Why Using TikTok for Your Brand is So Important

Here’s the most jaw-dropping fact we’ve heard in a minute: in 2021, TikTok had more active users than Google. Yup, you read that right.

 

Don’t believe us? One of our Gen Z team members said that she uses TikTok more than Google to find info about brands, recipes, makeup tips, and more! If you need a sign for your biz to get on TikTok and Reels, this is it.

 

Brands big and small have been using TikTok and Instagram Reels to engage existing customers and convert new ones. Even if you’re new to these platforms, you can still own video content and grow your brand’s social media presence.

 

In this blog, we’ll go over why these platforms are so important for your brand – and how you can use them to boost your traffic on social.

 

What are TikToks and Reels?

Formerly known as Musical.ly, TikTok is a video-based social media app that is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. They allow users to share short videos and pair them with an algorithm that gives their users an opportunity to go viral. This is pretty revolutionary in the world of social media because every other social media app relies on organic engagement for users to be successful on their platforms.

 

After seeing the success of TikTok and their own dwindling engagement, Instagram decided to create their own video-sharing feature called Reels to keep up with TikTok’s insane growth. The structure of this feature is largely the same as TikTok with a few exceptions, such as length of videos and feed structure.

 

 

Why Using TikTok for Your Brand is So Important: A woman holds an iPhone and watches a TikTok video.

Because TikTok and Instagram Reels work on a unique algorithm, your videos are more likely to end up in front of your target audience compared to other social media platforms.

 

 

Why are TikTok and Reels so important for your brand?

Video-Based Content is On the Rise

 

It’s very apparent that video content is the next big thing in social media, but why?

 

Psychologically speaking, videos are more engaging than pictures because they tell a story. If you see the start of a video, you are usually curious to see how it ends. With a picture, you can easily scroll on by. But this doesn’t tell the whole story of why video content is rising.

 

Platforms like TikTok and Reels encourage their users to create videos that allow them to be their most imperfect and authentic selves. It cuts away the Face Tuning and Photoshop that have made users shy away from photo-sharing platforms (helloooo, Instagram) and lets people share a realistic, often goofy look into their lives.

 

So, how do brands fit into this? Customers love content that shows that your brand is run by genuine and passionate people. You can use your content to share little snapshots of your business and allow users to relate to the culture of your biz. Whether that’s a video of you packing orders or showing your day-in-the-life, people love getting a peek behind the curtain at who’s really behind the company and the brand.

 

 

The Audience is Growing and Diverse

 

TikTok and Instagram Reels have seen crazzzy growth in the past few years, and it’s not just through Gen Z users. 

 

Here are some user stats that prove why you should devote time and energy to creating content for these platforms:

 

  • TikTok has 650 million users, and Instagram has over 1 billion users.

  • Around 60% of TikTok users are Gen Z. The other 40% consists of other generations.

  • Half of TikTok users are active each day.

  • 37% of TikTok users say they intend to or have used Instagram Reels.

 

 

It’s Easier to Go Viral 

 

With other social media platforms, like Instagram and Twitter, your following and engagement are completely organic. This means that the people who see your content found it by searching you or coming across it accidentally. That can be frustrating for creators and is a reason why more users are fleeing to TikTok.

 

TikTok’s algorithm is unique because it promotes videos to you based on your preferences. That means that the people who see your videos are ones who are interested in your niche. With hundreds of millions of users on each of these platforms, you are looking at a ton of potential followers (aka new customers.)

 

Even though the algorithm is a mystery, there are ways that you can improve your odds of ending up on people’s FYP (For You page.) Use trending hashtags and sounds to create content, and post often to show that you’re a dedicated user.

 

 

How to Use TikTok and Reels to Your Advantage 

Besides creating organic content, you can also use TikTok and Reels to advertise your services to your target audience. Here are ways that you can market your products using both…

 

 

TikTok

 

Another way that TikTok stands apart from other social media platforms is that they have a ton of ways to advertise on their platform. The most popular include:

 

TopView Ads: Ads that appear at the top of the For You Page. These are more expensive, but they are guaranteed to be seen by users.

 

Branded Hashtag Challenges: A hashtag that you create and TikTok promotes to users to tag their videos with.

 

Branded Effects and Filters: Effects and filters that people can use in their own videos. This is very similar to what Snapchat does with branded filters.

 

In-Feed Ads: Ads that are integrated into users’ FYPs. This is by far the most popular option and the easiest to produce. It is often done by hiring influencers to promote your brand on their TikTok page.

 

 

Instagram Reels

 

Instagram doesn’t have as many options as TikTok when it comes to branded content, but this doesn’t mean you should ignore it.

 

Instagram and Reels mainly rely on in-feed ads because of the app’s grid hierarchy structure, but they are adapting as they learn more about their users and how best to work with businesses through Reels.

 

Just like with TikTok, you can collaborate with Instagram influencers to post ads through their Reels page. More influencers are going this route because they are seeing better engagement there than in their feed posts.

 

Also, keep in mind that TikTok trends tend to move to Reels after about a week or two. This can help you forecast what will be popular on Reels and post accordingly!

 

 

TikTok and Reels can make your brand soar.

 It can feel scary to add another social media platform to your marketing strategy, but it’s worth it to get fresh eyes on your content and gain more brand awareness. Don’t be afraid to take the leap (and maybe even post your team doing your fave TikTok dance.)

 

If you have any questions or need help with your future video content, send us a DM @ouuilove on Instagram!