How to Create a Killer TikTok Marketing Strategy: A Step-by-Step Guide

TikTok has become a game-changing platform in recent years, swiftly capturing the attention of millions around the globe. Because of this, a robust TikTok marketing strategy is no longer just a good idea—it’s essential.

In 2021, TikTok achieved a major milestone by reaching over 1-billion monthly active users. This meteoric rise underscores the importance of using TikTok for marketing.

TikTok is a platform that blurs the lines between entertainment and brand interaction. For those who can harness its potential, mastering marketing on TikTok can open up unprecedented opportunities for visibility and connection. So that’s exactly what we’re going to help you do ahead.

In this article, we’re delving into what goes into a killer TikTok marketing strategy. You’ll learn about its algorithm, common mistakes to avoid, and how to harness paid ads. We’re also going to share a step-by-step guide to creating a TikTok strategy that you can implement for your own business.

Why Marketing on TikTok is a Golden Opportunity

The allure of using TikTok for marketing isn’t just based on its fun and quirky short videos. It’s also about the numbers and the demographics. 

As of 2021, the platform boasted over 1-billion monthly active users, with a significant portion of those being Gen Z and younger millennials. These demographics are particularly valuable for marketers, as they represent a tech-savvy and trend-driven audience.

The typical TikTok user is also heavily engaged. According to eMarketer, American adults will spend close to 56 minutes per day using the platform in 2023.

This is a level of engagement comparable to other major social platforms, like Instagram and YouTube, who’ve been around for much longer. TikTok digital marketing presents a golden opportunity for brands to capture attention on a platform that’s still growing in influence.

Understanding the Algorithm: The Heart of Your TikTok Marketing Strategy

TikTok’s recommendation engine is the heartbeat of the platform. And the For You Page (FYP) is a pivotal tool to leverage in your TikTok digital marketing arsenal.

The FYP is a personalized feed that showcases a curated selection of videos tailored to users preferences and behaviors. It serves as the primary discovery platform for new content on the app.

The New York Times got hold of an internal document that explained the ins and outs of the TikTok algorithm. Here’s a general overview of how it works:

• TikTok doesn’t only depend on traditional parameters like user interactions (likes, comments, etc.) or video details (sounds or hashtags) to recommend content.
• To tackle challenges like repeated exposure and boredom it integrates its own unique metrics such as “same_author_seen” or “same_tag_today”.
• Creator monetization also plays a role, which suggests the TikTok algorithm might boost videos that are both profitable and catchy.

If you’re a brand using TikTok for marketing, these details matter. Crafting engaging content is just the tip of the iceberg. To be successful at TikTok digital marketing, you need to consider the intricacies of the algorithm, align with trends, and ensure authentic resonance with your target audience.

By using TikTok for marketing with a balanced approach, your brand can elevate its chances of shining on countless FYPs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your TikTok Strategy

While using TikTok for marketing your brand can be immensely rewarding, it’s also easy to stumble. Whether you’re new to the platform or just refining your approach, it’s important to be aware of common pitfalls.

Here are three mistakes that could derail your TikTok digital marketing strategy, plus how to steer clear of them.

1) Overselling or Being Too Promotional

TikTok’s ethos centers around authenticity and creativity. While it may be tempting to showcase your products and services as end-all-be-alls, being overly promotional can backfire.

TikTok users value organic, relatable content. Instead of hard-selling, weave your brand narrative subtly into the fabric of your videos without coming off as intrusive.

2) Neglecting User Engagement

Simply posting videos isn’t enough. Brands need to actively engage with commenters, participate in challenges, and respond to user-generated content.

When users comment or engage with your videos, take it as an invitation to foster a relationship. Ignoring this in your TikTok marketing strategy can make your brand appear distant and unapproachable.

3) Not Staying Up-to-Date with Trends

What’s popular today might be old news tomorrow. Brands that don’t stay in the loop risk appearing out of touch.

So build dedicated time into your TikTok marketing strategy to explore the platform daily, understand trending sounds, challenges, and user behaviors. This can not only boost visibility, but it also underscores your brand’s commitment to staying up-to-date.

Our Step-by-Step Guide to a Killer TikTok Marketing Strategy

Dynamic marketing on TikTok, as learned by the best TikTok marketing agencies over the years, requires:

• Forethought
• Creativity
• Adaptability

To maximize both engagement and impact, here is our step-by-step guide to ensure you’re on the right track

Step #1: Define Your Goals

Before you start posting, clarity is key. Ask yourself, “What do you aim to achieve?” 

Whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or direct sales, having clear objectives will shape your content and engagement tactics. Remember, each goal might require a distinct approach. 

For example, brand awareness could mean participating in trending challenges, while lead generation might involve more direct call-to-actions in your videos. Align your content with your TikTok marketing goals for seamless execution.

