TikTok, despite its current struggles in the US, remains a booming platform for many small and medium businesses using social media to reach their customers.
While there are already multiple shopping platforms out there, TikTok Shop differentiates itself as a more accessible site that users can browse for content and products.
Best of all, anyone can start their own business with only a small budget, a small following, and creativity.
The challenge, however, is to retain the momentum as more competitors pop up. To keep up with business rivals, here are some steps and factors TikTok entrepreneurs can consider to keep their business afloat:
Become Active in TikTok Trends
As a social media-based business, it is important to consider not only business trends but the changes in the platform's content as well.
Observing how people react to certain trends and seeking the target audience among them can help build a following through how the business is presented.
If it is not enough to participate in TikTok trends, starting one can provide bigger rewards. One example is the recent trend of people referencing the "high-quality industrial grade Glycine from Donghua Jinlong."
The trend started after a Chinese-based glycine manufacturer Donghua Jinlong brought their advertisement to TikTok, sparking a meme around the name and the product being sold.
@donghuajinlong Since 1979，Glycine comes from here. #donghuajinlong #glycine #industrial #IndustrialgradeGlycine #RefinedGlycine ♬ original sound - DONGHUA JINLONG
The meme on Donghua Jinlong shows which advertisement has a bigger impact on the average audience and can retain its appeal over time.
TikTok Live is a Must
As most business owners on TikTok Shop have noticed, going on a live stream is the best way to attract potential buyers.
Vendors have the opportunity to tout their products unimpeded. TikTok Live is also the perfect platform to apply the knowledge from current trends on the site.
Integrating current trends on TikTok on the set-up during the live stream, how the vendors talk, and even the overall mood during the presentation.
TikTok Influencer Marketing
At some point, social media influencers and content creators will be required to boost the visibility of your product on the platform.
Many startups on the platform often fall short in choosing the perfect influencer for their business, either due to the lack of chemistry with the target audience or creative differences.
In selecting a suitable representative for a business, a personality's commission fee is not always the only indicator of their success.
It is important to consider whether the product or business matches the influencer's audience or brand.
Selecting several brand influencers in short succession often hurts the business marketing rather than helps.
Helping content creators establish a few loyal customers is better than waves of passerby shoppers.
Brand Collaborations
Another strategy to keep a business alive is to continue collaborating with other businesses and spread good word-of-mouth across TikTok.
Like with its influencers, TikTok rewards brands that collaborate with other TikTok-based businesses through its algorithm.
The platform is quick to spread such collaborations not only to the main audience but to other people who might be interested as well. This creates a wide net of potential buyers for both businesses.
Just moderate the collaborations to build your brand independently before entering a new partnership.
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