| name | platform-tiktok |
| description | Generates a complete TikTok presence plan for East African businesses, covering account setup, content strategy, video structure templates, repeatable content series, a 30-day video content plan, and KPI framework. Invoke when a client needs a TikTok strategy, wants to build a short-video audience in the 16–30 demographic, or is asking how to use TikTok for business growth in Uganda or the wider EA market. |
TikTok Presence Plan
Use when
- Generates a complete TikTok presence plan for East African businesses, covering account setup, content strategy, video structure templates, repeatable content series, a 30-day video content plan, and KPI framework. Invoke when a client needs a TikTok strategy, wants to build a short-video audience in the 16–30 demographic, or is asking how to use TikTok for business growth in Uganda or the wider EA market.
- Use this skill when it is the closest match to the requested deliverable or workflow.
Do not use when
- Do not use this skill for graphic design, video production, software development, or legal advice beyond the repository's stated scope.
- Do not use it when another skill in this repository is clearly more specific to the requested deliverable.
Workflow
- Collect the required inputs or source material before drafting, unless this skill explicitly generates the intake itself.
- Follow the section order and decision rules in this
SKILL.md; do not skip mandatory steps or required fields.
- Review the draft against the quality criteria, then deliver the final output in markdown unless the skill specifies another format.
Anti-Patterns
- Do not invent client facts, performance data, budgets, or approvals that were not provided or clearly inferred from evidence.
- Do not skip required inputs, mandatory sections, or quality checks just to make the output shorter.
- Do not drift into out-of-scope work such as code implementation, design production, or unsupported legal conclusions.
Outputs
- A structured markdown document, plan, playbook, or strategy ready for client-facing or internal use.
References
- Use the inline instructions in this skill now. If a
references/ directory is added later, treat its files as the deeper source material and keep this SKILL.md execution-focused.
Required Input
Before generating this plan, collect the following from the client:
- Client name and trading name (if different)
- Industry and primary products/services sold
- Country/city (default: Uganda/East Africa)
- Primary goal (brand awareness / follower growth / direct sales / community building)
- Target audience age range (TikTok EA skews 16–30 — confirm if client's audience differs)
- Tone (serious / educational / entertaining / mix — be specific)
- Posting frequency capacity (how many videos can the client realistically produce per week?)
- Existing TikTok account stats if one exists (followers, average views, top videos)
- Any content already produced that can be repurposed
EA Market Context
TikTok in Uganda and the wider East African market is growing fastest among 16–30 year olds. Entertainment, humour, and relatable everyday-life content consistently outperforms polished, corporate-style production. Authenticity is the primary differentiator — audiences in this market are acutely sensitive to content that feels scripted or inauthentic.
Most users consume TikTok on low-bandwidth mobile connections. Shorter videos (15–45 seconds) perform better for EA audiences than long-form content. Keep videos tight, front-load the value, and never pad for length.
1. Account Setup and Profile Optimisation
Username
Match the handle used on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Consistency across platforms makes the brand searchable and memorable. If the preferred handle is taken, add a location suffix (e.g. @BrandUG or @BrandKampala) rather than numbers.
Profile Photo
200×200px minimum. Use the brand logo or founder's face. Founder photos typically generate higher follow rates on TikTok because the platform is personality-driven.
Bio
80 characters maximum — no wasted words. Structure: hook (what you do) + value offer + one CTA.
Example: "Skincare for Ugandan skin 🌿 Tips every week. DM for orders."
Link in Bio
One link only. Use a link-in-bio aggregator (Linktree, Beacons, or a simple landing page) if multiple destinations are needed. Direct to the most important action: WhatsApp chat, website, or order form.
Account Type
Select Business account for access to analytics, commercial music library, and the ability to run ads in future. Creator accounts have access to the Creator Fund (not available in all EA markets as of 2024 — check current availability).
Category Selection
Choose the most specific category that accurately describes the business. Avoid broad categories like "Entertainment" unless that genuinely describes the account — specificity helps TikTok distribute content to the right audience.
TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop availability in East Africa is limited as of 2024. Check current rollout status before recommending. If not available, direct purchase enquiries to WhatsApp or website via the link in bio.
2. Content Strategy Philosophy
Apply these principles to every video produced for this account.
Entertain first, inform second, sell third
If the first 3 seconds of a video do not create a reason to keep watching, the video fails. TikTok's algorithm measures completion rate — videos that are skipped early are shown to fewer people.
Authenticity over production quality
A video shot on a smartphone in good natural light, with genuine energy, will outperform a polished studio production on TikTok. The platform's culture actively rewards realness. Do not wait for perfect conditions to post.
Show, do not tell
Demonstrate products in use. Show processes in real time. Show before and after. Narrating what you do is far less engaging than showing it happening.
Teach something in every video
Even pure entertainment content must leave the viewer with something — a feeling, an idea, a laugh, new information. Content that gives nothing is forgotten immediately.
EA-specific authenticity cues
Ugandan humour, relatable daily situations (matatu rides, market day, power cuts, mobile money), local-language cameos (Luganda phrases, Swahili expressions) increase engagement significantly. Use with genuine cultural awareness — not as a gimmick. If the brand voice does not naturally include local language, do not force it.
3. Video Structure Templates
Use these templates as the foundation for every video. Select the template that fits the content before scripting.
Template A: Quick Value (15–30 seconds)
For: tips, product showcases, quick demonstrations, reactions
- 0–3s — Hook: Bold claim, surprising visual, or question on screen. Pair text overlay with action. Example: "This one mistake is costing Ugandan businesses customers every day."
- 3–15s — Deliver: Give the value fast. No preamble, no "welcome back to my channel." Get straight to it.
- 15–25s — CTA: One specific action. "Follow for more tips." "Link in bio to order." "Comment your question."
Template B: Story Arc (30–60 seconds)
For: brand story, customer journeys, before/after, founder moments, day-in-the-life
- 0–3s — Hook: What happened or what was discovered. "I almost shut down my business last year. Here's what saved it."
- 3–40s — Story: Problem → turning point → result. Keep cuts frequent (every 4–6 seconds) to maintain attention.
- 40–55s — Lesson: The takeaway. What should the viewer do or think differently?
- 55–60s — CTA: Follow, share, comment, or click link.
Template C: Educational Series (45–90 seconds)
For: tutorials, how-to guides, step-by-step processes, myth-busting
- 0–3s — Hook: State the problem or question. "Three steps to [outcome] that actually work in Uganda."
- 3–15s — Context: Why this matters. One sentence on the problem, one on the stakes.
- 15–60s — Steps: One step per cut. Vary the visual with each step — cut to a close-up, change angle, use text overlay for the step number. Variation prevents scroll-off.
- 60–80s — Summary and CTA: Recap the steps in one sentence. One CTA.
4. Content Series Concepts
Repeatable series build a return audience. Viewers come back for the next episode. This is the most effective organic growth strategy for business accounts on TikTok. Generate 4–5 series concepts that fit the client's industry.
Structure for each series entry below:
Series name / Concept / Template / Frequency / First 3 episode ideas
Series 1: "[Industry] in 30 Seconds"
Concept: One industry insight, tip, or fact delivered in under 30 seconds — fast, punchy, and shareable.
Template: A (Quick Value)
Frequency: Weekly (every Tuesday)
Episodes:
- The single biggest mistake [target customer] makes when buying [product/service]
- How to spot a quality [product] vs. a cheap imitation — what to look for
- Why [common industry practice] is actually costing you money
Series 2: "A Day in the Life"
Concept: Unscripted, behind-the-scenes look at how the business operates — from sourcing to delivery.
Template: B (Story Arc)
Frequency: Fortnightly
Episodes:
- 5am market run — what goes into sourcing the day's stock
- How we handle a large order from start to finish
- What happens when something goes wrong — an honest day
Series 3: "Ask [Business Name]"
Concept: Answer one real customer question per video. Source questions from WhatsApp, DMs, and comments.
