5 Reasons TikTok Marketing Matters to Your Business in 2021

TikTok has combined the growth of the mobile internet with the power of artificial intelligence -- found in TikTok's For You Page #fyp -- which is revolutionizing how consumers receive information on social media. That's why TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms in the world... and one you can't afford to ignore.

In short: TikTok is far more than lip syncing and dancing. So, does it matter to marketers? YES! In 2021 most marketers can benefit from investing in a TikTok presence. Here's why...

1. Reach Gen Z: TikTok is used primarily by people between the ages of 16 and 24. Specifically, more than 60% of TikTok users are comprised of Generation Z, which refers to users born after 1996.

2. Reach other generations and consumers in other counties: No, TikTok isn't just for Gen Z. In fact, nearly 38% of TikTok’s users within the US are over 30. TikTok allows businesses to gain massive exposure on a minimal budget. Plus, thanks to the expansive reach of this platform in countries outside of the US, TikTok is an affordable and accessible way to reach consumers across the globe.

3. Engagement: Tired of bemoaning your brand's shrinking engagement rates on Instagram? We hear you! What has happened to Instagram engagement over the past couple years is reminiscent of what happened to Facebook engagement back in about 2014. Marketers saw organic engagement plummet as Facebook made it clear that paid reach was the wave of the future. On the contrary, engagement rates are exceptionally high on TikTok. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, TikTok beats all other platforms when it comes to engagement levels across accounts of all sizes.

4. Go Viral: Going viral on TikTok appears to be easier than it is on other networks. Perhaps because of TikTok's unprecedented artificial intelligence which puts the right kind of content in front of the right kind of users. What does this mean? It means that TikTok has mastered showing users the type of content they are going to want to consume. This is gold for your brand.

5. For You Page: As mentioned above, one of the things we love most about TikTok as marketers is the amazing capability of their artificial intelligence to find the exact consumer you are looking for. Unlike other social networks where consumers often start on the social network by looking at posts from people they follow, most consumers start on TikTok's "For You" page... this is an ideal opportunity to get in front of people who don't follow you. The "For You" page is not posts from people you follow rather it is a collection of videos that TikTok thinks may interest you; hence the name "For You."

Thanks to the "For You" page, this video we created was seen by almost 500k people and since the video was about aging, most of those people were 40 or older. In other words, TikTok's artificial intelligence targeted this video towards not only consumers who would find it interesting but also somehow managed to target users above 40 on an app that's often said to be only for young people. Are you starting to see why we love the power of this artificial intelligence?

Or this video we created which managed to find its way to 200,000 people who live in a small part of the US - Northwest Indiana.

And our team member, Katie Kelly, has successfully used her TikTok to reach a hugely targeted group of consumers who love Aldi... yes, Aldi grocery stores... amassing a following of 72,000 Aldi enthusiasts as of July 2021.

Ready to get your brand on TikTok? We got you. Contact us for a quick chat about how we can help you drive revenue and exposure through this fast growing app.

Our Top Instagram Reels Tips

If you’re not using Instagram Reels, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for — DO IT! Not only are Instagram Reels available to everyone, but they boost organic reach and discovery which is followed by a higher engagement rate, and as a result, you’ll receive new followers. Within a short span of time, some Instagram Reels videos have already garnered more than 8 million views and a 13% higher engagement rate than other forms of content on Instagram. Check out our top Instagram Reels tips below.

• Watch what’s trending and put your own unique spin on it.

• Develop a strategy for your Instagram Reels and batch shoot content to save yourself time.

• Use a ring light and a tripod to make filming both seamless and more professional.

• Our favorite app for editing Instagram Reels and building out transitions is InShot.

• When choosing music for your Instagram Reels, make sure you’re following copyright guidelines.

• Have fun with filters.

• Add dynamic text that comes and goes for further explanation within your Instagram Reels for those that watch with the sound off. And when doing so — think square! If you plan on sharing your Reel on your profile, you’ll need to think inside the Instagram square because once it’s posted to your profile, the video will be cut into a square.

• When in doubt, save in drafts for additional editing.

• After finalizing your Instagram Reel, always save the video to your camera roll so you can repurpose the content on your social networks of choice.

• In terms of posting to Instagram, only add a cover photo if it’s a graphic overlay that explains what your Instagram Reel is about. Otherwise, the last thing you want to do is add a stock photo that will make it blend in with the rest of the content on your grid.

• Captions count. Don’t disregard a caption because the video takes centerstage... remember you are publishing this to your feed, too!

• On the same note, don’t forget to include hashtags with Instagram Reels.

• Stats indicate that between 3 and 4 pm is the best time range to post.

• Finally, don’t forget to share all of your Instagram Reels to stories for optimal reach.