By 2024, TikTok has solidified its position as an essential social media channel for cross-border e-commerce marketing. In this follow-up to our previous article, we will share five additional TikTok marketing strategies that can help elevate your brand and boost your content’s visibility.
1. Leveraging Trending Hashtags
Before posting on TikTok, it’s a good idea to check the platform's “Discover” page and see if you can create content that aligns with trending hashtags or challenges. This will help you align with TikTok’s recommendation algorithm and increase your follower count.
However, only use trending hashtags if your content is relevant to them. If not, you might risk confusing your audience. Trends on TikTok change daily, keeping the content fresh and exciting. While you can always post freely, creating videos that align with trends strengthens your connection with your audience.
If you notice a particular song repeatedly appearing on the “For You” page, consider incorporating it creatively into your video. You can even add it to your favorites for future use. Unlike traditional social media platforms where users search for content via hashtags and keywords, TikTok operates on “clusters.” These clusters are groups of users with similar interests, where their interactions, such as likes and comments, shape the recommendations they receive.
Using trending hashtags can help you break into certain clusters. However, be cautious of inflated view counts, as they don’t always represent genuine audience engagement.
For example, in TikTok’s early days, the hashtag “#entrepreneur” became overly popular, leading millions of users to add it to their videos, even if the content wasn’t related to entrepreneurship. This diluted the hashtag’s quality, reducing its popularity. So, ensure your content aligns with the relevant trends and clusters for the best results.
2. Titles, Screens, and Subtitles
Successful TikTokers often add titles at the beginning of their videos. This strategy is useful because it allows users browsing their profile to quickly understand the content of each video. You can even categorize videos by using different colored titles to enhance engagement and increase watch time.
Since TikTok videos fill the entire screen, ensure your titles are placed in the center of the screen to be visible on various devices. Different screen sizes may crop content, so keeping key information away from the edges is crucial.
Additionally, to cater to a broader audience, including those with hearing impairments, it’s beneficial to use hidden captions in your videos. TikTok’s real-time captioning feature is quick to set up and allows more users to engage with your content.
3. Experiment with New Tools
Every TikTok update introduces new features—whether it's GIF stickers, effects, or filters. While TikTok’s algorithm is secret, experimenting with new tools can satisfy your audience’s curiosity for fresh content.
Consider installing TikTok's beta version to explore tools that the majority of users haven’t seen yet. This can give you a competitive edge, allowing you to stay ahead of other creators by offering something new and exciting.
4. Consistent Posting
Although TikTok’s algorithm remains mysterious, many creators have noticed the benefits of consistent posting. I recommend posting once or twice daily and going live several times a week. This keeps your content fresh and relevant, preventing followers from losing interest.
Use TikTok’s analytics to identify when your audience is most active, as this correlates with their location and demographics.
Influencer Marketing Hub analyzed over 100,000 TikTok videos to identify the best times to post during the week (Eastern Standard Time, U.S.):
Monday: 6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM
Tuesday: 2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM
Wednesday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM
Thursday: 9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM
Friday: 5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM
Saturday: 11 AM, 7 PM, 8 PM
Sunday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM
If your followers are particularly active on weekends, consider doubling your content output on those days to maximize views. The more often you post, the more you’ll learn about TikTok’s algorithm, allowing you to refine your strategy and attract more followers.
One example is Dr. Squatch, a brand that turned TikTok into a central marketing tool to connect with younger audiences. The company reported posting 10 to 20 videos weekly, contributing to viral success. Their consistent posting led to a 400% revenue increase from 2019 to 2020, earning them over $100 million in revenue.
5. Join Creator Groups
Numerous Facebook groups are dedicated to enhancing TikTok marketing skills. Finding a group of like-minded creators is an excellent way to stay motivated, exchange ideas, and gather inspiration for your content.
Start by searching for groups like “TikTok Creators,” “TikTok Creators Support,” or “TikTok For Beginners.” You can also find niche groups related to your industry—whether you’re a comedian, entrepreneur, or business marketer.
If you can’t find the right group for you, consider it an opportunity to create your own community!
By following these additional strategies, you’ll be able to maximize your marketing efforts on TikTok and build a loyal following. TikTok’s fast-paced environment requires continuous adaptation and creativity, but with the right approach, it can be an incredibly effective platform for reaching new audiences.
