Summary/Overview

Starting out on a platform as big as TikTok can seem daunting at first, especially for small businesses. But with the right strategy you could take this popular social media app by storm. With over 1.5 billion monthly users worldwide and around 16 million users in the UK, TikTok is full of opportunity – and getting started is easier than you might think.

Looking to jump on a new trend or build your brand profile? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve narrowed down some of our favourite small business ideas for TikTok to help you get to grips with the platform.

Check out the latest trends below and you’ll be making a TikTok video for your business in no time.

Examples of TikTok trends.

TikTok is synonymous with trends. From dance crazes to food, clothes, drinks and travel inspiration, the app is the place to be if you’re trying to go viral.

Trends tend to change as quickly as they pop up, but it’s always a good idea to stay on top of them – especially as a small business. Embracing relevant Tik Tok trends as they pop up could take your brand to the next level.

Some of the biggest viral TikTok trends started off as spontaneous short videos inspired by recent events or pop culture. Here are some examples of the type of trends you might find.

TikTok challenges.

First and foremost, let’s start with one of TikTok’s biggest trends – challenges. These involve different users trying their luck at a certain task, using hashtags and creating a buzz that others can’t help but participate in too.

An example is the watermelon and mustard trend, where users are challenged to combine this unlikely pair and record their reactions. The trend was started by TikTok user ‘yayayayummy’ and received over 1.4 million views and 123,000 likes, which was excellent promotion for mustard brands, like French’s Yellow Mustard. Why not recreate this success by starting or hopping on a challenge related to your own brand or business?

Get ready with me.

The “GRWM” trend involves users posting a video showcasing the process of how they get ready for a day at work or prepare for a certain event. Small businesses can tap into this trend in different ways.

You could document your own GRWM to build your profile and show the person behind the brand. Or you could use it as an opportunity to engage in influencer marketing – reaching out to UK micro-influencers who might consider promoting your products or services in their own TikTok.

A day in the life.

These videos are used by creators to show their daily routine. It might sound mundane at first, but when celebrities and social media influencers get involved, TikTokers worldwide unite to sit and watch their favourite people engage in everyday tasks.

Not quite convinced? The hashtags #dayinmylife and #dailyvlog have a combined total of 35 billion views. So, they’re evidently effective.

Why not boost your engagement by filming your own day in the life video as business owner? You could show the balance of admin, client meetings and fun events – or take people behind-the-scenes at your office or studio.

Lip-syncing sound bites.

TikTok users have gained an appetite for lip-syncing. All over the app you’ll find people engaging with a range of trending audios, from song lyrics and monologues to conversations sampled from other creators.

A tasty business example is the “It’s a chicken salad” sound, where a customer raved about a salad from her local deli. The 15-second clip was posted on both the deli’s TikTok account and the customer’s TikTok account, resulting in 20.5 million views and 2.1 million views respectively. It has since inspired over 131,000 TikToks from content creators and celebrities alike, with users lip-syncing to the sound.

You can use trending TikTok sounds to overlay your own business videos, so that it’s more likely to appear on other users’ “For You Page” (FYP). Try adding a catchy song that’s starting to go viral, or make your own meme by lip syncing to a TV show – think The IT Crowd or The Office for relatable workplace commentary.

Come with me to […].

“Come with me” videos on TikTok depict users visiting new places and taking part in different experiences. It can range from trying out new restaurants or beauty services to travelling to different cities. Viewers engage with this trend to get a unique mixture of a first and second-hand experience.

Why not take the plunge as a small business? For example, if you’re an eyelash tech, you could get one of your clients to film their experience and upload it onto the app. Or you could film your experience as someone in your profession, creating a “Come to work with me” clip.

How to use TikTok for a small business

If you want to get involved in TikTok as a small business, it’s a good idea to come up with a strategy. Although speed can be vital when it comes to certain trends, establishing an effective social media marketing plan can help to maximise your success on the platform.

Here are some top tips for getting started as a small business on TikTok:

1. Analyse your competitors. You should take some time to see what other businesses in your sector are doing. This can provide you with a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. Don’t copy other brands, instead put a unique spin on what’s trending at the moment.
2. Don’t be afraid to fail. Remember that practice makes perfect. It’s not uncommon for people to go viral on TikTok with their first few videos, but it’s not always the case. It may take time for you to gain attention on the app but stay persistent with your content and the right people will find it.
3. Identify your target market – Identifying your target audience on TikTok is no different to discovering them in real life. Think of your target customers, their needs, wants and interests, and channel this into your TikTok strategy. Upload clips, use hashtags and jump on trends that you know they’ll engage with. Then let TikTok do the rest.
4. Keep an eye out for trend changes. Trends change as the wind blows, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest happenings on the app, particularly those related to your business. You don’t want to spend time and budget on a trend that’s already died down, so make sure you’re investing in the most current and relevant.
5. Post at the right time. Timing is important on TikTok. Uploading a video at the right time can make a real difference, so it’s essential that you consider your audience. For example, if your audience typically works 9am to 5pm, you might want to upload in the evening when people are winding down and scrolling.

5 small business ideas for TikTok.

Following TikTok trends as a small business is a great way of showing your audience that you’re in tune with them. Hopping on relevant trends will help you stay up to date with your market and present new opportunities for you to generate sales and even attract new customers. Here are some examples of TikTok ideas for small businesses:

Pack an order with me.

If you run a small business that sells and ships products, invite your audience into your world by letting them watch you pack an order. This trend is popular on TikTok and allows you to show off the care that you put into ensuring your products are properly packaged and sent out.

Add a song in the background, talk them through the process or try some ASMR – either way, this trend can help to make your brand more personal.

Get ready with me for a day at work.

Show how you get ready for a day of work with a clip of everything that happens before you start. Whether it’s your skincare routine (a great opportunity to collaborate with other brands), getting the kids ready or making yourself a hearty breakfast.

It can also be a useful resource for others thinking about getting into the industry – they might even reach out to see if you’re hiring. Whether you film yourself setting up your studio, doing some pre-work admin or finding a space to co-work before the day begins, this trend is a simple way to show the reality of running a business.

Come behind the scenes with me.

Another amazing way of letting your audience get a more intimate view of your business is to upload a ‘behind the scenes’ video. Show off all the intricate processes that go into your work and add an audio on top to further describe what’s going on. This trend is particularly popular with fashion brands, freelancers, and restaurant owners.

Product review.

According to data, 84% of people prefer to use TikTok as a source to find product reviews before making purchases. This suggests TikTok is a great platform for open and honest accounts of your products, which in turn can help build trust with your customers and uphold your reputation.

You could do a series of reviews on your channel, providing demonstrations of how to use or style your products. Alternatively, you could employ a fellow creator or influencer to review your product or service, then make a post on both of your channels.

Go live.

TikTok has an excellent interactive feature which allows you to go live and engage with your audience in real time. You can use hashtags, go live with clients or TikTok users and talk about your products or even just about everyday life. Users can write comments or questions and you can reply to each of them in the live video. It’s a simple way to do a live product demo or showcase.

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