How to Use TikTok for Business Success in 2026

If you’re still looking at TikTok as a platform for dance challenges and funny videos, think again. TikTok is no longer just a place for Gen Z entertainment; it’s now a powerful marketing tool that smart businesses are using to drive brand awareness, engagement, and even sales.

According to Statista, TikTok is home to nearly two billion users. That’s a huge opportunity for businesses that want to grow beyond their local bubble and reach customers from all over the world. Chipotle did it. Gymshark did it. You too can.

Read on to find out how you can make TikTok work for your business in 2026.

How to Use TikTok for Marketing

Now that you know that TikTok is more than just dance videos and Drake competitions, how can you use it and make it work for your business? Here’s a straightforward approach.

Set up Your Profile and Business Account

First things first. You need a TikTok account if you don’t have one already. TikTok offers two types of accounts for users: business accounts and personal accounts. If you already have a personal account, you’ll need to change it to a business account.

Once you’ve got a business account all set up, make sure it has:

• A clear, recognizable profile picture
• A concise and punchy bio that clearly explains what you do
• A link to your website in the bio
• Links to other social media platforms that you have

Your TikTok profile is where people form their first impression of your brand. Give it your best, as it can make the difference between users scrolling past or following you. 

Develop a Sound Content Strategy

Once your account is good to go, it’s time to focus on content. Interestingly, this is likely the hardest but most rewarding part of the entire thing. Here’s what works:

Create Authentic Content: We all know TikTok is all about videos, so create lots of them. However, your videos need to feel native to the platform. This means minimal glossy stuff. Instead, show the funny side of your brand, behind-the-scenes clips, and even products in action. If you run a software company, for example, show relatable 30-second tutorials of a feature that can solve a problem for your users.

Engage with Trends & Sounds: This is your fast track to success in TikTok. Find a funny video or soundtrack that’s trending and jump on it. But remember to give it a fresh twist that connects to your brand.

Post Consistently: One mistake new users to social media make is simply posting a few materials and expecting to start seeing results immediately. It doesn’t work like that. You need to be consistent in how you post. Experts recommend posting new content at least three times a day. If possible, have a calendar for your content schedule and stick to it.

Encourage User Engagement: Your content strategy should revolve around getting as much engagement as possible. But it doesn’t just happen; you have to make it. Some of the best ways to encourage user engagement are by asking questions, using polls in your videos, and, most importantly, replying to comments and video responses.

Do Live Streams: This right here is the ultimate authenticity move. It’s a great way to connect with your audience, answer their questions, and basically put a face to your brand.

Increase Engagement

Here’s the thing about social media: you can’t just post and fold your hands. Sometimes, you need to do a little something extra to get the results you want. Here’s what the brands winning on TikTok are doing:

Work With Influencers: Working with influencers in your niche can amplify your reach. For best results, stay away from big-name influencers. Not only are they expensive, but their followers may be outside your target location, unless yours is a global brand. What’s more, using nano-influencers is three times more effective.

Encourage UGC: User-generated content or UGC is social media gold. This is when everyday people create content that relates to your brand and share it on social media. Not only is it free and 100% organic, it’s one of the best social proofs you can get.

Another advantage of UGC is that it lets your followers do some of the heavy lifting. Creating content nonstop can be exhausting. Plus, spending too much time online has been linked to quite a few mental health problems. In fact, right now, users are filing social media addiction lawsuit cases alleging that companies intentionally design their platforms to be addictive.

If any of these lawsuits are successful, the plaintiffs may be entitled to compensation, says the legal experts at TruLaw. 

Run a Contest: A contest is probably one of the best ways to boost engagement and visibility on TikTok. People love to participate, and no one ever says no to a free gift. Something as simple as “create a short video using our product and tag us with the hashtag #productusecompetition” can generate an avalanche of buzz.

Invest in TikTok Ads

Organic reach is great, but the truth is that it can only do so much. If you want to accelerate things, then consider investing in TikTok ads. What’s more, the platform’s ad system is pretty sophisticated, and you can target users with pinpoint accuracy.

Even better, experts say that TikTok has one of the best short-term returns compared to other channels, with an average ROI of 11.8.

Cross Promote

Finally, don’t let your TikTok live in isolation. Share it on Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even YouTube. And don’t forget to add your TikTok handle to your email signature, website, and everywhere else you can be found online. 

Cross-promotion like this helps ensure that your followers elsewhere know about your TikTok presence, and of course, that’s good for business.

Make TikTok Work for Your Business in 2026

While the early users of TikTok may have given the impression that the platform is for younger users, it’s clear that this is not the case. Even if it is, that doesn’t stop you from using it to make your brand known, and hopefully, this article has given you some insights into how to do just that.

So, what are you waiting for? Why not take the first step by creating your business account today?