Top 10 TikTok Marketing Tips for 2024
Introduction
By 2024, TikTok has solidified its position as an essential social media platform for cross-border e-commerce marketing. If you're looking to create and publish content on TikTok, remember these ten key marketing strategies to stand out and maximize your impact.
1. Real-Life Short Videos
TikTok is filled with content that can often feel superficial or irrelevant. The most important thing is to stand out from the flood of short videos by using real, authentic content that resonates with your audience's daily lives. You don't want your content to come across as a blatant promotional video because TikTok users seek entertainment and fresh information, not direct sales pitches.
Before starting your TikTok marketing efforts, spend time exploring the platform. Once the algorithm understands the types of content you enjoy, it will show you high-quality videos that may inspire your creativity and improve your content creation.
TikTok aims to create a personal, real-life video-sharing community. Unlike professional-grade, polished videos, casual smartphone-shot content is more relatable to TikTok users. Brands like Chipotle and Wendy's excel at transforming their promotional content into short, relatable videos that their fans love.
2. Invest in Better Audio Equipment
After trying several content creation methods, I discovered that shooting and editing videos directly in TikTok’s app is the best option. Within the app, you can select from a wide range of filters and lighting effects to enhance your videos or create unique backgrounds.
Initially, I edited videos on a computer using professional software like Premiere Pro, then uploaded them to TikTok. Although the quality was great, it was time-consuming. Depending on your audience, you might not need to go through that trouble—shooting directly with your phone can be an efficient alternative.
However, don’t skimp on audio quality. While your phone’s microphone might be decent, investing in better sound equipment can significantly boost the replay and share rates of your videos.
I personally use a Yeti Bluetooth microphone connected to my iPhone via a USB-to-iPhone adapter. Recently, I’ve seen Bluetooth microphones for phones, which could be a more convenient option.
3. Leverage TikTok Live
One of the best ways to build a closer relationship with potential fans is by utilizing TikTok’s live streaming feature. Live streams allow creators to directly engage with their audience in real time. It’s also one of the best ways to stand out on TikTok.
When you start a live stream, TikTok notifies your followers, and your live stream is pinned at the top of their "For You" page—a highly coveted spot, considering the millions of creators on the platform. TikTok is heavily promoting its live feature, and it's surprisingly easy to start.
Feeling nervous or shy during a live stream is entirely normal. "What if I say something wrong?" or "What if I can’t answer a fan’s question?" are common fears, but they usually fade once you hit the 'Go Live' button.
To calm your nerves, prepare answers to frequently asked questions and update this list after each live session. Make an effort to answer all appropriate questions during your stream, and be sure to thank fans who send you gifts or emojis. These gifts are tokens of appreciation for your content, not just material items.
Setting a consistent live stream schedule is also important. While spontaneous live streams can be fun, a regular schedule helps build a loyal fan community. Some recommended live formats include Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes videos, informal group chats, "Do it with me" segments, strategy tutorials, and guest interviews.
Creators who host weekly live sessions often strengthen their relationships with fans while increasing their video traffic, thanks to TikTok’s algorithm.
Tip: When setting up a live schedule, consider your fans’ availability and choose times when most people are not in class or at work. This is a good strategy for building community and boosting live stream views.
4. Keep Videos Concise
You wouldn’t cram an entire novel into a tweet, and you shouldn’t try to fit an entire movie into a TikTok video. To make your content digestible, keep your short videos brief and to the point.
Stick to 15-second videos for high-quality content, and use 60-second videos to dive deeper into more complex topics. If a particular subject is important, break it down into multiple 15-second videos to maintain high viewership and replayability.
Think of each piece of content as a unique story you're telling TikTok users. Too little information, and they’ll feel unsatisfied; too much, and they might lose interest.
On my "For You" page, the average video is around 7 to 10 seconds long. TikTok users don’t have the patience for 60-second videos, which can feel like an eternity. Instead of long-winded intros, wrap up your video by reminding viewers to check your profile for more content.
In some cases, you might want to increase the video length. TikTok displays a small progress bar at the bottom of videos longer than 30 seconds, indicating how much time is left. If your video is close to 30 seconds, consider adding a few extra seconds to utilize this feature and hold your audience’s attention.
5. Use the Comment Feature Effectively
TikTok’s discovery algorithm is highly advanced, and it can place your videos in front of potential fans. However, that’s just the first step. Once you’ve caught their interest, your next task is to engage them and convert them into followers.
The comment section on TikTok is a great place for conversations, exchanges, and explanations. Engage with your audience by replying to as many comments as possible.
As the creator, a badge next to your name in the comment section helps users identify you quickly. TikTok users are often thrilled when they receive a response from the video creator. Feel free to comment in your own style—you don’t need to stick to formal language.
As your content gains more attention and responding to comments takes up a lot of time, you can use comment templates. Create a document listing common questions along with your responses to make it easier to reply quickly during videos and live streams.
TikTok also includes a language filter that blocks inappropriate comments, automatically deleting those containing certain keywords or phrases, helping to maintain a positive comment section.
TikTok tracks the comment-to-view ratio of every video you post, and given the algorithm’s sophistication, it likely keeps tabs on how many comments you ignore as well.
If you're a verified TikTok user, don’t hesitate to like or comment on videos often. Creators who interact with their comments typically gain more new followers. After hundreds of likes, comments, and replies, you’ll see a steady increase in traffic and followers.
Comments are a vital part of TikTok marketing. Until your audience grows too large for you to reply to every comment, there’s no reason not to engage. Some successful brands have risen to prominence through consistent interaction in their comment sections.
By following these top tips, you'll be well on your way to building a stronger presence on TikTok in 2024!
