TikTok isn’t just for dancing teens anymore—it’s a powerful marketing platform that allows businesses to connect with audiences in a highly engaging and entertaining way. Whether you’re a service-based business or an e-commerce store in Australia, TikTok offers immense potential to grow your brand and generate leads. This guide will show you how to set up your account properly, grow followers, create content that works, and drive sales—all tailored to Australian businesses.In 2024 there were 9.73 million users over the age of 18 yrs in Australia, and according to Oxford Economics, in 2023, Australians generated $1 billion in direct revenue via TikTok

 

Do You Need to Dance to Succeed on TikTok?

No, you don’t need to dance to grow your business on TikTok! While TikTok is an entertainment-based platform, growth is driven by authenticity, value, and engagement. You can succeed without ever doing a single dance step.

Alternatives to Dancing

1. Educational Content: Share quick tips or insights related to your industry.
   • Example: A marketing consultant could post “3 ways to improve your social media engagement today.”
2. Storytelling: Highlight customer success stories or your brand’s journey.
   • Example: A small café could share “How we went from 5 to 500 daily customers in Brisbane.”
3. Problem-Solving: Show how your product or service addresses specific issues.
   • Example: A physiotherapist might post “3 easy stretches to relieve lower back pain.”
4. Product Demonstrations: Showcase how your product works and why it’s unique.
   • Example: A sustainable skincare brand could post a video demonstrating a product’s results over a week.

 

The key is to be authentic and relevant to your audience. Dancing is optional, not mandatory!

 

Is TikTok Suitable for All Businesses?

TikTok works best for businesses willing to experiment, humanise their brand, and create engaging content. It’s ideal for industries that can visually demonstrate value or tap into relatable moments.

Industries That Thrive on TikTok

• E-commerce: Fashion, beauty, fitness, and home goods excel because they’re visual and relatable.
• Food and Beverage: Recipes, restaurant tours, and product highlights perform exceptionally well.
• Service-Based Businesses: Coaching, wellness, education, and real estate shine by offering expertise and practical tips.
• Local Businesses: Cafés, florists, and gyms can highlight their locations and engage local customers.

Industries That May Struggle

Highly technical industries like machinery or B2B software may find it challenging unless they creatively adapt content (e.g., humanising the business or showcasing behind-the-scenes stories).

rives results and keeps customers coming back. If you are overwhelmed and lacking in decision making creativity, consider working with a marketing strategist who can help you create a Black Friday sale that sells.

 

How to Set Up TikTok for Your Australian Business

Step 1: Create a Business Account

• Download TikTok and create an account.
• Switch to a Business Account in Settings.
• Add your business details:
  • Username: Make it your business name for consistency.
  • Profile Picture: Use your logo or a recognisable image.
  • Bio: Clearly state what you offer, your location, and include a call-to-action (CTA).
    • Example: “Helping Brisbane stay fit with fun workouts | DM us for a free trial!”

Step 2: Optimise Your Profile

• Add a clickable link in your bio (e.g., your website, lead magnet, or booking page).
• Pin 2–3 key videos that showcase your brand or best-performing content.

 

How Local Businesses in Australia Can Target an Australian Audience

TikTok’s algorithm makes it easy to connect with your local audience if you focus on relevance. Here’s how to ensure your content reaches Australians:

1. Create Location-Specific Content

• Mention your city or region in your videos and captions.
  • Example: “Looking for the best brunch in Melbourne? Here’s why locals love us! #MelbourneEats”
• Feature recognisable Australian landmarks or events.
• Highlight Australian values or culture, like “eco-conscious” or “supporting local.”

2. Use Australian-Specific Hashtags

Hashtags help TikTok identify your audience. Include both general and location-specific hashtags:

• Examples: #AustraliaBusiness, #SydneyTradies, #GoldCoastEats, #MelbourneMums

3. Partner With Australian Creators

Collaborate with Australian influencers or micro-influencers in your niche to expand your reach.

 

How to Grow Your TikTok Followers in Australia 1. Be Consistent

• Posting Frequency: 3–5 times per week for steady growth.
• Best Times to Post: Experiment with:
  • Early Morning (6 AM–9 AM)
  • Lunchtime (12 PM–1 PM)
  • Evening (7 PM–9 PM)
• Optimal Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends often perform well, but track your audience’s habits via TikTok Insights.

2. Engage With the Community

• Reply to comments on your videos to build relationships.
• Use features like Duets and Stitches to interact with trending content or collaborate with others in your industry.

3. Use Trending Content and SoundsStay on top of TikTok trends by using popular sounds and formats. Adapt them to fit your business:

• Example for a service-based business: A lawyer could use a trending sound with text overlay like, “Mistakes to avoid when signing a lease.”

4. Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

• Run a contest or challenge for Australian customers to create content featuring your product or service.
• Offer a small incentive like a discount for participants.

Content Creation Ideas for Australian Businesses Service-Based Businesses

1. How-To Tutorials: Share quick tips or guides.
   • Example: “How to reduce anxiety in under 2 minutes—shared by a Brisbane therapist.”
2. Behind-the-Scenes: Showcase your daily operations.
   • Example: A photographer could post “What it’s like behind the camera at a Gold Coast wedding.”
3. Customer Stories: Use testimonials in creative ways.

E-commerce Businesses

1. Product Demonstrations: Show how your product works.
2. Seasonal Content: Create videos around Australian holidays or seasons.
   • Example: “The perfect summer dress for Aussie beach days! 🌞”
3. Unboxing Videos: People love seeing new products being unwrapped.

Types of Content That Work

• Educational: Teach something useful.
• Storytelling: Share experiences or customer journeys.
• Entertaining: Use humour or relatable scenarios.
• Transformations: Show before-and-after results.

 

Using Hashtags on TikTok

Hashtags help TikTok categorise your content and show it to the right audience. Types of Hashtags to Use

1. Industry-Specific: Focus on your niche.
   • Examples: #FitnessTips, #SkincareRoutines
2. Location-Based: Target Australian audiences.
   • Examples: #SydneyEats, #MelbourneMums, #GoldCoastGyms
3. Trending Hashtags: Add 1–2 trending hashtags relevant to your content.
4. Branded Hashtags: Create your own campaign hashtag.
   • Example: #EcoGlowChallenge for a skincare campaign.

Best Practices

• Use 3–5 hashtags per post.
• Mix trending, niche, and location-based hashtags.
• Keep them relevant to your content to improve discoverability.