Digital Consumer
Marketing
March 15, 2024
TikTok for business: opportunities beyond the little dance
The network consolidates itself as a possible space for innovation, providing a crucial opportunity for small businesses

It was in 2018 that TikTok arrived in Brazil, as the main rival to Instagram. The Chinese social network became popular in 2020 and became one of the biggest phenomena when it comes to digital communication. According to the Digital 2024: Brazil report, TikTok has an audience of 98.59 million users in Brazil, being the third preferred medium and the one in which Brazilians spend the most time per month (30 hours and 10 minutes, on average).
Some factors attest to all this success. Much of the adoption occurred due to the pandemic, a period when social isolation motivated people to be more connected and active on social media. The strong appeal to humor and the app’s concept, focused on short communication in real-time, also contributed. Furthermore, as Wang (2020) points out, the creative approach is another attractive element on the network.
The ease and diversity of editing features allow anyone to create quick content, creative and with the possibility of going viral, reaching thousands of users in a short period of time. TikTok’s consolidation was also due to a great advantage over Instagram: on TikTok, it is not necessary to have an audience for the content to be delivered.
A profile can have very few followers and still have a viral post, meaning it is distributed to a large number of users in a short period of time. Thus, unknown people have a greater possibility of making their content go viral. The visibility of the profile does not depend on the number of followers (Gabriel, Kiso e Kalil, 2022), and the content is initially exposed to a portion of users who are not necessarily part of the poster’s network (Rosenthal, 2023).
Furthermore, the most valued component on TikTok is the content. On Instagram, people follow other people to then consume what they produce; this makes Instagram a social network. TikTok is considered a platform for content. People consume information and entertainment first, regardless of who is producing it. In this sense, as Rosenthal (2023) mentions, those who access TikTok experience content consumption, diminishing the importance of a built network.
Initially, TikTok strongly reached the younger audience. Users appeared doing little dances, lip-syncing, and challenges, which contributed to some perceptions about the network spreading. One of them was precisely the fact that TikTok became known as the “dance app” or the “youth network.” Myths were created that, to be present on the network, it was necessary to dance or be part of Generation Z.

A survey conducted by Opinion Box (2023) brought some important data about the behavior of TikTok users, such as, for example, the age group: 31% were between 18 and 29 years old; 44%, between 30 and 49 years old; and 25%, 50 years or older. This shows that, although there is a strong presence of young people, they were not the only ones present on the network.
The same survey revealed that 48% of users followed a brand; 33% had already bought a product or service discovered on TikTok; and 53% would like the brands they consume to use the network more. This data demonstrates the flexibility and presence of the network in the world of business.
In this context, the platform has stood out as an important tool for companies, especially for small ones. Its unique way of promoting connection between brands and people, through entertainment, has opened doors for organizations to explore the advantages of the network. But, for companies to succeed, it is important to understand the nature of the content (Seabra, 2023) and consider creativity, authenticity, and entertainment, always keeping in mind that entertainment does not always refer to performing a dance in front of the cameras.
Another important point is that TikTok enabled a leveling, in the sense that small businesses could use the app in the same way as large ones, without needing gigantic advertising budgets. Furthermore, the network showed that original and spontaneous content can outperform high-quality production, which favors the performance of small businesses.
When promoted, short, interactive, and genuine content has better appeal with the public, and this also favors small businesses, which find an opportunity to expand their reach, reach new audiences, and even boost sales through advertising actions. For Santos (2023), the emotional connection generated with the public leads to greater identification with the brand and, consequently, a greater possibility of company success.
It is essential to understand that TikTok is not just about famous dances or superficial fun. The network consolidates itself as a possible space for innovation, creativity, and connection with users, providing a crucial opportunity for small businesses seeking to stand out in the digital environment.
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