What You Should Know Before Joining TikTok

Launched in September 2017 by ByteDance, TikTok swiftly captured global attention. This short-form video sharing app offers a variety of content from dance and comedy to educational clips and challenges, allowing users to upload videos up to 10 minutes long with numerous editing tools.

The pandemic significantly boosted TikTok's popularity in the US, maintaining its momentum as one of the most downloaded apps worldwide. TikTok isn't just for the younger generation; independent creators and small business owners also leverage the platform to generate income. In this article, you will find answers to common questions and insights on joining TikTok.

How Long Are TikTok Videos?

TikTok videos can range in length based on how you create them. In-app recordings are between 15 seconds to 3 minutes. If you upload videos, they can be up to 10 minutes long. TikTok Stories, meanwhile, are limited to 15 seconds each.

Should You Join TikTok?

TikTok's surge in popularity extends beyond teens and celebrities. It's a hub for creators, influencers, small businesses, and large brands. During the pandemic, TikTok became a crucial platform for creators to share content and connect with worldwide audiences.

Consider how many influencers skyrocketed to fame after going viral on TikTok. Charli D'Amelio, for instance, transitioned from competitive dancing to amassing 80 million followers due to the app's reach. TikTok's new text-based posts feature, launched in July 2023, allows for even more creativity, making it accessible for those new to video content creation.

The platform provides fertile ground for creativity across various niches. Take Kat Norton, whose educational videos on MS Excel garnered nearly a million followers and over two million likes. If you can create engaging content, TikTok might be the perfect outlet for you.

Key Numbers and Facts

• Monthly Active Users: Over 1.5 billion
• Leading Country: United States with over 150 million users
• Average Daily User Engagement: 95 minutes (more than 1.5 hours)
• Total Downloads: Over 3.5 billion globally
• Availability: In more than 150 countries and 75 languages

TikTok's features like dueting, live streaming, and constant updates ensure it's always evolving. This keeps the platform fresh and engaging, making it an excellent place to discover new content and trends.

TikTok isn't just about fun; it's also a potential revenue stream. Influencers and creators can monetize their content, striking lucrative deals through sponsorships and brand partnerships. As an aspiring creator or business, TikTok offers you the opportunity to capture attention, go viral, and make money.

Expanding your reach on TikTok doesn't only bring followers. It can turn viewers into loyal customers and fans, helping to grow your brand or personal profile. Joining TikTok could be a game-changer, whether for exposure, community building, or financial gains.

Considerations Before Joining TikTok

1. Target Audience

If you aim to use TikTok for business branding or gaining followers, identifying your target audience is crucial. Research indicates that a significant portion of TikTok users are teenagers, with nearly 70% of American teens being active on the platform. However, it is not limited to teens alone; around 21% of millennials also have TikTok accounts, and 17% plan to create one. Understanding the demographic composition of TikTok will help you determine if your target audience is present and active on the platform.

2. Types of Content and Niches

TikTok thrives on various forms of content, with entertaining videos being the heart of the platform. Dance and song challenges have consistently been popular. Recently, text-based posts have been introduced, offering new opportunities for content creators. TikTok challenges, comedy skits, lip-syncs, and other creative expressions are popular among users. Identifying the type of content that aligns with your niche will enhance your chances of engagement and follower growth.

3. Homepage for You Page

The For You Page, commonly referred to as the FYP, is the main feed on TikTok where users discover content suited to their interests. The TikTok algorithm curates this page by analyzing user behavior—such as videos you've liked, shared, or commented on. The FYP plays a vital role in increasing your visibility. To appear on the FYP, creating engaging and relevant content tailored to what users interact with is important. Leveraging hashtags, trending sounds, and timely trends can also help your videos get featured.

4. Understanding TikTok's Algorithm

TikTok's recommendation system is sophisticated and considers multiple factors to tailor content for each user.

Key components include:

• User Engagement: This involves the videos you like, share, comment on, and your follow patterns. Consistent engagement with specific types of content signals your preferences to the algorithm.
• Video Information: Elements such as hashtags, captions, and sounds play a significant role in content discovery. Using relevant and trending hashtags can increase the chances of your video being discovered.
• Account and Device Settings: Language preferences, location, and device type are also factored into the algorithm to optimize the user's experience.

Notably, TikTok provides greater weight to strong engagement indicators, such as users watching a video from beginning to end, compared to weaker ones like sharing a common location with the content creator. Interestingly, the algorithm does not favor accounts with a higher follower count or those with previously viral videos directly, which levels the playing field for new creators.

By understanding these factors, you can strategically plan your content and enhance your visibility on TikTok. Consistent posting, active engagement, and insightful use of analytics will help you refine your strategy on the platform.

Tips to Become Successful on TikTok

1. Compile Your Own Hashtag List

Identifying the right hashtags plays a crucial role in making your content discoverable. Hashtags influence the For You page, ensuring that your videos reach the right audience. Utilize tools like Hashtag Expert to simplify the process and focus more on creative aspects.

2. Navigate Feeds and Discover Section

Take time to explore the For You and Discover sections to understand the kind of content that resonates with viewers. This will give you insights into current trends and styles. Attempt to create similar types of videos and experiment to find what works best for you.

3. Unleash Your Creativity

TikTok is a platform that thrives on creativity, regardless of the topic. Whether you're sharing educational content or fun activities, creativity is key. Use varied camera angles, incorporate catchy music, and utilize TikTok's in-app editing features and filters to enhance your videos. Don't hesitate to experiment to discover what captivates your audience.

4. Get Involved in Trending Challenges

Participating in trending challenges is an effective way to boost your visibility. These challenges often gain enormous traction, providing an excellent opportunity for you to attract new followers and increase engagement.

5. Make the Most of Editing Tools

TikTok offers an array of editing tools to help you create engaging content. These include filters, transitions, stickers, and augmented reality features. Use these tools to polish your videos and make them stand out.

6. Try Posting Text-Based Content

If you're not yet comfortable creating videos, take advantage of TikTok's new text-based post feature. Customize your text posts with background colors, varied text styles, music, and stickers. This is a quick way to keep your audience engaged when video production isn't feasible.

7. Incorporate Music

Music remains a core element of TikTok's appeal. Take advantage of the extensive library of licensed songs or add original audio to your videos. Adding music to even text-based posts can make a significant difference in keeping your audience entertained and engaged.

Applying these strategies will help improve your TikTok presence, giving you the opportunity to grow your audience and create compelling content.

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