It's 2022 and human-social interaction has gone global. Every day there's a need to communicate ideas and share cultural influences with people from all around the world. These and many more reasons - coupled with the need to stay sane during a Global pandemic and the shutdown in 2020 - are why the importance of social media cannot be overemphasized.
Before 2010, most of what we knew was Facebook, Youtube, Tumblr, Reddit and Twitter but with the advent of Instagram into mainstream use in 2010 we have since seen engagement with social media take to the centre stage of human interaction, and TikTok is one of them.
With over 1 billion monthly active users in the first quarter of 2022, and well over 3 Billion installations across 150 countries; built for over 35 languages across the world, TikTok is popular! This is the social media platform with users ranging from 13 to over 50 years old where all you need is a phone number, an email, and the ability to remember your own password or link your other social media accounts to sign up.
TikTok also offers access without the requirements to create an account where you can view your favourite videos as a guest (but that is a very limiting option). Either way, it’s an open engaging platform across the board catering to the entertainment needs of millions all over the world with an evolving user interface.
With all this said, here’s a disclaimer: this is not a post to promote TikTok rather it is a post on why you should promote (your music) on TikTok. We’ll also get to how you can do that much later.
So why should you promote your music on TikTok?
Exposure
The new-age social media goes further and faster than traditional music marketing and should not be ignored. With a social medium like TikTok whether you are an indie musician or a famous one with a juicy contract from a formidable record label, you get Exposure.
Exposure to new audiences includes both old and young users in the population demography. TikTok’s sign-in policy permits teenagers as young as 13 and this could be good for getting your sound into young ears. However, do not underestimate the power of TikTok with the older generation who are either trying to feel young or create a niche that is suitable for their own version of fun. I see you, auntie!
Basically, it’s safe to say that TikTok significantly compares to holding a billboard on your smartphone. Everybody is in and hooked.
Musical Fan Base
And with number 1 comes number 2. TikTok offers you a great landing for building a loyal following for your music. It’s quite common, and some would say easy to say that TikTok provides a range of opportunities to build a fan base for musicians hence their music.
For lack of better words, when the music is good, it sparks like wildfire until someone is telling you about your own music because they heard it on TikTok. These fans could subscribe to your mailing lists, follow your other social media accounts and in no distant time become your concert attendees.
Growth
Without trying to advertise for TikTok, going viral is what the trend is all about because there is something for everyone so it’s very common to agree that the multiplying effect is enormous on the side of the town. Just like a crowded market, one person hears your sound and everyone is hearing it too.
Let’s never forget the comments sections on posts pose a necessary mini discussion board that not only sustains conversations about your music but offers new perspectives. Plus they can be as comical and entertaining as they could be equally encouraging. It is in fact all about building a community that appreciates your authenticity first before sniffing out for perfection.
Authenticity
This is the part where I add that unconsciously, your voice matters in whatever light you look at it. TikTok is not as elitist as some other social media platforms. At least not yet. In shorter words, no pressure. This is why fan base interaction comes easily with features of this social media platform.
Now with all this potential gold waiting to be mined, how do you proceed? Stay tuned to find out!