What is a TikTok pro account?
A TikTok pro account is an upgraded version of a standard personal TikTok account. It provides creators with additional analytics and tools to help them grow their audience and track performance. Some key differences between a pro account and a personal account include:
Pro accounts allow access to more in-depth analytics like weekly and monthly views, follower growth, and top videos. Personal accounts only provide basic analytics. Pro accounts also enable users to download videos in HD quality, while personal accounts max out at SD quality. Additionally, pro accounts permit livestreams up to 6 hours long, compared to 1 hour for personal accounts (TikTok Newsroom).
Pro accounts are intended for established creators looking to take their content creation to the next level. They offer tools tailored towards helping serious creators optimize their channel and track their growth. Personal accounts are better suited for casual users just looking to have fun posting videos.
Pros of a pro account
Some of the main benefits of switching to a TikTok pro account include:
Access to analytics – With a pro account, you get access to more in-depth analytics like views, engagement, traffic sources, and audience demographics. This allows you to better understand your content performance and audience. As this source notes, the analytics can provide valuable insights to help you improve your content strategy.
Unlocking additional features – Pro accounts allow you to access some exclusive features not available on regular TikTok accounts, like link in bios and 60-second longer videos. According to this article, some of the extra pro features can help you better engage viewers and stand out.
Branding opportunities – With a pro account, you have access to branded content tools, verified badges, and other options to develop your brand identity on TikTok. As explained in the above sources, this allows you to professionalize your presence and build authority.
Cons of a pro account
Switching to a pro account on TikTok does come with some potential downsides that creators should consider before making the change. Two key cons of switching to a pro account are:
1. No longer anonymous – With a personal account, your username and profile details don’t necessarily reveal your real identity. However, pro accounts require you to provide your real name, email address, phone number, and more, so you lose that element of anonymity.
2. Less personal content – Since pro accounts are geared towards branded content and business use, some creators feel their content becomes less personal and intimate when posting from a pro account. There can be more focus on monetization and sponsorships versus day-to-day life sharing.
Overall, potential loss of anonymity and a shift to more branded, less personal content are two downsides to weigh when deciding whether to convert to a pro account on TikTok. Creators who cherish connecting personally with their followers may want to think twice before making the switch.
Who should get a pro account?
A TikTok pro account is most beneficial for people looking to build an audience and monetize their content on the platform. The three main groups who stand to gain the most are:
Influencers
Influencers with large established followings can utilize the metrics and analytics provided in a pro account to better understand their audience. This allows them to create more engaging content, as well as identify opportunities for sponsorships and brand deals. The verified badge that comes with a pro account also gives a mark of legitimacy that brands often look for when seeking influencer partners.
Businesses
Businesses that maintain branded profiles and want to advertise on TikTok can make use of a pro account’s promotional tools and analytics. The insights allow them to identify high-performing content to guide their TikTok marketing strategy. A pro account also provides businesses with access to TikTok’s self-serve advertising platform to run targeted ads.
Creators looking to monetize
For creators focused on building an engaged audience to monetize through avenues like sponsorships or the TikTok Creator Fund, a pro account supplies the additional analytics to better track growth. It also provides verification to lend legitimacy when reaching out to potential brand partners. According to TikTok, a pro account may soon be required for creators to be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund.
Tips for switching to a pro account
When making the switch to a TikTok pro account, there are a few tips to keep in mind for a smooth transition:
Backup your drafts – Before switching account types, make sure to save any video drafts you want to keep. Drafts do not transfer over when you convert to a pro account, so you’ll need to re-upload any unfinished videos.
Inform followers of change – Let your current followers know that you are transitioning to a pro account. This will help avoid confusion if your username changes as part of the switch.
Migrate username – You may need to change your username when converting to a pro account if your current handle isn’t available. Claim your preferred professional username before making the switch to seamlessly transfer your profile.
According to TikTok’s support article, you can migrate your current username to your new pro account if it is not already taken [1]. This helps retain your brand recognition during the transition.
Optimizing your pro account
Once you switch to a pro account, it’s important to optimize your profile and content to maximize your reach and results. According to the TikTok guide “How to optimize your TikTok account for your brand or business”, the first step is to fill out your profile completely. Add a profile and header photo, write an informative bio, and link to your website or other social channels. Using relevant hashtags in your bio can help people find you.
