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Tiktok for musicians - what I've learned, how to grow, and how it can help your music career

TikTok for Musicians - What I've Learned, How to Grow, and How It Can Help Your Music Career

Hello and welcome back! Today, we're talking about using TikTok as a musician. I'll share some things I've learned from using the platform and how it can potentially help you build your fan base and increase visibility. I previously discussed TikTok in my 2021 strategy for musicians, so you can check out that video if you want to learn more about why I decided to try TikTok to help my music career.

My Journey on TikTok

First of all, I'm not huge on TikTok at all—I think I have about 2,500 followers right now. While many people say it's easy to grow their accounts, that wasn't the case for me. I hovered around 200 to 300 followers for the longest time because I couldn't figure out how to use the app. I'll go into why I wasn't growing soon.

How TikTok Has Helped Me

TikTok has helped me in many different ways. For starters, I've started a few collaborations because of the app. It's excellent for checking out other people's work and potentially collaborating. The way the algorithm works is very different from Instagram or other social media platforms, and I think discoverability is a bit easier on TikTok.

Types of Content I Post on TikTok

I post a variety of content on TikTok:

  1. Casual talking and sharing experiences.
  2. Providing educational content like mental health advice or struggles musicians face.
  3. Production tips and songwriting tips.
  4. Snippets of my own music to get people interested in the full version on Spotify or other platforms.
  5. Silly meme-style videos.

Using trending sounds and trends can help you grow much faster than just posting original music. Initially, I was only posting videos of me singing, but because I didn't have a following, those videos weren't reaching anyone—even when I used hashtags. It's very hard to get someone interested immediately just by singing at them. Provide a story around it to engage interest.

Strategies for Growth

To grow on TikTok:

  1. Use Trends: Participate in trending sounds and trends to increase visibility.
  2. Provide Value: Make your videos about the viewer and less about yourself. Share stories, tips, and your personality.
  3. Post Regularly: Share a mix of content, including your music, educational tips, and personal stories.

Utilize Features

Once you hit a thousand followers, you can:

  1. Add a Website to Your Bio: This can help with getting pre-saves for your singles.
  2. Go Live: Engage with your followers in real time. Even a small number of viewers can make a difference.

Benefits of TikTok

TikTok is a great way to market your music for free. It can be hard to get pre-saves or engage people purely through Instagram, and TikTok provides a platform that's a bit more discoverable.

Collaboration and Audience Growth

TikTok provides an excellent opportunity for collaborations and growing your audience across multiple platforms, including Instagram and YouTube. The goal is to build your socials so people can find out when you're dropping your next song.

Conclusion

In conclusion, be authentic, try trends in your own way, and provide value to your audience. These strategies can increase your visibility and help in the long run. Thanks for reading, and good luck with your TikTok journey!

Keywords

  • TikTok
  • Musicians
  • Collaborations
  • Algorithm
  • Discoverability
  • Trends
  • Singing Videos
  • Educational Content
  • Production Tips
  • Songwriting Tips
  • Pre-saves
  • Going Live
  • Engagement
  • Audience Growth

FAQ

Q: Why did you choose TikTok to promote your music?
A: I chose TikTok because of its unique algorithm, which provides better discoverability compared to platforms like Instagram.

Q: What types of content should I post on TikTok as a musician?
A: Post a variety of content including snippets of your music, educational tips, personal stories, and trending meme-style videos.

Q: How do I use trends to grow my TikTok following?
A: Participate in trending sounds and trends and tailor them to your personality and brand. This increases visibility and engagement.

Q: How can I engage my followers and grow my audience?
A: Be authentic, provide value and make your content about the viewer. Use features like adding a website to your bio for pre-saves and going live when you reach a thousand followers.

Q: Is it worth using TikTok for free marketing?
A: Yes, TikTok offers a great platform for free marketing and promotion, especially if you're taking a break from paid advertising like Facebook ads.

Q: How has TikTok impacted your music career?
A: TikTok has helped me start collaborations, grow my following, and increase engagement across other social media platforms like Instagram.

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