TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, with millions of active users spending an average of 52 minutes a day on the platform. With its unique algorithm, fun augmented reality features, beauty-enhancing filters and its innovative video editing tools, TikTok has become one of the fastest-growing social media platforms on the scene. TikTok is trending.
Not only has TikTok become a source of entertainment, education and inspiration for its global user base, but it has consequently become an important tool for businesses to promote their brand and products.
In this article, I'm going to discuss a variety of ways to make the most of TikTok and why it is a crucial tool for business owners to increase their brand awareness and build meaningful relationships with their audience.
Why is TikTok so popular?
One of the major reasons why Tik Tok has become so popular in recent years is its unique algorithm that is designed to keep users engaged for extended periods. The algorithm works by showing users videos that are similar to the ones they have already watched, creating a personalized experience for every user. The platform has become one of the world's most sophisticated echo chambers.
Anyone can create professional-looking content with easy-to-use video editing tools, filters, and commercial music. TikTok is a platform where users can showcase their creativity, express themselves, and connect with millions of like-minded individuals.
Strengths of TikTok:
- Algorithm: The platform analyzes how audiences interact with content and then delivers personalized recommendations. This keeps our users engaged and coming back for more. It's a powerfully addictive tool that helps to build a loyal and thirsty audience.
- Video Editing Tools: The wide range of video editing tools, filters, and music leaves many other social network platforms having to play catch up. The tools available to content creators on TikTok make it easy for absolutely anyone, (even those without any previous video editing experience) to create professional-looking videos. Shoot, edit and upload!
- Viral Potential: TikTok's algorithm is designed to help videos go viral quickly. If a video starts gaining traction, the algorithm will show it to more people, leading to an exponential increase in views and engagement. This means that it is possible to reach a huge amount of people without having a pre-established follower base. TikTok paid advertising takes this powerful outreaching potential even further.
- Short-Form Content: TikTok's 15-second video format is perfect for capturing the attention of viewers with short attention spans. It allows for quick, digestible content that is easy to consume and share. It captures our attention and holds it, making the platform highly addictive.
Why TikTok is Important for Businesses:
TikTok has become an incredibly powerful tool for businesses for several reasons.
It provides a unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their brand and products to a vast and engaged audience without first having to invest hundreds of hours into establishing a follower-base, prioritizing engagement over follower count and making it much, much easier for small businesses to go viral.
Lastly, TikTok's short-form video format allows businesses to create quick and engaging content that is easy to consume and share. Many businesses have adapted their multichannel marketing strategy; repurposing their long-duration video content into bite-sized chunks to upload on TikTok.
How to Go Viral on TikTok:
To maintain consistency across their digital media, businesses must adhere to their pre-existing brand guidelines when posting on TikTok, unlike individual users who have more freedom in their content creation. Here are some ideas to consider when using TikTok to promote your brand or service:
- Good Vibrations: Using trending songs and sounds can help your videos go viral. TikTok's algorithm actually favours content that uses popular sounds, making it easier for them to gain traction. Choose music carefully so that it remains consistent with your brand identity.
- Get Your Game On: TikTok challenges are a great way to increase engagement and gain followers. Participating in popular challenges can help your videos reach a wider audience. The type of challenges you engage with will speak volumes about your businesses core principles so be selective.
- Stronger Influence with Strong Influencers: Collaborating with other creators can help you hack their network, reach their followers and grow your own following. Make sure you have a clear long-term digital strategy and understand how you want your brand to develop, as the people you work with will represent your brand.
- Be Active: Posting consistently is essential for building a following and keeping your audience engaged. If possible, aim to post at least once a day. If time is an issue, consider hiring a social media management agency like Dawn Media.
- Target Groups With Hashtags: Think of hashtags as labels or tags you put on your content, like sticky notes on a file folder. Hashtags are crucial on any social media platform to categorize your content and make it easier for users to find. Using relevant hashtags that are trending in your niche to increase the visibility of your videos and gain traction.
- Dialogues Over Monologues: Emotionally engaging with your audience is the fasted way to build meaningful relationships with you potential consumers. Respond to their comments, like and share other users' content, and take an active role in the community. (I have written an article that will provide you with crystal clear clarity this topic titled that you can read here).
- Disrupt Attention With Punchy Thumbnails: Your video thumbnail is the first thing that users will see when they search for their interests, so make it eye-catching and attention-grabbing. Using professionally designed graphics is a great way to make your video stand out from the rest..
- Monitor Your Metrics: Analyzing your metrics can help you to understand what type of content performs well and what doesn't. Believe me, you can not always rely on logic here. There are many factors that go into creating viral content. Using this information to optimize your content strategy can go a long way in making this complicated process less of an art and more of a science.
- Stay Authentic: The entire purpose of your brand guidelines is to make sure that all touchpoints to your business are consistent. It is absolutely essential to stay true to your agreed brand and values. Remember that other users of TikTok are being authentic, not to their brand but to themselves. Try to avoid direct promotional content as it will likely draw negative attention within the TikTok community and its primary focus on colourful personalities. Create a social media avatar and focus on creating content that is informative, entertaining, and emotionally engaging.
The Takeaway:
TikTok is a powerful tool for businesses looking to reach new audiences and promote their brand. The sky really is the limit. With its addictive algorithm, short-form content, and intuitive video editing tools, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms. TikTok presents a unique opportunity for your brand to make thousands of connections a day, transforming avid followers into loyal customers.
