Why TikTok is the place to be right now.

TikTok has slowly grown over the last few years. The app that used to be for teens creating dance videos has now turned into a giant marketing machine. It may not last long so jump in while you can.

Read more statistics about TikTok

You may purchase ads. They appear at the top of your phone screen and the first time the app is opened. Most of the time the ad spend is $500 minimum and you pay $10 per 1,000 views. 155 markets, 75 languages and over 800 million users.

I'm not going to discuss the ads.

Listen to me now. Get yourself and your company on TikTok.

In March 2020 thousands of schools closed and transitioned into online learning, thousands of small business were closed, millions of people were out of work or working from home. We didn't have the luxury of entertainment outside of the house. Movie theaters, live concerts, weddings, travel, school graduations, prom, sports or simply swimming at the community pool. Now we're at home, cooking, hanging out with family, trying to figure out what to do with ourselves for 30 days or longer.

I downloaded TikTok because the videos I saw pop up on Facebook always made me laugh. I never took a how to, or even knew how to work the app, make a video, or follow hashtags. I just dove in and watched. I spent hours laughing at videos. Sometimes I would legitimately belly laugh alone in the dark at 2am. This was what I needed. My mental health needed laughter and an escape. Sometimes the video was inspirational or gave me a cool idea. I began to double tap to like them and started to follow some people. I asked my 14 year old son to help me make my first TikTok. It was easier than I thought.

TikTok started to show me more videos based on my likes, follows and views. If I watched a video more than once or took action (share, like, save) it would show me more like it on my "For You" page (fyp). This could be anything. Puppies, pranks, remodels, people in my age group or state. There may be teenagers on the app but I rarely see them in my feed.

What types of businesses or people should be on TikTok? Anyone! Anyone who wants to share content. Here is my list of who should be on ASAP:

• Singer/Song Writer: I've seen many original artists on TikTok. They simply upload their song with a video and others begin to use their audio for their TikToks.

• Remodeling/home flipping: 60 second videos of your remodeled/redecorated transformations are incredible. It gives people ideas on what they could do on their own or what it might cost to hire you. This also creates a nice tie in to hardware stores.

• Real Estate: If you are a realtor or home builder you should absolutely be on TikTok. I've seen so many virtual home tours. Apartments in NYC from $2000 a month to $22 Million homes in the hills of LA and everything in between. Tips on how to close on a loan, get approved, qualify for a home etc.

• Fashion/Design/Decorating: Model your items for sale and post a link in the bio.

• Home based/ Etsy businesses: Candles, stove covers, nail kits, vinyl cups, stickers, t-shirts and more. I've seen so many cool ideas for products shown in 60 seconds.

• Authors/Writers: Same as singer/songwriter. Show your work. Talk about your work. Show people what you do. A great way to promote yourself and your work.

• Skincare: I've seen everything in this category. Dermatologists, estheticians, influencers, doctors and random people. They post videos of themselves doing their own skin care routine and then talk about their favorite items to use.

• Any type of tutorial: Make up, hair, how to install, how to fix etc. 60 second preview on TikTok then head over to their YouTube channel for the full video.

• Mental Health workers: Therapist advice, domestic abuse help, suicide assistance. This is a great way to build an audience or guide people to recources.

• Medical field: The most popular I've seen is plastic surgery. The doctor will show tips on how to correct certain things and compare what celebrities have done. I've also seen general doctors and dentist giving tips on how to care for themselves.

• Health & Fitness: This one is huge. People working out, modifications, meal plans, transformation videos, glow ups, and how tos.

• Entertainment: I've seen movie trailers, clips/audio from movies, original content and comedians.

• Cooking/Baking: I've made enchilada recipes, learned how to wash my strawberries, purchased items, and learned about vegan cooking more from TikTok than from any other source. If you are an aspiring chef, consider sharing your tips on TikTok.

• Restaurants/Bars/Entertainment venues: From bartenders mixing drinks to chefs scraping cheese onto a plate. From giant night clubs to people having brunch. Food critics also fit into this category.

• Finance: Teach people how to manage their money. Build the trust and give them the content. I've seen videos about how to improve my credit.

• Retail/Thrifting/Garage Selling/Couponing: I love watching the how to find the sales. I'll follow people and go to their site or YouTube channel to see more.

• Recruiting/Career help: I joined a slack channel for women because I saw it mentioned on TikTok. I've learned more about how to update my resume and where to find unlisted jobs from TikTok than any other source.

• Photography: Photography tips, beautiful pictures, how to use your iPhone camera. I've seen a photographer simply take photos of people on the street and share them on his profile.

• Technical/gamers/code writing: I've seen many tips on how to use my iPhone, short cuts in MS Office, and other gaming short cuts.

• Hospitality/Hotel/Travel: Similar to beautiful images on Instagram, TikTok is a great way to showcase your property or location in 60 seconds.

This list is not exhaustive. There is room for everyone on TikTok. If you follow Gary V, he said TikTok is having it's moment. This is the moment. No one knows how long each social media platform will last and which one will be the next hot app. Use this time to hop on TikTok and see how it can increase your business.

How do you get started? How do you optimize this moment?

• Download the app.

• Create a profile for yourself and your business.

• There are plenty of professional people who know how to use TikTok. Consider hiring them on a part time basis to manage your account. Or ask your teenager how to do it.

• Determine your plan. Hashtags, ad budget, content creation, and target audience.

• Start making content.