TikTok is a thriving video social platform, with over 1 billion monthly active users creating and consuming content daily.
As a business owner, it’s essential to tap into this vast pool of potential customers and grow your brand presence with short, snappy video marketing.
Creating a new TikTok business account or creator account is the easy part; setting up your account for success is where it gets tricky.
By using Pictory as an online video generator for your TikTok marketing videos, you can have an endless supply of video content repurposed from your existing text content or longer videos.
Sign up for free and engage TikTok users with your business in minutes!
Short Summary
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Start your TikTok journey by downloading and setting up an account that reflects you & your brand.
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Leverage trends, hashtags, influencers & paid advertising to increase content visibility for maximum reach.
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Consistently create high-quality content and engage with followers for a successful presence on the platform!
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Use Pictory to create TikTok shorts with ease, either from scratch or by repurposing longer videos or text content.
Choosing Between a TikTok Business Account or Creator Account
Whilst it might seem like the logical choice to create a business account for your company on TikTok, there are actual benefits to both types of accounts.
Both are free to create and can be verified, as well as having access to the TikTok Ads manager.
But let’s take a look at what sets them apart:
Pros and Cons of a TikTok Personal Account
All TikTok accounts start as Creator accounts, which provide all users with a platform to create and monetize content.
Profiles can be private or public and can be changed at any time.
Creator profiles can also use any sound in their content, giving access to the full library of trending sounds and music.
However, only videos featuring non-copyrighted songs are eligible for monetizing, which is something to bear in mind.
Also, personal account holders can only add links to their bio once they fulfill certain requirements, including reaching 1000 followers, which can be off-putting for businesses wanting to link all their accounts from the offset.
From an analytics perspective, creators can only view their analytics in the TikTok app and can only look through the past 60 days, which can make tracking successful content and metrics trickier.
The major benefit of having a creator account, besides the access to all the trends, is the Creator Fund and Creator Next.
Both programs allow performing creators and influencers access to funds to help support their content creation, which can be invaluable to small businesses or individuals looking to make a living on social media.
Pros and Cons of a TikTok Business Account
A business account, on the other hand, does not have access to some of these features, particularly no access to any TikTok fund or paid program.
Business accounts can also only use non-copyrighted music in their content, which means certain trends will be harder to participate in.
It does, however, mean that all content on a business account can be monetized no question, which makes using TikTok ads easier.
Business accounts also do not have the option to be privatized, which can be off-putting, but on the flip side links can be put into the bio from the jump.
Similarly, businesses can link to third-party platforms, such as Hootsuite, making cross-platform promotion and content strategy integration far easier.
From an analytics viewpoint, business accounts can download all of their data and can look back across all data sets, enabling a clearer picture of what content is performing well.
Downloading and Installing the TikTok App
To begin your TikTok journey, head to the App Store or Google Play Store and search for “TikTok.”
Download and install the app on your device, which is a quick and straightforward process.
To create and upload TikToks you’ll need a compatible mobile device or desktop.
Ensure you’re using a device with suitable privacy features in place, and don’t get confused between any personal accounts or business accounts.
Creating Your TikTok Account
When creating your account, you can choose from various sign-up methods, such as an email address, phone number, or even your Facebook or Google account.
This process is simple and similar to signing up for any other social media platform.
Of course, if setting up a business account, using a business email or number is advisable.
If multiple people need access to the account across different devices, ensure you store passwords securely.
If you have a company Google Drive, it can be useful to use your Google account to log in and store all TikTok materials in one place.
Setting a username is an essential step in creating your TikTok profile.
Choose a memorable, unique username that accurately reflects who you are and what your brand represents.
Keep it short, simple, and easy to recall.
If you have a brand or identity, linking it to your username can help increase brand recognition.
Optimizing Your TikTok Username
To ensure your TikTok username is optimized, consider using the same username across all your social media accounts.
This will help maintain consistency and make it easier for your audience to find and recognize your brand on different platforms.
If you’re struggling to create a catchy username, you can always use a TikTok name generator to help spark some inspiration.
For example, the name generator on Ahrefs uses information about your business to help create potential usernames.
These lists can serve as a starting point for crafting your perfect TikTok username, ensuring that it is engaging and representative of your brand or personal identity.
It is important to note that you create a different display name for your account to your username. Your display name will appear as people scroll across your videos and click on your profile, with the username only appearing here.
So whilst a username is important, it does not have to be an exact match for your company, or each could include different information.
eg. username: @axelmania.writer
display name: Bethan Hawthorn – Writer at AxelMania
Switching to a TikTok Business Account
Switching to a TikTok Business Account offers numerous benefits, including performance insights, creative tools, and exclusive features that can help grow your business.
By understanding your content’s performance and audience demographics, you can tailor your content strategy to appeal to your target audience more effectively.
To switch to a TikTok Business Account, go to your Profile page in the app, click the three dots on the top right corner, navigate to Settings & Privacy, and then click Manage Account.
Select Switch to Business Account, and you’re all set!
With your Business Account, you can explore the world of TikTok, experiment with different content types, and discover what works best to engage your audience.
Customizing Your TikTok Profile
Customizing your TikTok profile is crucial for standing out amongst the sea of users on the platform.
Start by updating your profile picture by tapping on your profile in the app, going to “Edit Profile,” and clicking on “Change Photo.”
Select a new picture that represents your brand or personal identity.
Next, update your username and write a captivating TikTok bio by going to your profile, tapping on “Edit Profile,” and entering your desired username and bio.
For example, Bethan Hawthorn’s might read ‘I write. Sometimes I write good.’ or ‘Follow me for some of the crazy day-to-day goings on in the life of an AxelManiac!’
