You’re busy, like many of us, and with that comes a lot of distractions. Apps on your phone, social media, the pace of life mean you don’t have the same focus as when you were younger. Attention spans shorten, and we want our content FAST.
And so we turn to apps like TikTok, where videos can be watched and shared in a matter of seconds. Occupying the hearts and minds of the younger generations, content creators are building an audience on this app with ease. It has become an essential part of their teenage lives.
It’s also a massive platform for brands who know how to market effectively and have figured out the formula to TikTok marketing success. Naturally, brands are jumping on board and getting involved with TikTok marketing.
People would show off their music skills or dance moves at school talent shows or perform for family and friends back in the day. Now, the internet revolution has teens and young adults showing off on TikTok.
So, it only makes sense that entrepreneurs are beginning to build niche marketing agencies centered around TikTok. As agency model online businesses go, a TikTok agency is a great idea.
1. Understand what TikTok is and its history
TikTok is an app created by China-based company ByteDance, which also owns two other big apps named Musical.ly and Douyin (also known as TikTok in the Chinese market). ByteDance was recently listed as the most valuable private start-up in the world. They have a market cap of $75 billion, and it is growing fast. Since its inception, the company was sold to Microsoft for political reasons.
The app is free to download and use, but it’s also a business opportunity for those who know what they are doing! It has proved itself as a platform that will have longevity in the marketplace. People of all ages and cultures have found an affinity with TikTok; it has become one of the largest social media apps in the world. However, the typical age of TikTok users is about 13-28.
There are several ways to make money with TikTok; You can become a content creator or performer, an influencer, a brand ambassador, or even an agency working for other businesses. In this article, we will focus mainly on the agency model.
As this app has grown in popularity, so has the marketplace for TikTok marketing agencies and TikTok marketers. This is an excellent great opportunity to offer your services without having any real competition breathing down your neck just yet! These opportunities in niche industries are few and far between; you’ll want to take action before someone else does.
2. Research and understand your audience
The next step in starting a TikTok agency is to research and understand who you are trying to sell to, what they want from your brand, and what value you will offer them. This information can be collected through surveys, paid focus groups, or even friends of the family that fit this demographic. Understanding your audience will better equip you to create marketing strategies for your content that resonate with you.
3. Find a strategic partner
It is always good to have another opinion when starting an agency, and getting customer feedback can help guide your development of the business framework for this venture. This is where a well-connected friend or family member could be of great value to you. Not only will they be able to provide that outside, unbiased perspective, but they will also be able to assist with other aspects of the business if you haven’t quite got all the skills required. Think of it like a marriage where two people are happier as one!
4. Choose your niche market and competition
If you are looking for TikTok influencer marketing, you will have to choose a niche market. You could go big and try and gain followers on your own or find smaller niches already being catered for by other marketers with similar services.
5. Choose a domain name for your business
If you’re not currently registered as a business in your local area, then that is a great place to start. You’ll also need a website and some form of social media presence.
5. Build your brand online
If this is all new ground for you, it’s best to learn as much as possible about building an online business before starting on any venture like this. Millions of websites, articles, and publications can provide you with information on building your brand. This is something I will discuss in more detail later on.
6. IT Security
As a TikTok influencer agency taking payments from clients, you should have your secure payment system set up to accept these transactions securely for your clients; hence they feel confident in the service you are offering. There has been a massive increase in hacking globally recently, and it’s essential to be safe online with all aspects of your business, not just the money-making parts.
7. If all else fails… Get creative!
If you’re struggling to get a foothold on this niche, then don’t be afraid to get creative! You may have started thinking you would focus on just TikTok marketing for your business, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. I am already seeing many people using the video app for other purposes, like viral pranks and even meme generators for Discord groups looking to create their content!
8. Monitoring the competition
Always keep an eye out for your competition, especially if they have a similar service to you. It’s always good to see what strategies they are using because if they work, then chances are, so will yours. Also, monitor any industry trends that are starting and try and predict where this is leading; you could even try and patent a new product or service before it becomes popular with everyone else!
9. Looking to the future…
Always make sure you have a backup plan for if your business starts to die out, as this is inevitable at some point. Keep your ear to the ground and listen to any feedback from your customers so you can keep up with their needs. If you don’t, it could be the death of your business before you even realize what is happening.
10. Create social media accounts for your brand
This will be related to your niche market; maybe a Facebook page dedicated to TikTok marketing and a Twitter handle for other video-related things. It would help if you stayed engaged with your followers and viewers to build some trust between the two of you, so you feel more comfortable recommending you in the future. You may not make any money from these accounts, but they are essential for building a foundation to grow an online audience who will see your name and trust you as a reliable source of information.
11. Stay updated with trends in your niche market
It’s essential to make sure you’re aware of any new developments, especially if they could prove beneficial for your agency’s growth. I’ve already mentioned how TikTok is becoming more popular among brands and influencers, but it’s also gaining traction for political campaigns and news updates. Don’t be afraid to try new things out to see if you can find an audience interested in them; this could lead to more incredible things later on!
12. Learn from other TikTok agencies
I’ve already mentioned this above, but it’s worth mentioning again; you should never be afraid to talk to fellow agencies…even if only for their knowledge! You can even pay them for their expertise in TikTok marketing or whatever niche your agency is focused on! Remember, you need to learn from everyone else’s mistakes. So you don’t make them yourself in the future. However, it will be easier to find a TikTok agency that focuses on a niche that doesn’t align with yours. These will be more likely to open up to you.
In closing, starting a TikTok marketing agency can be a great career choice if done correctly. It’s effortless to make money from TikTok, mainly because most of your success comes from people’s willingness to consume quality content. The key is to use your knowledge of the TikTok community and develop unique ways to push your content, so it stands out. Hopefully, this guide has given you a few ideas on getting started and what you should do first. I also recommend researching the internet to find out more about this niche marketing agency business model.
For more help on starting a marketing agency, check out this link. There is a free 25 minute training, so be sure to check that out.
