TikTok has exploded in the past year. With more and more creators posting daily content on the platform, it seems that TikTok is the place to be for everybody, including musicians.
For anybody who has no idea what TikTok actually is, it is a social media platform that specializes in short-form video content. The maximum length of time each video can be is 60 seconds, which is more than enough time for any musician to showcase their creations.
If you’re an aspiring or professional musician, it can be hard to know where to start with TikTok. How can one leverage its popularity to gain a following? How can musicians use their TikTok account to get more people listening to their music? How do any creators come up with regular content for TikTok?
Here are some essential TikTok tips and tricks that will boost any musician’s audience and engagement to get their music heard by new ears.
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Tip #1: Use Hashtags
Hashtags are used across all social media platforms, and TikTok is no different. Hashtags are a great way for musicians to gain traction. Using relevant hashtags such as #musician, #musiciansoftiktok or #musicartist can help to push videos in front of the relevant audience.
They can also be more specific. For example, those who play guitar might use the hashtag #guitarist or #guitarplayer. Musicians who write their own lyrics could use #songwriter. It’s a good idea to add hashtags to every single video to increase the chances of it being placed in front of the right people. Look for trending hashtags to incorporate into any posts too. This further enhances the potential of these videos to go viral on TikTok.
Tip #2: Post Consistently
Consistency is key when it comes to social media growth. The TikTok algorithm randomly pushes videos out to new people, so who knows when one of the many videos on a musician’s page could blow up and go viral?
Posting as consistently as possible increases the chances of a video being seen on the ‘For You Page’. This is the equivalent of Instagram’s ‘Explore’ page where people have the ability to find new creators to follow and engage with.
For musicians who already have a large and loyal following on TikTok, posting regular content ensures that they stay happy. Nobody wants to follow an amazing creator expecting to see daily content, then having to wait two weeks for another video!
Tip #3: Participate in the Trends
The trends on TikTok change almost daily. They are one of the best ways for creators, including musicians, to get involved with the app. Create videos using popular sounds or trending hashtags, but add a unique spin to them. This could include using a popular soundtrack but adding personal lyrics, or using the duet feature to react to another creator’s video.
Lots of trends can be worked into a musician’s content. For example, if the trend is a new dance, the creator could try performing the dance to their own music. If the trend involves a funny hashtag, a musical spin can easily be added to this by playing an instrument whilst telling jokes or pulling funny faces. The beauty of TikTok trends is that they are so versatile and can easily work well with music-based content.
Tip #4: Use Good Lighting
As a musician, it’s not just the music that counts on TikTok. Lighting is key when it comes to any content. TikTok users want both auditory and visual stimulation when scrolling through their ‘For You Page’. If they come across a musician’s video that has amazing music content, but poor lighting, most users will scroll right past the video.
By all means, creators can still grow a following without the best lighting, but it makes it much easier to attract people to a video when it looks good. One of the best types of lighting to use is natural lighting. Film any TikTok content sat by the window to make the video bright and welcoming. There’s also the option to use a ring light or softbox. This is brighter, more artificial-looking lighting, but it bodes well for social media content.
Take these tips and tricks on board to be a successful musician TikToker. They are all super simple to follow, but they can rapidly increase the growth of any musician by showcasing their art in front of a wider audience.