What is TikTok and Who is Using It for Business?
TikTok has been a video-sharing social networking service in the United States since 2016. It uses short-form videos anywhere from fifteen seconds to one minute long in various categories, including, but not limited to, dance, comedy, and education. The videos are a hybrid between entertainment and infotainment, depending on your preferences.
TikTok is available worldwide, and currently, there are 40 languages you can tap into for the service. While TikTok is not the only platform designed to share short videos, there is something about the app that sets itself apart from others. Here are some fun facts about TikTok and the people who use it-
Fun Facts About TikTok
• Fun Fact: 50% of users are under the age of 34
• Fun Fact: Content ranges on the scale from raw, honest, funny, to shocking
• Fun Fact: The average TikTok user is on 52 minutes per day
• Fun Fact: 60% of users are female
• Fun Fact: 26% of users are 18-24
• Fun Fact: Millennials and Boomers are adding the TikTok app at an alarming rate
TikTok is More Than Dancing and Comedy Bits
Tiktok is much more than fifteen seconds of dance moves. In many ways, TikTok is taking the lead in producing influencers. TikTok “influencers” seem to go viral with alarming speed and often see a surge in followers overnight from a single video.
The app is ever-evolving, and new categories are beginning and growing all the time, including alternative lifestyle categories, DIY and upcycling, business, and behind-the-scenes looks at industries typically off-limits to insider information.
Who is Using TikTok?
The stats suggest most users are between 18-35, but those numbers change daily as every age group enjoys the benefits of TikTok. Though it is undoubtedly entertaining, it is also an innovative business tool. In the past year, TikTok has generated millions of dollars in revenue for its users in various ways. From being an influencer to linking to goods and services, the potential to earn via TikTok is tremendous since there is no cost associated with the platform.
In the end, there’s no drawback to TikTok. The learning curve for making videos is relatively easy, and the potential to generate revenue is easier and cheaper than other platforms that use ads like Facebook or Instagram. Having an account is as easy as downloading the app and creating your profile.
TikTok is a relatively new social networking platform that may be a smart business move to get noticed and make money.
Not All Profit is $- Hidden Resources on the TikTok App
When it comes to business, the bottom line tends to be profit. Why else would you be in business if it isn’t to make money? Well, not all profit is money. Sometimes hidden resources are as good as or better than money.
TikTok has the potential to create a buzz about you and your goods and services. These can lead to resources that you may not have imagined. Some TikTok influencers have seen rampant and unexpected benefits that have incredible value. Take a look-
Mikayla Nogueira- Makeup artist influencer: Mikayla started on TikTok simply as someone who loves makeup. She began an Instagram account sharing tutorials in 2013 and only gained 43k followers. On TikTok, she has amassed over 3.7 Million followers. Since coming to TikTok, she has earned over a million in income, products, and other goods and services.
Mikayla has monetized her TikTok account and benefitted from hidden resources like free products, collaborations, and exposure to people in her industry she would not have otherwise been able to access. She is now beginning to branch out into other areas of interest to her followers, including the mental health issues she manages.
DogFace: One TikTok account took the world by storm with a simple video showcasing Nathan Apodaca drinking Ocean Spray cranberry juice cocktail while riding a skateboard with Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams playing in the background. The back story was his car broke down on the way to work, and he wasn’t going to let his situation get the best of him. Well, his zen-like attitude catapulted him to TikTok fame triggering a series of copy-cat videos with some pretty famous people. Ultimately, he was given a new truck from Ocean Spray after his video caused a spike in the consumption of their product.
While the majority of videos do not go viral, many do. It isn’t unusual to get thousands of views on videos, and the ratio of influencers on TikTok tends to be higher than on other platforms, as in Mikayla’s case, where she had infinitely more traction on TikTok than Instagram.
While it is possible to earn income from TikTok, some people link their Venmo and other cash app accounts. Other benefits may translate to something other than dollars in your bank account but can be equally lucrative. Here are some benefits you may not want to pass up-
- Merchandise from companies you endorse
- Collaborations with other influencers
- Donations
- Growing accounts and selling them
There are a lot of possibilities to generate income and other resources from TikTok. Developing your account could lead to a profitable experience.
Make Friends and Collab- The Power of Partnerships
TikTok is a social networking platform. That means it relies on engagement for its success. Having a successful account is excellent, but one of the fantastic elements of TikTok is the ability to collaborate with other creators on their TikTok accounts.
“Stitch” Your Way to Powerful Partnerships
Stitching is a TikTok term that describes stitching together two TikToks. Generally, this is a way to highlight another account and add to or provide commentary. This can be especially beneficial if done strategically. TikTok users often use stitching to gain access to people they may not otherwise have under ordinary circumstances. Stitching someone’s content and being rude not to respond is considered flattering.
