As a business owner on TikTok, you might have jumped on the “#TikTokMadeMeBuyIt” trend to promote your brand. (If not, you’ve probably seen this hashtag on your feed.)
According to reports, within a period of two weeks alone, content using this hashtag catapulted from approximately 12 million to 50 million viewers, illustrating TikTok as an innovative challenger bringing new value to TikTok users and businesses: a social commerce platform.
Setting Up Your TikTok Business Account
Before you start creating content, you’ll want to set up a proper TikTok business account to access advanced features and analytics. Business account setup is essential for any TikTok marketing strategy. Here’s how to get your account ready for maximum business impact:
Business Account vs. Personal Account
A business account on TikTok provides you with much more than a personal account:
- Analytics Dashboard: You receive in-depth performance data, audience analysis, and trend reporting
- Business Contact Information: You can include email address, phone number, and website links in your TikTok profile
- Advertising Access: You can access TikTok advertisements and promotion tools directly through the TikTok application
- Enhanced Profile Features: Business category selection and verification options
- Commercial Music Library: Obtain copyright-free music for your business content
Step-by-Step Account Setup
- Download and Install: Get the TikTok app from your device’s app store
- Create Your Account: Use your business email address for communication
- Switch to Business Account: Navigate to Settings → Account → Switch to Business Account
- Select Business Category: Select the category that most accurately describes your business (e.g., Retail, Food & Beverage, or Professional Services)
- Complete Profile Optimization: Add a professional profile picture, an interesting and clear bio, and a website link on your TikTok profile
- Enable Business Features: Set up contact information and link your other social media accounts
Your TikTok business account is basically the foundation for everything you’ll do on the platform.
So what’s social commerce? It’s basically social media mixed with ecommerce. If you’ve been using TikTok the same way as you use Instagram or Facebook to market your brand, you might want to switch up your TikTok marketing strategy.
TikTok is all about entertainment AND promotion, which makes it super addictive. Sure, you can still create TikTok videos with funky dance moves and get traction, but there are tons of other ways to create engaging content that will help your TikTok for business strategy.
I’ll show you 10 creative ways how to use TikTok for business, plus a cool tool to embed TikTok videos on your website.
Understanding TikTok Algorithm Optimization
TikTok’s algorithm is extremely significant in reaching your desired audience and expanding your business. Once you comprehend how it operates and enhance your TikTok content, you will witness a tremendous difference in the number of individuals viewing and engaging with your TikTok posts.
How TikTok’s Algorithm Works
The TikTok algorithm considers a lot of factors when determining who sees your content:
- User Engagement: How many likes, comments, shares, and how much of your video people actually watch
- Video Performance: How fast your content takes off after you post it
- Account Activity: How often you post and how consistent you are
- Content Relevance: How well your content matches what users are interested in and what’s trending
- Hashtag Performance: How smart you are about using relevant and trending hashtags
Algorithm Optimization Strategies
Optimal Posting Times: Research shows that posting during peak hours (6-10 PM local time) gets you more visibility. You should test different times to see when YOUR specific audience is most active.
Content Consistency: Maintain a consistent posting schedule—posting every day is ideal, but posting at least 3-4 times weekly will satisfy the algorithm. Try using a content calendar to assist you in generating content on a regular basis.
Engagement Velocity: Respond to comments in the first hour of posting to raise your engagement rate—this indicates to the algorithm that your content has value.
Hook Optimization: Create compelling openings within the first 3 seconds to stop people from scrolling away and get them to watch your whole video.
Trending Audio: Use trending music tracks and sounds to make your content discoverable by people, but ensure that they really suit your brand message.
Hashtag Strategy: Incorporate 3-5 applicable hashtags combining trending tags, niche-specific tags, and branded hashtags to target various audience segments.
10 TikTok Content Ideas with Examples
1. Product demos and tutorials
TikTok product demos outperform static pictures since they feature your product being used in real-life scenarios. When potential buyers can view precisely how your product functions, it instills real confidence in their buying decision. Prioritize developing content that illustrates how your product addresses particular issues your target market has. This hands-on strategy diminishes reservations and enhances trust through realistic product demonstrations. These how-to videos work especially well for TikTok marketing.
Example: Pearl necklace or a chunky gold chain? A jewelry brand Carrie Elizabeth showcases how to match its newest collection with transitional seasons’ outfits. Wearing just a simple spring cardigan, the humble styling demo makes viewers see that the jewelry fits even the casual fashion style.
2. Behind-the-scenes content
Behind-the-scenes videos build real connections with your viewers. This kind of video content boosts purchase intent by 73% since it shows the real story behind your company. Give people a look at your production process, introduce team members, and provide peek-a-boo glimpses into day-to-day operations. Buyers appreciate the transparency of this content since it comes across as real and personal. As individuals get a look at the craftsmanship and effort that goes into products, they have a better appreciation for your value proposition and corporate culture.
