platform and your goals, it’s time to create content. But what type of content should you be making? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Hashtag challenges

Challenges are one of the most popular types of content on TikTok. A challenge implies creating a video, asking users to participate in a specific activity, and using a particular hashtag. Ensure the challenge is relevant to your brand and audience, and don’t forget to offer an incentive for participation.

Tutorials

TikTok is an excellent platform for educational content. Create tutorials that showcase your products or services or provide value to your audience by teaching them something new.

Behind the scenes

Give your audience a glimpse behind the scenes of your business, or show them how your product is made. This type of content can help to familiarize your brand and build trust with your audience.

Influencer collaborations

Partner with influencers or other brands to create content together. This can help you reach a wider audience and can provide a new perspective on your brand.

Critical tips for TikTok videos

Remember to keep your content short, engaging, and visually appealing. TikTok videos are limited to 60 seconds, so make every second count.

Run video ads

In addition to the organic content, you can also run video ads on TikTok. There are several types of video ads available, including:

In-feed ads

These ads appear in the user’s ‘For You’ feed and resemble regular TikTok videos. They can be up to 60 seconds long and include a call-to-action button that can link to an external website or app.

Brand takeovers

These ads appear when a user opens the TikTok app; they take over the entire screen. They can include images, GIFs, videos, and links to an external website or app.

Hashtag challenges

In addition to organic challenges, you can also run sponsored challenges. TikTok promotes these challenges and can include a sponsored hashtag and brand-specific filters and effects.

TopView ads

These ads resemble brand takeovers but don’t take over the entire screen. Instead, they appear at the top of the ‘For You’ feed and play automatically when the user opens the app.

Engage your audience

Engagement is key on TikTok. You want to build a relationship with your audience and encourage them to interact with your content. Here are a few tips for engaging your audience on TikTok:

Respond to comments

When users comment on your videos, make sure to respond to them. This shows that you’re listening; a response can help build a relationship with your audience.

Collaborate with users

Engage with your followers by collaborating with them on videos. You can ask them to participate in a challenge or create content together.

Use duets and stitches.

Duets and stitches allow users to create videos that interact with existing content. Use these features to engage with your audience and create user-generated content.

The bottom line about TikTok as a digital marketing tool

TikTok can be a powerful tool for growing your business and reaching new customers. By creating a TikTok business account, becoming familiar with the platform’s algorithm, creating killer content, running video ads, and engaging your audience, you can set yourself up for success on this popular social media platform.

Remember to set SMART goals, be consistent with your content, and always keep your audience in mind. More so, you can make the process easier by hiring a virtual social media assistant to manage your TikTok account. Beneficial is a virtual assistant who specializes in content creation and TikTok videos. 

Contact us and book your free call with our outsourcing expert to learn more!

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