A Comprehensive Guide on Tiktok For Musicians
Are you an artist and care to know how to promote your song and albums on TikTok to go viral? If yes, this blog post on TikTok for musicians is meant for you.
In recent years, we have seen artists like Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, Ava Max, and more blow up with the help of TikTok.
TikTok now has over 1 billion active users worldwide, so it is not surprising to know that TikTok for musicians can be trending and provide immense help for their music careers.
TikTok has been such an influential platform for upcoming artists because most of the content posted here is based on music. TikTok users create short videos usually found around a verse or hook of a song.
A lot of factors make TikTok videos unique. First, TikTok Video is usually around 15 seconds long and has a vertical aspect ratio. Its videos are backed with an audio snippet which is usually music.
For TikTok, authenticity and group participation is more important than getting the perfect shot. Videos can be recorded in parts and can be edited together in fragments. Popular TikTok videos are usually pushed to a broader audience.
How to make the music go viral on TikTok
While this article is a Tiktok for musicians hack, it’s equally important to note that TikTok’s algorithm creates a unique content feed for every user.
This feed is called the “For You Page.” The more the interaction of a user with the platform, the more the tendency for their content to appear on the For You Page.
For instance, if your song is a 15-second snippet and is used in a video, the video shows up on another user’s For You Page, and the video is enjoyed by that user so much that they want to create a similar video.
The TikTok app has created a straightforward way for people to use an audio clip they have heard elsewhere to make their new video. This simple audio copying process makes it easy for a song to go viral on TikTok.
How to Promote Music on TikTok
It takes only two clicks for you to take up music from another video and put it into your own.
If a dance or lip sync challenge inspires one user, then there is a good chance it will encourage more people to make their videos.
The more the algorithm sees people using that music, the more it will feed your song to new users to view, which then inspires more users to create their content using your song.
This reaction has made a lot of songs that were overlooked go viral on TikTok. There are instances where artists with small followers have achieved massive exposure on the platform.
So now that you understand how songs go viral, we will discuss how to effectively promote your songs on TikTok, grow your audience and encourage people to share your music.
To promote your music on TikTok, you will need to do the following:
- Release your music on TikTok
You can not go viral on TikTok without posting your music on the platform. Fortunately, hundreds of media are available to release your music to TikTok, such as Spotify and Apple Music.
All you need to do is upload your music to any of the platforms, and they will make your music available on TikTok.
- Focus on TikTok-friendly tracks
For your track to go viral on TikTok, it needs to be a TikTok-friendly track. This means that you will ensure the optimal duration for the music content of TikTok is 15 seconds long.
The track must also be broad, catchy, and relatable to make TikTok’s users create their video content around it. So look through your channel and narrow it down to the 15 seconds with the most “TikTok virility prospect” and catchy lyrics or rhythms that users can use for a short dance routine.
Do not be afraid to go through your back catalog and release old tracks more suitable for TikTok.
The song “Choices (Yup)” by E-40 blew up on TikTok due to the lyrically simple hook that could be used in a wide range of user-generated content, with each person putting their stamp on it.
- Use a mix of hashtags.
Like many social platforms, hashtags for TikTok are usually at the center of its viral content.
If you choose popularly or highly searched hashtags, you can boost the chances of your video appearing in TikTok’s “Discover” & “For You” tabs.
Include a mix of hashtags in all the content that you post. You can make the hashtags specific to you and your content and add more general ones. You could also piggyback on current trending hashtags to help reach more people.
- Create challenges and contests
TikTok is a place where challenges and contests are highly appreciated. Hence, you should use a distinctive hashtag to inspire fans and followers to participate in challenges unique to your track.
Challenges tend to blow up when they are fun and can be interpreted differently by different people. You want to provide a chance for people to be creative and put their unique twist on an existing trend. This is why it is essential to choose a track that is TikTok-friendly.
Some of the most prevalent challenges on TikTok usually involve Dance routines, Lip syncing, Costumes, Comedy memes, etc.