Step #2: Identify Your Target Audience

With over a billion monthly active users, TikTok has a diverse user base. But, not everyone will be right for your brand.

Pinpointing your target audience ensures your content resonates with the right people. Are you targeting Gen Z, millennials, or perhaps a niche group within these demos?

By understanding user behaviors, interests, and challenges, you can tailor your content to meet their needs and desires, solidifying your TikTok strategy.

Step #3: Create Your Content

With steps 1 and 2 of your TikTok digital marketing strategy under your belt, now it’s time to create. Authenticity, creativity, and relatability should be your guiding principles.

While it’s essential to maintain brand consistency, don’t shy away from thinking outside the box. Use storytelling, humor, and emotion to make your brand memorable.

Stay up-to-date with trending sounds and effects, but only use them if they align with your brand voice. Prioritize quality over quantity as it’s better to have fewer well-crafted videos than numerous mediocre ones.

Each piece of content in your marketing on TikTok is a reflection of your brand’s identity. Create videos with that in mind.

Step #4: Engage with Your Audience

Beyond content creation, it’s important to build a two-way relationship with your followers. You can do this by:

• Responding to comments
• Initiate discussions
• Collaborate with creators

Engagement isn’t limited to reactions on your posts. Actively participate in trends, challenges, and duets. It’s called social media for a reason. An engaged brand is perceived as accessible and genuine, and it can strengthen your foothold within your community.

Step #5: Analyze and Adapt

TikTok, like its competitors, offers a wealth of data. After you’ve posted and engaged with your audience, dig into your metrics to understand:

• What content performed best
• What times yielded the most engagement
• Who your active followers are

This isn’t a one-time task. Continue to assess and refine your overall TikTok marketing strategy based on what you take away from your analytics.

What works today might not resonate tomorrow. Marketing on TikTok should be a dynamic, evolving entity, ensuring sustained success.

Harnessing Ads and Creators in Your TikTok Marketing Strategy

The power of TikTok extends beyond creating your own organic brand content. A comprehensive TikTok strategy taps into the potential of paid ads and creator partnerships.

Let’s explore how these two facets can supercharge your presence on the platform.

Reach Your Target Audience Immediately With TikTok Ads

Advertising on TikTok is more than promotional snippets. It’s also about crafting experiences.

Your brand has a plethora of options to match your objectives with various available ad formats such as:

• In-Feed Videos: Short, engaging clips that appear as users scroll their For You Page. It’s prime real estate for brands aiming for direct interaction.
• TopView: An immersive, full-screen experience that’s perfect for brands eyeing maximum impact. It’s the first thing users see when they open the app.
• Branded Hashtag Challenges: These encourage user participation and can create a wave of user-generated content under a banner you set.

The Power of Partnerships With TikTok Creators

On TikTok, creators aren’t just power users; they’re torchbearers of trends and the platform’s culture.

Collaborating with the right creators can skyrocket your brand’s visibility and authenticity. Here’s why:

• Reach and authenticity: Creators come with built-in audiences. Partnering with them not only amplifies your reach but also grants you a seal of approval, as their endorsement carries weight.
• Niche alignment: The variety of creators on TikTok allows brands to find the perfect match for their match. This ensures they resonate deeply with a specific audience.
• Creative expertise: Creators are masters of creativity. They understand both the platform’s pulse and their audience’s desires, which means they’ll craft content that’s both promotional and genuinely engaging.

To harness the power of creators effectively in your TikTok marketing strategy, choose partners who are aligned with your values and objectives. When you team up with a creator, it’s a collaborative, not top-down, working relationship, where open communication sets the stage for successful campaigns.

The Last Word on Marketing on TikTok

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of TikTok marketing can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. This platform, with its unique rhythm, ever-evolving trends, and spirited user demographic, really does stand apart. The platform invites content that’s both relatable and exhilarating. Users aren’t just spectators; they’re active makers who seek connection, collaboration, and shared experiences.

Here at Taktical Digital, we’ve observed that the most memorable campaigns—including those on TikTok—strike a balance between being visually captivating and effectively converting. It’s this delicate dance between brand storytelling and performance marketing, which we refer to as “Brandformance”, that drives our approach.

So, as you set forth on your own TikTok marketing strategy, remember to:

• Listen to the platform’s pulse and attend to your audience’s feedback.
• Embrace trends, but don’t lose your brand’s distinctive voice in the process.
• Stay fresh by committing to constant iteration.

In digital marketing, TikTok offers both a challenge and an opportunity. With the insights we’ve gathered and the lessons we continue to learn, we believe in equipping brands to not just navigate but to truly thrive in this dynamic environment.

If you’d like the help of an expert TikTok ads agency with your digital marketing strategy, reach out today. We’re also happy to help you strategize for success on other social platforms, too.