What is TikTok?
TikTok is a video sharing app owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. It launched in 2017 for iOS and Android in markets outside of China, where ByteDance operates a similar app called Douyin. TikTok allows users to create and share short videos up to 60 seconds long, often set to music or with creative filters and effects applied.
As of 2022, TikTok has been downloaded over 3.5 billion times worldwide and is available in over 150 countries in 75 languages. It has become one of the most popular apps among teenagers and young adults, providing a platform for creators to express themselves through dance, comedy, and talent videos. TikTok’s algorithm is adept at serving users highly engaging and relevant content based on their interests.
TikTok has also emerged as a marketing platform, with brands partnering with popular creators to promote products and services. The app provides opportunities for sponsorship, advertising, and commerce thanks to its broad reach and engaged user base. While very popular, TikTok has faced scrutiny around data privacy and content moderation.
Who uses TikTok?
TikTok is wildly popular among teenagers and young adults. According to Backlinko, as of December 2023, 41.7% of TikTok users are between the ages of 10 and 19. An additional 29.5% of users are between 20 and 29 years old. This means over 70% of TikTok’s user base is under 30 years old.
TikTok has successfully captured the youth demographic. The TikTok user statistics from Searchlogistics show 60% of TikTok users are under the age of 30. The Megadigital report on TikTok age demographics confirms TikTok’s strength among Gen Z users. Teens and young adults love TikTok for its short fun videos, trending dances, challenges, and lip-syncing.
While teenagers and young adults make up the majority of TikTok users, the app has been gaining broader appeal. More users in their 30s, 40s and beyond are joining TikTok. Still, the youthful vibe remains a core part of TikTok’s identity.
How do you become a TikTok creator?
Becoming a TikTok creator starts with downloading the app and creating an account. You can download the TikTok app for free on iOS and Android devices. When signing up, you’ll need to provide basic information like your email address, name, birthday, and phone number. You’ll also need to create a unique username that will identify your account.
Once your account is set up, you can start creating and uploading original video content. Use the in-app camera and editing tools to shoot fun 15 to 60 second videos showcasing your personality, skills, humor, or knowledge on topics you want your channel to focus on. Add captions, effects, filters, and soundtracks to enhance your videos. Profile and bio customization options let you further establish your brand.
Consistently generating and posting high-quality videos is key. As you start amassing followers, you’ll gain access to special TikTok creator tools that let you engage fans, analyze performance metrics, and monetize content. But it all starts with getting creative and active in the app as a regular user first.
How do you make money on TikTok?
There are several ways TikTok creators can monetize their content and earn money on the platform:
The TikTok Creator Fund allows popular creators to earn money from TikTok based on the engagement and views on their videos. To join the fund, you need at least 10,000 authentic followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. TikTok then evaluates your account and may invite you to join. The amount you can earn depends on the views, engagement, and overall demand for your content.
Brand sponsorships involve collaborating with brands to promote products or services in your content. Brands may reach out directly if they like your content and audience, or you can also find sponsorship opportunities through an MCN or influencer marketing platform. Rates vary greatly based on your niche, audience size and engagement. But sponsorships can become quite lucrative for top creators.
TikTok also allows creators to earn money through livestreams. Viewers can send virtual gifts during live videos, and creators earn a cut of the gift revenue. Gifts range from a few cents to over $100. Going live regularly and interacting with your audience is key to earning substantial income from livestreams.
TikTok Algorithm Basics
The algorithm behind TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) is key to the app’s success and growth. The FYP shows each user a personalized feed of videos based on what the algorithm thinks they will enjoy watching, comment on, and share. Engagement metrics like likes, comments, shares, finishes, and dwelled time are all signals the algorithm uses to refine its recommendations (Hootsuite).
Some best practices for working with the TikTok algorithm include (Neil Patel):
- Maximizing watch time by creating captivating videos people want to watch start to finish
- Encouraging engagement by asking questions and prompting comments/duets
- Posting consistently to establish yourself in the algorithm
- Using strategic hashtags so your content surfaces for relevant topics
- Analyzing performance data to optimize your approach over time
While the algorithm is designed to be hard to “game”, creators can work strategically with it by focusing on high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their target audience.
Best practices for growth
To grow your following on TikTok, it’s important to post consistently, leverage trends, and optimize your captions. According to TikTok Growth Strategies to Maximize Your Following, posting at least 1-2 times per day can help boost engagement and reach new viewers. Consider batch filming content to have a consistent backlog of videos ready to post.
