If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be celebrating a milestone on TikTok - 10,000 followers, no less - I'd have laughed at you. (Also, before you @me as the kids say, I realize 10k followers isn't a drop in the bucket in some industries, but for someone who was a staunch detractor, this is quite the milestone). The fact is, like many, I had initially resisted TikTok. Today, I confess, TikTok is a platform no business can afford to ignore, especially if you are aiming to stay relevant to Gen Z and Millennials.
So, you're a 'TikTok newbie,' unsure where to start? Don't fret. I was just like you not too long ago, and I'm here to tell you first hand... It may seem scary at first but give it a little time and you'll be swiping up in no time. Not sure how to begin? Start by watching videos to understand what makes the 'Tok tick. And as you hop onto the TikTok bandwagon, here's my handy dandy list of tried-and-tested action points. I present to you, "@ThisOldHagMarketer’s Guide to Thriving on TikTok."
Remember, it’s Not About Going Viral: It's easy to get swept away by dreams of 'going viral'. Here's the truth - focus on consistency. Keep posting, keep engaging, and the audience you're looking for will find you.
Know Your Audience: TikTok is not a place to blast generic content and hope it sticks. Learn what your audience wants. Your TikTok success mantra should be – user-first, always.
Use Trending Sounds (but Make It Relevant): Staying up-to-date with trending sounds can give your content a boost. But remember, your content should make sense to your brand. Don't force a fit.
Develop a Clear Voice: Define your content buckets. What topics or themes align with your brand? Understand these, and build your voice around them.
Embrace the Grind: Success on TikTok is a process of try, learn, adapt, repeat. If a video flops, learn from it. Your failures will be the stepping stones to your success.
Let Go of Control: The TikTok algorithm is like a raffle draw – you don't control who sees your content. All you can do is aim for your target audience and let the algorithm do the rest.
Just Do It: Jump in! TikTok is not a spectators’ sport. Make videos, engage with others, and start learning by doing.
Caption It: A cardinal rule of TikTok – always use captions. Not everyone watches with the sound on.
Dive into AR Effects: They're the wild west of TikTok, from makeup to quizzes, it's a fun space to experiment and figure out what works. Last year I even learned what it was to have a "cursed effect" which resulted in some very interesting videos being made with one of my creations.
Throughout my TikTok journey, I've learned that this platform is like a sandbox. I've gotten into AR effects, reminding me of the early internet days when we were all discovering the magic of technology. I've even gone semi viral doing a deep dive into the intro photos of the 'Cheers' show - of all things!
But remember, at the end of the day, it's about enjoying the journey and having a good laugh. The handle 'thisoldhagmarketer' didn’t come out of nowhere! TikTok is a platform for experimentation and fun - even when you're using it for business. So, dive in, and who knows, you might find yourself celebrating a 10k (or more) milestone too. Happy TikToking!
Want to see more of my ridiculous TikTok journey? Follow me here: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisoldhagmarketer
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