You might already be addicted or may have heard about it on the news, but with more than 800 million users, TikTok isn’t just for kids. While more and more millennial boomers join the craze, many ask if this is a platform that brands should also use.
Katie Grant, Digital Communications Section Chief for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is here to help your brand successfully join the TikTok community.
Did you miss her virtual #SMBMad event in March? We’ll give you the rundown right here, but if you’d prefer to watch Katie in all her social media glory, you can view her Facebook Live event on our Facebook page archive.
Why TikTok Just Makes Sense
Through testing and more testing, Katie’s team at the DNR has been able to successfully engage with a younger audience and she’s confident you can too.
Why should you use TikTok? Three words: engagement, algorithm and audience.
TikTok provides more engagement than on other platforms no matter your followers. More comments means more views, and this engagement is a great way to build brand loyalty! The TikTok algorithm can effectively boost your content, giving you extended reach into a new audience.
TikTok’s audience tends to be younger, and spends an extensive amount of time scrolling through videos. While reaching this new market, TikTok can also help you build a stronger brand. These short videos can personify your brand and give you a clear voice.
How to Make it Work
Katie shared a plethora of useful tips for creating quality content that caters to this platform’s unique algorithm.
She suggests taking advantage of trending sounds and hashtags. These are boosted in the algorithm and can be a great way to get in front of audiences that aren’t already following you.
Have fun and post often. Don’t overthink your videos, TikTok is a lighthearted platform and your content should be entertaining. Katie reminds us that not everything has to convert, but more content provides more opportunities to go viral. So even if you don’t see results right away- keep trying!
Reaching a new audience on a new platform can seem intimidating, but practice makes perfect. Take Katie’s advice to heart, and someday, you too may reach over 60K TikTok followers like the Wisconsin DNR.
Non-Profit Spotlight: Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County creates long-lasting solutions to combat the affordable housing crisis right here in Dane County and makes it possible for families to realize their dreams of success and stability through homeownership. Together through their volunteer network, generous donors and sales from their two Madison Habitat ReStores, they’re helping families achieve strength, stability and self-reliance to build a better life through shelter. To get involved, follow Habitat and Habitat ReStore on Facebook and Twitter — Habitat and ReStore — or learn more on their website.
Thanks to SMBMad volunteer Grace Wilkie for writing this month’s event recap.