Example: A sneaker shop, UAPLG, goes an extra mile in packing an order by cleaning the shoes (and checking them with UV light!) and putting extra plastic protection on the shoes and the shoebox. This shows the length the business takes to ensure every received product is flawless.
3. Customer reviews
Customer testimonials carry significantly more weight than traditional advertising. User-generated content featuring customer reviews is 92% more trusted than conventional marketing messages. Encourage satisfied customers to provide feedback in the form of videos using your products. Monitor what people are saying about your brand and engage with customers who provide good feedback. This strategy provides authentic social proof that attracts new customers and creates a credible brand reputation.
Example: A local hat shop owned by CJ Landers reuses a customer testimonial clip by creating a ‘duet’ TikTok video. The side-by-side format allows viewers to see how the shop owner feels appreciated with the honest review.
4. Sneak-peek content
Sneak-peek content generates buzz and pre-launch engagement, leading to 40% greater launch sales velocity. Employ this tactic to generate waitlists, test market interest, and build anticipation for new product releases. Time your sneak-peek content strategically across multiple touchpoints to get maximum impact. This approach helps validate product concepts while building excitement among your target audience and can help you reach new audiences.
Example: A US-based clothing company, Set Active, shares the behind-the-scenes photoshoot of the upcoming collection in a 12-second video. The short format makes it more intriguing and drives viewers to re-watch it for a better look.
5. Company spotlight
Team spotlights and company culture content help humanize your brand, increasing trust by 67% and improving employee retention by 40%. Share your company’s mission, values, and introduce the people behind your products. This personal approach creates emotional connections that set your brand apart in competitive markets. Authentic storytelling that reflects your brand values resonates strongly with your target audience. Small business owners find this personal touch especially valuable for building relationships.
Example: A product developer of a cereal company, Magic Spoon, creates a day-in-life video, showing how she hops from one activity to another, including a morning cereal taste test. Yum!
6. Q&A content
Q&A content, whether live or recorded, provides a direct channel to address your customers’ most frequent questions about your brand. This format offers an excellent opportunity to clarify your brand messaging, engage directly with your audience, and foster a TikTok community around your business.
Example: After getting a lot of comments on their pricing, an Australian shoe company, TWOOBS, explains why they have to put a high price tag on their sandals. The video reminds viewers of the company’s core beliefs: climate, nature, and animal friendly, which push them to charge extra for its products.
7. Collaborative content
Work together with influencers, other brands, or even your customers to create unique content. If you’re low on the budget, offer them free products in exchange for the collaboration. When they upload the video on their TikTok account, you’ll get more exposure and praise for the excellence of your products.
Example: A sportswear company Gymshark creates a cross-industry campaign by collaborating with a dancer/influencer. This campaign shows that its workout wear isn’t only limited to sports activities but also dancing.
8. Challenges
Creating a TikTok challenge has three benefits: it encourages people to own your products to do the challenge (read: more sales), you get free high quality content, and massive exposure to your brand. Some ideas you can try are a dance challenge, a DIY challenge, a photo pose challenge, and a funny skit challenge.
Example: David Dobrik, a TikTok influencer, joined the #ChipotleLidFlip challenge. He made it look so easy, but surely, it requires some trials before this successful shot, right?
9. Competitions and giveaways
Although people love to be challenged, some may be reluctant to take part. But if you host a giveaway with simple rules (e.g., follow the account, leave a comment, or tag friends), you’ll likely have more participation. This is a clever way to increase the number of your followers and spread out your brand name.
Example: A retail store, John Lewis, hosted a giveaway to celebrate Mother’s Day. The smart thing about this campaign is the video not only acts as a giveaway announcement but also as a product demonstration. People see the before and after effects, making this giveaway (and the product) more alluring.
10. Trending topics and seasonal events
It’s never wrong to piggyback on TikTok trends. When certain topics go viral, they create massive traction organically. Join the bandwagon by adding a personalized touch that is unique to your brand. To see what’s viral on TikTok at the moment, check this list.
Additionally, you can create TikTok campaigns based on seasonal events. Besides popular events like Valentine’s Day, Black Friday, and Christmas, take advantage of other social celebrations. For instance, best friends day, Mother’s or Father’s Day, and summer break.
Example: A cosmetic company, Neen, and a matcha company joined forces to celebrate Earth Day. They promote their earth-tone makeup on an outdoor stand while sipping matcha tea. Everything looks so green and earthy!
