How to Start a Business on TikTok

TikTok has exploded in popularity over the past few years, becoming one of the most downloaded apps globally. With over 1 billion active users, TikTok presents an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to start a business or grow an existing one. From product promotions to viral challenges, TikTok offers a unique platform for engaging with audiences through creative, short-form videos. If you’re wondering how to start a business on TikTok, this guide will provide you with everything you need to get started.

Why Start a Business on TikTok?

Before diving into the steps on how to start a business on TikTok, it’s important to firstly understand why TikTok can be such a powerful platform for businesses.

1. Vast Audience Reach

TikTok boasts a massive user base, including both Gen Z and Millennials. This gives businesses access to a diverse, global audience, allowing you to reach potential customers you might not find on other platforms.

2. High Engagement Rates

Compared to other social platforms, TikTok users are highly engaged, spending an average of 52 minutes per day on the app. This means more opportunities for businesses to capture attention and turn viewers into customers.

3. Viral Potential

Content on TikTok can go viral overnight, allowing small businesses to gain massive exposure with minimal investment. The algorithm prioritizes engagement over follower count, giving even new users a chance to go viral.

4. Creative Freedom

TikTok emphasizes creativity, enabling businesses to experiment with unique and engaging content formats that resonate with their target audience. Whether it’s a product demonstration, behind-the-scenes content, or challenges, the options are limitless.

How to Start a Business on TikTok

1. Set Up a Business Account

Before you can start using TikTok for your business, you’ll need to create an account and switch it to a TikTok for Business account. This will give you access to tools and analytics that help you track your performance and run ads.

• Download the TikTok App from the App Store or Google Play and sign up for an account.
• Switch to a Pro Account: In the settings, go to “Manage Account” and select “Switch to Business Account.” Choose the category that best represents your business.

A business account provides analytics that allow you to track your audience engagement, video performance, and follower demographics, which is crucial for improving your content strategy.

2. Define Your Target Audience

Just like with any other social media platform, you need to know who your audience is. TikTok’s user base skews younger, but it includes a broad range of demographics. Understanding your target audience will help you create content that resonates with them and leads to conversions.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What is the age group of your potential customers?
• What are their interests and pain points?
• What content style do they engage with the most?

Use TikTok’s analytics or other social media insights to refine your understanding of your audience and tailor your content to their preferences.

3. Create a Content Strategy

Content is the backbone of TikTok, and the platform thrives on engaging, creative, and authentic videos. If you want to know how to start a business on TikTok, you need to be different from all others content creators there. Here are a few key strategies for creating effective content:

a. Leverage Trends

TikTok trends change rapidly, but participating in them can significantly boost your visibility. Keep an eye on trending hashtags, challenges, or music, and create content that ties into these trends in a way that aligns with your business.

b. Use Hashtags

Hashtags on TikTok help your content get discovered by the right audience. Use trending and relevant hashtags in your niche, but avoid overstuffing. Start by researching hashtags related to your industry and audience, such as #smallbusiness, #entrepreneur, or #tiktokmademebuyit.

c. Show Your Product in Action

If you are thinking how to start a business on TikTok, you need to showcase your product or service creatively. Instead of just talking about its features, show it in action. For example, if you sell skincare products, demonstrate how to use them in a tutorial, or if you have a clothing line, create outfit inspiration videos.

d. Behind-the-Scenes Content

Consumers love authenticity. Take your audience behind the scenes of your business operations. Show how your products are made, how you package orders, or introduce your team. This humanizes your brand and builds trust.

e. Engage with Your Audience

Reply to comments, follow relevant accounts, and engage with users in your niche. The more you interact with your audience, the more likely TikTok’s algorithm will push your content to more users.

4. Collaborate with Influencers

Influencer marketing on TikTok can be a powerful way to gain exposure and build credibility. Identify influencers in your niche who have engaged audiences, even if they’re smaller, and reach out to them for potential collaborations. You can send them free products for review or partner with them on sponsored posts.

When choosing influencers:

• Ensure their audience aligns with your target customers.
• Review their engagement rate (comments, shares, likes) rather than just follower count.
• Develop a clear partnership that benefits both parties.

5. Run TikTok Ads

If you have a budget, TikTok ads can help you reach a broader audience quickly. TikTok offers various ad formats:

• In-Feed Ads: These appear within the user’s feed and look like organic content, making them less intrusive.
• TopView Ads: Full-screen ads that appear when users open the app.
• Branded Hashtag Challenges: Encourage users to participate in challenges centered around your brand.
• Branded Effects: Create custom filters or effects that users can apply to their videos, promoting your brand.

Running ads can help you grow your following faster and drive traffic to your website or eCommerce store.

6. Optimize for TikTok SEO

Just like on Google, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is important for those wondering how to start a business on TikTok, but it’s focused on keywords within your video content, captions, and hashtags. When posting a video, include relevant keywords that your audience might be searching for in your caption or text overlays in your video.

For example, if you’re selling handmade jewelry, use keywords like “handmade rings,” “jewelry making process,” or “affordable jewelry” in your captions and hashtags.

7. Engage with TikTok’s Community Features

Engaging with TikTok’s community features is key to building a loyal audience and fostering organic growth. Some ways to engage with the platform’s community include:

• TikTok Duets: Allow users to “duet” with your videos, essentially creating side-by-side reactions or responses to your content. This encourages interaction and can help your content spread more widely.
• Challenges: Start your own branded challenge to encourage user-generated content related to your brand. This can lead to increased visibility and engagement as more people participate.

8. Measure Your Performance

Consistently track your performance through TikTok’s analytics tools, which are available to business accounts. Key metrics to monitor include:

• Video Views: How many people are watching your content.
• Engagement Rate: The number of likes, comments, and shares relative to your video views.
• Follower Growth: How quickly your follower base is expanding.

Analyzing these metrics will help you identify which content is resonating with your audience and where you need to make adjustments.

Conclusion

Starting a business on TikTok requires creativity, consistency, and a solid understanding of your target audience. With its vast user base and viral potential, TikTok offers a unique opportunity for businesses to engage with customers and grow their brand. By creating compelling content, leveraging trends, working with influencers, and using the platform’s advertising options, you can establish a successful business on TikTok even with minimal investment. If you have more questions on how to start a business on TikTok – please, let us know in the comments.

Remember, that the key to success on TikTok is to remain authentic, experiment with different content types, and continually engage with your audience to build a strong online presence.