If you’re like a lot of business owners, you probably see TikTok as a platform that is only about consumer creators and not designed to be beneficial for business at all. However, that’s not accurate; one might even say it’s rather short-sighted. That’s because TikTok can be used very well by businesses that can then reap the benefits of doing so. So why should you use TikTok for your business? Read on to find out.
Authenticity Matters
Marketing has to be authentic. Anything that isn’t will be picked up right away, and the public won’t like it. They would rather see something that isn’t quite polished, but that tells a heartfelt story than something perfect that says nothing meaningful at all.
TikTok is ideal for this kind of authentic, some might say relaxed, form of marketing. The videos uploaded to TikTok usually have something to do with modern life and are often amusing. If you can use video server software to make videos in this format for your business, not only will you entertain people on this platform, but you will show yourself to be genuine and human, a trait that not all businesses can manage.
Contact The Younger Generation
Although everyone can use TikTok, it does appear that ‘Gen Z’ have taken it as their own. You’re more likely to find a teen or 20-something using this platform than Facebook, Twitter, or even Instagram.
When you are creating a digital marketing campaign, you have to carry out extensive market research about who your target market is. Then you have to create an ad campaign – ideally with a video – that will appeal to them. Finally, you have to place that ad on a platform that those particular people will use. So, if your business needs to appeal to the younger demographic, you have to be on TikTok; they won’t see you otherwise.
Competition Is Low
We started this article by saying that hardly any – relatively speaking – businesses use TikTok. They are still focused on other social media platforms, and they don’t feel that TikTok is a worthwhile investment of their time. As we’ve seen, this is not the case.
If you choose to post videos for your business on TikTok, the fact that very few businesses are using it well means that you won’t have a lot of competition. In other words, you’ll be noticed much more easily. This should, providing your video is entertaining and informative – as well as memorable – translate into sales.
A Huge Audience
It’s astounding, but TikTok has been downloaded more than two billion times, and there are 800 million active users on the site across the world. Clearly, this offers you the chance to put your business and brand in front of a vast number of people, much more than any other social media site (when thinking about Gen Z, at least).
The fact that these users come from all over the world means that your brand can go global very quickly. The real question when you start to consider TikTok in its entirety is why wouldn’t you want to use it for your business?
People are far more likely to visit your website if it provides some kind of value to them. Whether you’re a blogger with a story to tell or a business that wants to sell more products, your website needs to create value in order for people to visit it. So what exactly can you do to create more value? How can you entice people to come to your website and feel like they’ve gained something from you?
Offer handy tools that can help your visitors
There are actually a number of great ways to create handy tools that can be used to help your visitors. For example, you can use a QR code API to develop a tool that allows them to quickly and easily create QR codes. This doesn’t sound like much for some websites, but if you’re hosting a blog with loads of web design and marketing tips then a simple QR code creator can be a convenient tool to have on your website.
Some tools may need to be created from scratch, but there are also simple ways to take features from other websites and incorporate them into your own. There might be some watermarks or advertising, but this is a decent tradeoff for adding interesting features to your website.
Make use of reactive design
These days, there are more smartphone internet users than desktop ones. It’s almost a 50-50 split, meaning that you need to create websites that are reactive and work for both desktop and mobile users. Doing this will greatly improve your website’s popularity and will make it extremely convenient for people that access your website on multiple different devices.
Reactive design is often enabled by default for most popular website building services, but you may need to fine-tune some settings to ensure an optimal viewing experience regardless of the device being used.
Always create alternatives to the media you use
A great way to offer more value to your customers is to always transcribe your media to different formats. For example, if you have a 30-minute video discussing business concepts, you need to realize that not everyone is going to have the time to watch the whole thing.
As an alternative, you should consider transcribing it to text so that people can read it on your blog, or even summarizing it with a blog post so people can skim through and get the gist of it. This is great for freeing up space on your website since you don’t need to host as much video and audio content, and it’s also convenient for people that frequently visit your website.
Have a blog where you can share your thoughts
Many people underestimate the power of a blog, even if you’re just a store selling products. It helps with search engine optimization, it allows people to engage with you and interact with your content, and it’s a great place to put guides to help customers with their products as well. You can create plenty of value through blog content, so focus on it as a priority.
It doesn’t matter for how long you’ve been in business: the one thing no business leader wants is for things to go wrong. When things go wrong in business, it can often make the difference between the business being able to continue, and the business shutting down for good. Take the bushfires in Australia a couple of years ago; the level of residential destruction was huge, but smaller local businesses also took a hit. This prompted many businesses to put things in place to ensure that this wouldn’t be something that affected them in future.
There are certain events in the world that don’t fall into the “impossible” category, as disaster and destruction are all entirely possible. Some businesses like to know that they have an emergency plan in place, complete with GNSS receiver radios and bug-out bags in each of their company vehicles. We’ve all been through the recent trauma of the pandemic and while some companies are still in the thick of all of that, others are coming out of it with new plans in place to disaster proof their businesses going forward. So, with this in mind, we’ve put together four ways that you can disaster proof your business for the future.