3 Must-Know TikTok Rules for Business
Now, before you start planning your next videos, there are certain rules that you should follow to get the most out of TikTok for business. Relying solely on regular posting won’t do much to boost sales, but following these three tips will accelerate your brand growth and make your TikTok account loved by the TikTok algorithm.
Find a balance between entertainment and promotion
The motion pictures and fun parts of TikTok videos are what make viewers love using the platform. If you create the opposite of this content, it won’t fit the market. Remember to keep the video short as well as adjust your tone, messaging, and content format to match your target audience. Don’t be afraid to create goofy content with wonky dance moves and funky songs, or insert quirky short clips to bring out the fun.
Engage with the audience
Just like other platforms, audience engagement is important to grow your account. Don’t leave the comments unresponded, but spend time replying to them. Not only is this great for your channel algorithm growth but you also build a strong brand community and can engage users more effectively.
Advanced Engagement Strategies
Comment Response Tactics:
- Reply to comments within the first hour of posting for maximum algorithm boost
- Create engaging responses that encourage further conversation
- Use comment replies to answer common questions about your products or services
- Pin important comments that highlight key benefits or testimonials
Community Building Techniques:
- Develop content that inspires user generated content (UGC) featuring your products
- Host live Q&A sessions to address customer questions in real-time
- Establish a consistent brand voice that reflects your business personality
- Collaborate with your audience by featuring their content (with permission)
Engagement Metrics to Track:
- Response rate: How quickly you respond to comments and messages
- Engagement rate: The percentage of viewers who interact with your content
- Community growth: How your follower count and engagement quality develop over time
- Conversation quality: The depth and relevance of discussions in your comments
Building Long-term Relationships:
- Remember frequent commenters and engage with them personally
- Develop content that addresses common questions from your audience
- Share behind-the-scenes content that humanizes your brand
- Acknowledge and celebrate your community members’ achievements
Add a TikTok feed to your website
While creating promotional content can drive sales and expand your business’s reach, this represents only half of TikTok’s potential for business growth. To maximize TikTok’s impact, consider embedding TikTok video feeds on your website. This strategy helps you reach new audiences beyond the TikTok app.
You can add each new video one by one manually, but it will cost you a lot of time and effort. Or, you can quickly finish the job with just a few clicks using Juicer’s TikTok aggregator. In just 5 easy steps, you’ll have your TikTok video feed seamlessly embedded on your business website. This means every new TikTok content you or your followers create will automatically be displayed on your site—giving your website a regular fresh look with the latest TikTok video updates.
And that’s not all. You can also tailor the design to match your brand by choosing one of our beautiful design collections or customizing it on your own. The choice is yours!
Measuring Your TikTok Business Performance
Tracking your TikTok performance is crucial for understanding what works and optimizing your marketing strategy for better results. Here’s how to measure and analyze your TikTok business performance:
Key Metrics to Monitor
Engagement Metrics:
- Likes and Comments: Measure how actively your audience interacts with your content
- Shares: Track how often your content is shared, indicating its value to viewers
- Video Views: Monitor total views and average watch time to gauge content effectiveness
- Profile Visits: See how many people visit your profile after viewing your content
Growth Metrics:
- Follower Growth Rate: Track how quickly your audience is growing over time
- Reach: Measure how many unique users see your content
- Impressions: Track how many times your content is displayed
- Hashtag Performance: Monitor which hashtags drive the most engagement
Business Impact Metrics:
- Website Traffic: Use UTM codes to track traffic from TikTok to your website
- Lead Generation: Monitor how many leads or inquiries come from your TikTok content
- Sales Attribution: Track purchases that can be attributed to TikTok marketing efforts
- Brand Awareness: Monitor mentions and brand-related searches across active users
Using TikTok Analytics
TikTok’s built-in analytics dashboard provides valuable insights for TikTok business accounts:
- Content Performance: See which videos perform best and identify patterns
- Audience Insights: Understand your audience demographics and active hours
- Trending Content: Identify what content types resonate most with your audience
- Competitive Analysis: Compare your performance against industry standards
Tools for Advanced Analytics
Beyond TikTok’s native analytics, consider using marketing tools like Juicer to track how your TikTok content performs when embedded on your website. This integration gives you a complete picture of your TikTok content’s impact across all platforms.
Also Read:
How many hashtags is too many on TikTok?
Embed TikTok to influence user engagement
Wrapping up
Ever since the social phenomenon #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, TikTok has earned a sweet spot between a social network and a promotional platform. And looking at the current trend, the buying power generated from TikTok marketing videos is still going strong. Take this opportunity to increase your sales by creating engaging content and authentic TikTok content. Go wild and be creative.
And take your marketing strategy one step further by repurposing all the amazing TikTok content on your website. Turn them into a beautiful social wall with Juicer social media aggregator. Set up once, and go live forever. Try Juicer today for FREE.