Template: A or C depending on complexity
Frequency: Weekly (every Thursday)
Episodes:
- "How long does delivery take?" — the honest answer + why it varies
- "Is [product] suitable for [specific concern]?" — full explanation
- "What's the difference between [Option A] and [Option B]?" — side-by-side comparison
Series 4: "Before and After"
Concept: Show the transformation — product use, business process, customer results. No narration needed; visual storytelling only.
Template: B (Story Arc)
Frequency: Weekly (every Saturday)
Episodes:
- Product transformation: raw materials to finished product
- Customer result: before using service vs. after
- Workspace transformation: setup, production, delivery
Series 5: "[Number] Things You Didn't Know About [Industry]"
Concept: Surprising or counterintuitive facts that challenge assumptions. High share potential.
Template: C (Educational)
Frequency: Fortnightly
Episodes:
- 3 things Ugandan consumers don't know about [product category]
- Why [popular belief about the industry] is actually a myth
- The one ingredient / step / detail that separates good from great [product/service]
5. Sound and Music Approach
Trending sounds
Using trending audio increases TikTok's algorithmic distribution. A video using a trending sound is pushed to the sound's existing audience as well as the account's followers. Check the Discover tab weekly to identify trending sounds. Match the mood — do not apply a comedy audio track to a serious topic.
Original audio
Original voice-over and in-video audio is better for brand recall and for tutorials, explainers, and testimonial content. Original audio also builds a catalogue that other creators can use — a small but compounding reach multiplier.
Process for sound selection
Check trending sounds weekly. Test 2–3 different sounds per month on similar content types. Note which sound-content combinations produce the highest completion rates and replicate. Do not recommend specific tracks — these change weekly and any list produced here will be outdated within days.
Captions
Add captions to every video. A significant proportion of TikTok videos are watched with sound off, particularly in public spaces. EA mobile users frequently watch videos on silent in shared spaces. Use TikTok's auto-caption feature and review for accuracy before posting.
6. Duet and Stitch Content Ideas
Duet
Displays two videos side-by-side simultaneously. Use for:
- Reacting to relevant industry news or viral content in the client's topic area
- Adding expert commentary to a popular video about the industry
- Joining a trending format while keeping it relevant to the brand
Stitch
Clips the first 5 seconds of another video into the start of yours. Use for:
- Answering common questions that a popular video raised but did not fully address
- Debunking industry myths that are circulating on the platform
- Adding a local (Ugandan/EA) perspective to a global trend or topic
Three specific Duet/Stitch ideas (adapt for client's industry)
-
"They said [common misconception about the industry] — here's the truth" — Stitch a video that repeats the misconception, then provide the correct information with evidence.
-
"This is what it looks like in Uganda" — Duet with international content showing the same product, service, or process, contrasting it with the local version. Celebrates local context rather than positioning it as inferior.
-
"Answering the question [popular creator] didn't answer" — Stitch a video in the topic area that raised a question relevant to the client's expertise and provide a complete, practical answer.
7. Posting Frequency Guide
| Growth phase | Followers | Frequency | Notes |
|---|
| Launch / Growth | 0–5,000 | 1–2 videos per day, 7 days/week | Volume is the primary growth lever at this stage. Quantity teaches the algorithm what the account is about. |
| Steady growth | 5,000–50,000 | 1 video per day, 6 days/week | Begin prioritising quality. Maintain one rest day. |
| Maintenance | 50,000+ | 4–5 videos per week | Consistency matters more than frequency at this stage. |
Critical note on consistency
TikTok's algorithm penalises posting gaps more harshly than other platforms. Missing 3+ consecutive days in the early growth phase resets distribution momentum. It is better to post one lower-quality video per day than to skip a day waiting for a high-quality video to be ready.
