What is TikTok?
In recent years, it has been hard to ignore the rapid growth of TikTok for social media marketing in Belfast. It is a short-form video-sharing app that allows users to create and share a range of content. This includes dances, recipes and everything in between. With around 1.2 billion reported active users at the end of 2021, TikTok has catapulted itself to the top as the fastest-growing platform. It also has the most downloads globally.
But is TikTok a social media platform?
The answer to this is still very much up for debate. Earlier in the year, TikTok’s Head of Global Agency and Accounts, Khartoon Weiss, described the app as an entertainment platform. It was controversial that he chose not to describe it as a social network.
When measuring user engagement across different apps and platforms, TikTok takes the top spot for marketing. The average user spends just below 11 minutes per session on TikTok. This is more than double any other platform. However, TikTok users are consuming content for entertainment and discovery purposes rather than from a social standpoint.
How does TikTok compare to other social media marketing platforms?
TikTok. doesn’t claim to be a social media platform. However, it is hard to ignore the similarities between it and other leading social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. Social media marketing in Belfast using TikTok can share the same advantages as other social media marketing strategies.
1. TikTok is cost-effective
TikTok is free to set up and create content on. The option of paid ads is available to all. However, it is not necessary for successful reach and engagement on the app.
2. It has a large potential audience for social media marketing
There are around 1.2 billion active users globally. This means that you are sure to find the right audience for your brand and content.
3. TikTok can help your Belfast business build strong customer relationships
Like Facebook, Instagram and others, TikTok allows users to like, comment and share content. This opens the possibilities for conversation with users and customers. Therefore, TikTok facilitates strong customer relationships.
Social media differences
TikTok also has features which are different to the rest. These allow businesses to interact and engage with their customers in a new way when social media marketing on TikTok in Belfast. The ‘Stitch’ and ‘Duet’ features allow customers to react and respond to videos. Therefore, this creates an infinite possibility of user-generated content from one post alone.
This 2-way communication on the app certainly highlights the ‘social media’ nature of the app. There are more opportunities to communicate between users than there are on other entertainment apps, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.
“TikTok is easily the most accommodating platform for cross-platform sharing and encourages users to spend more time on the app, as they can create content more efficiently.”
Jess Smith, Takumi
While the answer is still up in the air, the likelihood is that the app will continue to grow and transform into something bigger and different. This will create brand new features for marketing on TikTok, creating more confusion than before.
In fact, this has already begun with the introduction of the TikTok shop. This is an in-app e-commerce platform where users can buy anything from a pair of dancing shoes to a whole roasted chicken. (No really, look it up!).
How to get the most from your social media marketing on TikTok
TikTok is still one of the newest social media networking platforms available. This means that its algorithms and trends are continuously changing and evolving. Therefore, it can be a difficult platform to navigate.
If you are struggling with your social media marketing in Belfast, or you are not sure which platforms you should be using, it might be time to seek the help of an expert. At Rapid Agency in Belfast, we have a team of social media experts who would love to help you make the most of your social media marketing.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help!