Why Business Owners Need to Pay Attention to Tiktok

Why is TikTok a Good Way to Promote Your Business?

In October 2022, TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance was valued at around $300b. Although unlisted, it continues to grow as one of the world's most valuable private tech companies, and it's plain to see why.

Best known for its short-form video content, Tiktok is a hit among younger audiences and increased tremendously as even people over 30 have started picking it up throughout the pandemic. As we move away from traditional media such as TV and Radio, our attention as audiences become shorter.

The Rise of Short-Form Video Content

Back in the 90s and 2000s, people had to take the time to rent movie DVDs and change the disc midway, nowadays streaming platforms provide movies on demand allowing subscribers to watch a movie with one simple click. This increased accessibility had made it easier to consume more content than ever, which often results in people spending as much time choosing movies than actually watching them.

I'm not going to lie, I've done that myself as well. As people who often follow strict schedules, we want to make sure that the media we consume is worth the time that we invest in it. This dilemma is called decision paralysis and it seeps into many aspects of our daily life, from choosing which flavor of ice cream to go for to which 30-minute Youtube video you'd watch.

TikTok's Impact on Consumer Behavior

So, what's the secret ingredient that makes Tiktok stand out? It's something that I've already said earlier: short-form video content. The length of an average Tiktok video only lasts as long as 34 seconds. 34 seconds of direct, immediate value, and then the next piece of content automatically plays.

The structure effectively eliminates the dilemma of wasting time invested in content that isn't worth it. For many people, it's easier to choose a 30-second clip over a 30-minute Youtube video, which is why it's not uncommon to hear stories of Tiktokers that have spent hours on the platform without noticing it.

How to Use TikTok to Promote Your Business

Create Engaging TikTok Content

To stand out on TikTok, focus on creating engaging and authentic content. Join trending challenges to increase visibility, or start your own to boost participation and build community. Share behind-the-scenes videos to give a glimpse into your business operations and make your brand more relatable. Also, encourage your followers to create and share content featuring your products, which helps show appreciation and strengthens community connections.

Master TikTok's Features

To reach more people on TikTok, take advantage of its features. Use trending hashtags and aim for the For You page, where users discover new content. Pro tip: keep an eye on TikTok’s analytics to see which types of content your audience loves the most.

Promote TikTok Content on Other Platforms

Integrate TikTok into your social media strategy by cross-promoting your content. Share TikTok videos as Instagram reels, promote your challenges on Twitter, and embed videos in your blog posts and emails to drive traffic to your profile.

Conclusion

If ByteDance's estimated valuation isn't enough to convince you, then maybe the other companies following their formula will: YoutubeShorts, InstagramReels, and the failed Fleets from Twitter are all different takes on the Tiktok formula.

Why does all this matter? In an age where media is consumed faster than ever, it's important to create content that attracts your audience and provides immediate value to them. The way that social media works now is that even if you don't have a million followers, you can still get your post seen by thousands of people who share relevant interests.

It's something that many people and companies are failing to understand. Creating relevant content centered around community building and engaging with existing communities, that's the focus. Building impactful, valuable content comes before amassing followers for your brand. I believe: it's something that many of you will see as a significant game-changer.