What is TikTok and Do You Need To Be On It?
TikTok is a short-form video streaming and sharing app. The videos span from 15 seconds to 60 seconds long and has over 500 million users. These videos can be on any topic and videos span from entertainment to educational content.
TikTok rose to popularity in October of 2018 where it was the most globally downloaded photo and video app in the Apple store. The United States is the most popular country for the app where it has been downloaded over 80 million times.
The app’s popularity can be contributed to many different factors. Some of them being Celebrity Indorcment, localized content, easy content creation, sharing, and viewing.
How can TikTok create leverage for your brand?
There is not traditional space on TikTok for ads to be displayed, recently they have started doing sponsored videos but it is few and far between. In fact, TikTok is not in competition with other social media platforms, in terms of being a marketing channel.
Due to TikTok's fast growth and rising popularity brands are starting to see the marketing potential in the app especially if your audience is teens and young adults. TikTok is referenced as one of the most popular apps among Generation Z. 60% of the apps monthly active users 16-24 years old and men are slightly more likely to use TikTok than women.
Even if your demographic is not 16-24 year olds it is important to not ignore new and upcoming social media platforms like TikTok because in time the app will age up. Remember, Facebook was originally created for college students and is now the ideal platform for older demographics.
Several brands have leveraged techniques like TikTok challenges, contests, and hashtags to get users to generate user generated content.
Influencers and entrepreneurs like Gary Vay-Ner-Chuk are urging brands to leverage the power of TikTok and speak often on the benefits of using the app for business and growth.
How to Use TikTok To Promote Your Brand.
The first step is to download the app and use it. Spend a few days studying the app, the popular videos, what works and what doesn’t. After all, the last thing you want to do is download the app, jump right in and look like you do not know what you are doing.
Now that you have an idea of what works on this app and what doesn’t, it is time for you to create your first video.
TikTok is all about fun and visually appealing content. After your time exploring the app I am sure you have noticed that there are tons of fun videos set to popular songs. So, this app is not the place for serious sit-down sales pitches.
Keep it light-hearted and simple.
Once you post your video, dive back into the community and start making connections. Spend time in the comment sections of videos you enjoy and relate to.