Considering TikTok marketing for your business or organization? You’re not alone. Hootsuit made a poll on more than 800 professionals on LinkedIn, and the results reveal that many are still thinking about it.
The video app may not match every brand, especially in case your customers and TikTok user demographics don’t overlap. However, many businesses have been successful on TikTok—from Nike to Universal Pictures to the San Diego Zoo.
A lot of the famous moments of some brands on TikTok have been accidental. Ocean Spray sales and Fleetwood Mac plays skyrocketed after Nathan Apodaca kickstarted the #DreamsChallenge on a longboard ride to work. And now Arby’s is having a moment because someone who bought one of their menus thinks it was a flatscreen T.V.
The power of TikTok, especially with creator-led content, has even made some companies such as Walmart and Dunkin’ Donuts encourage employees to post videos while at work.
Don’t throw your marketing strategy on TikTok out the window. Learn the way to set up a TikTok marketing strategy for the business and how to boost TikTok influencer marketing and more.
How to set up TikTok for Business
TikTok opened a TikTok for Business hub this summer and rolled out pro accounts in October for businesses and creators. With a business account, you can include more personal information to your profile, and access real-time metrics and audience insights.
Here’s how to create a TikTok business account:
1. Download and open the TikTok app.
2. Login with one of your social media accounts such as email, Google, Twitter, or Facebook. In case multiple people will need to access the account, choose login credentials you are comfortable sharing.
3. Set up your account. Tap Me in the lower right corner of the screen, then click Edit Profile to include a profile picture and bio. You can add links to your Instagram and Video accounts, too.
4. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen, then Manage Account.
5. From there, switch to a pro account, then choose Business or Creator.
6. Choose the category that best matches your business, then tap Next.
7. You can now include a website URL and email address to your profile.
Tip: TikTok launched Back to Business this summer to help support companies impacted by COVID closures. Small businesses can apply before Dec. 31, 2020, for one-time ad credit worth $300 or have a percentage of ad spend matched by TikTok.
Create a TikTok Ad account
In case you plan to run ads on TikTok, you’ll need to make an ad account for TikTok Ads Manager. Visit tiktok.com/business, choose to Get started, and complete your information.
Note: TikTok currently has a limit on registrations, so you may need to try again later.
Expect TikTok ads to become more widely available soon, especially since they’ve now teamed up with Shopify to create shoppable ads.