Should Your Business Advertise on TikTok?

If you have been paying attention to the changing trends in the world of digital marketing, you will know that TikTok advertising is growing in popularity. A lot of businesses are embracing this new form of advertising, but should your business be following suit?

There are certainly benefits to TikTok advertising, but there are downsides too. When you are deciding whether or not to advertise on TikTok, you need to consider your business type and target audience. You also need to think about your industry, and whether TikTok is likely to capture the attention of your chosen market. Though it can be a hugely beneficial advertising tool for many businesses, it doesn’t work quite as well for others. In this blog, we have taken a look at the ins and outs of TikTok, and the benefits of TikTok advertising.

What is TikTok?

If you haven’t heard of TikTok, where have you been? With over one billion users around the world, TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms out there. TikTok started life as an app called A.me created by Chinese company ByteDance, before later being renamed Douyin. In 2017, ByteDance began to expand its offerings outside of China and Douyin was renamed TikTok for international audiences. It didn’t take long for TikTok to become a social media hit, especially with younger generations.

TikTok is an easy, convenient and creative way for individuals to produce, share and engage with video content. There are various audio clips, visual effects, filters and editing features available. The platform offers a wide range of content and trends, such as lip-syncing to popular songs, dance trends, tutorials, ‘cute’ videos and challenges. As is the case with other social media platforms, TikTok users can engage with each other’s content by liking, commenting, sharing and following accounts. There are a number of TikTok influencers, and a growing number of celebrities are building a strong TikTok presence.

Is TikTok Good for Advertising

Yes, TikTok can be good for advertising, but its success is likely to depend on your industry and target audience. Though many businesses get a lot out of TikTok advertising, this isn’t always the case. It’s important to determine if your target market can be found on TikTok, and if users are looking for the products and services that you have to offer.

Before trying TikTok advertising, think about your audience and what you have to offer. Consider if your audience are likely to be on TikTok, and whether they are likely to see your ads. If they’re not, it might be worth focusing your attention elsewhere.

Pros of Advertising on TikTok

With so many users, there is a huge potential audience on TikTok. If you post a video, it’s likely to be seen by a lot of people. This is especially beneficial if you are targeting a young audience, as the majority of TikTok’s users are younger generations, such as those categorised as being Millenial and Gen Z.

There are a lot of trends to be found in TikTok, with dozens cropping up at any one time. There are specific audio clips that go viral, complex dance trends to learn and comedy sketches to copy. If you stay on top of these trends and catch them early, there is a good chance that your videos will reach the masses.

One of the main pros of TikTok advertising is that it captures a lot of data. In the same way that other social media platforms collect data from users, so does TikTok. By using this information, you can create personalised advertisements, experiences and services, knowing that it’s something that your target audience will pay attention to. If your TikTok advertising efforts aren’t working, you can use audience data to make tweaks and changes, until you start to see results.

Cons of Advertising on TikTok

Of course, there are a handful of cons to go alongside the pros of advertising on TikTok. Unfortunately, TikTok advertising is not suitable for all businesses. If you are targeting an older audience, you’re unlikely to find too many users who fit your demographic. It’s also not the best for B2B businesses, as the majority of users are individuals who are looking for products and services to use personally.

There’s also the risk of your advertisement getting lost if it’s not done correctly. With so many users and businesses, competition is tough on TikTok, and standing out isn’t easy. Unless you have a flawless ad that grabs everyone’s attention, you run the risk of it going unnoticed. This competition also means that advertising on TikTok is getting more expensive. Plus, it takes time to develop content for TikTok, which can make it one of the more time-consuming social media platforms to use. It’s not as simple as quickly snapping a photo and uploading it to Instagram.

At Profici, we know how impactful social media marketing and advertising can be. We know that social media is an effective way to reach a wide audience, market products and services, and boost brand awareness. For many businesses, TikTok should be a part of this. Using our unique insight into social media and digital marketing, we are able to build social media campaigns that pack a punch. Whether you want to advertise on TikTok or gain more followers on Instagram, you can rely on our talented team. Get in touch to find out more.