|Brief Definition: What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social network for sharing video content. The TikTok platform is used to make a variety of short videos that include dance, comedy, and education, ranging from 3 seconds to 1 minute in length.

TikTok is one of the most downloaded applications today, being intended for the creation and distribution of short video clips. Introduced to the market in 2016, this platform only became popular in 2018 when the number of downloads in the Google Play Market and Apple Store reached 1.5 billion globally. TikTok's mission is to surprise and provide the opportunity to present the world as creatively as possible, through short but also funny videos.

From these general data, we move on to some specific elements, which will help you understand the platform and perceive it as an online promotion tool.

Whether you have a business in a well-known field or want to promote yourself as an individual entrepreneur or vlogger, you can use TikTok's options to edit your videos quickly and efficiently.

In this guide we will present you the given platform from another point of view, that of business, we will help you understand how to strengthen your image on this platform and gain the trust of your audience. Why and how did TikTok go viral in business? How can your potential and current customers help you promote yourself organically without ruining your image?

Think your audience isn't on TikTok?

Yes, the biggest demographic of TikTok users is 16-24 (63%) and over 25 (31%). But if you think TikTok is just a Gen Z fad, think again. Since 2018, TikTok has evolved from a video-making app exclusively for users who want to express their creativity to a haven for marketing and advertising.

You've probably already seen the ways brands use Instagram to engage with consumers through posts, Stories, Live Sessions, and IGTV. TikTok allows brands to connect with users through video clips, only they are short material. In the last 12 months, brands have created accounts on this platform to explore the possibilities of growth and to be as close as possible to their followers. You can find everyone on TikTok: from influencers and celebrities to politicians.

Some international statistics about TikTok:

• With 800 million monthly active users, TikTok beats LinkedIn (660+ million), Reddit (430+ million), Snapchat (218+ million), Twitter (340+ million) and Pinterest (322+ million).
  Apple and Google Play users have downloaded the TikTok app over 1.5 billion times.
• TikTok is the sixth most popular app globally based on the number of monthly active users.
• TikTok users cover 150 countries around the world.
• 63.5% of TikTok users in the United States are under the age of 29.
• 51.8% of TikTok users in the United States make over $75,000 per year through the platform.

What attracts businesses to the TikTok platform is the large number of active users. It is not yet known exactly how the algorithm works, but it seems that it is much easier to make your video content go viral on TikTok than on other social media platforms. How else can you promote yourself through the content created by your current customers, without putting in any effort (as you have to do on Facebook or Instagram)?

But if you haven't launched your business on other social networks yet, people won't search for you on TikTok. That's why you should first bring your business to Facebook and/or Instagram, then discover the given platform.

So, let's see what are the 10 TikTok promotion strategies you've been underappreciating and should be using to promote your business digitally!

Strategy No. 1 – Start different challenges and be a trendsetter

The creative marketplace TikTok can surprise you with its opportunities to grow your business. Short videos of no more than 45 seconds can originally present your service or product without a lot of headaches. Influencers admit that most of these videos are made spontaneously without much preparation. The first step to becoming visible on this platform is to invent a challenge related to your product or service.

The second step we recommend is to become a trendsetter in your business field. It's not hard to make quality content and introduce different new trends - it's the way you promote them that matters. Leave your prejudices behind and start bold campaigns to promote your products and services through well-crafted tactics. For example, if you have an E-commerce business (clothes, accessories, etc.) arouse the interest of Internet users with bold combinations of looks promoted on TikTok and make them want to try them as soon as possible.

Strategy #2 – Use hashtags

You already know how useful hashtags can be today, but on the TikTok platform, they have gained even greater fame. The key to growth here lies in the systematization of all processes. You can only do it through the smart use of hashtags. This is one of the most important ways to get your content in front of users.

For example, if you plan to post a video about mobile phones, you can include some popular hashtags including #iphone, #mobilephone, #telefonmobil, etc.

And if you have a business established in one location, be sure to use hashtags related to the same location.

Diversify your hashtags, but don't forget about their relevance to your audience!

Strategy #3 – Keep a close eye on what your competitors are doing

Visibility is one of the biggest advantages offered by the platform. You can follow your competitors and overtake them in 2 times and 3 moves. Make a list of strong brands you'd like to follow that have great content that catches the eye on both the engagement and popularity sides. You can watch all the videos posted by competitors without breaking the rules of the platform.

Each brand will be your inspiration and help you create viral content yourself. Analyze your competition and be one step ahead with quality and relevant content.

Strategy #4 – Identify your peak hours

By sharing content at least twice a day, you will gain a lot of followers, as this will help you track the visibility of your clips, possibly knowing when it's the right time to post them.

First of all, determine what your followers are interested in and what they are doing on this platform. Now TikTok gives you the possibility to upgrade your profile to Pro Account. This account comes with a few extra options, including TikTok Analytics.

