Using TikTok for Business
Whether you have teenagers or not, you’ve probably heard about TikTok, or maybe you’ve even seen a video or two from the viral site. What you may not know is that you, as an adult, can also use TikTok to boost your business or profession, even if the platform has a reputation for catering to younger generations. For instance, several lawyers have taken advantage of TikTok to educate people about various legal topics and to entertain other attorneys in their fields. Here are some tips on how to leverage the huge audiences of TikTok in your business.
Create New Content
To set yourself apart from the millions of other creators on TikTok, you need to create your own new content that explores your profession from a new angle. For example, if you’re a doctor, you probably don’t want to create TikTok videos about COVID-19 right now because there are tons of them already available. However, you might want to create a series of TikTok awareness videos on a condition you see frequently in your practice, especially if it’s a fairly uncommon condition. You could also take the entertainment route and come up with TikTok videos about the quirky things you see as a doctor on a daily basis.
Content is king on TikTok, so you need to make sure your videos are high quality and informative within the first few seconds. Otherwise, viewers will not watch them. Be authentic and engage with your viewers, which will build your audience organically. TikTok is a relatively laid-back platform, so if you’re obviously using the platform for your personal gain, viewers will notice.
Mention Other Businesses
One of the easiest ways to go viral on TikTok is to mention other businesses that have provided you with value in your own videos. These mentions often gain the attention of those businesses, who then promote your video as a way to promote themselves. Make sure you’re actually using a business’ product or service and that you’re authentically praising them to get the best coverage. This is also a great way to expand your network and gain potential content partners down the road.
Don’t Sell Anything
TikTok is not a sales platform. Viewers are turned off by overt sales pitches on the site and you’ll get a reputation for only creating content for your own benefit. Instead, use TikTok to showcase your skills and knowledge. For instance, if you’re a lawyer, you might want to offer tips on legally beating traffic tickets or on how to make the best impression in court. You might even cater to others in your profession by offering study tips for the bar exam or jury selection secrets. These topics provide value to the viewers and are more likely to put your profession and business in the best light possible.
Create a Challenge
TikTok is known for its challenges. Creators issue bizarre challenges to their viewers, who then post videos of themselves completing the challenge. While not all of these challenges are healthy or safe, you can use this trend to create your own challenge that promotes your profession or business. Maybe you’re a geography teacher and you want to challenge students to take a video in the craziest/funniest/nicest town in their state or country. You’ll get hundreds of responses, making your profession and videos go viral.
Conclusion
The key to professional success on TikTok is to make sure you’re entertaining and authentic, no matter what your topic is. People love watching videos that inspire them or make them laugh or think. Be creative and discover how TikTok can boost your business.
