TikTok: The Best Marketing Tool You Aren’t Using

We hear it from our clients all the time. “I’m not on TikTok personally, so why should I use it professionally?” While we understand the aversion to new technology, we’re here to tell you that regardless of your personal social media preferences, this trending platform is a great marketing tool for your business.

 

With over 1.5 BILLION active users in 2023, TikTok continues gaining momentum for everything from entertainment to education. So, what’s the buzz all about? Unlike other platforms, TikTok does not limit content to direct followers. Their algorithms make it easy for anyone, anywhere, to find videos based on interests and search history. That means the next viral video is just a click away, and it could be yours. 

 

Here are our top five tips for a seamless TikTok transition:

 

1. Do Your Research

 

Like other social media platforms, TikTok requires a little advanced planning for the greatest impact. Start by scoping out your competitors and look at their videos with the most likes and engagement. What are they doing that works well? It could be anything from song choice to the time of day they post. Use them as inspiration to create a marketing plan tailored to specific customer needs.

 

You’ll also want to plan diversified content. Yes, dance videos are entertaining, but how-to, tutorials, and DIY also do very well on TikTok. Find a balance that caters to the audience you serve.

 

2. Build Your Brand

 

Branding on TikTok begins with your bio, where you have just eighty characters to introduce your business. Be creative and make each word count. Tone matters, and there are ways to be both professional and personable. Focus on similar themes for a cohesive look, but also experiment with different layouts and music. Your profile should tell a story, not just serve as a sales pitch.

 

3. Create A Calendar

 

Daily activity is necessary when you're first starting out on TikTok. The algorithms favor engaged users, so make this a priority to build a strong following. This includes sharing and commenting on other accounts too!

 

Need inspiration for filling up a month’s worth of material? Followers enjoy getting sneak peeks at daily routines, so even things that seem mundane to you might pique someone else’s interest. And take inspiration from influencers and industry leaders—chances are you’ll come up with new ideas in no time.

 

4. Yes, Hashtags Are Important!

 

Hashtags are a powerful search tool, especially on TikTok, so use them to your advantage. Include location-specific and industry buzzwords, plus any keywords directly related to the post's topic. You can also research the most popular hashtags on any given day, which can help generate more visibility. Most importantly, try to mix up the hashtags you include. Algorithms are tricky and sometimes flag accounts that are too repetitive.

 

5. Build Community

 

Remember, your priority is to market your business, but your followers also want to feel emotionally connected. Respond to comments and questions promptly, and show some love to others in your industry. Ask for feedback on a new idea or product. Social media is a powerful tool, but that stems from a human connection. Something as simple as “liking” a comment lets people feel noticed and valued.

 

Regardless of the size of your business, TikTok is slated to remain a valuable addition to your social media toolkit. Develop a unique profile, target your audience, and create a meaningful content strategy to increase your chances of success. Need help getting started? The team at Officially Social is always available. Email alison@officiallysocial today!

Why Successful Growth Campaigns NEVER Bring Fake Followers

By Jamie Johnson • March 28, 2025
One of the biggest questions we hear from business owners is how they can grow their social media quickly. Many have been led to believe that social media growth equals success. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case! It’s a common misconception that the bigger your following, the more credibility and sales you will have. Expanding your audience is important BUT the quality of that growth matters far more than the quantity. Anyone can pay for followers, but what matters is choosing your growth campaigns carefully; even better when they're done with the help of an industry expert. With the right strategy, you can develop a meaningful, engaged community rather than chasing empty followers. Here are three rules we recommend following when creating growth campaigns for your social media channels. Rule #1: Focus on Finding a Genuine Audience We know that total follower count is a distracting number, but an engaged, loyal audience is what matters in the long run. Fake followers will only hurt your visibility, and the algorithms will not favor your content. A solid growth campaign should prioritize attracting your target audience—people genuinely interested in your brand who will interact, share, and like your posts. Rule #2: Make Your Growth Campaign Intentional Don’t be fooled by the promise of quick results and a quick following. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Social media platforms make it easy to run campaigns, but there are disparities in effectiveness because rapid growth doesn’t always translate to value. It pays to be patient and strategic when building your audience. A bigger number that lacks any real connection will make finding your true followers harder. Rule #3: Rely on Data Data and analytics are a crucial point of any growth campaign. If you’re investing money for better results, you want to see the ROI. The key is to look past your follower count and focus on engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), external link clicks, and audience retention. These things will lead to long-term success rather than just a bunch of uninvested followers. One more thing to remember is that boosting posts, while valuable and serving a purpose, is NOT a growth campaign. A proper growth campaign is a strategic effort to increase your following, engagement, and overall reach. If this sounds like something your business could benefit from and you’d like to learn more, visit us at officiallysocial.com or email alison@officiallysocial.com anytime! 

