TikTok claims around 200,000 small firms sell through their platform, featuring short-form videos and live-streams as a form of advertisement. Considering there are an estimated 5.5 million small businesses in the UK, it’s no wonder that there is a push to get more British businesses signed up. 

 

This competition falls under the ever popular discussion point: how to get more British people buying British goods and services. The majority of Brits say they want to buy British goods, with Made In Britain Org claiming that, of their 2024 survey, 64% prefer to buy British made products because they feel it’s important and that 47% are more inclined to buy when seeing a British flag on the packaging. 

 

TikTok wants more British small businesses to sign up. British people want to buy British, with many stating reasons they don’t including ease, accessibility, and a lack of information. TikTok has seen a way to hit multiple goals whilst helping small and medium sized enterprises on the way.

 

If you want to know more and find out how to get your UK small business involved in this rare opportunity, read on…

 

Who Is Running The UK SME TikTok Competition 

The competition, whilst completely run and funded by TikTok Shop, is fronted by Jimmy Doherty. Doherty is a television presenter and farmer, known for his show Jimmy’s Farm. As a part of the launch, Doherty’s business, Jimmy’s Farm Shop, joined Tiktok shop, receiving lots of attention and interest in the lead-up to the Christmas period. 

 

What Do The UK SME TikTok Competition Prizes Include?

 

5 small businesses will each receive a dedicated support package worth over £150,000 including guidance from TikTok Shop experts to get started, personalised mentorship for employees, and training on utilising TikTok Shop Live. It will also include feature marketing support in product promotion, introductions to TikTok creators, assistance with getting orders to shoppers, and PR and marketing support to promote their business off-platform. 

 

How To Enter The UK SME TikTok Competition 

 

To be eligible, entrants must be a British business who sell locally-produced goods. Entrants cannot already be trading on TikTok Shop and must have under 250 employees. 

 

Entrants have to “create and share a TikTok video demonstrating their offering to their local community” and include the #TikTokShopLocal hashtag. Hurry, you only have until Thursday the 13th of November! Find the full list of terms and conditions here.

 

Big Support For Small Businesses

 

TikTok making a bold show of support for UK SMEs might not have been predictable, but we’re glad to see it. More e-commerce platforms are recognising the importance of supporting small businesses and, when e-commerce meets big brand names, small businesses benefit. With bold moves from big players, the world of small businesses and small British businesses gets easier. 

 

Are you going to enter the contest?