There is a new app taking the digital world by storm, and we’re sure that you’ve probably heard about it. It’s called TikTok, and when we say “by storm,” that’s not an exaggeration! TikTok, which only launched in 2016, now has 800 million monthly active users, more than older and more mainstream apps like Twitter and Snapchat. It has easily become one of the most downloaded apps on the App Store and Google Play, with over 1.5 billion downloads to its name.
What Is TikTok Social Media?
TikTok is a platform where you upload different kinds of short videos. It was launched in China in 2016 under a different name. It started to gain traction after merging with the popular app Musical.ly in 2017. It’s almost similar in concept to Snapchat and Instagram stories, but with added features and functionalities. It’s also more music-centric and challenge-centric in nature, while also allowing for a touch of humor. You’ll find all sorts of video content on TikTok, including lip-synch videos, videos with special effects, duets, dubbed videos, and challenge videos.
We know you will be googling how to make a TikTok account soon, so we’ll tell you now instead. Simply download the TikTok app and open the Sign-Up form. You can either sign up with your phone or email, or by logging in through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Google. Then you will be asked to enter other basic information and set a password.
TikTok for Business
TikTok has easily become the trendsetter in the digital world, so marketers have started using it as a marketing platform. Here are four ways on how you can maximize TikTok marketing:
1. Use TikTok for Your Gen Z Audience
If you’re a 40-year old business owner who has never heard of TikTok, I can guarantee you that your teenage son or daughter can easily help you. This is because almost half of its users are between the age of 16 and 24. If you want to market to a younger audience, then you should consider using this social media platform. Since people are known to have shorter attention spans, TikTok’s 15-second videos are perfect for your advertisements.
2. Build Your Own Channel
After creating your account, you are ready to upload your own content. TikTok is cluttered with different videos, so make sure to post one that is interesting enough to become viral. Gen Z users also place lots of emphasis on videos that are personal and authentic, which means traditional video advertisements won’t cut it. You have to be more creative and innovative in the content of your videos.
3. Partner Up with TikTok influencers
TikTok has become a platform for self-expression. Those who stand out eventually get huge followings and become influencers. Users tend to trust these influencers because they give off an air of authenticity. They feel as if these influencers are just ordinary people like themselves who they can resonate with. Because of this, a good way to market your product through TikTok is to partner with these influencers. Create content videos depicting the influencer using your product or service, and post it on their channel. Users who follow the influencer will be more tempted to check your brand.
4. Create #HashtagChallenges
Most TikTok users want to be involved. They want to feel like they are part of what is happening around them. Because of this, brands engage their followers through challenge videos. A good example would be Samsung’s #GalaxyA campaign, wherein they launched a new smartphone by creating a hashtag challenge that prompted users to experiment with TikTok’s features and effects. With these challenge videos, you are able to multiply the content associated with your brand, reaching more users.
TikTok is a creative and engaging way to increase your brand awareness, especially among younger people. However, we have no way of knowing how long TikTok will be popular. Is TikTok just a one-time hype, or can it sustain its growing number of users? We’ll just have to wait and find out, but one’s thing is for sure: you don’t want to pass up this perfect opportunity to maximize the use of TikTok for business.
Here at Advanced Digital Media Services, we can help you do just that with our social media marketing services. Fill out the form below to know more.
