Launching a TikTok account for car sales: hundreds of thousands of views on videos

Promotion in TikTok

We were contacted by a client who sells cars from the US and China to Ukraine. Previously, he had a joint business with a partner, but decided to start his own business. The client is a great expert in his niche, but he lacked media exposure and an understanding of how to find new customers online.

Details

GEO

Ukraine

Target audience

Young car enthusiasts and enthusiasts, shoppers looking for bargains in the automotive marketplace

Niche

Cars

Task

Client: sale of cars from the USA and China
Goal: account scaling
Source: TikTok

Profile: https://www.tiktok.com/@serhiychayka

Work in progress

We identified the target audience and analyzed competitors in the CIS and abroad.
We decided to produce content exclusively in Ukrainian for the Ukrainian market.
We developed a content plan for YouTube and short videos for Shorts, TikTok, Instagram/Facebook Reels.
We analyzed the target audience and trends on TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
We optimized the channel: selected the name, tags, playlist names, and keywords for the description.
We created a 3-6 month content plan based on the Google for Brands “Hero-Hub-Help-Hype-Action” methodology.
We determined the best shooting formats for business, developed a product review structure and instructions for conducting live broadcasts on YouTube.
Prepared a content plan for 60 topics for short videos, including titles, main ideas, number of scenes, and recommendations for audience engagement.
Provided consulting and support in managing YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels.
We held personal consultations and weekly calls to analyze scripts, filming, editing, and identify areas for improvement.
Developed and implemented the account design concept, including the channel header and video covers.
Prepared training materials and optimization examples, helped improve existing content.
We monitored YouTube Analytics on a weekly basis, analyzed the optimization of new videos and made recommendations.
Prepared a monthly analysis of the results and suggestions for improvement.

Work progress

Familiarization with the client's business

Learned the details of the client's business, which specializes in selling cars from the USA and China to Ukraine. We held a Zoom meeting to understand the client's goals and expectations, discussed the specifics of the target audience and project objectives.

Analysis of target audience and competitors

Identified the target audience: residents of Ukraine interested in buying cars from the USA and China. Analyzed competitors both in the CIS and abroad to identify best practices and popular content formats in TikTok. Analyzed target audience and trends in TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts.

Language and site selection

Decided to run content exclusively in Ukrainian, targeting the Ukrainian market. Developed a strategy to use short video formats (TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts) to maximize audience reach.

Development and implementation of content strategy

Developed a 3-6 month content plan using Google for Brands' Hero-Hub-Help-Hype-Action methodology. Identified video topics of interest to the target audience and developed 60 topics for short videos with detailed content creation guidelines.

Video preparation and shooting

Prepared scripts and instructions for shooting the videos, selected key formats such as talking head, live car reviews, interviews and Breaking News. The client began shooting content, receiving the first batch of 10 short videos.

Content Optimization

Optimized the channel: selected the title, tags, playlist names and keywords for description to improve SEO and visibility of the content on TikTok and other social networks. Prepared training materials and provided feedback on the first filmed videos, helped to improve the quality of shooting and editing.

Testing different video formats

Tested several video formats (e.g., talking head, live reviews, interviews) to determine which ones best engaged audiences. The “interview” format was successful, breaking the 100,000 view threshold, reaching 370,000 views on one of the videos.

Scaling up successful formats

After successful testing, scaled the best content formats, resulting in consistently high views (10,000 to 100,000 or more) on each video. The client went on to shoot live car reviews, which significantly increased engagement and attracted new customers.

Collaborations and new formats

Introduced the format of collaborations with bloggers (e.g., Ded Tolya) and tested the “Breaking News” format, which also showed excellent results. We continued experimenting with formats to keep the audience interested and ensure stable growth of the account.

Monitoring and analysis of results

Analyzed weekly content performance metrics through TikTok Analytics, identifying the most successful videos and formats. Analyzed monthly results and suggested improvements for further growth. Conducted regular consultations with the client, breaking down scripts, shooting, editing, and discussing opportunities for improvement and further content development. Helped the client successfully manage social media by continuing to publish videos that consistently gained hundreds of thousands of views.

Work on the project

We identified our target audience, studied all the intricacies of the business and our client’s wishes, and decided to work exclusively for the Ukrainian market, producing content in Ukrainian. After analyzing competitors in the CIS and abroad, we came to the conclusion that the best start would be to run social media using short videos (TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts). This will provide the easiest entry threshold.

Services provided to the client

The client ordered a package of services from us, including the creation of a content plan for YouTube and short videos for Shorts, TikTok, Instagram/Facebook Reels. This package is aimed at those who are planning to launch a YouTube channel and promote themselves on social media with the help of short videos.

Scope of work:

Development process:

Analysis of the channel’s target audience
Analysis of YouTube competitors and trends in TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts

Channel optimization:

Channel name, tagging based on relevant keywords
Selection of names for playlists and keywords for description
Formats and names of lead magnets for each playlist

Content plan:

Create a 3-6 month content plan using the Google for Brands “Hero-Hub-Help-Hype-Action” methodology
Video titles, timing, tags, hashtags for each video

Video structure:

The best shooting format for business, product review structure
Step-by-step instructions for conducting live broadcasts on YouTube

Short videos:

Content plan for 60 topics for short videos: titles, main idea, number of scenes, recommendations for engagement tools, three ready-made scripts
Selection of video formats for shooting, recommendations for shooting and editing

Shooting instructions and reports:

Programs for editing, feedback on the first videos shot
Instructions for working with a neural network to write scripts
Report: semantic core and content plan for the channel

As a result, the client receives the created semantic core and the content plan for the channel and beyond.

Another service was consulting and support in managing YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Reels.

