With over 1 billion users worldwide and a rapidly growing e-commerce ecosystem, TikTok has become a powerful platform for small businesses and solopreneurs to reach new audiences and boost sales. Whether you’re a boutique owner, a skincare brand, or a service provider, or someone with an under 40 audience, TikTok offers a unique way to connect through short-form, engaging video content.
But getting started—especially if you're new to the platform—can be intimidating. It can feel like walking into the cafeteria on the first day of high school when you don’t know anyone. You feel like you’re one lame comment away from ruining your career. But don’t worry. There’s a lot of potential out there. And who knows? You might even have some fun. This guide breaks down the basics of selling on TikTok, best practices for beginners, what to avoid, and concerns about the platform’s uncertain future in the U.S.
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Social media is filled with perfect lives—you don’t see the dirty dishes in the sink, or the tears shed. You see the wins and the brags. The same is true of many social media accounts for business. As business owners we want to show our best selves. Anything less is weak and unappealing.
Or is it? Lately, something interesting is happening. The most effective posts aren’t the polished ones with perfect lighting or studio-level graphics. They’re the real, raw, behind-the-scenes moments that tell the true story of what it’s like to run a small business. From TikToks to Instagram Reels, business owners are discovering that authenticity—sharing the ups, the downs, and everything in between—helps them connect with customers in a meaningful way. You can adopt this new highly effective approach as well. Has this ever happened to you? A brilliant idea sparks, you meticulously plan every detail, create beautiful spreadsheets, and envision the triumphant launch. Maybe you even practice a little Law of Attraction in your meditative practices each morning.
But then…<insert sad trombone sound>. The plan sits there, gathering dust, because life has gotten busy, you’ve been plagued by self-doubt, or you moved on to the next exciting concept. Sound familiar? Or maybe you’re the opposite. Maybe you’re all about action and no planning. You’re jetting off to the next hottest thing without seeing anything ripen and produce. Many business professionals fall into this trap, leaning too heavily on either the planning or the action phase. We either over-analyze and never launch, or we jump in headfirst without a strategy and quickly burn out. So, how do we bridge the gap and turn those well-laid plans (or exuberant energy) into tangible results? Spring is a season of rejuvenation, growth, and vibrant energy. After winter, most people are thrilled to be outdoors and thinking about warmer weather. It’s a time for us all to come out of sleepy hibernation and explore our areas.
Spring is also the perfect time for you to connect with your customers, boost employee morale, and inject fresh life into your operations. Here are a few fun ideas to celebrate the spirit of spring: There’s a Jeep commercial circulating right now that stars Harrison Ford talking about choices and how life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual. It’s one of those ads you watch the entire way through because it’s evocative and makes you feel something. You hardly even notice that they’re selling a vehicle, but you buy into the lifestyle presented, which is Jeep’s goal.
Winning customers isn’t just about having a great product or service—it’s about making people feel something. The best brands don’t just sell; they connect, entertain, and even challenge their audiences. If you want to turn heads and build a loyal customer base, you don’t need to have Jeep’s ad spend. You can use these five powerful marketing techniques in your email, video, and social media campaigns. The new year is an ideal time to get clear about your goals. Many people set incredibly inspiring resolutions and plot pathways to their best selves. If you’re one of those people—kudos to you. But if you don’t get straight on one thing, your intentions are going to fall flat.
Here’s the one thing you need to know about goal attainment. Growth isn't a passive process; it doesn’t just happen. Unfortunately, you don’t open a business and sit back and wait for it to grow. Businesses rarely go viral overnight and planning on doing so is like funding your retirement by playing the lottery every week.
Business growth is a dynamic journey fueled by strategic thinking and insightful questions that help you see things in new ways. As a business owner, you're constantly navigating challenges and opportunities, not to mention the competition. But are you asking the right questions to propel your business to the next level? Simply working hard isn't enough. We need to work smarter, and that starts with asking the questions that reveal hidden potential and drive meaningful change to attain growth. One of the best things you can do for your business is make it painfully obvious what you provide for your ideal audience. Coyness, after all, does not sell products.
For many small businesses, email marketing is all about promotions and sales. But the most successful businesses know that an email list is more than just a sales tool—it’s a way to build relationships, create trust, and foster a sense of community without the concerns of a platform shutdown.
By shifting your focus from transactions to connections, you can turn one-time customers into long-term brand advocates. What do Han Solo (Star Wars et al), Walter White (Breaking Bad), and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) have in common? They’re terribly flawed and we love them for it.
Imperfection can also be a powerful asset for businesses when approached with the right mindset. So stop trying your best to be perfect and embrace imperfection as a way to connect with your customers. Here’s how: |
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