Everybody and your grandma knows Tiktok so if you’re in a band, then you know Tiktok is for musicians.
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“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”, said Andy Warhol.
Well, let’s make that 15 seconds, Mr. Warhol, all thanks to TIKTOK.
If you’re not living under a rock, then I’m sure you heard about TikTok and if you’re a musician, you probably heard from your friends that indeed, Tiktok music can give you a platform to promote your music and earn a few bucks . In fact, I am sure the quirky dancing and singing videos have crept in your news feed already. The Tiktok craze has spread faster than the Corona virus especially because people have a lot of time in their hands these days. Many people love it, some people hate it (mostly the older generation) but one thing that no one can deny: it will be a missed opportunity for MUSICIANS not to give it a try.
It’s a platform with over 800M monthly active users, climbing up to 6th place in the global mobile app rankings by monthly active users for 2020, just a few numbers below Instagram!
Clearly, using this app is a MUST if you want to build an audience and promote your music.
TIKTOK AT A GLANCE
TIKTOK is a fun space for making videos. The operative word is FUN. Try checking it out for a few minutes and you won’t realize that an hour already passed while you’re watching all the funny skits, dances, lip-sync videos and a lot more.
Videos are short, usually around 15 seconds (but can go up to 60 seconds).
Content is usually more candid, raw and authentic than polished.
Compared to music-streaming apps such as Spotify and Apple Music, TikTok adds another layer of memes and comedic content.Ok. But let me be clear at this point. I still believe that CD’s and Dvd’s duplication services especially CD duplication in Los Angeles area will never die.
You can make your videos creative by adding filters, texts, and stickers and can even add slow motion and fast forward effects.
According to Rolling Stone, TikTok differs from Musical.ly by adding “an algorithm that enhances social mobility” and “targeted outreach efforts that ensure popular users are up on the latest trends.” That means there’s technology at work specifically to get you famous. I hope you still have somewhere on your home a vinyl record with Rolling Stone. If not, don’t worry, the vinyl records industry is still alive and you can find easily a vinyl pressing service near you or why not, come and visit us in Los Angeles and talk to us for the best deal in town.
WHY TIKTOK IS GREAT FOR MUSICIANS:
- Not only is this a great app for you to market your music, you can actually earn from it by linking your Spotify and Youtube accounts. Musicians like Ambjaay, Y2K and bbno$, Lizzo, and most famously, Lil Nas X. gained overnight success using Tiktok.
- 66% of TikTok users are under thirty, 68% of people who listen to music every day are also in that age group.
- TikTok for artists allows that you may legit record and release as much as 60 seconds of yourself performing live.
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Music labels now are known to actively monitor artists’ activity on social media in order to snatch up promising singers who are bound to produce hits on apps such as TikTok.
TIPS FOR USING TIKTOK FOR MUSIC MARKETING
- COVER POPULAR SONGS. You’ll be tempted to play your original music right off the bat, but it’s smarter to do covers, at least at first. Once you get some people really liking your renditions of songs they’re already into, then maybe lay into them with an original. Then go right back to covers for a while more.
- ONE ORIGINAL SONG A MONTH MAX. Until your fans are straight-up asking you for more originals, don’t play them often: one a month, tops. You don’t want to run out of original songs to play and it’s probably much better to release new music in another, “more legit” platform.
- GET A LITTLE SILLY. But as you take them seriously as music fans, remember not to take yourself too seriously in interacting with them. Popular TikTockers are often hyperactive, often super silly, and almost always having fun.
- USE HASHTAGS WISELY. Like Instagram and Twitter, TikTok also monitors hashtags. The more users use the hashtag, the more the awareness is increased related to that hashtag. An example is V’s viral TikTok challenge. Users who did the challenge post their videos with the hashtag GoodBoyChallenge (#GoodBoyChallenge). When you do a contest you can tell your fans or other users to use the hashtag.
- INTERACT WITH FANS. If you use this application to talk to people you can form relationships with others and you may even gain fans. When people or fans comment on your videos, reply to them once in a while,
SO…IS TIKTOK FOR YOU?
Does it match your personality as an artist?
Can you be a little quirky and silly?
Is your audience under thirty?
If you answer yes to all, please don’t waste another second reading this article. JUST DO IT!
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD/vinyl and merch company in LA.