1 – Keep your investment in training up
Employees need to know what to do in the event that something goes wrong. If they are not trained correctly, further mistakes can be made and it can be much harder to recover from a disaster in the business. Training on cybersecurity threats, natural disasters and more will ensure that your staff are able to recover from anything!
2 – Up your security
If you have invested in security systems, consider putting more money into them so that you have an in-store and an online presence. You should be doing as much as possible to establish a strong online presence, but you need to protect this with bigger layers of security for your audience and your business to remain as comfortable and protected as possible.
3 – Upgrade your IT
When was the last time your IT systems were upgraded? It honestly doesn’t matter whether that was a while ago or not – you need to make sure that your data is protected against any threats. You need to have backup equipment that’s top of the line, just in case! Service glitches can cause data to disappear, and you need to ensure that your software is on point and ready.
4 – Go digital with your data
While the internet is still largely a worrying place for hackers and scammers to live, you can invest in some excellent cloud services to protect your data and information. Going paperless can help you to avoid a trail of break-ins to your online documentation, and your business will benefit from knowing that every piece of important information is locked tight.
Protection now equals safety in the future. The more you look after your systems, the better off they will be. Consider ensuring that your business is protected now for a better outlook.
If you’re just getting into the habit of working from home but you don’t feel like you’ve quite nailed it yet, you’re in the right place. It certainly isn’t easy making this switch when you’ve spent your whole working life in a communal office, but more and more of us are having to make that switch these days. We’re going to discuss some of the best tips to help you successfully adjust to working from home, so keep reading.
Set a Routine
Setting a good routine for yourself is the basis of a successful home working arrangement. When you lack structure and routine, that’s when things can start to get messy and complicated, and when your work life and your home life suffer as a result. So find a routine that works for you and then do your best to stick to it on a pretty consistent basis if you can.
Create a Dedicated Space Having a dedicated space in which you can work day after day and not get distracted by the things that might be around you in the home is key. Distractions are everywhere when you work from home, and they can be pretty tempting. But if you’re going to stay on track and yield the results you and your boss want, you need to be focused and that means having a good work space in place.
Remain Communicative with the Rest of Your Team
Being communicative and staying in touch is something that only becomes more important when you’re working from home. And you also have to make a more concerted effort to remain as communicative as you can be. When you’re not staying in touch with colleagues, not only will your work suffer a great deal but you’ll probably also start feeling pretty down about everything.
Make Use of Remote File Access
You need to be able to work on documents and files with your team if that’s something that hasn’t been made possible yet. Working with your management to outline these needs and have them delivered on will be key. By enabling remote file access without a VPN, you can ensure that you and your colleagues are able to collaborate seamlessly even when you’re apart.
Respect Your Own Time
It’s important to have some respect for your own time when you’re working from home. It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in work and allow it to bleed into your personal life when you’re working where you live. That’s why setting boundaries and strict work hours for yourself is so important. The last thing you want is for all of that to go out of the window just because you’re working from home.
Working from home isn’t always as easy and straightforward as it might appeal to be on the surface. If it’s something you’ve struggled with up to now, some of the things we’ve discussed here might help you to get it right. Before you know it, you’ll be embracing your new routine.
If you’ve been working from home since the start of the pandemic, you’re not on your own. Most businesses have embraced socially distant remote arrangements. It’s unlikely to change any time soon, even as vaccine rollouts encourage life to get back to normal. Virtual offices support productivity, creativity, and a healthy work/life balance, allowing both employees and employers to make work fit around their personal schedules.
However, most professionals in the U.S. relocated at home over a year ago. It’s fair to say that it’s time to consider your work kit. Home office? Check! Some of the most frequently search terms on Google throughout 2020 focused on home office setup and improvement:
L-shaped home office
Best standing desks for home office
Best desk chair for home office
Home office decor ideas
Ergonomic home office chair
So, it’s fair to say that most people already have designed the perfect workstation inside their homes. Whether you’ve converted the unused nook underneath the stairs or repurposed the spare bedroom, chances are you’ve arranged your ideal work-from-home space. As remote working positions are becoming a permanent feature in most companies, it’s time for businesses to introduce a work kit budget for their team. The work kit budget could enable teams to equip their home office with all the necessary tech and add-ons that are still missing.
#1. A reliable laptop or computer
Admittedly, most employees already had a work laptop. However, if the business has recruited new team members since the start of the pandemic, it would be fair to provide them either with a work device or with a budget and a list of good laptops and computers, such as the Dell Vostro or some Lenovo models. For positions that are likely to remain permanently remote, office PCs can also be a fantastic alternative, especially for roles that require heavy designing or programming skills. Ideally, equipping your staff with a work laptop or PC will also reduce security risks and compatibility issues, as employees do not need to use their personal devices.
#2. A secondary screen
Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of using more than one screen. However, the home office setting can benefit from the addition of a second monitor. Ideally, individuals who tend to focus on multiple things at the same time are likely to enjoy this setup. You will use two screens for checking data while you complete other tasks, comparing multiple documents or sets of data, compiling information, or centralizing your schedule and inbox on one screen while you carry on tasks on the other. It’s an option that is worth suggesting to your team. Everyone works differently; therefore, not every employee will find it helpful. But those who do should be able to upgrade their workstation accordingly.
