TikTok search is the new Google?
“I’ll just TikTok it”…
Yes, that’s a thing! 🤯
TikTok exploded and grew in global popularity during 2020. With an app the originally started out as Musical.ly in 2016, it rebranded by merging with another Chinese based app. It grew to be known as the platform for mining and dance videos for teens and per-teens.
Now, we’re not here to give you the complete history of TikTok, but if you want it we can. TikTok is an app that now has over 1 billion users across the globe 🌍. Yes, that’s right 1 billion - let that sink in!
💪🏼 TikTok is big business.
When it comes to reaching youth culture and sub-cultures, TikTok is extremely popular among younger users like Gen Z and Gen Alpha, with Millennials also on the platform. TikTok's success as a search engine is down to it's unique algorithm, which provides personalised results based on a users interests, viewing habits and searches. We know and understand how brands can use this to their advantage to build awareness and reach far and wide.
TikTok is no longer a platform for Gen Z-ers and Gen Alpha to just do dancing videos. It is much more than that.
Yes, the growth of the platform exploded in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. It’s slowly started to replace YouTube in regards to how much time people spend on there watching videos.
The average watch time on TikTok is 91 minutes, that is longer than YouTube. Although the key demographics of TikTok is seen as pre-teens and teens, there are many adults on there.
This has increased due to the change in consumer shopping behaviour and where they go to find out about trends and new products.
TikTok is a channel that is becoming a key player in social media marketing. It’s a platform that, once understood and harnessed can transform a business in the eyes of consumers.
‘I’ll just TikTok that…’ So, what should your TikTok strategy look like?
Firstly, consumers are no longer just passively spending time on TikTok, casually browsing. They’re engaging more with TikTok creators and buying directly through the app/platform.
With that in mind, you have to take note that TikTok is starting to become the new Google.
It is now one of most popular website/app for searching for new products, News, trends and emerging music. This makes it clear that TikTok is the place to be for brands.
Before you start, you need to consider is the right channel for your brand?
🤔 Is our target audience(s) on this platform?
TikTok 101
So, you want to get started, here are some of our top tips for your TikTok strategy;
👉🏽 Research the platform and understand it
👉🏽 Define the purpose of this channel first and foremost and before you post any content
👉🏽 Understand the audience(s) you want to attract on this platform
👉🏽 Decide and understand what type of content you want to create and how often you want to share it
🛑 Remember; when it comes to creating content think real and authentic. Don’t make ‘ad like’ videos. Think relatable content and no product pushing.
👉🏽 Set a budget 💸💸💸. Don’t freak out - hear us out!
Having a budget for investing in TikTok advertising and working with Creators is important. Of course, you don’t need this straight away, but trust us, putting budget behind TikTok can make it go further and reach more people.
TikTok #Facts 👇🏽
📈 ROI Results: One of our clients sold: 2,987 products and made £9,259.34 in sales in the month of February only!
👉🏽 Don’t lose focus and over brand content. Make it yours and identifiable yes, but don’t brand/name drop all the time. You need to think scroll stopping content with a good hook within the first 0.01 second.
👉🏽 Keep the content similar and native to the platform (this is where the research comes in)
👉🏽 Collaborate with Creators native to the platform. In our opinion this is one of the best ways to use and see success on the platform. Yes, we’re talking about TikTok Branded Marketing
👉🏽 Speak to your audience - (whatever your business product or service is), show them the benefits of what you bring/provide, show if there’s any lifestyle benefits, does it help them do things easier, quicker etc. Don’t just keep pushing product and selling.
👉🏽 Think about the niche cultures and sub-cultures you want to reach. TikTok is great for little niches and people who have different interest and different communities.
📝 Side note; We specialise in speaking to youth culture and sub-cultures and help brands navigate the space that is authentic to them.
👉🏽 Be authentic. Don’t just use popular sounds and trends because they’re all over TikTok and everyone else is using them. You need to think about does it fit your brand? You need to keep in mind the ‘why’ and ‘purpose’ of the content you’re creating, make it clear, meaningful and relatable to you and your audience(s).
We know that TikTok is the place to be for brands targeting Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
If want to reach these consumers and engage with youth culture and sub-culture and you’re not already on TikTok, then WHY NOT?
