After TikTok hit the market in 2017, it quickly became one of the most popular social networking sites in the world. Fast forward to 2022, TikTok has accumulated a remarkable one billion average monthly users. The level of exposure that TikTok offers is truly unbelievable, and business owners are taking notice and making the switch to an innovative video-sharing app.
How is TikTok Different Than Other Platforms?
For those of you that are not aware, TikTok is a video-sharing app that allows you (the user) to create short videos up to three minutes long. What makes TikTok stand out is, unlike other social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram that focus on image and text-based sharing apps, TikTok has cornered the market when it comes to sharing videos. Since its inception, TikTok has become one of the most engaging social media apps currently out. A recent study has shown that on average, TikTok users usually spend around 10.85 minutes on the app (doubling Pinterest’s 5.06 minutes that are currently ranked #2 for engagement) and will open the app roughly eight times per day.
Exposure
What separates TikTok from its competition is the incredible algorithm and exposure that it offers if you are looking to expand your brand awareness. As a business owner, one of the most vital aspects to your success is, “are people aware of my brand?”.
TikTok is home to one of the most personalized algorithms in the social media industry at the moment. Like the Instagram algorithm, TikTok bases its recommendations on a user’s interactions with content within the app. TikTok takes into account: which accounts you follow, videos you’ve liked or shared, videos you’ve watched all the way through (aka completion rate), and even the content you create on your own, among many others. Aside from user interaction, TikTok also takes into account the content that users seek through their Discover tab, which includes captions, sounds, hashtags, video effects, and trending topics. This content is then used to piece together the most optimal user experience to keep their audience coming back.
Trends
TikTok first started as a music and video sharing platform but has transformed into a groundbreaking app that features millions of trends that inspire endless creativity amongst its users. TikTok trends are ever-changing, meaning there are never-ending trends for your marketing team to explore and apply to your industry. The best way to tell when a video style is trending is to begin to see multiple videos using the same sound and video structure. The best way to think of a TikTok trend is to think of it as a live-action meme – applicable across various scenarios or industries and easily understood.
Tips – TikTok Best Practices
Determine Your Goals
The first step to getting started in any endeavor is to establish the goals and objectives of your project. Your plan doesn’t need to be set in stone right away because it’s likely that your goals will change over time. However, it’s great to have an initial direction that you would like to move forward with. Here are some potential “goals” to help outline your TikTok business strategy:
Brand Awareness
Educate Your Audience
Target Future Customers or Employees
Increase Sales
Increase Clicks to Website
Increase Audience Reach
Share Valuable Information
Now that you’ve established some goals for your business, the next important thing is to ensure that you’re giving valuable content to your audience. Think of your business goals as a growing plant, and each piece of content you publish is watering that plant—the more valuable the content, the larger drink of water that grows your overall goal.
Be Consistent
It may seem cliche, but consistency truly is vital. If possible, keep posts on a regular schedule. You may not see the results you want immediately but stick with it. TikTok is a never-ending learning cycle, but you are sure to be rewarded with consistent effort.
How We Can Help
If you are a business owner looking to break into a new and exciting social media platform, TikTok may be the right option for you. Our innovative team of social media specialists has the tools, knowledge, and drive to develop a personalized TikTok strategy for your business. Our team is expertly trained to tailor a strategy to help you achieve your goals.
Ready to elevate your business? Head over to the “Contact” tab to get started and schedule a consultation today!
