But as I started spending more time on the app, I began to notice local and international brands using the app as a way to drive engagement, entertainment, and sales to their online audience members. I was amazed at how on-trend brands were becoming when trying to stay relevant and relatable to modern digital techniques. Have you thought about taking your business to the next level with TikTok ? Here are 4 ways to use this revolutionary app for your business success!
Before We Continue…Is Your Audience On TikTok?
Although TikTok is a marketing & advertising heaven for various businesses, considering the number of daily users circling the app everyday, it is however important to explore whether or not your brand’s demographic is on the platform to begin with.
The largest demographic on TikTok is between the ages of 16-25. Be sure to do your research on how the app can benefit your business, how your target market will react to the content, and whether or not your theme content fits well with the social network. Remember to analyze the 4 marketing segmentations (geographical, demographics, psychographics, & behavioural) in order to get a better understanding if the app is right for your business.
Great, now that we have cleared that up – let’s continue!
1. Create Your Own Content
Whether your brand revolves around real estate, fashion, food, or beauty, you can always make original content to stand out. It’s all about planning and executing your videos based on top trending songs, challenges, effects, & voice overs. Be sure to have an authentic persona. It’s not all about the fancy camera and production set up. Be true to yourself and create that loyal connection with the online users.
Show your brand’s story & personality through the trending material. Check out what is successful on the app, and add your own spin to it. Explore the app through different #hashtags and be sure to add the most recognized #hashtags in order to get your videos the most content views. TikTok is a space for creators to have fun, so do just that! Make sure to add any important website links to your profile and captions to start building your platform presence on the app.
2. Share User Generated Content
On a social sensation like TikTok, brands need to think outside the box when developing and executing their digital content. Nike has decided to take a different approach to the platform by focusing on user generated content. Instead of attracting their followers through their own videos, they have chosen to use the #nike hashtag as a way to draw in engagement and brand recognition.
The hashtag has more than 3.6 billion views and millions of videos displaying people designing, dancing, and showing off their favourite nike apparel. This is not only free advertisement for the brand, but it adds a unique twist to get users involved in the movement.
3. Advertisements
Just like any social media network, ads are one of the most essential marketing strategies needed to drive engagement, awareness, and sales. You can create paid ads on TikTok using these 4 methods:
Brand Takeovers : This ad will appear on the screen right before the user get’s a chance to check out any other content when entering the app. They’re linked to the landing page for the user to learn more about the brand and the advertisement being shown to them.
Native Ads : This ad will appear in between user content. As well, when you go to your discover page, the ad will be on the very top in order to demonstrate the top trending material for the day.
Sponsored Hashtags : This ad allows your followers to be a part of the campaign/challenge and share the hashtags with their friends and followers. When users tap on the hashtag, it will display various videos of users discussing, commenting, using, and as well hashtaging the brand for further recognition. Additionally, the brand can sponsor the hashtag which can as well be found on the discover page!
Branded Lenses : This ad gives you the opportunity to design a filter that is related to your business for members to use! The filter can be found on the discover page to gain more insight on the brand.
4. Influencer Marketing
Trust me, if you’re on this app as much as I am then you definitely know who some of these TikTok influencers are. Influencer marketing is a critical approach to reaching your return on investment (ROI) goals. Unfortunately, the more followers an influencer has, the more likely they will charge you a grand amount to work with your business/brand. However, it can all be worth it with proper budgeting, researching, and planning.
Be sure to find influencers who are in your niche in order to receive the best results for your company. For instance, if your brand sells skin care products, it’s probably not the best idea to collaborate with an influencer who’s focusing their image on cars and transportation. That’s why, its crucial to find someone who can have a connection with your brand and aligns well with your values, and overall vision.
Depending on your contract with the influencer, they may post content like:
- Talking about the product/brand and how they use it in their everyday lifestyle routine
- Them dancing in your apparel or using the product to a trending TikTok song
- Linking your brand in their description
- Them using your hashtag in their caption
The M Word 