By now most retailers have heard enough about TikTok to know they should probably be on it—but that’s not enough to get them started. For those who haven’t dabbled in making content on the popular app, it looks intimidating. What if you don’t have staff who want to show up on camera, is the jewelry enough? How do you make interesting videos with jewelry as the main focus? What about all the tricks with music and video clips and voice-overs? It’s…a lot.

But TikTok seems to really want small businesses (SMBs) on its platform, and it’s backing that up with tutorial resources. Its new Follow Me educational experience is an example. For six weeks the program, which began on July 11, will provide SMBs with resources on how to get started with TikTok, in an effort to help them to grow their followers on the app and achieve their business goals.

“We’ve heard from countless small businesses that TikTok has helped them launch or build their business—and some have told us that TikTok helped them survive the darkest days of the pandemic,” wrote Sujatha Mamidibathula, head of SMB, North America, on TikTok’s newsroom. “In part, this success seems to stem from the fact that small businesses feel ‘at home’ on TikTok and are enjoying the experience. According to a recent report published by Hello Alice, 81% of small businesses say that TikTok is fun and 73% say it’s easy to use.”

Part of the experience includes learning from actual small business owners, with TikTok’s Small Business Ambassadors Cassie Sorensen, owner and founder of Tassel Amor (maker of tassels and earrings, among other things, which is very relevant to the jewelry industry), and Jacob Zander, podcaster and owner/founder of Feel Your Soul.

The six-week program will be in the form of an email series, offering road maps based on an SMB’s goals. Things like an outline of best practices for running a first-ever TikTok campaign, integrating a brand’s story into videos, a guide to setting up a free business account, and how to leverage TikTok’s Creative Center and Ads Manager are among the resources attendees will find.

Though the course began on July 11, those interested can still register for the experience, which runs through Aug. 19. Registration can be found here.

Photo courtesy of TikTok

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