Pay attention to trending audios, hashtags, effects, and video ideas that are gaining popularity on TikTok. Creating content tied to viral trends can help increase your chances of getting on the For You page and in front of new audiences. You can browse trending topics in the Discover section of the app.
Crafting compelling captions is also important for growth. Include relevant keywords and hashtags, ask engaging questions, or tell a story to inspire viewers to like, comment, and share your videos. Keep captions concise while providing context. Check what top creators in your niche are doing with their captions for inspiration.
Measuring success
Like other social media platforms, TikTok has several key metrics creators can use to measure their success and growth. The main metrics to focus on are:
- Followers – This shows how many people have chosen to follow your account and see your content. Gaining followers means your account and content are resonating with viewers.
- Likes – When viewers enjoy your content, they can double tap to “like” it. Getting a high number of likes on your videos indicates they are entertaining and engaging your audience.
- Shares – Viewers can choose to share your content to their own TikTok page or other platforms. When content gets shared often, it shows your videos have viral potential.
- Comments – Viewers frequently comment on videos they find funny, interesting or thought-provoking. A high number of genuine comments shows your content is sparking conversation.
Analyzing these key metrics over time lets creators track the growth and reach of their account. Services like Pentos even provide in-depth analytics to help creators turn their metrics into actionable insights. Focusing on producing quality content that resonates with your target audience is the best way to boost these metrics and find success on TikTok.
Promoting your account
Once you’ve built up a solid base of followers and content, you’ll want to focus on expanding your reach. Promoting your TikTok account is crucial for ongoing growth. Here are some key strategies:
Cross-promoting your account on other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter can help drive new followers to your TikTok profile. Make sure your other accounts are linked in your TikTok bio and let your followers know to check you out on TikTok.
Collaborating with influencers in your niche is an effective way to tap into a new audience. Reach out to creators with a similar audience size and content style to collaborate on duets or stitching each other’s videos. This exposes both of your followings to new accounts.[1]
Running giveaways and contests is another great engagement tactic. Require viewers to follow you and tag friends for a chance to win. It gets your content and account in front of new potential followers.
Use relevant hashtags, especially branded hashtags around topics and events, to put your content in front of people outside your current following. The more niche the branded hashtag, the better chance your content will stand out.[2]
Maintaining creativity
One of the keys to long-term success as a TikTok creator is maintaining creativity and coming up with fresh ideas regularly. This means constantly researching trends and remixing sounds to put your own spin on viral content.
Regularly checking TikTok’s discovery page for trending sounds is essential. Look at the top songs being used in videos each day and think about how you could create your own version. You don’t have to copy trends exactly. Even putting a slight twist on a popular sound can help your content stand out while still being familiar to viewers.
Listening to remixes and covers of top songs on other platforms like YouTube can provide inspiration. See how other creators are reimagining popular songs and sounds for their own content.
It’s also helpful to keep up with the latest viral dance challenges. Even if you want to put your own spin on the dance moves, participating in trending challenges can help increase discoverability. Just make sure to credit the original creator or source of the trend in your caption.
While trend research is crucial, it’s also important not to lose your originality and voice. Balance trend content with videos showcasing your unique personality and niche. This variety will keep your channel engaging for both new viewers and regular fans.
Risks and Challenges of Being a TikTok Creator
While being a popular TikTok creator can seem glamorous, it does come with substantial risks and challenges. Creators need to be prepared for potential obstacles if they want to find long-term success on the platform.
One major challenge is TikTok’s constantly changing algorithm. As TikTok frequently tweaks its algorithm to surface different types of content, creators may suddenly find their views and engagement dropping. They need to be adaptable and willing to adjust their content strategies to algorithm shifts. As noted by The Hook, algorithm changes can make it difficult for creators to maintain an audience over time.
Censorship and platform rules pose another risk. TikTok has content moderation policies that creators must follow, such as avoiding nudity, violence, hate speech and more. Videos that violate the rules may be removed and accounts suspended. This makes it challenging for some creators to express themselves fully or address sensitive topics. Creators also face the risk of their accounts being banned outright if TikTok deems them harmful, as explained by The Hook.
Furthermore, the demanding schedule of producing daily content can lead to creator burnout. Shooting, editing and promoting videos constantly is taxing. Maintaining energy and creativity day after day is not easy. Without proper breaks, creators may experience exhaustion and lose their motivation, notes Xkuajing.
By being aware of these risks, TikTok creators can try to safeguard against them. With the right strategies, many of the challenges of being a creator can be overcome or managed effectively.
