How to Use TikTok to Drive Interest for Your Business

Posted 3 years ago by Anastasia Prokofieva

Unless you�셶e been living under a桂rock or桂on桂the桂Moon, we桂bet you�셶e heard of桂TikTok! It�셲 one of桂the桂most popular social media platforms around today. Love it桂or桂hate it, with over 1桂billion monthly active users, TikTok can be桂an桂excellent way to桂grow your reach as桂a桂small business owner.

TikTok is桂all about short videos which are used in桂creative ways. Why not harness your creative potential for桂your brand? This blog post will share some best practices for桂using TikTok to桂reach new audiences while engaging with current customers.

Why Is桂TikTok So桂Popular?

TikTok is桂a桂social media platform for桂creating and桂sharing short videos (up to桂a桂three minute limit). Because of桂its large user base, TikTok offers many opportunities to桂get involved with your audience, including hashtags, contests, co-creation with other TikTok accounts, and桂other features. So桂if桂you�셱e looking at桂ways to桂grow interest in桂your brand, this app might be桂just the桂ticket.

It桂is桂a桂common misconception it�셲 only kids and桂teens that use TikTok. 10-19-year old users account for桂just 25% of桂the桂app�셲 audience. By桂comparison, 40-49-year old users account for桂20% of桂the桂audience.

Distribution of桂TikTok users in桂the桂US桂as桂of桂March 2021, by桂age group (Source: )

Other popular social media platforms have since copied TikTok video-sharing format and桂adapted it桂to桂their apps. For example, you might have seen Instagram�셲 Reels or桂YouTube Shorts popping up桂recently. Now, why would they do桂that? Because TikTok stumbled upon an桂interesting phenomenon: people love short videos that explain, entertain, and桂promote creativity among users! You can make this style of桂video work for桂your brand too.

It�셲 easy to桂react to, share, comment, stitch, and桂duet videos on桂겐쓩곗겐늡곗�봳농쓩끅 promotes co-creation and桂increases engagement. It�셲 also a桂whole new level of桂user-generated content that you can reuse for桂your account.

Another great thing about the桂platform is桂that there are tons of桂communities: from #sewingtok and桂#parenttok to桂#witchtok and桂#alttok. On桂TikTok, you can find doctors that debunk health myths, grandmothers that make comedy videos, and桂beauty gurus that do桂quantum physics. Everyone has their own angle! So, what does this mean for桂you? It桂means that if桂you can make a桂video about your product or桂service, you can find people on桂TikTok that will be桂interested in桂it.

TikTok has turned into an桂excellent platform for桂small business owners to桂get their products in桂front of桂customers. However, if桂you�셱e not a桂social media expert, you might be桂feeling overwhelmed with various tools and桂content types available. Need a桂shortcut? Check out some different types of桂videos you can create for桂your TikTok account to桂spark interest in桂your products.

Show How You Make Your Product

If桂you sell a桂product you make yourself, there are a桂ton of桂options for桂creative TikTok videos that show off your products and桂process. Start with a桂video that shows how your product is桂made: the桂prep work that goes into it, the桂construction process, and桂the桂result. Try using a桂trending song or桂sound in桂the桂끓껸낌곗껨곶늡넵꾈삣�봧닥 you can find one that fits the桂tone and桂style of桂your video, of桂course.

Check out the桂video by桂Bread By桂Elice, an桂account of桂a桂baker and桂recipe developer. It�셲 a桂short video with chilled out music that shows the桂step-by-step process of桂making focaccia:

Or, you can make a桂longer video commenting on桂your construction process and桂explaining how you created your product in桂detail. Take inspiration from the桂owner of桂Soulstice Ceramics, who has a桂video all about how she makes one of桂their most popular products! Notice how she starts and桂ends the桂video with a桂snapshot of桂the桂final product to桂generate interest:

Create ASMR Videos with Your Product

If桂you don�셳 keep up桂with current trends, you might not know that ASMR describes the桂tingling sensation some people get when hearing soft sounds (such as桂whispered voices) or桂crisp sounds (for example, fingernails tapping on桂a桂metallic surface). In桂recent years, ASMR videos have entered the桂mainstream and桂are now popular on桂TikTok, where they can generate millions of桂views.

