Since its inception in 2017, TikTok has captured the fancy of millions across the world and has rocketed to become one of the most popular social media apps. It is one of the most widely used forms of entertainment for millions across the globe.
TikTok has also made its name within the music industry as a career launcher for many musical artists like Lil Nas X, who found an instant platform to display their creativity. In 2022, the app has become an integral part of music marketing and promotion for music labels and independent artists alike.
If you are an aspiring musician wondering how to propel your music career, TikTok could be the answer. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how you can use TikTok to increase your chance of success with your musical and target music jobs in London.
What is TikTok, and why has it become so popular?
The good thing about TikTok’s popularity is that you have probably heard about the platform, even if you haven’t used it yet.
TikTok first made its appearance as a global version of Douyin, a popular music-focused, social media app in China.
The entire platform is based on short videos lasting for about 15 seconds. The videos cater to thousands of genres from personal entertainment, musical content, comedy and even educational content.
What makes TikTok so successful and different from other platforms? TikTok users are consuming and creating content simultaneously, creating a humongous content ecosystem.
Let’s understand this better with a simple statistic. In 2018, more than 55% of active TikTok consumers were also creating content of their own. When you compare this figure to the ratio of creators versus consumers on another popular video platform like YouTube, the numbers are not even close.
TikTok seems to have perfected the many-to-many communication approach. On the platform, everyone’s a creator as well as an audience.
Why do TikTok algorithms make it a great music promotional platform?
The many-to-many communication approach that makes TikTok successful as a social media app, also makes it viable as a marketing platform for your music.
A recent survey put the number of active TikTok users at 1.1 billion in 2019. Thus, uploading your music on TikTok allows you to access a vast, diverse group of consumers and potential fans.
Additionally, the informal look and feel of the app allows you to portray your unique personality as an artist and make your music career in the UK.
What should be your priority as a musical content creator on TikTok?
Unlike other social media apps, TikTok isn’t ideal for sharing dates for your concerts or music jobs in the UK. Nor will it be suitable for riding on other’s successful hashtags and trends.
If you are new to TikTok as an artist, your strategy should have two primary goals:
- Become viral and increase the number of your followers.
- Create and display your personality as an artist and promote your personal brand.
For instance, Drake has found success on the app by releasing bits of his new music instead of performing viral memes and dance challenges.
How can you become viral on TikTok as a musician?
Unlike the conventional music industry, you don’t need to rent out a recording studio and depend on an expensive setup to be successful. To be a musical star on TikTok, all you need is a good phone with great acoustics and camera settings.
Here are a few effective ways to achieve fame on TikTok as a musician.
- Post your music on your TikTok channel regularly.
- Use all the relevant hashtags that you can think of.
- Post videos using your own personal take on popular trends.
- Follow other creators on TikTok, especially the artists you love and want to work with.
Effective strategies to promote your music on TikTok
Once you’ve amassed enough followers on TikTok and built an engaged community around your work, you can use the platform to promote your music as well. Promoting your music on TikTok can bring in more ardent listeners from the TikTok community to your concerts or live streams.
Here are some ways you can promote your music on TikTok effectively.
- Film a live music video or stream and put it up on the platform.
- Film a video or dance with your own music playing in the background.
- Collaborate with other TikTok music creators on duet performances.
How to use TikTok to increase your followers and your music’s popularity?
While following the tips mentioned above should boost the number of your followers on TikTok, there are a few other ways to increase your audience on the app, including:
- Post your content at regular intervals at specific times when more people are online.
- Don’t delete old content, this means these videos may go viral when the platform algorithms change.
- Write an engaging bio about yourself that reflects your personality.
How can you boost your popularity as a TikTok musician in the real world?
Unfortunately, marketing strategies designed for TikTok might not bring the same level of results on other platforms or in the offline world. You will need to depend on diverse marketing techniques to promote your music and increase your audience.
A relevant programme in music performance might be able to do the trick. A music performance degree can help you learn the necessary skills to be a talented music composer and arranger in a fiercely competitive industry.
The London College of Creative Media (LCCM) offers a great MMus in Music Performance that can be an ideal fit for you as an aspiring musician. The programme not only focuses on different aspects of music creation, but it also teaches you how to promote and market your music well.
Click here to view other features of the MMus programme and enrol in this comprehensive music performance course at LCCM today!