Quinn Black
Who else is singing “I’m bored in the house and I’m in the house bored” to themselves while going about their day? TikTok is thriving right now. With everyone quarantining it seems like there’s nothing else to do but watch endless amounts of random videos that will without fail get stuck in your head.
On TikTok, you can create a 15-second video using audio, filters, and stickers from within the app or you can upload your own. TikTok is currently being used by both individuals and companies. Individuals are using the app for entertainment while companies are using it for advertising.
Here’s what our experience has been like!
Sarah’s Experience
When Content Cucumber first made a TikTok, I didn’t know a whole lot about the platform except that my younger sibling was on it. We started having some fun with the platform a few months ago, and since then we’ve had quite a bit of fun coming up with different concepts!
My favorite TikToks that I’ve made are the quarantine diaries one, which I filmed with my own dog, Ink, and the toilet paper video that displays how Content Cucumber can build even the smallest blog into an enviable castle of content.
People talk about TikTok just being for 14-year-olds, but there are people of all ages and careers on TikTok, with more celebrities and famous professionals joining the platform each day. If you’ve been waiting for a sign that it’s time for you to get TikTok – this is it! Set aside some time to scroll through what other people are making, follow a few creators that resonate with you, and then dive into creating your own content!
My best tip: don’t overthink it. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a platform that’s new to you and seems so different from the others, but part of the point of TikTok is quick, funny content! Use what you have and have fun with it.
Chris’s Experience
First and foremost, the obvious tip: scroll through what other people are creating to get a feel for the platform and what posting on it is like. This is important on any platform, but especially for TikTok, as it is still constantly evolving as more people download the app.
Next, don’t fear the “generational humor” that people joke about seeing on TikTok! The funniest part, to me, is that it’s mostly millennials complaining about not being part of Gen Z, as opposed to actual Gen Z specific humor. You might have to look up some slang every now and then, but overall, the fun of the platform is relevant to any generation.
Really, TikTok just seems like any other platform, with younger generations being the first to adopt it and others joining later. Think about how long it took your parents to get on Snapchat as opposed to your younger cousins! The audience on TikTok is getting older by the day, especially with people downloading it as something to do in quarantine.
My best tip: start posting by using templates! There are so many templated ideas and video types that can easily be used to create videos about any kind of idea or hobby you may have. Using a template helps make learning the video editor and adjusting to the platform a lot quicker and a little less intimidating.
Tips for Tackling TikTok
Whether you’ve been taming TikTok for a while or are just downloading the app today, here are some tips from the Cucumber Crew to help you tackle TikTok and continue marketing your business through this new platform.
- Make use of different sounds – try funny ones and musical ones, and see which one fits the best with your brand!
- Choose your sound, then record the video – learn from our experience trying to do it the other way around.
- Keep an eye on trending hashtags, and if you see one that fits well with your brand, make a video for it right away!
- If you aren’t sure your moves are ready for a TikTok video, try making a video featuring one of your pets! Everyone could use a few more animal videos in their everyday life.
- Set up your TikTok posts to automatically share to other platforms you’re active on so your audience can see that you’re there!
With these tips in mind, it’s time for you to start taking on TikTok!
