Following our webinar last Tuesday, Wishu is here to guide you through TikTok from a creative freelancer perspective. In this guide, we answer burning questions such as the following 👇

• Why should I get on TikTok? 

• How is it different from other social media apps? 

• What are the success strategies? 

• What steps can I take to start my TikTok? 

• How do I use trends to fit my niche? 

• What is TikTok’s role in your content strategy? 

You can access the full presentation with all the key examples here.

Why should I get on TikTok? I thought it was for teenagers?

TikTok’s audience age is growing rapidly while, yes, the beginning of 2020 saw many a 14-year-old do a funny dance to that month’s favourite pop song, the content and thus the audience is diversifying.

The main reason why TikTok’s content is so diverse is because the platform is all based on algorithm personalisations, meaning that you will see the content you're interested in. In 2021, we can see that TikTok continued to age up so much faster than any other platform before, catering to everyone from GenZ, GenX to Boomers. TikTok is organised in niche talks... different niches of communities talking about everything from careers, pets, tips, science… everything. 

How is it different from other social media apps?

Because of its youth, the TikTok algorithm doesn’t just boost expensive, curated content from accounts with already large followings in the way that Instagram does. Instead, TikTok allows all types of people to find success via clever and creative content. The app has even stated that its “mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy”. And that’s right up our street! This in turn allows for more authenticity and less of a polished, orchestrated aesthetic that other social media apps require. All in all, Instagram is a place for aspiration and TikTok is the place for realness. This can be a scary transition, especially for creative professionals that really have a curated aesthetic on Instagram. But, it’s a very important challenge you will want to tackle head-on as a professional. 

Creative Reach

Social media tips / Podcast

Confessions of a Social Media Manager... with Work in Social They Said

Have you ever wanted to know the woman behind the must-follow meme account Work In Social They Said? Listen to her first exclusive interview with Agorapulse as she spills all the details on how she reached 50k+ followers on her side-hustle Instagram account.

Confessions of a Social Media Manager is a new weekly podcast from Agorapulse which talks to the social media managers from the world's biggest brands. Subscribe to the series on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. 

Creative Reach are paid sponsorships that support The Creative Newsletter and are seen by our 11,000+ subscribers each week.

What are the success strategies?

Many strategists have said that the first 3 TikTok videos you post (and the engagement you receive from them) determine what engagement future videos receive. It's a testing ground for TikTok to find out if your profile is going to be one that provides videos that keep people on the platform and keep them engaged and are worth showing on the FYP. That is why you should think about what value you can provide that would be relatable to your audience. 

• The quickest way to see what is working for you is to test and learn

• Time to get your creator channel. The best way creatives can start out is to create single-creator content.

• With trends, speed is the name of the game. TikTok trends are too fast, so act quickly.

• Viral challenges (never existed before on other social media platforms). Your opportunity to create a cultural moment.

What are the steps I need to take when starting my channel? 

Here are some general tips to bear in mind when starting a TikTok

• Translate your creative brand personality onto TikTok

• Start building your channel and community (TikTok is here to stay and this is your opportunity to really start building that momentum for yourself on the platform)

• Find viral challenges (use the same sounds and hashtags - that’s key) that work for you (this can be a holy grail on TikTok)

How do I use trends to fit my niche?

Trends should help you showcase your services and find new clients. From redesigning iconic brand logos and product designs to ‘come to work with me’ videos. The goal is not only to educate and inspire those who are interested in your craft but you also have the power to attract work. Look for other creators you aspire to and creatives that you probably share an audience with. See what trends and sounds they’re using because that will attract the same audience.

What is TikTok’s role in your content strategy? 

One of the primary goals is probably going to be to help you grow your Instagram. And TikTok can certainly do that for you, as the platform is a great traffic generation tool because it helps with your reach.

If you can create a really engaging video that keeps people watching to the very and makes people engage (tap the like button, comment, share it with their friends)... then you're going to come upon more FYPs and these are going to be people who who are probably not following you. This means you get a chance to find new followers who might follow you on TikTok and then on Instagram.

To think about: Have you ever found someone on TikTok that eventually hit the follow button? and then eventually follow them on Instagram. Think about what about that content made me want to learn more about them, and why did I pursue that for their means of following that person. If you could harness that for yourself it'll help you with growing your audience.

You can access the full presentation with all the key examples and trends here.