Should your Photography Studio use Tik Tok?

TikTok. A platform filled with dances, challenges and nonsense…or is it? Could it actually be a way of growing your business and becoming a solid part of your marketing strategy?

In this post, we’re going to explore what TikTok is, who’s using it, and the different ways you could be using the platform for your photography business.

What is TikTok?

If you don’t know already, TikTok is a video-sharing app that has taken the world by storm over the last couple of years.

Users record and edit short videos and upload them to their profile. Whilst the platform started out with a young audience who mostly created content based on viral challenges and short dance routines, TikTok has grown well beyond that.

The algorithm is so powerful that you can quickly train it to show you content that you want to watch. If you’re interested in astrophotography and you start searching within the platform, your feed will begin to fill with videos based on astrophotography. My personal account is mostly people reviewing Fantasy novels, which I love because I want guidance on what I should be reading next.

If you don’t want to watch a video you can simply swipe it away and the algorithm will learn to stop showing that type of content.

Who uses TikTok?

If you’re here wondering whether TikTok could work for you, then you might have preconceptions that the platform is just for young people. Well, we’re here to tell you it isn’t.

Statistica found that 63.2% of TikTok’s UK users are the ages of 25-34, 56% are 35-44 years old. 

These are the prime ages for weddings, people are getting engaged, having children, their first dogs – your ideal demographic is using TikTok.

How can a portrait photographer use Tik Tok?

You could take part in dances and ridiculous challenges, but I doubt you’ll want to do that and it’s certianly not necessary.

Instead, you should use TikTok to show the “human-side” of your business. Behind the scenes videos are great. Have a shoot with a cute dog? Document it in a quick TikTok.
Remember to ask your customers for permission when filming their furries babies, and not so furry babies.

Create content that sells your products but not directly. For example, show off your products, explain why people should have wall art.

Let potential customers know your processes, what can they expect from their photoshoots? How should they prepare? 
Think about the common questions people ask you every day – answer those in TikToks!

So, should Portrait Photographers use TikTok?

If you don’t want to use TikTok, that’s absolutely fine but we do think it’s a great platform that could build brand awareness and pull in some potential organic customers.

Like all organic lead generators, it does take time to build up a following, but TikTok loves adorable dogs and cute babies. 

We say GIVE IT A GO!