An Introduction to TikTok [Video]

TikTok is one of the most popular social media channels out there, particularly amongst younger audiences. Find out exactly what TikTok is all about, and how you can utilise this channel to market your business or product.

What is it?
TikTok is a short-form, video-sharing app that allows people to create and share
short videos, on any topic. TikTok has risen to prominence across the world in recent
years, and is now the leading destination for short-form mobile video, with a mission
to inspire creativity and bring joy. There are over 1 billion users of the platform across
the globe, with 1.3 million active users in New Zealand. Being so popular, TikTok has
the potential to be a hugely successful marketing medium for businesses,
particularly if your target market is a younger demographic.
Before you start
All you need to get started on TikTok is your phone number and a device that is
compatible with the app. However, before you start posting content, here are a few
things to consider;
● Currently, 44% of users are aged 18 to 24, and an additional 22% are aged
25-34.
● Viewers gravitate towards either humour or informative content that includes
an undertone of lightheartedness and positivity, so consider this when
creating content.
● Paid ads can be up to 60 seconds and organic content can be up to three
minutes long.
● TikTok finds the correct audience for you, by using complex algorithms based
on factors such as user interactions, what users like, who users follow, the
content users create, how long they spend watching certain videos, as well as
the selected country, language device type and more.
● Users respond best to real, relatable content that is fast-paced and bite-sized.
● Sound is always on across the platform, allowing content creators and
businesses to grab the attention of eyes and ears and hook viewers in with
their message.
We advise that before you begin uploading content, you familiarise yourself with the
app, and search for videos related to your industry. This will help you gain a better
understanding of the platform and how it works, which will, in turn, generate better
responses from users and potential customers.
1. 2. 3. 4. How to action it
Download TikTok on your smartphone.
Once downloaded, open the TikTok app and choose your interests. This will
help you to receive better video recommendations
You can now begin viewing content. However, you will still need to create an
account in order to follow other users and make your own content.
To do this, go to the ‘Profile’ tab in the bottom right-hand corner
of the screen. Here, you will be prompted to ‘Login or Sign up.
’
Follow this prompt to get to the ‘Sign up for TikTok’ page,
pictured to the right.
Here, you can sign up using a few different ways, including by
using other social media channels. Select the one that is best
for you.
Once you have completed this process, you are all set up, and
ready to dive into the world of TikTok!
5. 6. Helpful resources
An In-Depth Look at Marketing on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/
How to Create a Successful TikTok Marketing Strategy for 2022
10 TikTok Marketing Tips & Best Practices
Useful tips
One of the best ways to reach a wide audience on TikTok is to take advantage of
existing trends.
‘Trends’ are how the platform uses hashtags and/or songs to group
together similar videos in the app. These trends can last for months and result in
millions, and even billions of views. By creating content that aligns with these trends,
you could potentially boost your reach, and increase exposure to your business
and/or product.
References
Geyser, W., 2022, What is TikTok? – Everything You Need to Know in 2022. Available at:
https://influencermarketinghub.com/what-is-tiktok/
TikTok, 2022, About TikTok. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/about?lang=en
Zotara, J., Search Engine Journal, 2022, 10 TikTok Marketing Tips & Best Practices. Available at:
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/tiktok-marketing-best-practices/437174/#close
May, T., Creative Bloq, 2021. 7 TikTok trends creatives need to know about. Available at:
https://www.creativebloq.com/features/tiktok-trends