TikTok Launches SME Council: Empowering Small Businesses in 2025
Author: Sally
In a bold move that has small business owners buzzing, TikTok has just unveiled its first-ever SME Council in the UK this April 2025. This initiative aims to give small and medium-sized enterprises a stronger voice in shaping policies that could supercharge their growth in the digital marketplace.
What Is the TikTok SME Council?
The newly formed council brings together 20 diverse small businesses from across the UK who are already using TikTok to connect with customers and grow their brands. These businesses span various industries – from affordable wig brands in Birmingham to sleep companies in Manchester and artisan candle makers in Sunderland.
The council held its first meeting on April 4th in Stoke-on-Trent, where members shared their experiences running businesses and using TikTok to fuel their growth. This isn’t just another corporate committee – it’s a direct line between small business owners and TikTok’s leadership team.
Ali Law, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at TikTok UK, explained: “TikTok gives small businesses the opportunity to be discovered by new communities, the creative tools to engage authentically and, ultimately, the chance to put their products in the hands of an ever-growing number of UK consumers.”
Why This Matters for Small Businesses
The timing couldn’t be better. According to Nielsen IQ research, TikTok saw a massive 131% increase in shoppers in 2024 compared to the previous year, with revenue jumping by 180%. Over 6,000 TikTok Shop LIVE streams happen in the UK every single day.
For small businesses with limited marketing budgets, TikTok has become a powerful platform to reach new customers without breaking the bank. The council members are using TikTok in creative ways:
The SME Manifesto: Pushing for Policy Changes
One of the council’s first major projects will be helping shape TikTok’s first-ever SME Manifesto. This document will outline practical policy requests to government officials aimed at:
This gives small business owners something they rarely get – a seat at the table when policies are being created that will directly impact their future.
How Small Businesses Are Using TikTok to Grow
The council members represent the growing trend of businesses using TikTok not just for entertainment, but as a serious sales channel. With over 1.5 million UK firms now on the platform, TikTok has evolved from a fun app into a critical business tool.
Small businesses are finding success on TikTok through several strategies:
1. Content That Connects
Unlike traditional advertising, TikTok rewards authenticity. Businesses that show the people and stories behind their products often outperform those with slick, corporate content. This human touch helps build trust with potential customers.
2. TikTok Shop Integration
The platform’s shopping features allow businesses to sell directly to viewers, turning entertainment into instant sales opportunities. This blend of content and commerce is changing how people discover and buy products.
3. Smart TikTok SEO Strategies
Businesses are learning to optimize their TikTok content for search, helping them get discovered by new customers. This includes:
TikTok SEO: The Secret Weapon for Small Businesses
While many think of TikTok as just a social platform, it’s increasingly becoming a search engine for younger consumers. People are turning to TikTok to find restaurants, products, and how-to information – often before checking Google.
Smart businesses are taking advantage of this by optimizing their content for TikTok’s search function. When users type in keywords related to their products or services, they want their videos to appear at the top of results.
Some effective TikTok SEO tactics include:
- Keyword research: Using TikTok’s search bar to see what terms people are searching for in your niche.
- Natural keyword placement: Including these terms in video captions and descriptions without forcing them.
- Strategic hashtags: Using both broad hashtags (like #smallbusiness) and specific ones (like #handmadecandles) to maximize visibility.
- Front-loading captions: Putting the most important keywords at the beginning of captions since TikTok only shows a limited amount of text without clicking “more”.
TikTok For Business: Exclusive Offers and Cashback Opportunities
TikTok is currently offering incredible incentives for businesses looking to advertise on the platform. As of April 2025, new advertisers can access up to $1,000 in free ad credits through TikTok’s “Buy X, Get Y” promotion.
The structure is simple and scalable:
These offers are available to new SMB advertisers with self-serve TikTok For Business accounts, though they’re not valid for agency, business center, or TikTok Shop accounts. The current promotion runs until December 31, 2025, with credits expiring on March 31, 2026.
$1000 TikTok For Business Ad Credit
Get $1000 in free ad credits when spending $1000 on lead generation campaigns.
$1000 in free ad credits
For businesses testing the waters with TikTok advertising, this effectively doubles your initial marketing budget, allowing for more extensive testing and optimization. Once you hit your chosen spending threshold, TikTok automatically adds the credits to your account within 7 business days.
TikTok For Business Affiliate Opportunities
TikTok’s generous cashback and credit programs extend to affiliates as well, creating a win-win situation for marketers and businesses alike. Partners can offer exclusive deals to their audiences while earning commissions.
Current affiliate promotions include:
Affiliates can share these offers through special partner links that automatically apply discounts to new accounts, with no promo code needed. This creates an excellent opportunity for marketing professionals to add value to their clients while earning additional revenue through TikTok’s affiliate program.
The process for claiming these offers is straightforward: click the special affiliate link, create a TikTok Ads account, add a payment method, and start creating campaigns. TikTok handles the rest, applying credits and cashback automatically once spending thresholds are met.
What’s Next for the TikTok SME Council?
TikTok plans to expand the council concept in the future, potentially creating regional chapters or industry-specific councils for sectors like fashion or food businesses.
The platform is also working on making its tools more accessible to businesses without large teams or budgets. This includes:
How Your Small Business Can Get Started on TikTok
If you’re inspired by these success stories, here are some steps to begin building your business presence on TikTok:
- Create authentic content: Show the people and stories behind your business.
- Study your audience: Look at what content they engage with and what hashtags they use.
- Use TikTok’s search function: Find popular keywords in your niche by typing related terms in the search bar and noting the suggestions.
- Experiment with different content formats: Try tutorials, behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and product demonstrations.
- Engage with your community: Respond to comments and create content that answers common questions.
The launch of the SME Council signals TikTok’s commitment to becoming more than just an entertainment app – it’s positioning itself as a serious business platform that can help small companies reach new heights.
For small business owners looking to grow in 2025, TikTok is no longer optional – it’s becoming an essential part of a successful digital strategy. With the right approach and by taking advantage of TikTok’s generous business incentives, even the smallest businesses can find big opportunities on this rapidly evolving platform.
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About the author
Sally
Sally Simard is a passionate content writer and blogger for a long while. She loves to talk and likes sharing her knowledge in various domains, including the latest technology, dropshipping, online marketing, make money online, affiliate marketing, and many more. She is venerated for her research skills, organizational skills, & flexibility, making her the cornerstone of AffNinja.
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