Even if you don’t follow the latest trends in digital marketing, chances are you are well aware of TikTok and its recent surge in popularity.
Over the past year this social media platform has absolutely exploded, reaching 94 million users in the US alone.
As a store owner or someone who wants to get more eyes on their products or services, what does this mean for you? Is it worth diving into the hype?
In this article we’re going to break down why TikTok is so beneficial for businesses and why it has quickly become one of the hottest places online for eCommerce social media marketing.
Why TikTok Blew Up
When it comes to certain trends, there’s no denying that timing is crucial.
If TikTok came out 10 years ago, chances are it wouldn’t have become nearly as popular. This is simply the nature of an industry that is constantly changing.
A few years ago, Instagram and its aesthetic images were the hottest thing in social media. Everyone had to be on Instagram and the content there set the tone for influencers and eCommerce stores.
Now, Instagram is mostly just a repository for repurposed TikToks and Twitter screenshots.
Such is the nature of social media. If you want to make the most of it, sometimes it’s necessary to follow trends.
What is the secret sauce behind TikTok’s popularity? It seems to be a combination of its eerily good algorithm and the current demand for short-form video content.
Combine these points with some fancy filters and popular music tracks, and you have everything you need for extraordinary popularity.
Is TikTok Just Hype?
That depends on how you define hype and whether or not it can be considered a bad thing.
You shouldn’t want to marry a certain social media platform or assume that one or the other will be here for the next decade.
The world of social media is constantly shifting based on new forms of media, wider cultural trends, the evolution of mobile apps, and the kind of content that users relate to.
Next year at this time, TikTok may have fallen out of favor for another platform.
Right now, however, it’s the place to be if you want to get noticed online.
The lesson is, it doesn’t matter if TikTok’s popularity is mostly based on hype. The results that people get by using the platform are quite substantial.
What are the Specific Features That Make TikTok Appealing For Businesses?
So what exactly makes TikTok worth using for eCommerce businesses?
Here are just a handful of solid reasons:
The Viral Nature of TikTok
TikTok’s unique algorithm is designed to showcase content that is likely to go viral.
The app’s algorithm takes into account the engagement rate, completion rate, and other factors to determine which content is most likely to be shared by users. This means that businesses can reach a large audience on the app without having to spend a lot of money on advertising.
Short-Form Video Content
TikTok’s short-form video content is another feature that makes it appealing for businesses due to its current popularity.
The app’s videos are typically less than a minute long, which means that businesses can quickly and easily create engaging content that is likely to be shared by users. The app also offers a variety of editing tools and filters that businesses can use to create visually appealing content.
This content can also be repurposed on other platforms, as TikTok allows easy in-app downloads of content. This is one reason why you see TikTok videos everywhere.
Hashtag Challenges
TikTok’s hashtag challenges have become a popular feature for businesses looking to engage with their audience.
A hashtag challenge involves creating a challenge around a particular hashtag and encouraging users to create their own videos using the hashtag.
This can help businesses to increase their brand awareness and reach a wider audience.
Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is another feature that makes TikTok appealing for businesses.
TikTok has a large number of influencers who have a significant following on the platform. These influencers can help businesses to promote their products or services to their followers, which can result in increased sales and brand awareness.
User-Generated Content
User-generated content is another feature that makes TikTok appealing for businesses.
Users are encouraged to create their own videos, which can then be shared by other users. This means that businesses can benefit from the organic reach of user-generated content without having to create all of their content themselves.
Alternatively, this means that the actual quality of content on TikTok doesn’t have to be Hollywood-level to succeed. Quite the contrary!
You will often see very “amateur” style videos explode on TikTok, because people just want to see content that is relatable. The trick is riding current trends and finding ways to “hook” the viewers.
TikTok FAQs:
Q: Can businesses advertise on TikTok?
A: Yes, eCommerce businesses can advertise on TikTok using the app’s built in advertising platform.
Q: Is TikTok only for businesses targeting a younger audience?
A: While TikTok is popular among younger audiences, businesses targeting older demographics can still benefit from the app’s unique features.
Q: How can businesses measure the success of their TikTok campaigns?
A: Businesses can measure the success of their TikTok campaigns by tracking engagement rates, follower growth, and sales conversions in TikTok’s dashboard.
Q: How often do you need to post on TikTok?
A: While many claim that posting multiple times a day is a must, you should aim for quality over quantity if time is an issue. Once per day is the minimum, as content falls out of favor with the algorithm quickly unless it goes viral.
Ready to Follow the Hype?
By jumping on TikTok now while it’s incredibly hot, you have a great chance at getting noticed.
The philosophy of “strike while the iron is hot” stands here: take advantage of the hype surrounding TikTok and start developing a follower base there before the platform cools off.
Creating content can admittedly be tricky on TikTok however.
Posting regularly on social media can be difficult enough, let alone having to look up trending sound clips and doing video editing in your spare time.
Where do you even begin?
Here at 1Digital we completely understand the work that goes into managing a TikTok account. It is no small feat, especially for a store owner.
If you are interested in following the TikTok hype train but don’t know where to begin, take advantage of our TikTok management services for eCommerce stores!
We are TikTok advertising experts and can help you set up your profile, get more followers, and even drive traffic to your products.
Through smart marketing campaigns that combine the latest trends with proven eCommerce promotion tactics, we can put together a plan that works for you.
The hype won’t last forever, but right now TikTok is definitely the place to be. Get in touch with our team today if you want to learn more!