Here’s how to use TikTok for business

Think TikTok is only for Gen Zs and millennials creating hilarious content? Well, think again!

This social media platform isn’t just about viral comedy videos, dance trends, and tutorials on goofy crafts – it’s an excellent marketing avenue.

With 1 billion monthly active users (at the time of writing), TikTok helps companies pitch products and services to a massive audience. And any brand should take advantage of that kind of reach.

TikTok supports entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large companies through its business account. Get your brand in front of a vast new audience with TikTok for business. Here’s how to add this social network to your marketing strategy with a professional account.

What are the different types of TikTok accounts?

On TikTok, there are content creators who use a creator account – one that you instantly sign up for – and there are brands that use a business account. But their posts may seem similar. After all, brands create engaging content for TikTok, just like individuals.

The difference: Type of account.

Business account: The app offers business accounts to brands and companies of all sizes. These accounts must be public and adhere to specific rules (e.g., only using commercial sounds).

Creator account: Mostly, individual content creators use this account. The platform offers private or public options.

Both business and creator accounts are free, eligible for verification, and include analytics.

But what about influencers using TikTok to earn money? Do they qualify as a business or as individuals? Content creators, even those receiving payment for partnerships with brands, may manage a personal TikTok account. But, if creators are looking for more advanced features and better-targeted audience, they can consider moving to a business account.

How to use TikTok for business

Take advantage of TikTok’s unique advertising potential, and sign up for a business account using the following steps.

1. Open the TikTok app on your iPhone or Android mobile device.
2. Tap “Me” in the lower right corner of the screen.
3. Tap on the three horizontal lines (the hamburger icon) in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Tap on “Settings and privacy” in the pop-up menu.
5. Click “Account.”
6. Tap on “Switch to Business Account.”
7. Follow the on-screen prompts to register your business.
8. Add your industry, a profile photo, and a stellar bio.

Voilà! You’re all set to post from your business account.

It’s time to create content

Before posting your first TikTok video as a business, it’s important to brainstorm and develop a killer strategy. Follow these tips and get posted.

• Familiarize yourself with TikTok. See other content creators’ videos, understand the app’s features, and try to understand the platform’s algorithm. Check out TikTok’s multiple editing features, emoji codes, and music playlist to make your short-form videos appealing.
• Get to know your audience. The best content is the kind that’ll resonate with your TikTok audience. Look at the accounts your followers interact with, and take inspiration from those TikTokers. As you start posting, study your analytics to gauge user interaction levels and the videos garnering the highest engagement rates.
• Take a peek at your competitors’ posts. There’s more to creating content than understanding the platform and your audience. Stalk your peers’ accounts to analyze what they’re posting to gain views. This will give you an idea about what’s trending.
• Plan your content. Start by defining a handful of content pillars, which are categories of material you can post (such as Wednesday fun facts or monthly giveaways). Once you’ve established the content type, get it on a content calendar. Create posts per the calendar, and launch them later using the TikTok video scheduler. Publish your content at the right moment by reading up on the best times to post, and never miss an opportunity to shine among your followers!
• Collaborate to generate brand awareness. Team up with TikTok influencers with large followings (preferably your target demographic). Incentivize the content creator to generate entertaining videos around your products or services, participate in a duet with your company account, or do a brand takeover. You’ll get your message out to a broader group of people.
• Use analytics at every step. Whether researching the best time to post for top engagement with your followers or discovering which content resonates most, don’t guess. Use the platform’s analytics (numbers) to calculate your next move.
• Run ads with TikTok. Your brand doesn’t have to go viral on its own. Seek help from TikTok by launching an advertising campaign that reaches your target audience. Manage your ads and collaborations with creators through TikTok’s business center. And you can get support from the app’s solutions team for guidance on making TikTok marketing content that sticks.

Pros and cons of a TikTok business account

While TikTok business accounts provide many golden opportunities to reach the masses and gain exponential growth, there are certain feature limits. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons.

Pros

• TikTok analytics: TikTok offers business users metrics on content, followers, and LIVEs. Brands can check how many people have viewed, liked, and commented on their content. Users can also see which of their posts are trending and their follower growth rate.
• TikTok ads: TikTok makes it easy for brands to create in-feed ads in minutes. Businesses only have to set an advertising goal and targeting method and upload their content. TikTok videos are immersive, thanks to the app’s full-screen audiovisual nature. This helps brands connect emotionally with viewers.
• Business Creative Hub: TikTok offers access to an in-app resource for creating high-quality video content. Business Creative Hub provides tutorials and examples of trending posts from successful accounts to inspire other users.
• Links in bio: The only way to add a clickable link to a TikTok bio is to have a business account. Drop in a Linktree URL, which helps your target audience to follow you on other social media platforms, into this space to make the most of the perk.

Cons

Limited library of sounds: Business accounts only have access to commercial sounds on TikTok. The library contains more than 150,000 royalty-free songs from production companies and up-and-coming artists.

No access to the Creator Fund program:TikTok pays eligible creators for great content. However, this program is only available to individuals with more than 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views 30 days prior to applying. Businesses can’t earn with this feature.

How to switch back to a personal account (creator account)

If you ultimately decide your project is better served by a creator account, make the switch at any time. Here’s how.

1. Open TikTok on your iPhone or Android mobile device.
2. Tap “Me” in the lower right corner of the screen.
3. Tap on the three horizontal lines (the hamburger icon) in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Tap on “Settings and privacy” in the pop-up menu.
5. Click “Account.”
6. Tap on “Switch to Personal Account.”

Master the TikTok algorithm with Linktree

Liven up your TikTok feed with engaging videos, and rise to the top of your followers’ feeds. The platform is all about hitting the right chord – whether that’s through participating in a hashtag challenge or tutoring your user base via how-to videos.

And to keep up with TikTok trends, head to Linktree’s blog. Sharpen your skills by reading up on how to write an excellent bio for your TikTok profile (and change it whenever you want), add filters and effects, and get verified. Learn how to make more on this app as a content creator and how to give your favorite TikTokers a boost by reposting.

While you’re at it, claim your free Linktree URL, and don’t just shine on TikTok but on all social platforms. Manage all your accounts in one place, and encourage your audience to follow you. And don’t forget to add your URL to every bio!