TikTok continues to be one of the most powerful platforms for organic reach and engagement in 2025. But for many small businesses, creating TikTok content that actually performs well is a real challenge. Why? Because TikTok thrives on content that’s fun, personal, and most importantly, person-facing.
If you don’t have anyone in your business who feels confident being in front of the camera, it can feel like you’re stuck. Sure, there are other types of content you can post, like product showcases, photo slideshows, or text-based tips, but these formats rarely compete with videos featuring a real person.
At SMR Social, we’ve devised a creative solution that some might even call a hack: TikTok account takeovers by local or relevant TikTokers.
What Is a TikTok Takeover?
A TikTok takeover is when you invite a creator to temporarily take control of your business’s TikTok account. They create and post content on your behalf for an agreed period, like a week or even a month.
The result? Your account gets a steady stream of engaging, person-facing content from someone who already knows how to perform well on the platform.
Why This Works for Small Businesses
- You get consistent, high-performing content without needing to step in front of the camera yourself.
- You leverage the creator’s existing style and TikTok knowledge to boost your reach and engagement.
- It adds personality and authenticity to your brand, which is essential for doing well on TikTok.
How to Set Up a TikTok Takeover for Your Business
1. Find the Right Creator
Start by identifying TikTokers whose content style aligns with your brand. Make sure they:
- Are confident on camera and already creating engaging content
- Share values or themes that suit your business
- Have an existing audience (even a small, loyal one is valuable)
Bonus tip: If you’re a local business, look for local TikTokers. This makes the content more relatable and relevant to your audience.
2. Make It a Win-Win
Reach out with a friendly message explaining what you’re looking for and what’s in it for them. You could:
- Offer a set fee for the takeover period
- Provide free products or services while they’re creating content
- Give them creative control (within agreed brand guidelines)
3. Set Expectations and Boundaries
Agree in advance on:
- How many posts per week or month
- What kind of content they’ll produce
- Access details (some creators prefer to send content for you to upload)
- The tone, style, and hashtags to use
Real-Life Takeover Examples
A Local Coffee Shop
Let’s say you run a cosy coffee shop in a small town. You could invite a local TikToker to do a takeover. They pop in every day for a free coffee and post about their visit:
- Day-in-the-life style videos featuring your shop
- Meetups with friends at your coffee shop
- Trying different drinks on your menu
The result? Engaging, personal content that highlights your business to a local audience.
An Online Clothing Store
If you run an online clothing brand, look for creators whose audience fits your target market. Send them a selection of your clothes and invite them to:
- Post try-on hauls
- Style your pieces in different ways
- Feature your products in their day-to-day content
They can either post directly on your account or provide videos for you to upload. Either way, your content becomes instantly more relatable and exciting.
Make TikTok Work for Your Business
TikTok rewards creativity and personality. If you’re struggling to get traction because no one in your business wants to be on camera, don’t force it. Instead, collaborate with people who already know how to create the type of content that works.
A TikTok creator takeover might be just the boost your business needs to grow its following, increase engagement, and reach new customers. And if you’re not sure where to start, SMR Social can help you plan the perfect takeover strategy and connect with the right creators for your brand.