Celebrating the season with the #ShopSmall Accelerator, powered by TikTok and American Express

'Tis the season to shop small

The holidays are fast approaching. As we're all dreaming up our wishlists, small business owners are busy preparing to make the most of this critical gift-giving season.

And there's no better place to do that than on TikTok. TikTok is where over a billion people around the world go to discover brands, trends, gifts, and joy. In fact, 77% of people on the platform credit TikTok for inspiring a gift idea.

Especially in a time as "noisy" as the holidays, discovery is key. It can be difficult for small businesses to cut through the competition and get the attention their unique stories, products, and services deserve.

So how can small businesses leverage TikTok to promote their must-buy gifts this season? With help from the #ShopSmall Accelerator.

TikTok and American Express have teamed up to launch the #ShopSmall Accelerator and help U.S. small business owners shine this holiday and beyond. Whether they're looking for expert creative guidance, an opportunity to jump on the latest trend, or a boost for their TikTok campaign, the #ShopSmall Accelerator is a one-stop-shop solution for their holiday marketing needs.

Get going and growing on TikTok, earn $100 in ad credits

We know getting started is often the hardest step, so we're offering eligible new U.S. TikTok advertisers the opportunity to enroll to earn a $100 ad credit to use on TikTok after purchasing $50+ in TikTok ads within 28 days of receiving the offer e-mail detail. The possibilities are endless! Learn more about TikTok Ads Manager here, and enroll in this limited-time offer by 12.24.22 here.

Celebrate the season with the Shop Small Soundtrack

Sound is essential to the TikTok experience. And what better way to get discovered on TikTok this holiday season than with a festive, trending song? Introducing: the Shop Small Soundtrack. Available in the Commercial Music Library and brought to you by American Express, this holiday shopping anthem offers the perfect sonic backdrop for small business stories and gifts.

If you're looking to shop small this season, search for businesses using this limited-time sound to discover that perfect present. And be on the lookout for creators using the Shop Small Soundtrack to highlight some of their favorite small businesses on TikTok in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday, happening on November 26.

Look to (and learn from) the TikTok stars

Who knows better than some of TikTok's top creators how to make the most of the platform?

Anna Sitar, Brandon Blackwood & Sofia Bella have generously shared some of their pro tips in an engaging video tutorial, available here. Their invaluable insights will help small businesses unleash their creativity on TikTok to stand out and sparkle this holiday season. We hope you'll watch, learn, and enjoy.

Learn more and join the #ShopSmall Accelerator at tiktokshopsmall.com, and happy shopping small to all!

It's time to take advantage of #ShopSmall and get TikToking! Use these tips to get started:

SOUND ON

TikTok doesn't work without sound. When creating content, make sure music and audio are a key consideration.

MAKE IT COUNT

12-15 secs is the sweet spot for a video on TikTok. Try to catch the user's attention within this time. The longer the video, the more engaging and interesting you should make it.

CAPTION CONTEXT

Remember to fill in the caption below your content to let audiences know what they're watching. Talk about your brand, tag creators or provide more detailed product info.

5,4,3,2,1...

Why not try countdown stickers this holiday season? Drive awareness, create urgency and intrigue leading up to an important date of your choosing.

GET AUTHENTIC

People on TikTok love raw and authentic storytelling. Give them a background to your brand and share your story in an honest and relatable way.

Offer Terms and Conditions: This offer is made by TikTok and is for a $100 TikTok promotional ad credit. To be eligible for this offer, you must be a new TikTok advertiser based in the U.S. A new TikTok advertiser is defined as a business that has not yet purchased advertising on TikTok using their TikTok Ads Manager Account. You must complete enrollment in the offer by submitting the enrollment form linked on the dedicated American Express landing page listing your valid 10-digit TikTok Ads Manager ID by December 24, 2022 at 11:59PM ET. You must correctly list your valid TikTok Ads Manager Account ID on the enrollment form in order to complete enrollment in the offer. You will receive an e-mail within 7 business days confirming that your TikTok Ads Manager Account is valid and you are eligible for the offer (your “Offer Details E-mail”). If you do not receive this e-mail within 7 business days and you believe you are eligible for the offer, you must re-submit the enrollment form linked on the dedicated American Express landing page by December 24, 2022 at 11:59 ET correctly listing your valid 10-digit TikTok Ads Manager Account ID. To redeem the offer, after receiving the Offer Details E-mail, you must spend at least $50, excluding taxes and fees, in one or more purchases of TikTok advertisements (“Threshold Amount”) using this TikTok Ads Manager Account and a valid payment method within 28 calendar days of receiving your Offer Details E-mail. TikTok advertisements purchased prior to receiving the Offer Details E-mail may not count toward the Threshold Amount. Your $100 TikTok promotional ad credit will appear on your TikTok Ads Manager Account within 1-2 days of meeting the Threshold Amount and will automatically be applied toward your next TikTok advertising campaign. Your $100 TikTok promotional ad credit will expire on January 31, 2023 at 11:59PM ET. TikTok promotional ad credit is non-transferable and cannot be split across multiple TikTok Ads Manager Accounts. TikTok promotional ad credit not redeemable for cash. See TikTok Terms & Conditions for more details about TikTok promotional ad credits at https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article?aid=10014154. Any information you provide to TikTok will be subject to TikTok’s privacy policies and terms of use. Fulfillment of the offer is the sole responsibility of TikTok. Merchant offers are subject to change at any time without notice to you. Supplies are limited. Limit one offer per new TikTok advertiser.