Should You Invest Your Time in TikTok?

TikTok is perhaps one of the top conversations in the social space. With millions of users and metrics going higher by the day, the service is currently the most popular social media buzz. 

Like every trend, companies have been looking into the possibility of using TikTok to promote their business. So, it begs the question, “Is TikTok really worth it?” The short answer is a resounding “Yes,” and we’ll look into the details to see why below.

Understanding TikTok

TikTok is quite different from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media that most people are familiar with. It was built as a video-sharing platform.

With TikTok, users can create, edit, and share videos that last no longer than 15 seconds. You can add music, animations, special effects, and several filters to your videos to spruce them up. 

Depending on the style of your video and what you included will determine how it reaches people. While you can share with your followers, there are also themes that your content can be placed under, certain hashtags can help determine how a video will rotate through with Tik Tok’s algorithm. The views are based on the viewer’s theme preferences and what Tik Tok has created for them.

TikTok is available on Android and iOS. The service has grown significantly over the past year, combining internet connectivity and artificial intelligence to change how users consume their information.

How TikTok Works

TikTok operates primarily using artificial intelligence. The service provides customized suggestions for videos and content based on your feed to send you videos directly. It also provides filters based on facial recognition data for you. The end goal is to provide users with precisely what they desire when they want it. 

For now, TikTok is one of the best ways to reach people under 25. However, several members of the older generations are also using it to reach out to their base and build new audiences, and there have been significant success stories so far.

Understand What Performs Well on TikTok

Now that we understand what TikTok is, it’s beneficial to understand what drives this social media platform’s operation. If you run a business, you’re probably wondering how TikTok knowledge can translate to marketing gains. Well, the answer will depend on your target market and brand. 

You will need to study TikTok before launching your business there. Just as it is with other social media platforms, you need to understand how best to develop posts that will rank and perform well on the service. It might take a while, but it’ll be well worth the effort. 

To begin, you need to understand the type of content that performs well on TikTok. You will also need to learn how best to interact with the service’s users to ensure that your business easily fits into the platform and its audience. By knowing who you’re serving and how to reach them, you essentially find the right fit for your content overall. 

As you dive into the best type of content on TikTok, keep the following in mind.

First, TikTok is all about creating visually appealing content. You simply need to check the trending page to find that out.

Also, keep in mind that most of the people on TikTok are between the ages of 16 and 24 but as the platform grows more age groups are getting involved. 

You will need to approach engagement more creatively. If you’re hoping to come here with a serious sales pitch, you will not get far. Be fun and creative with your content. 

Creating Attractive Content

With the two principles above, let’s look into the type of content you should create while on TikTok. To begin with, understand that you don’t need perfect, highly-polished videos. TikTok is more about simplicity than anything else. So, instead of making a large production budget, just get your phone and start filming.

As long as you keep your content funny and wacky, you can reach millions with amateur video quality. It’s all about being light-hearted and informal. If this tone doesn’t fit your business, TikTok might not be your preferred platform.

Capitalizing on TikTok Ads

Understanding its reach, TikTok recently introduced ad features to its platform. This feature is a significant boon for companies looking to sell themselves on TikTok.

With TikTok Ads, you can generally use the following ad formats:

a.   In-feed native content

In-feed native content is basically an ad like the ones you see on popular social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. They are more like story ads, and they support several features like web clicks and app downloads.

b.   Hashtag challenges

 A hashtag challenge provides the best means of going viral via a promoted hashtag and ad campaign. If you’re looking to get user-generated content to promote your brand, this is the ideal way to go.

c.   Brand takeovers 

A brand takeover essentially allows a company to take over TikTok’s platform for a period. It is usually a day, and on that day, users will be able to create videos and GIFs with embedded links to landing pages, hashtag challenges, etc.

d.   Branded lenses 

Branded lenses are high-definition glasses like those you see on Snapchat. They allow you to meet with new users via branded content.

The Power of Branded Hashtag Challenges

If you’re really looking to get your brand on TikTok, hashtag challenges are a perfect way. With this approach, you can encourage TiKTokkers to develop or redesign content and incorporate your brand’s hashtag into them.

Several brands, including Chipotle and Guess, have used this trend with significant success.

When it comes to marketing your business, there is hardly a better way to go about it on TikTok than with a branded hashtag.

Call Up TikTok Influencers

Like any other social media platform, TikTok also has significant influencers who can help you build your brand. Simply pay them to participate in whatever you’re doing, and they can use their videos and reach to get their followers to do the same thing.

The benefit of these influencers is that they help you to do what you otherwise couldn’t with a regular ad. Millennials and GenZ are more opposed to ads. You can bypass that wall with an influencer and get your material in front of these people without them dreading the pause in their scrolling.

All in all, marketing on TikTok is definitely worth it especially if you have a younger audience. You just need to understand what works and what passes as useful content. From there, it’s easy to get your target audience to pay attention to you.

Do you need help with TikTok advertising? Are you a business owner or an agency, we offer white label advertising, contact us today!