How to Increase Followers Organically

By Jamie Johnson • February 28, 2025
One of the biggest questions we hear from clients is how to get more followers. And that’s because most people assume that the more followers you have, the more exposure and reach your content is likely to get. And while there is some truth to that, the number isn’t the only important thing—the quality of your audience also matters! Yes, a strong following is essential for your business. But while paid promotions can give you a temporary boost, growing your audience organically ensures long-term engagement and credibility. Here are six ways to do it effectively: 1. Post Consistently : We can’t say it enough—content is king. If it’s been a while since you’ve shared something, don’t overthink it. People aren’t looking for perfection on social media. They’re looking for a connection. Create valuable, engaging, and visually appealing content that aligns with your brand, and utilize a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience tuning in. 2. Research Trending Hashtags : Hashtags aren’t dead, we promise! In fact, they are a big help in increasing discoverability because they categorize your posts, making them easier to find when users search for related topics. Try incorporating a mix of popular and niche hashtags relevant to your business to maximize your audience. 3. Engage with Your Audience : Social media is meant to be social! There needs to be a give and take, so be sure to reply to comments and messages promptly. You'll also want to like, share, and simply acknowledge others’ content. The more active you are, the more likely people are to follow and interact with you in return. 4. Collaborate with Others : Know another local business that’d be interested in partnering in an event? Or perhaps some influencers might want to work together to increase brand awareness. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Cross-promotions and shoutouts can boost your visibility without the additional cost of paid ads. 5. Seek User-Generated Content : Authentic, user-generated content is trending across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Ask followers to share pictures, videos, and reviews related to your brand. You can then feature this content to create a sense of community and encourage others to participate. 6. Be Patient: Perhaps the hardest on this list is understanding that solid organic growth takes time. If you stay consistent, track your progress, and refine your strategy as needed, you’ll work toward building a loyal following that sticks around. With such an inundation of social media, people are simply looking to follow accounts they can connect to. By implementing these strategies, you’ll see steady, meaningful follower growth—so stay authentic, be consistent, and remember the value you are providing your audience. 

Five Ways a Social Media Manager Can Change Your Life

By Jamie Johnson • January 31, 2025
Having a strong social media presence has become less of an option and more of a non-negotiable for business owners. Regardless of the size or niche of your company, maintaining consistent branding and messaging on various platforms is a MUST for driving traction. If you’ve tried managing your social media content independently, you know how time-consuming it can be; time that could be much better allocated toward other aspects of growing your business that you actually enjoy! This is where a designated social media manager comes in. An effective social media manager will create exclusive content in an authentic voice that resonates with your audience. Yes, it is a financial investment, but the time and freedom you gain is invaluable. Here are five more reasons why outsourcing social media may be the right choice for your business. 1. They are experts in their field: Social media managers thrive off of the exciting, ever-changing landscape of Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Yes, it’s hard to keep up with the latest algorithms and trends, but when you hire a manager, you can trust their decisions are driven by proven strategies that will help build your brand. 2. They study and utilize monthly analytics: The numbers don’t lie. So, the easiest way to ensure what you’re posting is reaching the right audience is to examine your analytics every month. An experienced social media manager knows exactly what performance metrics to look for and will provide actionable insights for continuous growth and improvement. 3. They are huge time savers: Perhaps the biggest benefit, outsourcing your content creation to a professional frees up time, letting you focus on what you do best running a business! Leave the engagement, responding to comments, and managing DMs to someone else and you’ll be amazed at what a weight is lifted from your shoulders. 4. They help you stay ahead of the competition: Today’s online presence is all about staying relevant. If you’re not reaching your target audience, someone else is. Hiring a social media manager will help your business stay ahead by identifying trends and opportunities others might miss. 5. They create consistency: Your brand’s voice and messaging should be kept cohesive across all platforms. A social media manager will work to develop consistent messaging that builds trust, credibility, and recognition with your audience. Regardless of how busy YOU are, with a social media manager, you can guarantee your posts will run like clockwork. Investing in a great social media manager can help your business reach its full potential. Their expertise, creativity, and strategic content planning will elevate your brand and audience, all while freeing you your time, energy, and most importantly—less stress. Ready to take your social media to the next level? Email the team at Officially Social today- alison@officiallysocial.com.
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