What is TikTok and Who is Using It for Business?
TikTok is a video-sharing social networking service that has been available in the United States since 2016. It uses short-form videos anywhere from fifteen seconds to one minute long in a wide variety of categories including, but not limited to, dance, comedy, and education. The videos tend to be a hybrid between entertainment and infotainment depending on what you’re looking for.
TikTok is available worldwide and currently there are 40 languages you can tap into for the service. While TikTok is not the only platform designed to share short videos, there is something about the app that is setting itself apart from others. Here are some fun facts about TikTok and the people who use it-
Fun Facts About TikTok
- Fun Fact: 50% of users are under the age of 34
- Fun Fact: Content ranges on the scale from raw, real, funny, to shocking
- Fun Fact: The average TikTok user is on 52 minutes per day
- Fun Fact: 60% of users are female
- Fun Fact: 26% of users are 18-24
- Fun Fact: Millennials and Boomers are adding the TikTok app at an alarming rate
TikTok is More Than Dancing and Comedy Bits
Tiktok is much more than fifteen seconds of dance moves. In many ways, TikTok is taking the lead in producing influencers. TikTok “influencers” seem to go viral with alarming speed and often times see a surge in their followers over night from a single video.
The app is ever evolving, and new categories are beginning and growing all the time including alternative lifestyle categories, DIY and upcycling, business, and behind-the-scenes looks at industries typically off-limits to insider information.
Who is Using TikTok?
The stats suggest most of the users are between 18-35 but those numbers are changing every day as every age group enjoys the benefits of TikTok. Though it is certainly entertaining, it is also a smart business tool. In the past year TikTok has generated millions of dollars in revenue for its users in a wide variety of ways. From being an influencer to linking to goods and services, the potential to earn via TikTok is pretty amazing since there is not cost associated with the platform.
In the end, there’s no drawback to TikTok. The learning curve for making videos is fairly easy and the potential to generate revenue is easier and cheaper than other platforms that use ads like Facebook or Instagram. Having an account is as easy as downloading the app and since it’s been around a while, there are plenty of tutorials on how to maximize your account.
TikTok is a relatively new social networking platform that may be a smart business move to get noticed and make money.
Not all Profit is $- Hidden Resources on the TikTok App
When it comes to business, the bottom line tends to be profit. Why else would you be in business if it isn’t to make money? Well, not all profit is money. Sometimes there are hidden resources that are as good as…or better, than money.
TikTok has the potential to create a buzz about you and your goods and services. These can lead to resources that you may not have imagined. Some TikTok influencers have seen rampant and unexpected benefits that have incredible value. Take a look-
Mikayla Nogueira- Makeup artist influencer: Mikayla started out on TikTok simply as someone who loves makeup. She began an Instagram account sharing tutorials in 2013 and only gained 43k followers. On TikTok she has amassed over 3.7 Million followers. Since coming to TikTok, she has earned over a million in income, products and other goods and services.
Mikayla has not only monetized her TikTok account she has benefitted from hidden resources like free products, collaborations, and exposure to people in her industry she would not otherwise been able to access. She is now beginning to branch out into other areas of interest to her followers including mental health issues she manages.
DogFace- One TikTok account took the world by storm with a simple video showcasing Nathan Apodaca drinking Ocean Spray cranberry juice cocktail while riding a skateboard with Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams playing in the background. The back story was his car broke down on the way to work and he simply wasn’t going to let his situation get the best of him. Well, his zen-like attitude catapulted him to TikTok fame triggering a series of copy-cat videos with some pretty famous people. Ultimately, he was given a new truck from Ocean Spray after his video caused a spike in consumption of their product.
While the majority of videos do not go viral, many do. It isn’t unusual to get thousands of views on videos and the ratio of influencers on TikTok tends to be higher than other platforms as in Mikayla’s case where she had infinitely more traction on TikTok than Instagram.
While it is possible to earn income from TikTok, some people link their Venmo and other cash app accounts, there are also other benefits that may not translate to dollars in your bank account but can be equally lucrative. Here are some benefits you may not want to pass up-
- Merchandise from companies you endorse
- Collaborations with other influencers
- Donations
- Growing accounts and selling them
There are a lot of possibilities to generate income and other resources from TikTok. Developing your account could lead to a profitable experience.