In the privacy settings, section "Accounts", type "Analytics", then "Followers". There you will find all the information about your audience.

Study your followers and try to understand how often and at what time they use the TikTok app. This study will help you schedule your posts for peak times and get as many fans as possible.

Strategy #5 – Try Live Streaming on TikTok

Facebook live sessions are no longer current. Their accessibility even started to bring some technical problems. As a result, Instagram Lives has gained increasing popularity among those who have yet to launch on TikTok. The latter offers development possibilities with the help of the Go Live function. This is still in the testing phase and is not available to all users. To enjoy this option, make sure you are using the latest version of the app. You will probably need 1000 fans before you can go live on TikTok.

Strategy #6 - Let users create content for you

Another prevailing trend for brands is to encourage users to post about their products with a hashtag or QR code. If you have an online store, make sure it's active on TikTok. Encourage your followers to post feedback about your business. You can make a "by the way" among the routine posts on the profile and show users the posts of your customers that present your product or service. You won't even need to do this content in-house, your customers will do it for you.

Strategy #7 - Collaborate with micro-influencers on TikTok

If you want to create truly interesting content for Gen Z, it's time to reach out to those who have earned their trust. This is a marketing technique that has been tried and tested millions of times on every social media platform and it works.

For example, an influencer with at least 2 thousand followers will test your product or service, present an objective review, and thus convince his fans to purchase what he just tried. Seems like a simple tactic, doesn't it? What are you waiting for? Contact a known micro-influencer and promote your business originally and effectively.

Strategy #8 - Invest in TikTok Ads

TikTok offers advertising opportunities not only for brands in the United States but also for European countries. The feature is still in Beta, so the setup isn't as automated and smooth as you might expect.

There are 4 formats available for TikTok Ads:

• Brand TakeOver
• Video Native Ads
• Branded Hashtag challenge
• Brand filters and effects.

Note that since TikTok's advertising platform is still in Beta, ad space also has a premium cost that starts at an average of $10 per CPM (cost per thousand views). Moreover, TikTok requires a minimum investment of $500 per campaign (minimum $20 per day), which can last either 5 days or 25 days. The decision is yours, but the shorter the campaign, the more engagement you will get.

To start a TikTok Ads campaign you need to fill out a form requesting details to set up your Ads account, then a representative will contact you and help you do it.

Strategy #9 - Respond to comments and encourage people to leave reactions to your posts

Like most social networks, TikTok values frequent user engagement with content. Comments are a great way to accomplish this. Ideally, this is how you will start a conversation with your potential customers, approaching them.

TikTok ranks comments by the number of likes they receive, so make sure you encourage people to write useful and relevant comments. Avoid short comments and encourage your followers to leave feedback as long as possible.

Strategy #10 - Create interesting videos with clear descriptions

Videos on TikTok can run up to one minute. You don't have much time to get your message across. Try to be short, and clear and provide value to your audience.

The videos you make must be visually appealing, creative, and engaging. And if you collaborate with a professional advertising agency, create a unique visual image of your TikTok profile. It is enough for the video material to be shot with a simple smartphone, and the clips to be edited with a few simple applications like Magisto or Wondershare FilmoraGo.

Don't forget the description for the videos. A good description is also essential for your SEO purposes. Essentially, you want TikTok to know what your video is about when it indexes it so that it can then suggest it to your target audience. Include the most important keywords in the descriptions. They must have a clear meaning and not just be a random "collection" of keywords.

When it comes to content ideas, you can follow Facebook and Instagram trends. Deliver the kind of content Gen Z craves!

I have also prepared a BONUS for you!

How to track the results you collect on TikTok?

AdAge, one of the most popular digital magazines in the field of marketing and advertising, brings you useful and well-structured information about monitoring the impact you have on TikTok.

AdAge offers 3 results tracking solutions:

- TikTok Pixel. You can download it with one click and it is connected to Google Tag Manager. In addition, you also have the d3 Pixel Helper option, which helps you check that the Pixel code is installed correctly on the landing page and make sure that conversions are achieved successfully.

-       Customizing rules to define conversions. This option selects the conversion elements from the landing page.

-       Performance monitoring, advanced conversion tracking (attracting followers, gaining a relevant audience).

And in conclusion...

After all this do you still think that TikTok is just a platform for funny videos? You're wrong! The platform has become a perfect tool for promoting business worldwide.

Let's recap some important aspects:

• Use interactive video content to your advantage and get on the same page as your potential customers.
• Track user behavior and give them what they need.
• Rethink your promotion strategy. It's time to launch on other platforms as well, where you will increase your conversions much faster than on the already-discovered social networks.
• Get inspired by your competitors, but be original with new concepts!

A SEOLITTE brand material

Phone: +373 69 809 235

Email: info{@}seolitte.com