7 Important Tips When Using TikTok for Business
It feels like once you get a social platform finally figured out, another one comes along. I don’t know about you, but at nearly 43 years-old, most of the time I have zero desire to learn a whole new platform. If you’re like me, this is your relationship with TikTok.
It makes you feel old, inadequate and like there is just one more thing to keep up with. Right?
BUT, then you hear stories of business-owners like Lili Foggle, Founder of @impressiveinterviewing, who in her late-50s started a service based business and one day got on Tik Tok. She started recording and sharing her tips, and now 52K followers later, she has a HUGE business of people who pay for her services as well.
Or, you hear the story about @bettysbooklist, who yes, she is more in-line with the core demographic of TikTok, but she has used it to produce some of the most unique book-related content on the internet—resulting in a following of over 250k. She’s left her corporate job and now is a content creator in the book publishing space…all while writing her own book!
These are the stories that motivate you that maybe…just MAYBE, it is time to embrace something new as it could help you grow your business.
Earlier this summer I made it a goal to get a handle on TikTok. I learned how to use it, and I posted for 30 days straight. All the while, over the last few months I have spent some time educating myself on the platform and how to use it for my business.
My philosophy about TikTok is the same as other platforms—I don’t believe in vanity numbers. I don’t believe in “beating the algorithm” or doing silly dances just because that’s the trend. These tactics won’t translate to bottom line business growth for me, for you, for anyone really. I
BUT, I am ready to share what I have learned from my own experience AND conversations with @impressiveinterviewing, @bettysbooklist, and upcoming with @tannermann, as well as through listening to podcasts such as Social Media Marketing, hosted by @stelzner (here is an incredible episode he just did with @socialtypro).
NICHE down. It’s important that you show up as specific as possible about what it is you do, who you want to reach and the content you are providing for them. The more specific about what you want to share, the better.
Train the algorithm: This was actually a tip that @bettysbooklist shared with me on our episode of @dearfoundher. She said that you have to train TikTok to know who you want to reach by watching their videos, engaging with those people…and only those people. At least at first. This way the platform will know to show your content to them as well as others within your niche.
Have a hook—you have only a few seconds to capture your viewers. Make sure you have a GOOD HOOK for why they should stop scrolling and watch.
Post consistently—but with intent. Multiple content creators have shared with me that the best way to get started on TikTok is to post every day for 30 days. Try out different formats, sounds and techniques. See what works. But post consistently for 30 days. When you do this you can see what your community likes to see and what they don’t…and you can even ask them as your following grows.
Check out what others are doing. DON’T COPY. There is nothing worse. But you can look at what others in your niche are posting and get ideas for what to post and what is trending. This was a tip that @socialtypro gave on the recent podcast I listened to.
Use trending sounds, even if underneath your content. A lot of videos on the platform are discovered through sounds. So even if you don’t have music blaring. Even if you are not dancing. You can put one underneath your video and turn the volume down. This will help others to see your videos.
It’s never too late. There is still a huge opportunity for organic growth on TikTok Tok. So there is no better time to get started than right now.
Through these learnings, I’m prepared to give TikTok another 30 day go, applying these strategies and others I’ve collected from my own use and from reading about the platform. Who wants to give it a try with me? I’m starting on September 1.
For more tips on building an monetizing your community, follow me @lindsaypinchuk.
