To say that TikTok is popular would be an understatement. Though it has been in existence since 2016, in different forms, it wasn’t until the last couple of years that it became a household name. In 2018 and 2019, it became the most downloaded app on Apple’s Play Store. Given the fact that TikTok shares digital real estate with established platforms including Facebook and Twitter, the fact that it was able to generate such buzz can’t be ignored. This buzz extends beyond the younger generation that uses TikTok for entertainment purposes; it has also caught the attention of businesses looking to stay relevant.
One of the key features of any reputable Long Island advertising agency is the ability to recognize popular platforms. TikTok has become such a powerhouse in social media that it has either matched or eclipsed its competitors. Hundreds of millions of users are present on TikTok. This begs the question: how can it be used for marketing? Given its main content – short-form videos – it may seem tricky to advertise. Needless to say, strategies that perform well on other platforms won’t easily apply to TikTok. This is where businesses and marketers have to be creative.
Make no mistake: TikTok can be a powerful social media marketing tool. With the right strategy, its potential can be harnessed, reaching a wider audience and accelerating business at a high level. Here are a few of the basics to get started. From there, you will be able to develop a unique, comprehensive approach to maximize the potential of TikTok.
First, focus on original content. Anyone active on TikTok will agree, as this platform is built upon user-generated content that can’t be found anywhere else. Keep in mind that each TikTok video can be as long as 15 seconds. This doesn’t mean that content creators are limited; videos can be linked together, creating up to 60-second clips. Additionally, there is no set formula to ensure that a video goes “viral.” What this means is that creating the next sensation isn’t as easy as flipping a switch or clicking an option. Nonetheless, if a business is looking to maximize TikTok, original content plays a pivotal role.
Second, understand the content that performs best on TikTok. Needless to say, TikTok is a different social media platform. Continuing the discussion of content, it’s important to know the subtypes that TikTok’s community embraces. These include, but aren’t limited to, music videos featuring users lip-syncing and comedy sketches where participants often make fun of themselves. By taking a deeper dive into TikTok, it’ll be easier to recognize the content that should be prioritized. While it’s important to create original content, as mentioned earlier, the effort involved will mean little unless the content in question complements TikTok’s unique culture.
Third, use hashtags that ensure greater search volume. Not unlike Twitter and other social media platforms, TikTok allows users to integrate hashtags in content. These serve multiple purposes. In addition to categorizing videos based on specific tags, they help with search, resulting in greater visibility when said tags are being discovered. Hashtags span topics ranging from interests to holidays, so understand that you aren’t limited to the options you can use. Hashtag research can be facilitated by a reputable growth marketing company. They will determine the tags that best suit your content and, just as importantly, what will help bring more attention to it over time. Keep this in mind if you plan on hiring a marketing specialist.
Fourth, consider influencer outreach. While businesses can create their own content, as discussed earlier, they may benefit from partnering with influencers. Essentially, influencers are individuals that can motivate their audiences to research and purchase specific products and services. Having built their audiences over time, they are prevalent on social media platforms including Instagram, Pinterest, and of course, TikTok. By reaching out to influencers, dialogues are created. These can lead to opportunities where parties benefit one another. By focusing on influencers in appropriate niches before developing relationships with them, the value of said outreach will become apparent.
Fifth, take inspiration from other brands. Not only have companies recognized TikTok, but many of them have become active on the platform. As such, take time to research what they’re doing in terms of their TikTok strategies. What types of content do they specialize in? How is the content in question filmed? These are just a few questions to ask when defining your own strategy. This isn’t to say that one should outright lift the strategy that a company has established, especially since no one strategy fits every company. However, by taking part in this level of research, TikTok can be approached with mindfulness and confidence alike.
About fishbat: fishbat is a New York-based digital marketing company. Utilizing the latest technologies and forward-thinking strategies, fishbat is able to create marketing plans that are tailor-made for specific needs and goals. The services that fishbat provides include, but aren’t limited to, social media management, search engine optimization, content marketing, email marketing, and branding. With these, businesses will be able to market directly to their audiences, increasing traffic, engagement, and ultimately, revenue.