It is also improbable that you will generate a viral sensation when you post your challenge and sit back. You will need to be proactive to help it make the wave.
You could run the challenge as a contest, offering a cool prize for the winner; this could be maybe signed merch, free gig tickets, or even a cash reward. You could also run a music influencer marketing campaign to promote the challenge or trend and help get it trending.
“The Git Up” by Blanco Brown spawned a hugely popular dance challenge named #TheGitUpChallenge, where users each created their version of a dance routine to the song’s leading hook.
- Follow, follow, follow
Dive in and start following people straight away. Follow other musicians and famous influencers and everyone who follows you.
Following people is the best way to start building an audience on TikTok. It will also give you a chance to scope out the platform’s other creators to see what is working and trending and also help generate more TikTok ideas for music-related content that you can utilize.
- Do a duet
Another simple method to interact with other TikTokers is through duets. The Duet feature allows you to put two videos together side by side to play simultaneously.
On TikTok, dueting is a fantastic method to connect with new fan bases. You could collaborate with other musicians to help each other reach new listeners or react to a popular influencer’s videos in the hope that more people will see your profile and give you a follow.
- Authenticity rules
TikTok is all about authenticity. It is just real people creating makeshift content to entertain one another, so do not worry too much about perfect lighting and framing when creating your videos.
Just make sure it is fun to inspire people to follow your trend or challenge by creating their videos in homage to yours.
- Visuals & memes
Apart from the music, two more things that have helped TikTok grow into such a colossal platform are engaging, easily imitated visuals, and generally funny or inspiring content.
Remember that videos do not have to be perfectly shot. They just have to be engaging, interesting, hilarious, and relatable. If you can turn a snippet of your track into a 15-second video that is easy to copy, then it has the potential to blow up on the platform.
- Share across other platforms.
Sharing your content across more social platforms is a good and easy way to reach even more people with your TikTok content. It is really easy to share your TikTok videos to Instagram Stories as it only takes a couple of clicks, and you can share videos to your Stories directly from the app.
- Start local. Go global.
TikTok is excellent at providing localized content. You might start to notice this once you have used the app for a while, so why harness the power of local content to engage new fans in your area.
You can showcase your hometown and stick your music in the background. Or if you are heading out on tour, tag the locations as you arrive.
As we have been saying throughout this guide, TikTok users respond well to authentic content they can personally relate to. So it is better to start making content from where you live.
- Use TikTok Analytics
TikTok has joined other big platforms like Instagram and Twitter by adopting in-app analytics.
Content creators can know about important data and metrics of their content and engagement for free through the analytics dashboard within their TikTok account.
Head to the “Creators tools” tab from your account settings to view the dashboard. Then select “Analytics,” and you will get access to statistics on video views, likes, comments, shares, and so on.
- Convert followers into music fans
Though promoting your music on TikTok through short video content is great, the overall aim is to turn your video watchers into real-life active listeners and fans of your music.
You can use the song page tool, which automatically attaches every song officially distributed on TikTok. This includes a link to the song on Spotify or Apple Music, which encourages users to go and listen to the full version of the song on their chosen music streaming platform.
Additionally, it also includes a link to the artist’s official TikTok account, so make sure you have an authorized account that can serve as a conversion point between TikTok and other music platforms.
Examples of music and music artists whose music trended on TikTok
TikTok is known for one thing alone: setting trends and making songs, and often their accompanying dances blow up.
From the famous “Renegade” dance to the “Blinding Lights” challenge that was all over social media last year, TikTok stars certainly know how to take a song and run with it.
There is no formula for the kind of song that will be a mega success on TikTok. The content creators of the app enjoy all types of music, from well-known music like “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa to classic songs that have just become more famous on social media, notably “Rasputin” by Boney M.
Some tracks, like “Aesthetic” by Xilo, seem and sound like they were created specifically for TikTok, while others, like “Say So” by Doja Cat, were screaming to be turned into a viral dance.
1. Savage by Megan Thee Stallion
“Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion has been used in more than 24 million videos. This was due to a dance trend by Keke Janajah that went viral on TikTok last year.
