Should You Get TikTok For Your Business?
TikTok is a short-form video-sharing platform that you’ve probably heard of. It’s considered by many to be a platform for children but this is not the case. The platform has been exploding in growth and is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms out there. In 2021 TikTok was the most downloaded app, with a whopping 656 million downloads!
According to research done by WorldWideWorx and Ornico Media, TikTok has seen 25% growth in South Africa in the number of brands using it for marketing, and according to Hootsuite’s Digital Report 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion active users monthly.
So, should you get TikTok for your business? As with any platform it depends on your business. Contrary to popular belief, however, your business doesn’t need to be “pretty” for you to have a successful TikTok page. Often businesses in industries like electrical, construction, medical or other highly specialised fields perform really well on TikTok as people enjoy watching entertaining content that is also informative. There are viral accounts of house painters simply painting walls and their videos garner millions of views because it is satisfying to watch. The same is true for people who clean houses, renovate buildings or make cabinetry for example.
Multiple medical professionals in various fields have made a name for themselves on the platform by offering free basic information about health or common problems people have. Often even getting millions of views on compilations of interesting, frustrating, or silly things they see daily.
Financial services consultants, psychologists, life coaches, and tax consultants too build brand awareness by sharing tips and tricks on TikTok. Many types of professionals are represented on TikTok and they’re often well received.
How does this relate to sales though? Your sales may well increase based on your business’s presence on TikTok due to brand awareness and customer trust. By sharing basic info, tips, or tricks from your field for free and in a compelling manner, you’re teaching people that you’re the industry experts and even though you’re helping them for free, when there’s a real issue, they will come to you because, simply, they trust you now.
Say for example you’re a plumber. You post basic DIY videos on TikTok showing people how to fix common problems, what various pieces of plumbing equipment are and what they’re for, and the like. People will watch as they’re getting free information and it’s enjoyable watching someone fix something. Then, when they’ve tried some of your tips to fix smaller problems, they’ll trust you and call you to fix larger problems because by now, they know that you know what you’re doing and you’re their “friend”, so they trust you.
Starting a TikTok page is easy and free, you don’t need special equipment besides your smartphone and an internet connection. Don’t bother with adding special effects or music to your videos, some of the most famous content creators post very simple videos. You can go viral, simply by talking into your phone in a well-lit environment. Don’t discuss more than one topic per video and keep your videos between 21 and 34 seconds long for the best results. Don’t offer incredibly in-depth information unless it is repeatedly requested by your followers and remember to engage with followers in the comments section of your videos.
There are so many people on TikTok that it is statistically impossible that no one will be interested in what you have to say. Even 1% of TikTok’s monthly active users interested in you is millions of people worldwide. Due to TikTok’s fast growth globally and in South Africa, it is definitely a platform to consider for your business.
To discuss the social media platforms that are right for your business, contact HashTag Marketing. We’re a full-service marketing agency that can meet all your marketing needs.
