Is TikTok All Dancing Grannies And Cat Videos? (Busting TikTok Myths)
Annette Richmond ??
?? Done-With You Video Training So You Can Show Up With Confidence, Boost Visibility, and Grow Your Business ??? National Speaker??AI Enthusiast ???Podcast Producer / Guest / Host ?? Rescue Dog Mom X2 ??
Still think TikTok is all people cooking, grannies dancing in their underwear, and dog videos? Well, there are a lot of those videos. Personally, dog videos are one of the best parts for me.
There are also a lot of entrepreneurs and businesses on TikTok. And for good reason.
Let’s begin with a few stats
Besides seeing a lot of coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs with more than a touch of gray, some video features, like a recent MTV half screen inspired by a-ha’s Take On Me Video, seem to be geared toward an older demographic. After all, MTV launched in August 1981.
But does this mean that you should consider not only being on TikTok and making those videos part of your LinkedIn strategy? ?
I say yes.
People on LinkedIn want to have fun and people on TikTok want to learn. ?
WATCH MY MTV VIDEO
TikTok Navigation Evens The Playing Field
One of the things people, including me, like is that TikTok levels the playing field a bit by offering a few ways to view content and to get your content seen — For You, Following, and in the mobile app Friends
For You
Most content creators aim to be seen and gain momentum on TikTok’s For You page. This stream feeds you videos based on who and the types of content you follow and engage with. I get a lot of DIY and dog videos on mine.
Following
As you would expect, these are the people/accounts you are following. So it’s exactly what you like. I get a lot of DIY and dog videos there too.
Friends
On the mobile app, you can follow your Friends by clicking on a Friends icon. TikTok friends are those you follow, who follow you back.
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO TAKE A QUICK TOUR
TikTok Supports Multiple Video Formats
While TikTok’s preferred video format is portrait or vertical videos with a 9:16 aspect ratio, there is no option for anything but 9:16 for videos recorded in the app.
However, TikTok does support square (1:1) and even landscape (16.9). I record 50% of my videos elsewhere and have had some success sharing all formats on TikTok and LinkedIn.
As well as an inordinate number of features, like the MTV video above, TikTok also has a variety of templates that allow you to quickly create videos by uploading a few photos which are set to music.
One thing to be careful of are music copyright issues. Music allowed for commercial use on another app may not be allowed on TikTok. I made the mistake of uploading a video with music created elsewhere and it was immediately removed for violating Community Guidelines.
TikTok isn’t only for short 1-minute videos either. TikTok also supports videos of varying lengths. Initially, videos were limited to 1 minute. In 2021, they rolled out the option for 3 minutes. And in 2022, an increase to 10.?
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE VARIOUS FORMATS
TikTok Has Scheduling Options
One of the things that I like best about TikTok is the ability to save videos as drafts, on the app, and schedule them, on the desktop app or website.
TikTok allows you to create and edit or upload videos, add a description, and hashtags and then save them as drafts that are ready to publish when you are.
The TikTok desktop app, yes they have that, you can upload videos and schedule the day and time you wish to publish. Which is an easy way to publish without keeping tabs on the time.
FYI, if you want to experience a bit of TikTok you can do that without opening an account or downloading the mobile or desktop app. Viewing and searching videos can be done on TikTok’s website.?
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE HOW TO SCHEDULE
TikTok Provides Some Cool Analytics
TikTok business accounts have access to some interesting analytics including:
TikTok also provides the time of time they perceive as the right time of day to post based on the number of followers likely to be on the app.
Analytics are available on mobile and desktop, the desktop version provides more detail.
While the analytics are helpful, having a business account has some constraints. For example, when I recorded my video using the MTV feature, I didn’t have access to a-ha’s Take On Me because it wasn’t available for commercial use. ?(Unfortunately, I wasn't able to share a-ha's original video here, but you can find it on YouTube.)
WATCH THIS VIDEO TO VIEW ANALYTICS
How To Get Comfortable With Video
A lot of people aren’t comfortable with video. I get it. I put off doing videos for years. I wanted to be thinner and younger and better looking too.
If any of that sounds like you, you need to remember it’s not about you. Well it might be about them with some of the people dancing on TikTok, but probably not you.
People watching your videos don’t care what you look like or sound like. They care only if what you’re sharing is relevant to them.
Video coaches will tell you to think of talking to a friend when you’re recording. A trick I learned from my friend Gillian Whitney is to put a smiley face right below the lens.
WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR A QUICK TIP
Try It. You Might Like It
Today’s TikTok isn’t the same platform it was a few years ago. Now you have the option to open a personal account or a business account.
Business accounts have access to a Business Suite with analytics, trending content you can use for inspiration, and on the mobile app a Creator Portal with videos to teach you things like creating a content strategy.
Creating videos isn’t for everyone. TikTok probably isn’t for everyone either. But you’ll never know until you try it. It’s not your kid’s TikTok anymore.?
Special thank you to my friend Gillian Whitney for suggesting this article after I was on her LinkedIn Live show a few weeks ago. You can watch a replay of the show on YouTube or listen to it on Gillian's new LinkedIn Easy Peasy podcast.
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS NEWSLETTER HELPFUL. PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS.
?? DON'T MISS MY UPCOMING LINKEDIN LIVE SHOWS
Don't miss my Smarter Career Moves LinkedIn Live show every Thursday at 11 am Eastern. Broadcast on LinkedIn and YouTube. (Pop over to my LinkedIn profile to watch.)
?? SEPTEMBER SHOWS ARE LIMITED AS I'M AWAY AT A CONFERENCE
9/8 - Katie Brinkley - Five Reasons You're Not Getting Leads From Social Media
9/15 - Scarlett De Bease - Choosing Clothes That Make You Look Like The Expert You Are
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I design distinctive personal brands that land jobs, secure promotions, and win clients.
Clients tell me that working 1:1 with me gives them a new perspective on their career and/or business. And that helps them recognize the value they bring.
The building blocks of my personal brand strategy include:
?? Creating compelling LinkedIn Profiles (and Profile Videos)
? Crafting Branded Executive Resumes (that convey YOUR value)
? Developing LinkedIn Engagement and Visibility Training (that get YOU noticed)
?? I post about personal branding, job search strategies, and celebrating diversity on LinkedIn. Follow me and?#AnnetteAdvises?to see my content.?
5x Author ?? Business Book Coach & Live Stream Strategist ◆ Making Books & Video Easy Peasy ◆ Host of the Easy Peasy Books Podcast
2 年Annette Richmond just love that you are sharing all this knowledge that you've been learning. I especially love that you introduced me to the BUSINESS SIDE of TikTok... which is something I previously knew nothing about. ?? P.S. Thank you so much for being a guest on my LinkedIn Live & podcast and sharing how TikTok has become a part of your LinkedIn strategy. ??
Content with Intent | Social Impact Advocate | Startmate ClimateTech Fellow | Digital Media | Community & Engagement Driver
2 年This is a fantastic research and thank you for summarising what’s on with TikTok at the moment Annette Richmond. Saving it for my evening reading.
TV Producer Turned Social Media Strategist | Digital Marketing Consultant
2 年Kudos to you, Annette! This was a great introduction to TikTok and what sets it apart from Instagram and other platforms. How has it helped grow your business beyond building awareness of you and your expertise? I'd love to hear your answer at an upcoming online event I'm doing about whether TikTok is the new alternative to Facebook. I'll message you more info on the event.