What was included in our work:

Personal consulting and weekly calls:

Analyzing scripts, shooting, editing, engagement, traffic flow, performance and identifying areas for improvement.

Preparation of terms of reference and account design:

Terms of reference for a photo shoot and design of accounts in various social networks, taking into account the specifics of each platform.

Content development and preparation:

Selection of 15 topics for video shooting, development of a content plan and assistance in selecting content and topics.

Optimization and improvement of existing content:

Tutorials on how to properly upload videos, examples of optimization, and help with improving your existing videos.

Market and competitor analysis:

Account analytics, competitive niche analysis, YouTube channel audit and identification of growth points, trend analysis.

Development and implementation of a design concept:

Creating a new account design, including a channel header and video covers.

Support and testing of new content formats:

Assistance in launching and testing new content formats (YouTube videos, Shorts, live broadcasts, Stories).

Monitoring and analysis of account performance:

Weekly YouTube Analytics monitoring, analysis of new video optimizations, and recommendations.

Monetization improvement and development strategy:

Assistance in improving channel monetization, development of a development strategy and recommendations for improving results.

Preparation of reports: Monthly analysis of results and suggestions for improvement.

As a result, the client received organic content promotion on social media, which ensures effective results and growth of your business.

Content plan development: long and short videos

Our task was to divide the content plan into long and short videos by playlists, identifying the sections that work well in this niche. We selected topics for each section, focusing on short videos. The most important thing is to find the right format for presenting short videos.

Video formats are one of the most important things if you want to gain popularity on TikTok and other social networks with short videos. Although few people talk about the importance of formats, they play a key role in engaging your audience. Now we will tell you what formats are.

Video formats

When it comes to short videos on TikTok, Shorts, and Reels, our goal is to get the maximum number of views. The same topic can be filmed in completely different formats (for example, using a voiceover to ask a question and then acting out a scene of communication between a client and a sales manager).

If a client starts making short videos, but they get few views, then you need to use different formats to find the one that will be interesting to your audience.

In each individual project, the audience may have preferences for different formats!

To find the formats that will be of interest to the audience, we recommend testing 4 to 10 formats during the 1st month of work and determining which formats are most suitable for your project.

At the end of each content plan, we give the client a document where we select special formats for their niche that we recommend testing.

Структура сценария видео

Results of shooting and publishing videos

Our client went to the shooting and received about 10 short videos. He chose the “talking head” format, and we started publishing these videos on all social networks. For us, TikTok is always the main indicator of the result, as it is the main platform for short videos where we can see the audience’s reaction to our content.

After we started publishing, our client’s videos were getting about 1000-2000 views, and he was asking himself the question: “Why so few?” We explained to him that these were pretty good results, and we needed to experiment with formats to find one that would bring in more views in the same scenario.

Testing different content formats

We determined that the “talking head” format was suitable for our audience, but we didn’t stop there. To create good content and the right strategy, it is important to identify 3-4 working formats so that the channel develops for a long time and remains interesting for viewers.

The next format was a live car review, where the client shot the video himself, which led to more interest and the first successful results. For the next shooting, we defined a format in which the client talks about the car while being next to it. And the first video got about 30 thousand views.

We noticed that shooting with a shaky camera was not optimal, and provided the client with recommendations on how to improve the quality of the footage. When the client started doing live car reviews together with the operator, the reviews became more stable. We tested the live car review format and saw that it aroused interest, and after improving the quality of the footage, the format stabilized.

Next, we tested the “interview” format. In this format, the client is asked questions off-screen and answers them. It’s important to emphasize that the script remains exactly the same as in the “talking head” format, but the viewer perceives it completely differently. We create an image of a person who communicates with another person and tells them something personally. And this format has already broken through the threshold of 100,000 views, or rather 370,000 views.

The next stage was a collaboration with the blogger Grandfather Tolia. We shot several videos for YouTube and cut them for Shorts. This format also proved to be successful and brought in steady views.

Another format was “Breaking News” or “Hot Pies”, where the client showed the best deals at auctions, such as a 2019 Jeep Tiguan for $13,600. These videos attracted a lot of attention due to their relevance and the attractiveness of the offers.

The important thing was that the client was able to grow his business while continuing to run TikTok within his team. Even with the change in the face of the account, when the client’s employees started publishing content instead of the client, views remained high.

The biggest problem with changing the face of an account is that the content often loses popularity. However, in our case, thanks to the right selection of formats, the videos continued to gain stable views even when the main face of the channel was changed. The “sofa expert” format also continued to gain stable views even when the video was shot by colleagues rather than the client himself. This shows that the right choice of formats allows you to maintain the stability and popularity of content regardless of who creates it.

Success and further experiments with formats

All subsequent videos received at least 10,000 views, and it became clear that the audience really liked this presentation of content. However, we continued to test and explore new formats, even when two of them had already started to generate huge traffic and, most importantly, sales. So, we are building a business model through short videos so that in the first month the client receives leads and sales of services or goods.

TikTok started to bring traffic, and new customers came to the client, but it’s important not to forget about other social networks (Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts), which also brought completely organic traffic and new customers. The next format was discussing cars with friends, and it also showed great results.

Conclusions

While working with us, the client received not only a content plan, but also full support and assistance with all social networks. He learned how to make posts correctly and interact with the audience. However, the most valuable thing is that he received a set of formats that allowed him to go from 1000 views to 100,000 or more without changing much in the way of content creation.

Thanks to short videos, the client recouped all investments from the very first month, and then reached a huge net profit from organic traffic alone. It’s important to note that not only views are important in business, but also reputation. Thus, the client started managing social media on his own, and his reputation grew along with views on all social networks. He created a community around him that allowed him to find regular customers and successfully sell his business.

Do you want to get such services and scale your account? Contact 4Limes! Leave a request and our specialist will contact you shortly for a consultation.

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