How "Bean There, Done That" Café Boosted Sales with TikTok: A Success Story
When Sarah opened her café, "Bean There, Done That," in Perth, she knew attracting younger customers, particularly Gen Z, was a challenge. While traditional marketing worked, Sarah noticed that her target audience was spending more time on TikTok than on Google. So, she decided to embrace the platform—and it paid off in a big way.
Gen Z’s New Search Engine: TikTok
Sarah quickly realized that Gen Z was no longer using Google as their go-to search engine. Instead, they were turning to TikTok to discover new places to eat, fun activities, and products to try. To capture their attention, Sarah began creating engaging videos showcasing her café's vibe, coffee drinks, and the behind-the-scenes action of daily life at the café.
Why TikTok Worked for Bean There, Done That
Authenticity Sarah found that TikTok allowed her to create authentic, unpolished content. “Gen Z wants to see the real side of your business,” Sarah said. She filmed everything from latte art to customers enjoying their coffee, letting her audience get an inside look at her café in a genuine way.
Visual Appeal TikTok's video format was perfect for showcasing the visual appeal of her café. Sarah knew Gen Z didn’t want to read long descriptions—they wanted to see the experience in action. By posting fun, quick videos, Sarah made her café feel relatable and enticing.
Personalized DiscoveryThanks to TikTok’s algorithm, Sarah’s content began showing up on the For You pages of local users. These were people actively searching for new spots in Perth, making it easier for her café to be discovered by the right audience without spending money on ads. “TikTok put us in front of the exact people we wanted to reach,” Sarah explained.
Turning TikTok Engagement into Real-World Success
Sarah didn’t just post random content—she had a strategy:
Behind-the-Scenes Content Sarah shared authentic behind-the-scenes footage of the café, from making the perfect cappuccino to customers enjoying their drinks. These moments built a connection with viewers, showcasing the community spirit of her café.
Hashtags for Discovery Sarah used local and trending hashtags like #PerthEats and #CoffeeLovers to make her content discoverable. By tapping into these niche hashtags, her videos reached the right audience—people who were already interested in discovering cool Perth spots.
Jumping on Trends When viral TikTok trends appeared, Sarah embraced them with a twist. One of her most successful videos featured her signature iced mocha topped with colourful whipped cream, which quickly gained traction locally and boosted her café’s visibility.
Influencer Collaborations Sarah also partnered with a local influencer who had a strong following of foodies. The influencer filmed a video at the café, driving more traffic to her shop. “Collaborations helped expand our reach and build credibility with a younger crowd,” Sarah said.
The Results: More Customers and Higher Sales
The results were immediate. Foot traffic increased, and sales spiked as more young people discovered her café through TikTok. “We’ve gained a loyal group of Gen Z customers who found us on TikTok and now come back regularly,” Sarah said. TikTok allowed Sarah to build a community and create a buzz around her café that traditional marketing simply couldn’t achieve.
The Takeaway: Embrace TikTok’s Power
For Sarah, TikTok was more than just a fun platform—it was a powerful search engine. By embracing authentic, visual content, using hashtags strategically, and tapping into TikTok trends, "Bean There, Done That" grew its customer base and boosted sales.
If you're a small business owner in Perth, TikTok is waiting to help you connect with Gen Z and boost your brand. Are you ready to make your business the next TikTok success story?
#ECUMKT5325 #TheDigitalMarketingCrew #socialmedia #digitalmarketing (and any other hashtag deemed suitable) and the following disclaimer: (Disclaimer: This content is for the sole purpose of teaching and learning at Edith Cowan University and has not been endorsed or otherwise approved by the organisation it promotes.).
Comments