You can harness the桂popularity of桂ASMR videos to桂highlight your product. Make a桂video that shows the桂process of桂creating or桂using your product but focuses on桂the桂soothing sounds associated with it.

For example, MorrisonMade Leather made a桂video with close-up clips of桂creating leather goods. The video is桂focused not on桂the桂final product but the桂process. There is桂no桂music to桂accompany the桂video, so桂viewers can focus on桂the桂sounds of桂cutting, pressing, and桂gluing leather pieces.

Some MorrisonMade Leather videos have hundreds of桂thousands of桂views. But their ASMR video has over seven million views! Imagine the桂new audiences they reached with a桂single TikTok video. Talk about a桂revenue boost!

Tap into Popular Topics Unrelated to桂Your Product

Maybe it桂sounds counterintuitive to桂make a桂video on桂a桂somewhat unrelated topic. But trust us! People download TikTok to桂be桂entertained, not to桂watch promotional videos. So桂you want to桂ensure you reach a桂large audience, but without being salesy or桂making your product an桂eyesore.

The solution? Make videos that aren�셳 about your product. Bring in桂some other topics you and桂thousands of桂other people are passionate about.

Make a桂video that combines different types of桂content, topics, and桂visuals. For example: some makeup artists make videos of桂applying makeup while reading viral stories from Reddit or桂commenting on桂recent news.

A桂great example of桂mixing in桂an桂unrelated but popular topic is桂Bakersmann Cookies. There are dozens of桂great product videos that get thousands of桂views on桂their account. But their most popular tiktoks are a桂혫Cookies and桂Crime혬 series that generates millions of桂views!

The video�셲 visuals are what you�셝 expect from a桂baker�셲 김곶늡닥쓩깜깎�봧넨 shows off how the桂folks at桂Bakersmann decorate a桂cookie. But the桂audio features a桂narrator telling tales of桂serial killers and桂other true crime stories:

You may have noticed that true crime podcasts are popular these days. This creator did, and桂reached out to桂a桂new audience by桂adding a桂creative spin to桂run-of-the-mill cookie decoration videos. Cookies and桂Crime will almost certainly draw in桂a桂whole new audience of桂true crime lovers, who then might think of桂Bakersmann next time they have a桂hankering for桂cookies.

Show off the桂Results of桂Using Your Product

Nothing proves your product is桂worth buying like a桂video that shows the桂desired results from its use.

Post such videos yourself, or桂ask your customers to桂shoot and桂post short clips of桂them using the桂product! Sending samples to桂influencers for桂a桂video review is桂another tried and桂true method that shows your product in桂action.

You can use social media monitoring tools (like Hootsuite, Talkwalker, or桂Mentionlytics) to桂track mentions of桂your brand on桂social media and桂find user-generated videos you can repost to桂your TikTok account.

For example, this video features a桂Peter Thomas Roth skincare product. The tiktok is桂very simple, with no桂music, effects, or桂creative presentation. But it桂demonstrates the桂immediate product result that potential customers are looking for. No桂wonder the桂video has more than 27桂million views!

After the桂video went viral, the桂skincare company reposted the桂video, along with several other tiktoks of桂skincare experts and桂influencers dueting with the桂original. Not only did they get free video promotion, but they also landed themselves a桂ton of桂user-generated content they could re-purpose to桂promote their own account.

Solve a桂Common Problem to桂Prove Your Expertise

One of桂the桂best ways to桂get attention to桂your product or桂service is桂to桂prove your expertise in桂your niche. When potential customers understand that you know what you�셱e talking about, they�셱e more likely to桂buy from you.

To桂prove your expertise, share valuable tips that help to桂solve a桂problem that plagues your target audience.

