10 Tantalizing Marketing Tips to Thrive on TikTok

When TikTok was launched back in 2016, the user base of the platform was predominantly teenagers. It is a reputation TikTok has carried even to the present — “I’m too old for TikTok”, “Only the GenZ kids use it!”.

However, since then the user demographic of the platform has expanded drastically. According to Statista, only 25% of Tiktok users in the United States are teenagers or under the age of 19. There are 22.4% of twenty-somethings on the platform, while a whopping 53% of US TikTok users are over the age of 30.

TikTok users have highly varied interests. Unlike many other social media platforms out there, the TikTok algorithm works in your favor to make any content go viral organically as long as it is interesting enough.

In short, TikTok is a digital marketer’s dream.

So, if you are a digital marketer who has mastered Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but is skeptical about using TikTok thinking you are “too old” for it, now is the time to dive in and give it a go.

In this article, we will give you a few tips and tricks to help you not only survive but thrive on TikTok.

How to #ThriveInTikTok

A successful TikTok marketing strategy consists of 3 main goals.

1. An engaging community of followers with a steady growth

This includes consistently increasing the number of your followers and getting them to engage with what you post by liking and commenting.

2. Increasing brand awareness

Brand awareness in social media is all about making sure your target audience is closely familiar with your brand. They know what you offer them, and what makes you distinguish yourself from your competitors.

3. Generating traffic to a website / effective new leads to affiliates

Your success in any social media platform ultimately translates to traffic or lead generation. Therefore, your TikTok marketing strategy should ensure that your followers develop a strong enough trust in your brand so they will be encouraged to make purchasing decisions according to your recommendations.

And here is how you reach the goals mentioned above!

1.   Find and Stick to Your Niche

With millions of content creators producing extraordinary content to be consumed by billions of users, it is important that you choose to concentrate on one specific area of expertise or a niche and use some tools to follow the trends in order for you to be successful on the platform. It narrows down your competition and allows you to explore your creativity through your expertise and build a targeted and dedicated audience.

2.   Stay on Top of the Trends

TikTok is all about trends. With its short video format, TikTok users love to see how different creators interpret different trends in their own way. This could be anything from a trendy TikTok dance challenge, to a meme or a response to a funny video. As a digital marketer, you need to get on with the trends fast and take advantage of the capability to go viral while everyone has an interest in that particular trend.

3.   Be Authentic

Different social media networks attract users that crave different types of content. According to a Nielsen study, TikTok users are all content creators that exude authenticity and joy, so do not try to be anything other than who you are or what your brand truly is on the platform.

4.   Be Consistent

Due to the dynamic and fast-paced culture of TikTok, you cannot get away with only posting content occasionally. You need to be frequent and consistent with your posting schedule which you can also automate with Social Pilot or any other similar solution. In fact, the TikTok algorithm is designed in a way to reward the users who post often. Understand that it is less about posting perfectly shot and edited videos and more about posting genuinely entertaining video content that feels natural and authentic to the viewer.

5.   Engage and Encourage

What TikTok users expect from brands on the platform is authenticity and connection. Therefore, you need to focus on how you engage with your followers as much as you focus on quality content. Respond to your users’ comments and their related activity, especially their inquiries about your brand.

6.   #Hashtags #Hashtags #Hastags

Hashtags on TikTok, when properly utilized, will give massive reach and engagement for your content. For example, some of the most popular hashtags on the platform include #dance, #DIY, #fitness, #praks, and #skincare. They boast billions of views due to the often-viral content that come under those hashtags. 

7.   Make Them Laugh

Everyone loves a good laugh. Infusing some good humor in your content is a great way to increase your followers and for them to actively engage with your content. Especially during these times of chaos and disarray, people often flock to TikTok to get their daily dose of humor. Understanding the sense of humor of your followers and getting them to laugh in good fun will ensure that they will keep coming back for your content.

8.   A Clear Branding Strategy

Having a clearly defined branding strategy for your TikTok content from the beginning will help you stay consistent as your presence on the platform eventually grows. Keep the tone or the overall feel of your videos similar, so ideally when your followers see your content on their feeds, they recognize it is from you without having to look at your username. Human brains love familiarity and consistency, so give your users what they crave!

9.   Influencers and Partnerships

Getting into partnerships with established influencers in your niche is a great way to grow a targeted audience in TikTok. Reach out to micro-influencers with consistent reach and engagement in their videos to get the best results in your brand partnerships. TikTok also has a Marketing Partner Program that helps you collaborate with the best and highest engaging influencers across a variety of niches. 

10.   Have fun!

Finally, just because you are a marketer, does not mean you have missed out on all the fun that TikTok has to offer. Once you get the hang of your regular TikTok content, do not be afraid to participate in the fun challenges and try out all the fun features on the app. Create authentic content that informs and brings joy to your viewers, and watch your view and follower count grow!