One account, @angryreactions, became wildly successful, achieving 4 million followers in a record-breaking time. His seemingly angry reactions to benign things are, in fact, heartfelt supportive reactions that surprise the viewer. His account has been stitched by a wide range of artists and other creators who have made things in his likeness. Stitching their accounts to his gives them potential exposure to his 4 million followers. This can enhance their opportunities for their work to be seen simply by giving his account attention and stitching to his.
The Power of Comments Enhances the Fun
TikTok is unique in that many users highlight comments made on their videos and use them creatively. One popular trend is calling out negative people and putting them on blast. This turns the tables on trolls or bullies and calls them out publicly for their negativity. Commentary in the comments section of a video can, in and of itself, become content. This can lead to some fun collaborations and powerful partnerships that may be leveraged down the line. Leaving a witty and powerful comment on a popular account may benefit you.
Collaborating is a Two-Way Street
Getting in on the Fun and making friends is a two-way street. If you are starting, you may only know a few people and have the clout that some accounts have. The great thing about TikTok is something can happen quickly. If you create great content, stitch wisely, and engage with other accounts, the likelihood you’ll get noticed increases. Networking on TikTok is much like networking at a business convention or meetup. The more active you are, the more impressive and exciting you’ll be to others.
Building your presence on TikTok can help you find more followers and increase your chances of making friends and collaborating. Collaborations can help build your exposure and platform rapidly. This can lead to more people linking to your website or other resources. In the end, it’s good practice to be active in the community as you use it for your business.
Host TikTok Lives to Build Know, Like, and Trust
TikTok is a social networking platform where content producers can share anything. It’s remarkable how varied the content is, delivered by an ever-changing algorithm that learns more and more about you and your interests during each session.
TikTok has two feeds that supply videos to your app. The For You feed suggested accounts that you may be interested in based on your preferences or past viewing habits. Your Following feed is filled with accounts you are subscribed to that have released fresh content. You can toggle back and forth between the two with ease.
Focus on High-Quality, Consistent Content to Build Your Platform
When creating an account, the focus should be on high-quality content consistent with your brand and delivered on a routine basis. The two can lead to a large and engaging following. When using TikTk for business and generating income, the focus should be on logical content for your followers. Since they may find your account from their For You feed, they may decide whether to follow you based on one encounter. Suppose your account is geared towards education about a topic or teaching a technique, and you release a random video about tuna fish. In that case, you may lose a potential ideal follower for your account.
For best results, your account should host videos consistent with your message. If you are teaching about a subject, stick with it and don’t get off the issue, or you may confuse or lose followers.
Use TikTok Live to Build the Know, Like, and Trust Factor
Once you’ve established yourself as an expert or entertainer, you can boost your account’s credibility and fanfare by hosting TikTok lives. These are live feeds where your followers can engage with you in real-time and ask questions or see a side of you they may not see in the video content.
TikTok lives are a great way to show your personality outside your business persona or build relationships with the people following you. Giving them shoutouts, undivided attention, or engaging with them can make you more appealing and set you apart. This can help you reach many people at once, increase their impression of you and willingness to work with you and buy your products or merchandise.
The TikTok live feature is a beautiful way to engage with your followers and increase how much they know about you, like, you, and trust what you have to say. It’s an excellent investment in shifting followers from watchers to customers.
Link to your Etsy Shop, Website, and Other Links that Make you money
There are a lot of ways to profit from a solid TikTok account. Some content creators aren’t technically in it for business, but they have such loyal and rabid fans that they often receive “happy mail” or donations to encourage them to keep creating. Ultimately, some of the most popular content creators make “merch” or branded products to offer their followers. Whether you use TikTok for personal or business, there are many ways to use your profile for profit.
Your Bio Is Important Real Estate
Your bio is an essential part of your TikTok account. You can list a brief description of your qualifications, intent for your account, or anything that helps a follower identify you and what you do. You can also link to your Instagram account or a website. Choose your links carefully to ensure they lead to the most profitable ways to connect.
Share Links to your Money-Making Sources
Etsy: If you are a creator, Etsy is a great way to drive followers to your goods. You can easily create TikToks of yourself creating something and encourage followers to head to your Etsy account to place an order.
Website: If you have multiple resources, link to your website and create a landing page with other links to your business assets. From one link, your followers can access various links or a landing page with one call to action.
Linktree or LIKEtoKNOW.These platforms offer you a way to direct followers to content you have affiliate links for. These are great for apps like TikTok and Instagram that only allow one link in the bio. You can use your social networking platform to generate a buzz or excitement about products you use and give followers a way to buy them, earning you a commission and passive income.
