When you think of TikTok, the first thought that comes to mind is viral memes or dance trends. However, the perception is slowly changing!
Today, TikTok has become a place where brands are built, communities are formed, and businesses are able to grow as well. But if you think one funny video or jumping on the trends bandwagon will help you make it big- let’s pause and get strategic.
Brands that have leveraged TikTok to amplify their presence have employed strategies that they have tried and tweaked to perfection over time. In this post, we will be sharing some of those. Let’s have a look!
Focus on Real Engagement- Not Just the Vanity Metrics
Even if you have a large number of followers or views, they do not mean much if your engagement is flat.
When someone lands on your TikTok profile, they are scanning for proof of authenticity. Do your comments show real conversations, and are people saving and sharing your content? These are signs that the algorithm is paying close attention.
So, instead of thinking about how you can go viral, think about offering value. Teach something, share an honest moment, or offer exclusive content that they find compelling and want to engage more.
You Do Need A Studio to Make Quality Content
Contrary to what you may think, we are past the era of polished, corporate content. TikTok users prefer human connections and real content. That shaky iPhone video that almost did not make it to your feed may be the one that hits 100k views.
So, your imperfect video may surprisingly perform better than your perfect one- you never know.
If you look closely at popular brands, they pick a quirky aspect and leverage it to amplify their name. Consider Duolingo, for instance. They created a green owl as a Gen Z mascot – and it works because it is raw, quirky, yet relatable.
Use Micro-Influencers for Promotion
You do not need to pay $50k to a massive creator for a shout-out in hopes of increasing your reach on TikTok. Micro-influencers often perform better than the bigger names when it comes to real conversations and engagement. This is because their followers trust them.
Reach out to creators in your niche who already like similar products. Offer them something simple like early access, affiliate deals, or a spotlight on your content in return. Unlike other platforms, TikTok marketing is more collaborative and less transactional in nature.
Make Use of the First Three Seconds to Hook the Viewer
TikTok’s algorithm favors watch time, and if users do not stay around past the first three seconds, your content does not serve its purpose.
Hence, it is important to start strong! Ask a question, make a bold statement, or tease the payoff – anything to keep people from swiping up and moving past your content.
TikTok is a storytelling platform and is not directly intended for sales. The brands winning on it are the ones who integrate their products into stories- not ads.
For instance, consider a coffee brand that shares a 6 a.m. morning routine. Or a skincare brand showing a day in the life of an esthetician! A clothing line showing someone getting ready for a special occasion!
Through such content, you do not directly sell. You show, and that is the difference and hopefully enough to keep the viewers hooked, too.
Consistency Over Virality Every Time
Posting once a week and hoping you make it may not give you the desired outcome. TikTok rewards creators who show up. That does not also mean you must post ten times a day. A good rate is three to five times per week, but with quality content that will help you train both the algorithm and your audience.
You can also use TikTok’s built-in analytics to determine your best posting times and share your content accordingly.
Final Thoughts
If there is one thing we want you to take away from this, it is this: TikTok rewards relatability. Even if trends are popular, the connections made through your content and interactions are more important.
The brands that make it big on TikTok are not necessarily the loudest. They are the most real, relevant, and also responsive to their audience.
So, if you are trying to grow your brand by using TikTok, just remember that people do not follow brands on this platform- they follow people. Become the one worth following, and you will experience growth like never before!