Depending on the purpose of your account, it can be useful to sell yourself a bit more in your bio, to encourage the TikTok community to follow you.
Don’t forget to link your other social media accounts to your TikTok profile, making it easier for your audience to find and follow you across multiple platforms.
If you have a business account then it should be easy to add a Linktree or other business link to your profile in the website section of Edit Profile.
If you are using a personal account you’ll need either 1000 followers or a verified account to add an external link.
Understanding TikTok Analytics
TikTok Analytics is a powerful feature that provides valuable insights into content performance, account growth, and audience demographics.
By understanding these metrics, you can maximize the impact of your TikTok presence and create content that resonates with your target audience.
To access TikTok analytics navigate to your profile, tap the three-line menu tab, choose “Creator Center” and select “Analytics.”
Here you can see all the analytics from across your profile in different date ranges, as well as access the TikTok ads manager
Data can be organized into specific metrics such as follows, likes, shares, or comments across your whole channel, or you can also filter by specific video.
Using a combination of these tools you can see which content resonates best with your audience, as well as what posting times work best for your engagement.
With this wealth of information at your fingertips, you can make data-driven decisions to improve your content strategy and grow your TikTok presence.
Creating Engaging Content for Your Audience
Creating engaging content on TikTok is crucial for building a loyal and engaged audience.
To add value to your content, consider following trends, participating in challenges, and creating a mix of informative and entertaining videos.
Don’t forget to use specific hashtags consistently, as this helps TikTok understand your posting schedule and the type of content you’re creating, and increases the likelihood of your followers seeing your content.
TikTok’s AI also suggests hashtags for each video you upload, which can be helpful to see what communities your content might be attracting.
Another essential aspect of creating engaging content is interacting with your followers.
Reply to their comments, answer their questions, like their comments, and even create videos based on their suggestions.
By engaging with your audience, you’ll foster a sense of community and encourage users to continue following your account and sharing your content.
Leveraging TikTok Trends and Hashtags
Using TikTok trends and hashtags can significantly boost your content’s visibility, as it helps the platform understand your content and show it to relevant audiences.
Staying consistent with your hashtags and creatively incorporating trending sounds into your videos can give your content the extra push it needs to go viral.
3-5 super relevant hashtags are the recommended amount to include in each post.
This will ensure your content reaches the right audience and helps TikTok show your content to the right people in its algorithm.
It is unhelpful to include tags that aren’t relevant to your post, as it means TikTok users are more likely to scroll past content unsuited for them, and these negative view stats will serve you badly in the algorithm.
By leveraging trends, you can give your videos a boost in the TikTok algorithm, which can lead to increased visibility and engagement.
Remember, the more your content aligns with current trends and popular hashtags, the higher the chances are of reaching a wider audience and growing your TikTok presence.
Cross-Promoting Your TikTok Profile
Cross-promoting your TikTok account on multiple platforms is an excellent way to gain more exposure and increase the chances of your target audience seeing your videos.
By sharing your content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, you can introduce your presence on TikTok to new audiences who may not have discovered it otherwise.
To effectively cross-promote your content, consider sharing your TikTok videos on Instagram Stories, linking your account to your Instagram bio, and posting your videos on Facebook and Twitter.
You can also explore options like influencer marketing and paid advertising to increase the visibility of your TikToks and reach an even larger audience.
Tips for Growing Your TikTok Presence
Growing your TikTok presence requires consistency, a well-thought-out TikTok content strategy, and a clear understanding of your niche.
Analyze popular posting types for consumers and keep track of when your posts gain the most engagement.
Follow creators or TikTok influencers making the same kind of content you hope to create; see how users engage with their work and the content they are making to gain inspiration.
By creating high-quality content that appeals to your target audience and consistently posting, you’ll gradually build a loyal following and increase your impact on the platform.
Make the first few seconds of your videos engaging and intriguing to encourage users to watch until the end, increasing your chances of being promoted by TikTok’s algorithm.
Engage with your followers by responding to their comments and creating content based on their interests, keeping them excited and eager for more.
Summary
In conclusion, setting up and growing your TikTok account is an exciting and rewarding journey that can unlock new opportunities for your business.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, from creating your account to leveraging trends and hashtags, you’ll be well on your way to establishing a strong presence on TikTok.
When you use TikTok for business marketing you allow your audience to see a different side of your brand, which can help foster brand loyalty and community.
And there’s no better way to get started than by turning your existing content into TikToks in minutes with Pictory!
Sign up for free and start making your first short today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create a TikTok account for my child?
TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old to sign up for an account.
If you and your child discuss and agree to them getting an account, encourage your child to enable Family Pairing when signing up.
Simply open the app and head to the Settings and Privacy tab.
From there, you can tap on Family Pairing and select ‘Parent or Teen.”
Follow the steps in the app to link your accounts and get started!
How often should I post content on TikTok to grow my audience?
If TikTok is a major platform you are focusing on for your business or personal strategy, then posting at least once a day is advisable.
Whatever frequency you choose, be sure to stay consistent in your posting schedule.
Stick with a schedule for at least a few weeks to gauge engagement before you try other patterns.
How can I use TikTok for marketing my business or brand?
TikTok is a great platform for business marketing as it allows users to see the fun side of your brand.
The TikTok audience values the real, unfiltered user, as well as the absurd and comical, so there’s plenty of scope to let go a little and give your audience exciting, different content that shows the kind of brand you are.
It can be a complimentary platform for lots of other content, as it is a great place to publish highlights of your longer-form content.
Check out our complete guide on How To Go Viral On TikTok With AI to give your account a boost!
And, sign up for a FREE Pictory account today to start creating engaging video content in minutes!