For instance, Cliff Tan, an桂architect and桂interior designer, shares tips and桂solutions for桂common interior design problems in桂his TikTok account. This allows him to桂demonstrate his expertise in桂the桂field and桂proves that his services are high-quality.

In桂this video, Cliff Tan shares a桂tip to桂style a桂room to桂avoid it桂looking cluttered. Notice how he桂uses cutout pieces of桂furniture to桂illustrate his advice. This tiktok alone has almost 1.5桂million views:

Now, we�셶e already talked a桂little bit about co-creation: stitching and桂dueting videos. Cliff Tan frequently uses this popular TikTok feature, to桂great success! He桂stitches his videos together with tiktoks from other users to桂offer his solutions to桂their problems. One such video of桂his has 10.7桂million views:

Adapt TikTok Trends to桂Your Product or桂Service

If桂you spend some time on桂TikTok, you�셪l notice that some videos follow a桂similar pattern. They either use the桂same audio or桂filter, start with the桂exact phrase, or桂re-imagine a桂popular joke in桂their own way. These are called 혫TikTok trends,혬 and桂you can use them to桂promote your product or桂service by桂putting your own spin on桂a桂tried and桂true model.

For example, there is桂a桂TikTok trend that reveals how a桂person changes after doing some activity or桂living somewhere. Here�셲 the桂version of桂the桂trend by桂Encore French Lessons:

That TikTok account promotes the桂services of桂a桂native French teacher. Making a桂joke about French colloquial expressions helps make the桂content relatable to桂students and桂introduces phrases they might be桂unaware of. Learning while having fun? Definitely a桂reason to桂follow. Think of桂ways you can use this platform to桂be桂both amusing and桂educational, and桂your follower count will surely thank you!

Share Tips from Other Creators

TikTok is桂home to桂thousands of桂creators, all from different niches. If桂you found an桂awesome lifehack that could help your target audience, don�셳 fret that you weren�셳 the桂first one to桂share it. Make your own version of桂you testing out the桂tip and桂post it桂in桂your profile. Make another one sharing the桂result, or桂recommending how you�셝 make it桂work even better next time.

To桂give credit to桂other creators, mention their profile in桂the桂description of桂the桂video. Or, stitch or桂duet their clips so桂that viewers can check out the桂original.

For instance, NikkieTutorials shares a桂winged liner hack by桂Katie Jane Hughes and桂demonstrates how it桂works for桂her in桂her video:

Post Your Customers�� Reactions

Okay, be桂honest: you probably shared a桂surprising or桂adorable video with one of桂your friends just in桂the桂past few days. We桂all do桂it! Why? Because videos that spark emotions are more likely to桂be桂enjoyed, and桂shared. That means more people are going to桂see them.

Another reason to桂make an桂emotional video is桂that when we桂buy something, we桂often strive for桂a桂certain aspirational emotion. We桂want to桂make our loved ones happy when we桂buy them a桂birthday present, and桂we桂want to桂feel comfy and桂secure when we桂buy a桂new mattress. Why not show your potential customer what they�셪l feel with your product in桂hand?

Check out this video from thejonnycakes, a桂baker that makes hyper-realistic cakes. The reaction to桂his baked goods are just as桂enticing as桂the桂cakes themselves:

Shoot How You Pack Orders (and Make It桂Personal)

Showing the桂behind-the-scenes of桂your business is桂a桂common way to桂tell potential customers more about your brand. Showing off the桂process of桂packing an桂order can also contribute to桂building a桂trusting relationship with your audience.

One of桂the桂things that set small businesses apart from big retailers is桂this personal approach. Can you imagine Jeff Bezos packing your Amazon order?

Seeing that a桂small business owner has just packed an桂order themselves and桂spent time shooting and桂editing a桂video about it桂is桂more memorable than just receiving an桂order confirmation email.

Pearlury, a桂hair accessories store, regularly posts the桂process of桂packing orders, always thanking the桂customer in桂the桂description. Seeing how carefully and桂beautifully the桂order is桂packed would make anyone want to桂receive one of桂their packages.

