I am sure by now all of you have heard about TikTok. The newbie on the block of social media apps. BUT…would you believe me if I told you you could grow your engagement by 8% with TikTok? I am sure you have also heard that TikTok is for prank videos, people dancing, lip syncing, and for the Gen Z kids. If you are thinking those things, then you are…correct!!
Just because that is where the app began, does NOT mean that is where it will end up. What do you think Instagram was when it first started out and we were all on Facebook? It was a photo editing app. So, let’s not get super hasty into TikTok not being for you and break down the benefits.
Here’s where that 8% engagement from earlier came from. For followings between 100-200K in following, Instagram’s average engagement rate is below 2%, where TikTok is at almost 8%! Just the difference in engagement alone should excite you. Not only this, but organic reach is through the ROOF in TikTok, when the day and age of Facebook and Instagram organic reach is slowly fading. This will give you the ability to get your content in front of a ton of eyes without having to “beat and algorithm”.
Here is an example from one of the influencers on our roster. I have been pushing TikTok for a while, as I see the extreme benefits to not only having another place to share content, but also a whole new platform and audience to reach. One of our team, Hayley from @haylsa, finally decided to give it a go and did a BTS (Behind the Scenes) of some of their shots on Instagram. Within four days, they had over 10K in following and two videos that had been seen over 500K times!!! Check her TikTok out!
Now, I am not saying this will be the case for everyone, but this creator, who had NEVER used TikTok before, took a stab in the dark, found a unique way to deliver content, which was interesting content as well, and reach a brand new audience.
Moving on to another benefit that stems from that creator’s concept. Using TikTok to drive more people to your Instagram or Youtube. They were using their awesome BTS content to drive people to their Instagram to view the final product. This also led to 2.5K in growth on their Instagram account and countless DMs about how they saw them on TikTok.
There is so much value in the unknown, but if you never step outside of your comfort zone and try something new, you will never be able to truly grow and make this a real business.
Now, to kill the statement that TikTok is only for the younger generation. One, SO WHAT! That is a whole new untapped market for you to explore, so go do it! Show the Gen-Z why you are so special. Two, it currently is heavily used by the younger generation, because they catch on to trending things and topics quicker than any other generation. Just because it is younger viewers now, does not mean it will be in 3-6 months.
Get on TikTok now and take advantage of all of its benefits before everyone jumps on board and the competition level is that much higher. Create unique and eye grabbing content, and I can guarantee TikTok will benefit your audience, and your overall business growth.
In the end, I am not saying put all of your eggs into TikTok and nothing else, because it is “the next big thing”, but rather, dabble in it, try it out and make it another weapon in your arsenal of epic content. If in 6 months of giving it your all, you have seen no value, in terms of stats, coming from TikTok, then at least you gave it a try and broke outside of that comfort zone.
Even if your core audience is over the age of 30 with kids, utilize TikTok as another medium in which you can now connect with the kids of your older audience, which will only give you extra value for brands looking to hit that family or younger generation market.
I am sure if TikTok dies in 3 years and does not reach it full potential, like Instagram and Facebook have, you will still have learned and gained so much for your business, that it will all be worth it. Think about people such as Kim Kardashian or Christina Ronaldo, who yes are celebrities, but also some of the first true Instagram Influencers, who took the app by storm. Even if Instagram were to end tomorrow, they would have both gained something from being on the platform and engaging with their audience. TikTok can be the same thing.
Be adaptive and curious. Have an idea, create it, share it, and see what happens.
Comment below your thoughts on TikTok or how you have been using it! Let me know how you are winning and what you are doing different to stand out. Also, leave your TikTok account username for our community to go check you out!
Tune in next week as I break down what the experience was like being on a 10 day tour around Egypt with 8 of our incredible influencers![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]