TikTok may be a platform you have heard of but never considered using, let alone advertising on! After reading this article this may very well change.

TikTok is a short-form video sharing platform predominately popular with the millennial and Gen-Z demographics. Users create fun and engaging video content, typically with background music, which is shared on user profiles. Video can be edited by either speeding them up, slowing them down or adding cool filters. You can duet with other TikTok users or react to other users’ videos. Short pieces of text and hashtags increase the contents reach.

After launching in 2016, the app started to gain momentum in 2018. Over the last few years, the number of users on the platform and the amount of content posted, has grown at a rate that no one thought would be possible, we have seen it overtake LinkedIn, Twitter and Snapchat by number of global monthly users. As of 2018, TikTok is available in over 150 markets, 75 languages and was downloaded more than 104 million times on Apple’s App store during the full first half of 2018. Its surpassed Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to become the world’s most downloaded iOS app for that time period.

Originally released in China as Douyin, the app was launched by ByteDance in September 2016, within a year got 100 million users and more than 1 billion daily videos posted. It was finally introduced to the international market, as TikTok, in September 2017.

If you are wondering what type of content you could be posting on TikTok, here are some popular ideas to get you started:

  • Influencers:

The influencer audience is huge on this platform. Posting creative and unique content daily, brand approved influencers (many of which have a vast following) can post and promote branded content. Before considering influencer marketing on TikTok, research will need to be conducted on the influencers and who are best placed to promote your brand.

  • Hashtag challenge: 

This is typically most popular among brands, simply create a branded hashtag that encourages users to do something or re-create an action, this should be something fun and aligns with your business. With the platform being heavily reliant on sharing and community engagement, there is every possibility that your hashtag and brand will go viral. Hashtag challenges could also be used by influencers to post on their channel.

  • Videos: 

Videos last for 9-15 seconds in length and should be engaging. The content will be displayed in full screen much like how Instagram stories are displayed and are skippable. Use filters and make the videos as fun as possible. Planning your video strategy will be essential to your success on the platform. Brands and influencers often post multiple videos a day and it is common practice to showcase real people or celebrities using your products or services.

This is only just the start of what TikTok can offer and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this platform. We strongly recommend considering this platform for your marketing strategy, especially if aiming at a younger audience. The growth of TikTok is something that just cannot be ignored.  

If you want to know more about how to utilise the TikTok platform for your business and conquer this market, please make sure you fill in the form to get in touch with Amber and her team.