The US alone has more than a million TikTok users. The TikTok app is a powerful tool for various content, including music, dance, entertainment etc., such an app like TikTok can be used for music promotion. The app is about being active as a user and how one can strategically use the features available to help artists promote their music. Whether you’re a fresh artist starting out in the music industry or a senior artist looking for a fresh approach, TikTok can be the right app for you to unlock new opportunities in the music scene.
Many big-name artists, such as Taylor Swift, Shakira, and BTS, have used TikTok to promote their music, and these songs have ranked high on music charts such as the Hot 100 and Billboard.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a popular platform for creating and sharing short videos with your followers. It was first launched as Douyin by a Chinese startup company called ByteDance in September 2016 and then introduced internationally as TikTok in 2018 following the merger with another popular app called Musical.ly.
How to Use Tiktok to Promote Your Music
Hoping on TikTok trends is a great way to see what’s popping up on the site, whether music, posts, or dance challenges. Consider the case of an indie rapper from Atlanta who released his single ‘Old Town Road. ‘ The song gained attention on TikTok and broke the Billboard record for the longest staying song on the Hot 100 chart. This story shows the potential of TikTok in promoting your music and helping your music reach out to more people.
Spend Time on TikTok
TikTok is a unique online platform with a diverse range of content. To effectively promote your music on TikTok, it is crucial to engage with the platform and understand what content is popular among users and why. This active engagement is key to aligning your music with the platform’s trends and maximizing its reach.
Check That Your Song is Distributed Well On Tiktok
It’s important to note that not all digital distributors work with TikTok. Therefore, it is crucial to check with your distributor and ensure your song will be available to the platform’s users. This step is essential before you release your single or album, as it verifies the distribution of your music release on the TikTok platform.
Find 15 Seconds in Your Song For Tiktok
Regarding TikTok challenges, 15-second videos are the most effective. Short content is what makes the platform work. So try to spot some 15-second “tiktok moments”, the part of your music you think has the most viral potential. And add some simple dances that the platform’s users can participate in.
Choose a Popular Hashtag
Each trend you plan to start with your music should have an interesting and catchy hashtag so people can easily identify the music. So choose a clear and less complicated hashtag that is easy to remember and will locate the tiktok challenge. If it goes well, this hashtag will be associated with your music for longer.
Do a Duet
Duets are another way to engage with fellow TikTok users; this feature lets you collaborate with another musician or influencer to help your music reach new listeners. Users love to see their favorite singers collaborate with other artists, and building a solid relationship with your followers can help you stand out and increase your fan base, so engaging with them whenever possible is advisable.
TikTok Challenges
Today, many artists are leading the way in promoting their music online by initiating TikTok challenges for their latest releases. This strategy particularly resonates with the K-pop music scene. We take the example of how BTS became globally acclaimed artists by releasing hit songs. Still, their music reached a larger audience globally as fans started making TikTok challenges. These videos are shared online, attracting other users and igniting a trend that can make your song go viral across platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook.
Conclusion
TikTok is a wonderful tool for your promotional efforts as an artist. Suppose you carefully use all the features the platform offers. In that case, you can keep up with trends and create creative and entertaining digital content that engages users. As you reach a bigger audience, you can add your social handles in your bio so that users stay updated with the latest releases and promotional activities.