#3. A cup warmer coaster
The consumption of tea and coffee at home has reached new records during the pandemic. Unfortunately, it can be tricky to enjoy a warm drink while you’re working. More often than not, you can get distracted by a task. As a result, most people forget about their drink until it’s too late. By the time you’re ready to grab the cup and drink, the brew is already cold.
While this might not sound like a major problem, in reality, it can have a significant impact on an individual’s productivity. Making a fresh cup of coffee or tea takes between 10 and 20 minutes, as most employees seize the opportunity to take a break at the same time. Unfortunately, when they don’t get around to drinking it, they are more likely to interrupt their day more frequently to refresh the drink. This can lead to frustration. Besides, caffeine helps keep your mind alert. Therefore, provide every worker a USB-pluggable cup warmer coaster can enhance comfort, reduce time loss, and boost productivity.
#4. A piece of tranquillity
Working from home exposes individuals to high levels of noise pollution. Indeed, most workers live in an urban environment, which means they are likely to hear city sounds, such as traffic, construction sites, and even loud neighbors. Noise pollution can lead to high stress levels as it affects concentration and productivity. Therefore, it can be helpful to reach out to remote employees with noise-canceling solutions such as headphones. Some models can be plugged into the laptop and act as microphones and earphones during video calls too.
#5. An air filter
How clean is your employees’ indoor air? The answer is: It’s impossible to know without a specialist tool. However, indoor air pollution is a reality that can affect everyone. Everyday items create toxic VOC emissions, whether cleaning products, paint on the wall, or synthetic material. Indoor pollution is responsible for premature death every year. As employees work remotely, providing a solution that can keep their workstation healthy and safe can be a game-changer. An air filter can help preserve their health and assist mental concentration.
#6. A potted plant
Most office spaces tend to have potted plants. However, the same isn’t true in home offices. Office plants are not only an aesthetically pleasing addition to the decor. They can also significantly improve their work environment. The presence of greenery can reduce the risk of sick building syndrome. Potted plants are also proven to increase productivity by up to 15% and stimulate creative senses. It would make sense for employers to offer an office plant budget to their remote team. Alternatively, a plant is also a fantastic gift to send to newly hired talent to welcome them to the team.
#7. A selfie lamp
The selfie lamp is a ring of light that tends to be used by social media influencers to illuminate their faces for photo purposes. However, employees can also use the lamp during video calls. Indeed, not every home office environment is bright. When the room lacks a direct source of light, video calls can feel awkward as you don’t get to see the other person. Placing a selfie lamp next to the screen, out of the camera’s angle, can significantly improve call quality.
In a remote environment, employers need to introduce a specialist budget to support home office setup. It is fair to say that design and tech choices that would be part of the typical office layout can be missed remotely. Therefore, an employer who goes above and beyond to promote a productive home office layout can help move the team forward.
When you spend a lot of time thinking about what your business needs, your mind may very well go to the aesthetic components. For example, the marketing or improving the infrastructure. But when we ensure the business is well maintained from an outside perspective, we need to see what goes on behind closed doors. When we look at our employees, we must remember they are the progenitors of our success. They keep the engines running. So keeping our employees happy is not just about perks, but it’s about making sure that they are firing on all cylinders. How do we do this?
Look at When Employees Struggle
If employees struggle to work, it might be because of how the organization feels. It could be to a variety of shake-ups that make them feel that the ground is moving beneath their feet. We have to remember that, as employers, it’s crucial to keep the machine going. And while we employ a variety of techniques to help keep the business complying with the regulations, this can be at odds with the company culture. With every firing, there comes a lot of admin from the inside. And while in this respect, tools like an unemployment tracker work to maintain the inner workings, if employees struggle because you’ve constantly been letting people go left, right, and center, they may not feel they’re able to speak up. And when there are these deeply ingrained problems within a company, we got to work harder to keep them happy. While we can provide specific tools and tactics, ultimately, it’s the cultural component underneath it all that will help.
Keep Yourself Organized
It is simple, but this is what will keep your employees believing in what you have to offer. When we run a company on a skeleton system, we need to incorporate organizational components to make everything ticking over. When we incorporate the right systems, like payroll software, or the aforementioned unemployment tracker, everything becomes crucial to help your employees recognize that they are at the forefront of your mind. Doing this, in combination with effective communication, shows them you have faith in their abilities, and they have faith in yours.
Focus on Holistic Approaches
To work, everybody needs specific tools to function effectively. Some people are able to work under pressure, but others need an abundance of techniques and tactics. If we provide a variety of tools to help our employees work with an extra edge, they will benefit the business, but they will also benefit themselves. To do this, we need to provide a diverse range of techniques, so they can pick and choose the methods that suit them. For example, they may not be able to focus in an open-plan office environment. In which case, noise-canceling headphones could be the right tool.
If you want to keep your employees happy and the business productive, you need to consider a variety of tactics. If people are not comfortable working in this environment, we’ve got to address this as a priority. If we tackle these cracks, we could turn everything around.