You’ll also want to prioritize creating high-quality content consistently. As noted in Microsoft’s guide to optimizing business TikTok accounts, focus on useful information, engaging text and visuals, and adding value for your audience. Consider trends strategically but aim to develop an authentic voice. Check your analytics to see which posts resonate best.
Finally, leverage the data in your TikTok analytics dashboard to optimize your approach. Look at metrics like likes, comments, saves, shares, and more. See what types of videos are most successful to inform your content strategy moving forward.
Monetization options
There are several ways you can earn money on TikTok with a Pro account, the main ones being:
TikTok Creator Fund
The TikTok Creator Fund allows you to earn money from views on your content. To qualify, you need at least 10,000 authentic followers and 100,000 views in the last 30 days. Payments are based on factors like the number of views, engagement, and content adherence to guidelines. According to TikTok, the Creator Fund will pay out over $1 billion to creators over 3 years.
Sponsorships
Brand sponsorships are a popular way Pro accounts make money on TikTok. Brands will pay you to create branded content promoting their products or services. The amount varies greatly based on your niche, followers, engagement rate, and popularity. Micro and nano influencers can earn a few hundred per sponsorship, while top creators may charge thousands.
Affiliate Marketing
You can earn commissions by promoting affiliate products and services in your videos. When viewers purchase through your affiliate links, you get a percentage of the sale. Affiliate programs are offered by companies like Amazon, Walmart, and more. Be transparent about affiliate relationships with viewers.
Promoting your pro account
Once you’ve switched to a pro account on TikTok, it’s time to start promoting your content. Here are some effective ways to get more views and grow your audience.
Hashtags are essential for discovery on TikTok. Include relevant hashtags in your captions and descriptions so viewers can find your videos when searching. Find popular hashtags used in your niche, but avoid overusing generic ones like #fyp. Create your own branded hashtags too.
Cross-promote your TikTok content on other social platforms where you have an audience, like Instagram or Twitter. Share short clips or screenshots and direct people to check out your TikTok for the full video.
Paid advertising through TikTok’s self-serve Promote tool lets you target specific demographics and placements for your videos. Promoted ads can help expand your reach beyond just your current followers. Start small to test what content and audiences perform best before increasing your daily ad budget.
Consistency and experimentation are key to figuring out which promotional tactics work for driving more engaged viewers to your pro TikTok account. Analyze your metrics regularly and double down on what’s working.
Measuring Success
There are a few key metrics to focus on when measuring the success of your TikTok pro account:
Follower Growth
Gaining more followers is a clear sign your account is succeeding. Check your follower count regularly to see if it’s increasing at a steady pace. Rapid follower growth may indicate your content is resonating. Slow growth could mean you need to adjust your content strategy. Benchmark against similar pro accounts to evaluate if your growth rate is on track.[1]
Engagement
Engagement rate shows how well your content is connecting with viewers. Important engagement metrics are likes, comments, shares, video views, and traffic sources. These signal your content is captivating your audience. High engagement presents monetization opportunities. Monitor engagement rates over time and aim for steady growth.[2]
Conversion Rates
Conversion rate is the percentage of viewers taking your desired action, like visiting your website or making a purchase. Track conversions from TikTok to see your account’s ROI. Low conversion rates suggest your content isn’t compelling viewers to act. Consider creating stronger CTAs or promoting links more prominently. Optimizing conversion rates is crucial for monetizing your account.[3]
Pro account case studies
There are many examples of successful pro accounts on TikTok that demonstrate the potential for gaining followers, views, and sponsorships. Some of the top pro accounts include:
@chipsahoy – The snack brand Chips Ahoy! has over 4 million followers and received over 2 billion video views. They create fun and engaging videos featuring their cookies to connect with audiences. According to TikTok’s case study, Chips Ahoy saw a 20% lift in unaided brand awareness after running a Branded Mission campaign.
@redlobster – With over 930,000 followers, Red Lobster shares cooking tutorials and behind-the-scenes restaurant content. Their videos showcase menu items and promote offers like Endless Shrimp. Red Lobster told TikTok their Branded Hashtag Challenge increased app installs by 33%.
@cosmopolitan – Cosmopolitan magazine uses their 7.4 million follower TikTok account to give beauty tips, share celebrity news, and more. Their content aligns with their brand while engaging TikTok’s audience. After running a Hashtag Challenge Plus campaign, Cosmo saw a 110% increase in web traffic.
These examples demonstrate the marketing opportunities possible with a pro account. By posting videos that align with their brand and resonate with viewers, companies can gain followers and increase brand awareness on TikTok.
