If you’re looking for ways to grow your business on TikTok, you’re in the right place. The platform is now a powerful tool for small businesses to reach new customers, build their brand, and boost sales.

In this article, we’ll show how to set up your account, along with sharing strategies that help you grow your TikTok presence and engagement.

Setting up your TikTok for business

First things first: make sure your TikTok account is set up for growth. A Business account gives you access to analytics, promotions, and TikTok Shop. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download TikTok and create a personal account if you don’t have one yet.

2. Go to Settings & privacy > Manage account > Switch to Business Account.

3. Pick a business category that best fits your brand.

4. Add your email and other business details.

And that’s pretty much it. You can now access the TikTok Business Suite to track analytics, run ads, and grow your account.

TikTok algorithm explained

Imagine posting a video and waking up to thousands of views even though you just created your account. That’s the magic of TikTok’s algorithm. It cares more about how relevant your content is than how many followers you have.

For small businesses, this is huge. You don’t need a big following to get noticed. If your content connects with the right people, the algorithm can push it straight onto the For You Page (FYP), opening doors to new customers.

The algorithm looks at things like how long people watch your video, whether they like, comment, or share it, and the sounds or hashtags you use. Knowing this helps you make content that naturally fits what TikTok wants to show.

Here’s our tips for success:

• Hook viewers in the first few seconds so they keep watching.

• Use trending sounds and hashtags that match your niche.

• Ask questions or encourage viewers to engage with comments and shares.

Mastering the algorithm is about creating content that resonates, engages, and keeps people watching.

7 steps to grow your business on TikTok

Now that you understand how the TikTok algorithm works, it’s time to put it to use. These tips are designed to work with the algorithm, not against it, so every strategy favors content relevance, engagement, and discoverability.

1. Analyze competitors’ strategies

Looking at competitors shows you what content resonates with your target audience. It helps you spot trends, content formats, posting frequency, and even engagement tactics that work.

How to do it:

• Identify three to five competitors or similar brands on TikTok.

• Observe which videos get the most views, likes, and comments.

• Note the content style, captions, hashtags, and trending sounds they use.

• Think about how you can adapt these ideas in your own unique way.

2. Use keywords to increase discoverability

Keywords help TikTok understand what your content is about, so it can show your videos to the right people. When you use the right terms in captions, hashtags, and descriptions, your content has a better chance of appearing on the For You Page.

How to do it:

• Use TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool to find popular and relevant keywords in your niche.

• Check Creator Search Insights to see which keywords top creators in your space are using successfully.

• Include these keywords naturally in captions, video text, and hashtags.

• Focus on a mix of broad and specific keywords to reach both general audiences and your target market.

3. Create a content schedule that works

Consistency helps both your audience and the algorithm. Posting regularly keeps your followers engaged and signals to TikTok that your account is active, increasing your chances of being featured on the FYP.

How to do it:

• Plan your content in advance using a weekly or monthly calendar.

• Batch-create videos to stay ahead of your posting schedule.

• Use Holo to generate ideas, captions, and visuals quickly, making content creation faster and easier.

• Track which posting times and days get the best engagement, then refine your schedule.

Stick to your schedule, keep experimenting, and use tools like Holo to make content creation easier

4. Use TikTok shop

TikTok Shop lets your audience buy directly from your videos, making it easier to turn views into sales. Small businesses benefit because it shortens the path from discovery to purchase.

How to set it up:

• Go to TikTok Shop Seller Center and apply for a seller account.

• Add your products, descriptions, and pricing.

• Link your TikTok Shop to your Business account.

• Highlight products in your videos using TikTok Shop tags and stickers.

• Track performance through analytics to see which products and content drive the most sales.

Selling directly on TikTok makes shopping seamless for your audience. Focus on showcasing products in ways that feel fun, useful, and natural.

5. Create content with trending sounds

Using trending sounds increases your chances of being featured on the For You Page. The algorithm favors content that aligns with popular audio, so hopping on trends can boost reach and engagement.

How to do it:

• Check the Discover page to see trending audio in your niche.

• Adapt trends in a way that feels natural for your brand.

• Use a creative automation tool like Holo to generate captions, video ideas, and visuals that fit trending sounds.

• Track which sounds bring the most engagement and reuse successful formats.

Don’t just follow trends. Make them your own and use trending sounds to give your videos a boost while staying true to your brand.

6. Collaborate with micro-influencers in your niche

Working with micro-influencers helps your content reach new, engaged audiences. These influencers often have loyal followers who trust their recommendations, making collaborations more authentic and effective.

How to do it:

• Identify a few micro-influencers in your niche with high engagement rates.

• Reach out with a clear proposal for a partnership, highlighting mutual benefits.

• Co-create content such as product reviews, tutorials, or challenges that feel natural.

• Track engagement and measure ROI to see which collaborations work best.

Partnering with the right micro-influencers can help your business grow organically. Start small, test a few collaborations, and focus on authenticity to build lasting connections.

7. Use small paid campaigns to boost visibility

Even a small ad budget can increase reach and help TikTok recognize your content as relevant. Paid campaigns work well when combined with high-quality organic content.

How to do it:

• Start with a modest budget to test different ad types and audiences.

• Promote content types that are already performing well organically.

• Use TikTok’s targeting options to reach your ideal audience based on location, interests, or behaviors.

• Monitor results and adjust campaigns for better performance.

Paid campaigns give your content an extra push without overwhelming your budget. Focus on testing, tracking, and optimizing to get the best results while supporting your organic growth.

Conclusions

Growing your business on TikTok is about working with the algorithm and creating content that connects.

Strategies like using trends, optimizing keywords, posting consistently, collaborating with micro-influencers, and running small paid campaigns can help small businesses reach new audiences.

Tools like Holo make content creation easier, helping you plan, generate ideas, and produce videos that resonate. Take your TikTok growth further and save time. Try Holo!