TikTok has only been around since late 2016, but has already become an incredibly popular social media platform! In fact, it quickly turned into one of the most used social media platforms in the world. TikTok now boasts over 800 million monthly active users, making it already roughly a quarter as popular as Facebook. Just as Facebook has become an incredible marketing tool, TikTok too has become a great tool that businesses can use for marketing. If your company is not using TikTok for marketing, then you should strongly consider doing so. 

Here are the top 5 TikTok business and marketing trends that you should be aware of:

1. Memes 

Memes are very frequently used on TikTok and they are extremely popular amongst millennials and Gen Zs, who make up a large percentage of TikTok’s user base. Memes are oftentimes quite humorous and they also have great viral capabilities. Companies who can use memes effectively can boost their engagement and potentially even achieve viral status on their marketing campaigns. 

2. Influencers 

TikTok, like other social media platforms, has its fair share of influencers who have large followings. Influencer marketing can be extremely effective when it is done correctly. In 2021, as TikTok’s popularity continues to rise, more and more brands will start to use TikTok influencers for marketing purposes. TikTok influencers can help promote goods and services to their followers. The larger the following, the more power the TikTok influencer has to influence TikTokers to use your product. Some TikTok accounts have tens of millions of followers – just imagine how much influence a person with such an account can have! If you would like to use influencers for your brand’s marketing efforts, you will have to find an influencer with enough followers who is relevant to your niche and who you can afford to work with.  Check out the TikTok influencer guide here.

3. User-Generated Content (UGC)

Just like with Facebook, user-generated content (UGC) is becoming increasingly important – and marketers are taking notice. User-generated content is content that is generated by customers and users and which is used by brands for marketing purposes. User-generated content is great for marketers because it is free and, because it’s created by regular people, customers tend to trust it more. In fact, user-generated content converts five times more than brand-sponsored posts. As more and more companies start to realize this, there will be an increased use of user-generated content by marketing professionals around the world. User-generated content is a TikTok marketing trend that companies simply cannot afford to ignore. 

4. Branded Hashtag Challenges 

A branded hashtag challenge is when a company creates a hashtag and asks followers to submit videos that are related to that hashtag and that feature the hashtag. There are many reasons why branded hashtag challenges are effective as a TikTok marketing strategy. The first is because they have the potential to attract a lot of attention and go viral. For example, Elf Cosmetics was able to get over 3 million user-generated videos and over 4 billion views for its #eyeslipsface branded hashtag challenge. This challenge encouraged people to submit their own videos for a song called “Eyes, Lips, Face” that went along with the challenge. This branded hashtag challenge was to date, the most successful branded hashtag campaign of all time on TikTok. Check out some other brands that are absolutely killing it on TikTok for some more inspiration!

In addition to having viral potential, branded hashtag challenges are an excellent TikTok marketing strategy because they create fun experiences for followers. They also engage followers in a highly effective way. One further reason why these campaigns can be so effective is because they can help draw people to your brand who may not have even heard of your brand. They can come for the hashtag challenge and end up following your company because they discover that they like your brand after checking out the hashtag challenge.

TikTok hashtags are important, get started with your hashtag strategy here.

5. Duets 

Duets are another highly successful and unique TikTok marketing approach. Duets involves a brand creating a video and then letting TikTok users duet that video with a side-by-side video, with the two videos played simultaneously in a split-screen. This is another great way for brands to engage their followers and create exciting, new experiences for them. Another reason why duets will be a strong marketing trend on TikTok in 2021 is because it gives brands an opportunity to showcase their products in a way that feels organic and fun to follow. Duets allow followers to participate in something with the brand instead of just get shown ads. This participation can help followers to forge much stronger connections with the brand, which can in turn increase customer loyalty. 

Conclusion 

TikTok’s rise in the past four years has been nothing short of sensational. It has now become a key social media platform that cannot be ignored. If your brand is not already using TikTok to connect with your followers, then you should strongly consider creating a TikTok account and getting started today! After all, there’s a good chance that your competitors have already done so. 

Once you get started on TikTok, start taking advantage of some of the key trends that are mentioned in this article right away. The more of these trends that you can take advantage of, the better your brand will fare. Although TikTok is a new platform, it is relatively easy to use, so don’t feel overwhelmed by it. Just get started and have fun with it!