What is TikTok?
TikTok. Have you heard of it? More than likely the answer is yes. Seeing as the app has over 1 billion users and is one of the most downloaded apps in the world. If you're among the people that have no idea what you’re reading about, here’s a quick run-down. This social media app allows users to create and watch short videos between 15 seconds and 3 minutes. The app has a powerful algorithm in place, making for ultra-personalized feeds that are unique to each user. This is the main reason TikTok has gained so much popularity, it’s an endless feed of videos just for you.
The age range for the app is 10-50+ years old with thousands of niche communities within. You can find content on nearly anything you can think of. Bass guitar enthusiasts, parenting advice, product reviews, people eating food super close to a microphone, and thousands more. There is truly content for everyone on the app. The average person spends around 24.5 hours on TikTok per month, that’s more than Facebook. Which is crazy.
Is TikTok Good for Business?
So, how does this relate to businesses? Well, many small business owners have found that TikTok has been a great marketing and advertising tool. #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt is one of the most popular hashtags on the app with over 8 billion views and counting. Many small businesses have gotten great exposure on the app, resulting in an increase in customers and sales.
How a Deli Owner Skyrocketed His Business from a Simple 15-Second Video
A great example of this happening is the story of a small unsuspecting deli in Cleveland Ohio going viral over a video, less than 15 seconds long about a chicken salad. The video seems to have taken no effort at all. The deli owner recorded a customer eating a salad and she says where she got it and what’s on it. The way the customer delivered the line awoke something within the TikTok community and the video blew up. The video now has 26.5 million views. The outcome of the deli’s viral hit resulted in a massive boom in business. The deli owner explains that before the video went viral, he sold about 40 chicken salads per day. Now he’s averaging around 300 chicken salads a day. People are traveling far and wide for the famous salad. So much so, that the deli owner hired more employees and renovated the space to accommodate more people.
The reality of the chicken salad example is that the deli owner got lucky. While hitting gold like that is not impossible by any means, if you look at his page, he has dozens of other videos in the same format that did not go viral. But he was persistent with his content. To be successful on TikTok you need to push out content, engage with other pages that post similar content to yours, use trending sounds, and take advantage of hashtags. There is a science to the algorithm, and if you figure out how it works, your chances of going viral are much higher.
Using The Apps Business Tools
If you think you have no chance of creating a sensational video, there’s good news. TikTok has recently come out with new features specifically for businesses. Instead of having a standard account, you can now create a business account. With a business account; you will be able to learn more about your audience and gauge video performance through the app's analytic tools. It also gives you access to the business creative hub, which helps you think of unique ways to gain views on your videos. TikTok is a free app but, if you’re willing to put a little money into the app you can run advertisements. You can feature your products or link your website on videos, making it easy for users to access. You can also run advanced ad campaigns to reach out to potential customers with similar profiles to current profiles that have either purchased from you or engaged with your page. TikTok advertising is affordable and most small business owners don’t realize what a great tool they have at their disposal.
Using TikTok for a More Positive Work Environment
Making TikTok videos is fun and easy, the format is very user friendly, so if you’re not tech savvy it's okay! Many small business owners say that brainstorming ideas for videos and creating content on the app boosts moral in the work place, and is a great team building activity among employees. A positive work environment is essential for staff retention. It also allows younger employees to shine and feel more integrated within the work place. TikTok can be a strange place with a lot of inside jokes so, if you have a Gen Z or Millennial employee, and their idea doesn’t make sense, you should probably just go with it. Creating quick TikTok videos can become a fun activity that builds positive relationships within the work place, and is free advertising for your small business at no cost to the business owner.
Small businesses have had proven success with the app. If you’re interested in learning other ways to help your small business succeed or getting a website set up to feature on your TikToks, go to https://www.getvms.com/