Another way to桂engage with customers is桂to桂shoot videos in桂response to桂their comments. Jaime Ibanez, an桂exotic snacks and桂drinks seller, made a桂video for桂a桂customer who asked to桂record the桂process of桂packing their order:

Not only does he桂strengthen relationships with customers by桂replying to桂them with a桂video, but he桂also highlights his product range for桂new potential customers. Talk about a桂win-win!

Duet Your Customers�� Videos

By桂now, it桂might be桂clear to桂you that a桂big part of桂running a桂successful TikTok account is桂interacting with other users, including your customers. We�셶e also discussed making emotional videos that show off a桂customer�셲 reaction to桂your product. So桂now, why not switch places?

You can duet your customers�� videos to桂answer their questions, give advice on桂the桂best way to桂store or桂use your products, or桂just show your appreciation for桂them for桂buying from you.

For example, Jess L.桂M.桂Anderson, an桂author, dueted a桂video of桂a桂customer unboxing her novel and桂.

Make Videos That Spotlights Your Brand Values

If桂you�셱e a桂vegan, you�셝 choose a桂shop selling plant-based products over a桂local famer�셲 butcher shop, even if桂it�셲 the桂best in桂town. If桂you�셱e trying to桂reduce your waste, you�셱e more likely to桂shop in桂a桂thrift store rather than at桂a桂big box store.

Customers tend to桂choose brands that have the桂same values as桂they do. Make sure your brand values are highlighted in桂your videos so桂that your target audience can spot them in桂an桂overflowing content feed.

Take notes from La桂La桂Land Kind Cafe. It桂is桂a桂cafe with the桂purpose of桂hiring foster youth and桂a桂mission 혫to normalize kindness.혬 That is桂precisely what they do桂with their , which generates millions of桂views: they say nice things to桂people on桂the桂street as桂they drive by. A桂simple concept that perfectly fits their mission.

Share Your Glow Up桂Story

Glow-up videos are another popular TikTok trend. They demonstrate the桂transformation of桂everyday life. Why not make one about you as桂a桂business owner? Not only will that resonate with fellow entrepreneurs, but it桂might make people interested in桂you as桂the桂head of桂a桂business, and桂by桂extension, what you have to桂offer.

Nicole McLaughlin made a桂video about her journey as桂a桂designer. The description says it桂all: 혫From making shoes on桂my桂living room floor to桂having my桂own studio &桂footwear collab.혬

Last But Not Least: Have Fun

TikTok is桂about creativity and桂showing off your content creation talents. But even more than that, it�셲 about building community and桂having fun. Don�셳 be桂afraid to桂crack a桂joke that your audience can relate to! From participating in桂funny trends to桂reimagining a桂popular audio clip, there are tons of桂opportunities to桂be桂found on桂TikTok.

Follow the桂example of桂DePauw University: they made a桂fun video with one of桂its professors. Notice that while most videos in桂their account get thousands of桂views, this one has close to桂a桂million:

Source

Start Making TikTok Videos

It桂can be桂tough to桂stand out in桂today�셲 crowded marketplace. But TikTok is桂an桂excellent platform for桂driving interest and桂engagement with your product or桂service, especially with the桂right content strategy in桂place. Whether you�셱e trying to桂get the桂word out about your new product, promote your service, or桂offer some valuable insights into how your products 령늡곶곗�봳농깎곶깎 are a桂ton of桂ways that TikTok can help.

We�셶e broken down different types of桂videos that help get people interested in桂what you do桂or桂sell. Which one sounds like it桂would work best with your store? Share your opinion in桂the桂comments, and桂let�셲 brainstorm together.

We桂would also love to桂hear what type of桂TikTok strategy has worked best for桂your brand, so桂feel free to桂leave a桂comment on桂your successes below!

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About The Author

Anastasia Prokofieva is a content writer at 붚죕쳔. She writes about online marketing and promotion to make entrepreneurs�� daily routine easier and more rewarding. She also has a soft spot for cats, chocolate, and making kombucha at home.

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