One of the most vital requirements for online marketing, indeed any marketing, is that you target the types of people you hope will become your customers. With influencer marketing platforms you have to drop one step back and focus on the people who appeal to and influence the behavior of your target customers. If you sell to Gen Zs, you could consider working with influencers on TikTok and TikTok Shop which is truly booming nowadays.
Like YouTube, TikTok's most significant feature is sharing videos. The platform has over 1.6 billion active users, making it one of the most popular social media apps. So any TikTok influencer marketing campaign will revolve around influencers making, sharing, and sometimes live-streaming videos that will in some way promote your brand and make it attractive to their followers.
Of course, if you're over 35, you have probably never heard of TikTok, unless you have been keeping up-to-date with our previous Influencer Marketing Hub posts on the subject. So, we will begin by discussing, what TikTok is and how it works.
TikTok Influencer Marketing Guide:
What is TikTok?
Source: tiktok.com
TikTok as we now know it began life as two separate apps, both originating in China. The first started as Douyin in China but was named TikTok internationally. TikTok/Douyin initially found most of its supporters in Asia. The other app was Musical.ly. Like TikTok/Douyin, this was founded by Chinese developers but built a sizeable audience in the West, particularly in the USA.
In 2018, however, the owners of TikTok decided to buy Musical.ly. They rebranded a combined app TikTok outside of China. They still operate their original Douyin app in China, however.
A common feature of TikTok/Douyin – Musical.ly is that they are beloved by Generation Z, who have downloaded the apps in surprisingly large numbers. Soon after the merger, TikTok became one of the most downloaded apps in the world, with substantially more downloads than the better-known Instagram.
With the growth in TikTok's popularity, we are beginning to see the rise of another video-based social network – a bit like a niche version of YouTube, with many of the social features of Facebook.
How Does TikTok Work?
The original selling point of Musical.ly was that it provided an easy-to-use platform for predominantly young people to create videos of themselves miming their favorite music tracks – a glorified karaoke vehicle. The original TikTok had a similar basic premise, so the two apps merged well.
Things have changed more recently, however, and people are now uploading more original videos, covering a more extensive range of genres.
As with all social / video-sharing apps, you begin by setting up an account the first time you open the app. Most people probably start by "lurking" – watching others' clips, finding channels they like, and following those they would like to revisit. In time, however, many of TikTok's members gain the confidence to make a 15-second video and upload it for the world to see.
And yes, many people still begin their TikTok uploads by sharing a video of themselves lip-synching to their favorite music track.
TikTok makes it easy to make and create videos that aren't too cringeworthy (well at least for today's tweens and teens). There must be few teenagers nowadays who lack a smartphone with a good camera. TikTok includes all the necessary editing tools and effects you need to make a serviceable video. You can quickly merge your raw film, music, filters, and effects to create something your audience will appreciate.
Indeed, you can even merge your 15-second videos into longer ones, adding further possibilities for your TikTok influencer marketing. We have been working with a influencer marketing agency focused on TikTok Shop, and it arguably drove the best social commerce performance we have seen to date.
Although you will still find simple karaoke videos on the platform, there has been a big push towards other types of videos, which give many possibilities for those wanting to express themselves, both as themselves and as representatives of a brand.
Who are the Main TikTok Users?
TikTok is strongly youth-oriented. The youngsters of Generation Z may have Facebook accounts, but they rarely use them. Facebook is where their parents spend their time. Instead, Generation Z wants their own social spaces. Sure, they are prepared to "share" Instagram with Mom and Dad, but they are just as happy to use Snapchat (for sharing what they want to keep secret from "The Olds" and TikTok as a “kids-only” video-sharing platform.
The largest group on TikTok are people aged between 16 and 24. They make up 36.2% of the total user base.
Source: blog.gwi.com
There aren't any rules prohibiting older people from joining TikTok. And we sometimes stretch "kids" to mean people up to about age 30. But you will find few TikTokkers older than that.
TikTok also has a distinct female slant. That doesn't mean it can attract guys – there are still many young men, both making videos and watching them on the platform. It has probably more to do with interests. TikTok is not very strong in the gaming niche – gamers prefer to use Twitch for their livestreaming.
What Types of Content Do Well on TikTok?
Like YouTube, the heart of TikTok is the videos that people share. The more entertaining the videos, the better they resonate with the audience. Unlike YouTube, the videos are generally short, and they are filmed in a vertical format, the usual way that people hold their phones.
Home-Made music videos still perform well on TikTok. Original music can be even more popular than cover versions. But they probably provide fewer opportunities for delivering promotional messages than other types of video.
