TikTok Small Biz Fest 2025: 4 Ways Your Business Can Get Involved

As part of the initiative, TikTok is giving away $1 million ad credits. 500 lucky businesses have the chance to win $2,000 in TikTok ad credits, alongside 1:1 onboarding support to help them grow their brand and increase conversions on the platform.

To apply, you’ll need to visit TikTok’s Small Biz Fest Giveaway page and fill out the form provided. However, for your business to be valid for the giveaway, it must fit the following criteria:

• You’re a small business with 500 employees
• You have an active TikTok Ads Manager account, or have just created a new one
• Your account follows TikTok’s community guidelines and ad policies
• You’re based in the United States
• You’re new to TikTok advertising and have no previous ad spend
• You can provide a valid TikTok Advertiser ID and business email associated with your account

The deadline for applications is May 31, 2025, while any winners will receive their ad credit on or before June 14, 2025.

Throughout May, Small Biz Fest is holding weekly TikTok Academy webinars to help businesses improve their social media skills. 

You can use the link “https://smallbizfest2025virtualwebinar.splashthat.com/” to sign up for the upcoming webinars. Though they’re all free to join, you’ll need to be a member of TikTok Academy first before you can RSVP.

The four lessons available are: 

1. The New Commerce Blueprint (May 15, 12:00 PM CDT) – Are you an online store using short-form video content or TikTok Shop to increase sales? This webinar will show you how you can use the platform’s best tools to scale growth.
2. Ignite Demand with TikTok (May 16, 9:30 AM CDT) – With a focus on travel, automotive, dining, and service-based brands, this lesson will cover the best demand generation strategies.
3. Get Started with TikTok Ads (May 22, 3:00 PM CDT) – This webinar on TikTok ads contains a step-by-step guide on using TikTok’s Ads Manager and launching your first campaign.
4. Unlocking Performance Through Creative (May 28, 12:00 PM CDT) – To help you unlock your creativity, this TikTok webinar will teach you how to create imaginative content, connect with real audiences, and improve your brand’s TikTok performance.

If you’re interested in learning from other successful businesses, I recommend watching TikTok’s new “100 Ways to Grow” series. Each video revolves around a different business owner explaining how they’ve used TikTok to grow their audience and achieve their business goals.

For example, Lauren Hill, VP of Digital Commerce at ColorPop, explains how the makeup brand has used TikTok to acquire new customers in episode six. Through a combination of TikTok Shop deals like exclusive bundles, seasonal ad campaigns, and top TikTok affiliates, the brand increased its revenue by three times on the platform.

On top of the virtual festivities throughout May, TikTok is also hosting an in-person Small Biz Fest Roadshow at various locations. During the event, small businesses can take part in hands-on tutorials, hear testimonials from other brand owners, and discover exclusive TikTok insights.

The three cities involved are: 

1. Austin (May 14-15) – 300 Colorado St, Austin, TX 78701
2. Los Angeles (May 21-22) – 5800 Bristol Pkwy, Culver City, CA 90230
3. New York (May 28-29) – 151 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

You can learn more about the event and register to join on the Small Biz Fest Roadshow 2025 website.

With fears over the potential US TikTok ban still looming, TikTok’s Small Biz Fest came at the perfect time. Though there’s no guarantee that TikTok will find a buyer in the future, the initiative highlights the unmissable benefits of the platform today, be it the ecommerce potential of TikTok Shop or the rise of targeted ad campaigns helping you reach new audiences.

If there’s a time to take advantage of these features, it’s now.