8. 30-Day Video Content Plan
Post 4 videos per week across Weeks 1–4 (minimum). Adjust frequency based on the client's production capacity.
| Week | Day | Series / Content type | Hook (first 3 seconds) | Video concept | CTA | Template |
|---|
| 1 | Mon | Account launch / brand intro | "We've been in [industry] for [X years]. Here's what we've learned." | Founder introduces the business, who it serves, and what the TikTok will cover. Keep under 30 seconds. | Follow for tips every week | B |
| 1 | Wed | [Industry] in 30 Seconds — Ep. 1 | "[The biggest mistake our customers make] — and how to avoid it." | One specific, actionable tip. No padding. | Comment if this happened to you | A |
| 1 | Fri | Before and After — Ep. 1 | Text on screen: "Watch this." Visual opens on the before state. | Show a product transformation, service result, or workspace reveal. Silent or minimal narration. | Follow to see next week's transformation | B |
| 1 | Sat | Ask [Business Name] — Ep. 1 | "You asked: '[Real customer question].' Here's the real answer." | Answer one genuine customer question with full context. | Send your question — link in bio | A |
| 2 | Tue | [Industry] in 30 Seconds — Ep. 2 | "Most people in Uganda don't know this about [product/service]." | Surprising or counterintuitive industry fact with a practical takeaway. | Save this for later | A |
| 2 | Thu | Day in the Life — Ep. 1 | "5am. [Location]. Here's how [Business Name] starts the day." | Behind-the-scenes of a key operational moment — sourcing, prep, or production. | Follow to see more of this | B |
| 2 | Fri | Before and After — Ep. 2 | "Same [product/service]. Two completely different results. Here's why." | Contrast high-quality vs. low-quality execution. Educational framing. | Share with someone who needs to see this | B |
| 2 | Sun | Things You Didn't Know — Ep. 1 | "3 things I wish I knew before starting in [industry]." | Three fast, honest insights. One cut per insight. | Comment the one that surprised you most | C |
| 3 | Mon | Ask [Business Name] — Ep. 2 |
9. TikTok-specific KPIs
Track weekly in a spreadsheet for the first 90 days. Review monthly thereafter.
| KPI | Target / Benchmark | Signal |
|---|
| Video views | Baseline in Week 1; target 20% growth per month | Raw reach |
| Completion rate | 40%+ for videos under 30 seconds; 25%+ for videos over 30 seconds | Content quality and hook effectiveness |
| Follower growth | Track weekly; acceleration indicates a viral or high-performing video | Audience building |
| Profile visits | Track weekly; high profile visits with low follows signals a weak bio or CTA | Intent measurement |
| Link clicks (bio) | Track monthly; set a baseline in Month 1 | Commercial intent |
| Shares | Any content with a share rate above 5% of views is high-performing — make more like it | Highest-value virality signal |
| Comments | Quality signal — are comments questions, praise, debate, or spam? Engage with every comment in the first 30 minutes after posting | Community health |
| Saves | Strong intent signal — saved content is reviewed again. High saves on educational content signals strong topic relevance | Content utility |
Quality Criteria
Output from this skill meets the standard when it:
- Every section contains specific, actionable guidance — no placeholders and no instructions to "add your content here"
- The 30-day content plan includes a complete hook, video concept, CTA, and template reference for every entry
- Content series concepts include the first three episode ideas in enough detail that a content creator could start producing without further briefing
- Video structure templates are written in production-ready language that a non-expert videographer can follow from the first day
- EA market context (mobile-first consumption, Ugandan cultural references, low-bandwidth considerations, 16–30 demographic) is reflected throughout — not added as a footnote
- KPI targets are realistic and benchmarked — completion rate, share rate, and follower growth targets are based on platform norms, not aspirational figures
- The strategy is consistent with the client's stated posting frequency capacity — a client who can produce two videos per week receives a plan built for two videos per week, not five
- The authenticity-first philosophy is evident in the content series and video structure guidance — the skill does not recommend polished, corporate-style content for an EA TikTok audience