Important note: Only some links will be available to some accounts. Some links require a minimum of 1000 followers or more before you can use some commission-based links. The excellent news is TikTok has lower follower minimums than other platforms like Instagram. Use your account to build your followers and share valuable content to quickly reach the minimum number of subscribers.
You can utilize the bio section of your TikTok account to create access to more information about you and your business and offer opportunities to profit. Be strategic with your bio. Make sure it’s catchy and informative and shares the knowledge that gives you credibility and sets you apart from other creators.
Tips to Set Up Your TikTok for Financial Success
If you’re a newbie to TikTok, that could be a perfect thing. If you still need to set up your account, you are in an ideal position to get accurate information that sets your account up for financial success.
Starting from scratch can be advantageous, so you can intentionally build your TikTok account from the ground up. Though the platform is educational, informational, and entertaining, it can also be a source of profit. Here’s how to set your account up for financial success.
- Determine your USP
- Create a content plan
- Use your bio to its total capacity
- Focus on delivering high-quality content
- Be consistent and creative
- Commit to the long game
Determine your USP- Your Unique Selling Proposition or focus for your account is very important. Be sure that what you intend to create is something you can create content for over time. Narrow your niche, so you are serving a specific targeted audience. One creator, @suzieedge, is a physician and historian who uses a mashup model of sharing education and infotainment to get people excited about medieval medical conditions.
Create a content plan: Having a strategic plan beats winging it. Making a content plan can help you build knowing, like, and trust with your followers and guide how you want to build up your content over time, leading to followers taking action toward a profitable level.
Use your bio to its full potential- It is a great way to link to your website, sales page, linktree, or LIKEtoKNOW.it. These can be essential links for passive income and to help people connect with you outside of TikTok.
Focus on your content: Content should be meaningful and valuable. Think of it as a freemium. Share actionable takeaways, tips, and tricks to build credibility and a relationship.
Be Consistent with your content: Be consistent with your content and refrain from going off in a new direction that might confuse your followers. If your account is about medieval medical conditions, don’t post a random video about what you had for dinner. The most successful statements are consistent with predictable but entertaining and informational content.
Commit to the long game- Building an account takes time. Be consistent and confident in your approach. If you gain momentum quickly, that’s awesome, but for most people, slow and steady wins the race. If you get bored or quit too soon, you may miss out on many profits.
You can intentionally build your TikTok account to gain momentum and monetize if you plan things out strategically. Be intentional and consistent, and you’ll see excellent results that lead to impressive profits.
Do This One Thing
A TikTok account is an intelligent business tool and can create profitable connections, content, and collaborations. It’s essential to be business-minded when using any device. Making important business decisions will ensure your time on TikTok is targeted to your ideal customer. Your efforts should be severe, but, in the end, they should also be FUN!
If you spend much time on TikTok, you’ll sense that the content creators who have Fun tend to do the best. Creators who use humor, are pleasant, and genuinely enjoy the connection with their followers tend to have the highest numbers of followers and see more loyalty from their tribe. Creators who are negative, critical, or use humor in cringe-worthy ways may get a laugh or two, but followers don’t tend to stick around for long.
You Can Have Fun Doing Anything
TikTok creators have proven that you can have a blast talking about anything. Some of the TikTokers in the medical field use humor to talk about troubling issues positively. Other TikTokers use unique and entertaining ways to share out-of-the-box information, attracting more followers. TikTok is incredibly creative and proves you can find fun ways to talk about anything.
Find opportunities to share your information in Fun and unique ways. Your followers will reward your efforts and make creating videos fun. Even TikToks about proper grammar can have a fun yet educational take on them.
Be Supportive of the Community
TikTok is a community. Have Fun supporting other creators and engaging with them. Build relationships with TikTokers in your field and show your interest in their success. All ships rise in a high tide.
Be a fan too! Find TikTok accounts that you love for personal and business reasons. Comment, engage with them, and be part of what makes the TikTok community, unlike any other social networking platform.
If You Don’t Have Fun, You Won’t Do It
In life, it’s hard to do things that aren’t fun. If creating content isn’t fun, you’ll likely stop. Be sure to consider what’s a good fit for your personality or industry and promote your information in the best and most fun way possible.
If you need help creating fun and engaging content, watch how-to videos or get some coaching or consulting. TikTok’s been around long enough that there are creators out there who can teach you how to make content your tribe will love.
TikTok is one of many tools you can use to build a platform, support your other platforms, and engage a new audience. It’s a simple and fun way to share content and help people find your resources. Ultimately, the most important thing is having fun while serving your tribe.
