If you are a small business owner and trying to figure out how small businesses can use TikTok to grow without spending, then this blog post is for you.
Now, you do not need to have a million-dollar marketing budget to obtain a million views. In 2025, TikTok changed the rules of social media growth for small businesses.
With over 1 billion active users, TikTok is reshaping how brands can connect with customers, go viral, build brand trust, grow faster, and drive real sales organically.
But here is the good news: you don’t need a massive advertising budget or production team to succeed.
Why TikTok Works for Small Businesses
TikTok users don’t just scroll — they shop.
- 78% have bought something after seeing creators/influencers’ videos on TikTok.
- 34% users buy food or drinks by discovering on the TikTok app.
- 39% of people visit external websites after seeing a product in a TikTok video.
Step-by-Step Process: How Small Businesses Can Use TikTok
Let’s break down exactly how small businesses can use TikTok, even with limited budgets to attract new visitors, boost engagement, and convert viewers into customers.
Each step below focuses on practical actions you can take today.
Step 1. Switch to a TikTok Business Account
If you are thinking about using TikTok for your small business that it is the right time to set up a Business Account so that you can:
- Access analytics to know the performance.
- Unlock ad tools to boost the visibility of TikTok accounts.
- Use a commercial music library for safe and trending music.
For Example:
A local coffee shop switched to a TikTok Business Account. Now they can used analytics to learn that ‘morning routine’ videos performed best, and doubled engagement by posting during their audience’s peak 7 AM hour.
Step 2: Define Your Niche and Target Audience
Your niche is your strength. Small businesses using TikTok can win the stage when they speak directly to their target audience.
- Know exactly who you’re creating for.
- Solve their real problems with your contentTrack what clicks and repeat what works.
For Example:
A home bakery focused on behind-the-scenes ‘recipe reveal’ clips for dessert lovers and quickly built a loyal community of 10K sweet-tooth followers.
Step 3: Establish an Online Shop
TikTok is no more a place for viral dancing videos of Gen Z. It has become a growing eCommerce platform where small businesses can establish their online existence.
- Set up your TikTok Shop to sell directly in-app.
- Tag products in videos to drive instant purchases.
- Use TikTok LIVE to demo and sell your products in real time.
For Example:
A skincare brand goes live to show a “morning routine” using its products so that viewers can tap and buy instantly.
Step 4: Join Trends, But Stay on Brand
If you want to gain visibility, then participate in popular trends. For this, you need to:
- Participate in trending challenges or sounds that fit your niche.
- Add your unique brand twist to keep content authentic.
- Stay consistent with your tone and visual identity.
For Example:
A fitness coach can use a trending sound but share a “3 moves to fix your posture” tip.
A SaaS brand like Longshort Clip can remix trending sounds with “relatable founder moments.
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Step 5: Use Smart Hashtags and TikTok SEO
Hashtags are not just labels, but they are how TikTok’s algorithm works for who to show your videos to. Use hashtags strategically to improve your videos.
Use a combination of hashtags like:
- Mix trending, niche, and branded hashtags in every post.
- Add target keywords in captions and on-screen text for visibility.
- Research hashtags your audience actually follows and engages with.
For Example:
A digital marketing coach posts a video titled “3 TikTok SEO hacks for small businesses” by using these hashtags: #tiktokseo #smallbiztips #MadeWithLongShortClip.
Step 6: Collaborate with Micro-Influencers
You don’t need a celebrity but credibility. For small businesses, collaboration with micro-influencers can be a great strategy.
Micro-influencers with 5K–50K followers often deliver 3x to 5x better engagement than big creators and cost less.
- Make use of TikTok influencers in your TikTok marketing strategy.
- Partner with influencers and ask them to post use-in-action videos. editing,” to give quick tips.
For Example:
A skincare brand partners with a micro-influencer who posts a “Morning Routine Using GlowMist Serum” video and reaching 20K niche viewers with real trust and conversions.
Step 7: Run Low-Cost TikTok Ads (When Required)
TikTok also provides various types of ads that small businesses can use with organic content marketing.
For this purpose, you need to have a TikTok Ads manager so that you can start running paid TikTok ads. Even a small ad budget can go far on TikTok.
Start with these formats:
- In-feed Ads: It appears naturally in users’ “For You” feed.
- Spark Ads: It boosts your best-performing organic video.
- Branded Hashtags: Encourage UGC (user-generated content).
For Example:
A local café promotes its “Buy 1 Get 1 Latte” clip using In-Feed Ads and reaching 15,000 nearby users in three days and boosting weekend foot traffic.
Top 5 Marketing Tips to Use TikTok For Small Businesses
Being a small business owner, you can use TikTok to reach millions of users for brand recognition globally.
Here are some of the TikTok marketing tips that you can utilize:
1. Jump on Trends Early
Early participation always gives you an algorithmic edge. The same is the case with TikTok.
Use TikTok’s “For You” page and Creative Center to spot what is trending in your region. If it is aligned with your niche, then create your version immediately.
2. Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)
Ask your happy customers to post videos using your product and tag you.
Repost that content on your TikTok account with their permission.
It will build social proof, one of the most authentic forms of TikTok marketing.
3. Create Short Form Videos
People want authenticity, not advertisements. The best TikTok content should feel real, not just polished. If you’re going to show your product in action, tell a quick story, or share a simple tip in short videos.
Further, if you already have long videos like webinars, tutorials, or podcasts, repurpose them strategically.
- Extract your best 15 to 60-second highlights automatically.
- Add captions and brand elements instantly.
- Export them in TikTok’s perfect ratio (9:16 ).
4. Create a Themed Series
Consistency breeds recognition and recognition drives engagement. So start a themed series like “Behind the Brand,” “Quick Video Editing Tips,” or “Turn long videos into shorts in Minutes.”
5. Optimize for TikTok SEO
As you know, TikTok has quietly become a search engine for you where people can search phrases like “how to grow your business on TikTok” or “small business TikTok ideas”, and many more. For this, add your niche-relevant keyword in your TikTok video captions, on-screen text, and voice overs.
Final Keyaway:
The truth is that how small businesses can use TikTok effectively lies not in massive budgets but in an effective strategy, creativity, and the best video editing tools.
And the best part is that you can turn your existing long videos into short viral TikTok videos automatically by using LongShort Clip.
LSC is an AI-powered video editor that creates viral short-form videos from your long recordings. Whether it is a podcast, webinar, or product tutorial, you can instantly transform it into TikTok-ready content.
Start using TikTok now for your small by:
- Sharing genuine stories about your brand.
- Posting consistently and engaging with comments.
- Repurposing your best content into short and viral clips.
Create, repurpose, and grow — start free with LongShortClip.
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