Originally launched in China in 2016, TikTok quickly became a social media phenomenon. Users can easily create and share content on the platform that goes viral through various trends, including sounds, hashtags, and challenges.
Businesses can leverage current TikTok trends by tailoring them to their brand persona and values. Here are a few best practices for leveraging TikTok trends to increase exposure and visibility.
Identify Your Target Audience
If you’re a business owner, staying on top of new social media trends can be time-consuming, especially when figuring out whether or not these platforms are even worth the effort.
Identifying your audience on TikTok is important to make the best decisions for your brand. You can do this by studying existing customer data or analyzing the types of content that perform well on other platforms, such as YouTube or Instagram.
An online tool can help you create a targeted list of potential followers that fits your marketing goals.
It’s also helpful to know what types of content your audience is interested in so you can create videos that resonate with them. For example, if your audience loves videos showing off cool products, you could feature a video of your product in use or share an interview with a key team member demonstrating how your product can improve their life. This can increase engagement and drive sales. It’s also a great way to build trust with your audience.
Be Creative
As with any social media platform, creativity is key for TikTok. Light, fun campaigns that appeal to the younger generation work well, while unexpected videos involving more than one person are more engaging.
It’s also important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. This is easily done by checking TikTok’s Discover or For You pages. Look for popular sound effects, hashtags, or challenges. If you notice that a particular song or challenge has become popular, try to incorporate it into your content as soon as possible before the trend gets overly saturated.
Another way to be creative is to use a popular TikTok trend and give it a unique twist. For example, if you’re using the ‘TikTok Screaming’ trend, film your kids screaming or your pets yawning and then add a funny caption.
If the current trend is as simple as a knocking transition with the ’Beat Automotivo’ sound, you can add a cute visual element by showing your product in a pink Barbie-inspired setting. This will make your video stand out and attract more views.
Be Authentic
When it comes to TikTok, authenticity is key unlike YouTube, which can feel a bit too staged and scripted, TikTok’s raw, lo-fi aesthetic levels the playing field for brands of all sizes to connect with their audience personally. From dance challenges to lip-syncing extravaganzas, there are countless ways to get creative and let your unique personality shine through.
The most successful brands on the platform have a clear and focused goal: showcase a behind-the-scenes look at their offices or address pain points in their industry. They also take the time to research TikTok trends and hashtags to ensure their content is relevant to the community.
Using popular hashtags and creating your own will help your content stand out to the algorithm, allowing it to be discovered by more viewers. Additionally, incorporating educational videos into your TikTok strategy can be very effective. Educating your audience about your products, services, or industry will make them more likely to engage with your brand and build trust. For example, creating tutorials on cooking, colorizing hair, or working out is a great way to share valuable information with your audience.
Be Consistent
As a platform that thrives on trends, staying relevant to TikTok users requires understanding what’s trending. Whether it’s a certain dance, audio clip, video format, or hashtag, knowing what’s popular allows you to create and share your videos that may go viral on the platform.
One of the best ways to keep up with what’s trending is by browsing TikTok’s For You page or following TikTok creators who frequently post content related to the trends you find. If you see a hashtag or trend relevant to your business, use the hashtag in your video description to increase visibility.
Another way to stay on top of TikTok trends is to regularly analyze metrics like engagement, views, and reach to see how your videos perform on the platform. You can also track the performance of your ads by analyzing the click-through rates and conversions. By doing this, you can identify what types of ads are most effective and how to optimize your advertising campaigns. This will help you to grow your business and reach more customers.
Be Relevant
As with any social media platform, it is important to balance entertainment and promotion. Too much promotional content will turn viewers off. Start with content that informs and entertains, then move to more promotional videos as your audience grows.
Incorporate trending hashtags, and remember that captions and tags are also important on TikTok. Using too many hashtags can appear spammy, but staying current on current events, challenges, and trends will help you reach the right people. Track the performance of your hashtags, and make sure that they’re working to connect you with people interested in your brand.
Creating organic content that aligns with popular TikTok trends is an excellent way to attract followers and get the algorithm’s attention. Whether the video is about a dance craze or something viral, it can create a buzz that expands beyond the app. For example, the #TikTokBookworm hashtag fosters a community of book lovers who share videos about their favorite books. These videos can go multi-platform, reaching audiences on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
How do you start a TikTok trend?
Starting a TikTok trend can be a fun and creative endeavor. Here are some steps to help you kick off a trend on the platform:
- Identify a Unique Idea: Think of an original and creative concept that hasn’t been widely explored on TikTok. Your idea should be engaging, relatable, and easy for others to replicate.
- Create High-Quality Content: Produce high-quality videos with clear audio, good lighting, and an appealing visual style. Your video’s quality can significantly impact its potential to go viral.
- Use Popular Music: Incorporate trending or popular music tracks in your videos. TikTok trends often revolve around catchy songs, and using them can boost the discoverability of your content.
- Engage with the Community: Comment on, like, and share videos related to your trend. Interact with other TikTok users to foster a sense of community around your idea.
- Include a Unique Hashtag: Create a unique and relevant hashtag for your trend. Encourage others to use it in their videos. A catchy hashtag can help your trend gain momentum.
- Collaborate with Others: Partner with other TikTok users who have a following. Collaborations can help spread your trend to a wider audience.
- Stay Positive and Fun: Keep your trend light-hearted, fun, and positive. TikTok is known for its entertaining content, and people are more likely to engage with trends that make them smile.
Remember that TikTok trends can be unpredictable, and not all trends take off. However, by following these steps and staying creative and engaging, you can increase your chances of starting a successful trend on the platform.