There are now more non-music videos on TikTok. Many are comedic. Others include short skits, cringe videos, fashion and beauty tips, cooking demonstrations, and even short clips of sports action.
The absolute worst mistake on TikTok, however, would be to post anything resembling a traditional advertisement. Don't attempt to give your influencers a script. Influencer marketing at its heart is like storytelling. You need to give your influencers enough flexibility to tell your story to their fans in a way that keeps them authentic. The influencers' followers will instantly know if the videos promoting your products are made in a different style to the influencer's usual videos, and they are likely to react badly.
For instance, see how Netflix worked with NeoReach to promote a new season of their hit program, “Cobra Kai”. By working with and allowing the creators to be organic and entertaining in how they shared their own excitement for the upcoming season, the campaign soared and received over 2.8 million views and spiked views of the popular hashtag “#CobraKaiChop” by over 500 million views in the days following the promoted content.
The types of content that perform the best on TikTok include:
- Entertaining short videos filmed in a vertical format.
- Home-made music videos, especially those featuring original music.
- Comedic videos and short skits.
- Cringe videos (videos that evoke second-hand embarrassment).
- Fashion and beauty tips videos.
- Cooking demonstrations and recipe videos.
- Short clips of sports action.
- Authentic influencer storytelling, without traditional advertising elements or scripts.
Why Should You Use TikTok for Influencer Marketing?
As with all influencer and social media marketing, you have to avoid coming across as too salesy on TikTok. This is particularly the case because of TikTok's youthful demographic – brands find Generation Z notoriously difficult to reach because of their total disdain for anything that resembles a traditional advertisement.
As with all influencer marketing, the key to success on TikTok is working with influencers whose followers match your target market. Therefore for influencer marketing (or indeed any other form of marketing) to be successful for you on TikTok you need to appeal to the TikTok demographic. So, if you sell fashion accessories to tweens and teens, by all means, use influencer marketing. If you tell tools for DIYers, then TikTok marketing probably wouldn't make a good investment.
There's also the fake followers issue. We can never be too sure about an influencer's true engagement rates without using these specialized tools. Moreover, our State of Marketing 2024 Report found that 43% of brands are using AI to combat influencer fraud.
With that said, you can market on TikTok without using influencer marketing. It's taken a while for TikTok to implement it, but there is now a formal advertising system. You could also try to promote using a business TikTok account. However, as with all social networks, it can be tough building a sizeable audience on TikTok to hear your company message. This is particularly so for most businesses that don't have a staff of the same demographic as their audience and struggle to run a company account.
It is far easier for most brands to work with TikTok's established broadcasters – their influencers – than to build a loved and much-followed company account.
How Do Brands Market on TikTok?
Brands utilize a number of methods to market their services and products on TikTok. Those include:
1. Paid Ads
TikTok has recently introduced paid ads. It is still early days to see how successful or cost-effective these will be, particularly when targeting the advertising-hating Generation Z demographic.
TikTok has suggested you combine you use of one of the following ad formats:
- Brand takeover
- In-feed native video
- Hashtag challenge
- Lens 2D, 3D, and AR
We have an entire TikTok Advertising Guide and a guide on TikTok Video Ad Specifications to help you launch paid ads more effectively.
2. In-Feed Native Videos
Whether you use them as a paid ad, or from your company TikTok channel, you could consider sharing some in-feed native videos. These can last up to 15 seconds, although you can share brief video clips as short as nine seconds.
3. Hashtag Challenges
TikTok hashtag challenges, especially the branded type, are becoming more popular by the day. Our findings show a 20.7% increase in the use of TikTok Branded Hashtag Challenges. This is all because TikTok users respond exceptionally well to challenges. There are usually multiple challenges going on at any time for TikTok users to participate.
The usual type of TikTok challenge involves somebody setting a challenge (beginning its name with a #, hence the term Hashtag Challenge. The challenge typically challenges others on TikTok to make and share a particular type of video.
For example, in one viral challenge, Jimmy Fallon launched the #tumbleweedchallenge on TikTok. He challenged TikTok users to make a video of themselves dropping to the ground and rolling around like a tumbleweed, with Western music playing in the background. People have now shared more than 8,000 #tumbleweedchallenge videos on TikTok.
@fallontonight Jimmy takes the #TumbleweedChallenge ♬ #TumbleweedChallenge - FallonTonight
TikTok recently shared a deck with a European advertising agency and recommended hashtag challenges as an excellent advertising format for the platform.
4. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is likely to be the most effective form of marketing on TikTok. You don't suffer from the negative implications of ads, and you don't have to worry about building the right audience as you do with native videos on your company account.
You just need to work with your influencers to come up with a creative strategy that helps them pique the interest of their audience to build interest in your brand and product.
As with much influencer marketing, you should take most notice of metrics relating to engagement and awareness. These can be an excellent guide to brand loyalty.
Selecting the Right Influencers for Your Brand
It doesn't matter which social channels you use for your influencer marketing. The number one rule is to choose the right influencers for your brand. Let's learn how to do that.
1. Define Your Goals
Before you start searching for influencers, clearly outline your campaign objectives. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or promote a specific product? Knowing your goals will help you identify influencers whose content and audience align with your desired outcomes. You can also outsource this to an influencer marketing agency.
2. Identify Your Target Audience
Understanding your target audience is crucial. Consider demographics such as age, gender, location, and interests. Look for TikTok influencers who have a following that matches your audience profile. This alignment will ensure that your message reaches the right people effectively. If your products or services predominantly cater to the female demographic, consider working with female TikTok influencers.
3. Analyze Engagement Rates
Engagement is often a better indicator of an influencer’s effectiveness than follower count. Look for influencers who have high engagement rates, as this suggests that their audience is actively interacting with their content. Check the average number of likes, comments, and shares on their posts to gauge their influence.
Pro Tip
Smaller accounts with 1K-5K followers have an incredible 15.04% engagement rate, compared to 10.53% for accounts with over 1M followers.
4. Assess Content Style and Values
Review the content that potential influencers create. Does their style and messaging align with your brand’s values and image? It’s essential to collaborate with influencers whose content feels authentic and relatable to their audience while also fitting seamlessly with your brand’s identity.
5. Explore Niche Influencers
While popular influencers may have large followings, niche influencers often have more engaged audiences. Consider partnering with influencers who specialize in your industry or niche. They can provide a more targeted reach and may be perceived as more trustworthy by their followers.
For example, if you're selling fitness equipment, merch, or similar products, consider hiring fitness influencers.
6. Check Authenticity
Authenticity is key in influencer marketing. Look for influencers who maintain transparency with their audience and have a genuine connection with their followers. Review their past collaborations to ensure they don’t promote too many competing brands, which can dilute their credibility.
7. Evaluate Previous Campaigns
If possible, analyze the results of previous campaigns that the influencers have participated in. Look for case studies or testimonials that showcase their impact on brand awareness, engagement, or sales. This information can help you make informed decisions about potential collaborations.
You should also consider using influencer analytics tools to give you up-to-date information on how your future campaigns are going.
8. Reach Out and Communicate
Once you have a shortlist of potential influencers, reach out to them. Initiate a conversation to gauge their interest and discuss your campaign goals. Pay attention to their responsiveness and willingness to collaborate, as these factors can indicate their professionalism and commitment.
Wrapping Up
Leveraging TikTok for influencer marketing presents a unique opportunity to connect with a youthful and highly engaged audience. By understanding the platform's dynamics and collaborating with influencers whose content resonates with your target demographic, brands can create authentic and impactful campaigns that drive awareness and engagement. As TikTok continues to grow in popularity, it’s essential to adapt your marketing strategies to this ever-evolving platform to stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TikTok Influencer Marketing?
TikTok influencer marketing involves collaborating with content creators on TikTok to promote products or services through engaging video content, leveraging their audience reach and influence.
Why should brands use TikTok for influencer marketing?
Brands should use TikTok because it offers access to a large, engaged audience, particularly younger demographics who are more receptive to influencer recommendations than traditional advertising methods.
How do I start a TikTok influencer marketing campaign?
To start a campaign, brands should study their target audience, set SMART objectives, identify suitable influencers, choose the type of content, and analyze campaign performance using metrics.
What types of content perform well on TikTok?
Content that is visually appealing, entertaining, and aligns with current trends, such as challenges and memes, tends to perform well on TikTok, especially when created by influencers.
How do I choose the right influencers for my brand?
Selecting the right influencers involves ensuring they resonate with your target demographic, have a high engagement rate, and align with your brand values and messaging.
What are TikTok Hashtag Challenges?
Hashtag challenges are a popular format on TikTok where brands create specific challenges that users can participate in, often leading to viral content and increased brand visibility.
How can I measure the success of my TikTok influencer marketing campaign?
Success can be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, reach, impressions, and conversion metrics, which can be tracked using TikTok's analytics tools.
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