2. Lottery (Renegade) by K-Camp
“Lottery (Renegade)” by K-Camp has one of the most famous dances on TikTok, and the song has been used in more than 24 million videos. Following the creation of a dance by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon that became a huge fad, the song “Lottery (Renegade)” became viral on the app.
3. Say So by Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s song “Say So” blew up on TikTok last year when users positively responded to the dance trend inspired by the TikTok star @yodelinghaley. The song has been used in more than 14 million videos, and Doja Cat even incorporated the dance into her music video, in which there was an appearance of Harley.
4. Drivers Licence by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Drivers Licence” has been featured in about two million videos, and her TikTok video about writing the music has received more than nine million likes.
Numerous TikTok trends were also sparked by “Drivers License,” including users texting their ex the song’s lyrics to see if they understand them, a group of friends purposefully singing along severely, and another trend started by @spoiledmel in which users make a music video-quality transition to the song’s bridge.
5. Backyard Boy by Claire Rosenkranz
“Backyard Boy” by Claire Rosenkranz has been used in more than 2.5 million videos due to its fun and breezy melody, which is the perfect backdrop to a wide range of TikTok content.
6. Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s song “Don’t Start Now” inspired a viral dance trend that took over TikTok early last year. The dance was popular and had many TikTok stars, including Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae.
7. Up by Cardi B
“Up” by Cardi B, released in February on TikTok, has been used in 1.5 million videos. One of the most viewed videos that use the song is by Riverdale’s Madeline Petsch, Lili Reinhart, and Camila Mendes, which has been viewed more than 67 million times.
8. The Box by Roddy Ricch
A famous dance is associated with “The Box” by Roddy Ricch, featured in 1.7 million videos. This dance has been used numerous times by the most followed TikTok star Charli D’Amelio.
9. Toosie Slide by Drake
“Toosie Slide” by Drake has been used in 4.7 million videos, but one of the most popular videos is by TikTok star Bella Poarch, in which she moves her face to the lyrics of the song, this type of content has made Poarch the creator with the most liked TikTok video ever.
10. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd was trendy at the beginning of the pandemic last year due to a viral dance. The song is used in 1.5 million videos; the #blindinglightschallenge has 497 million views, while the #blindinglightsdance has nearly 16 million views.
TikTok Content Ideas for Musicians
As we all know, TikTok is the most engaging app on the market; this is semi-old news. A more exciting part of TikTok is that the content is constantly changing.
If you use the app, you will know as one day you are there flicking through offbeat shoe dance trends, and the next minute you are met with countless videos of Lip syncing.
Once you start releasing music on TikTok, you will need to brainstorm some viral-worthy content ideas that will promote music on TikTok and leverage your TikTok user status simultaneously.
1. Post Cover Versions
Most of TikTok’s most popularly shared material among users and followers consists of cover songs. Additionally, they’re one of the most accessible types of content to make for many different types of artists, including soloists, bands, and DJs.
Cover songs are a great way to grow your audience and reach new fans because they draw listeners in by familiarity with a well-known song or one of their favorites, eventually getting them to your page and, by default, your original music.
It is also an organic way of boosting the exposure of your music by using songs that are already fan favorites.
There are already a lot of great musicians dropping clips of cover songs on the app, such as Martina Lynn, whose entire page is devoted to cover songs of popular and ‘of the moment’ tracks.
So if you’re going to put out your music, just make sure you’re meeting or surpassing the level of standard that’s already on the platform. That means you will need a simple recording setup, a good camera or smartphone, and well-rehearsed performance.
You could also make things more interesting by putting your twist on a classic track. Whether by changing the original style and genre, going acapella, or using cool techniques to create a unique sound, like TikTok creator and musician Carson Elliot does.
2. Respond to trends
Whether trends and challenges are your thing or not, there is no doubt that when it comes to content creation, trends are at the heart of TikTok.
Even if they are lip-syncing trends, seamless transitions, photo challenges, or making TikToks with your family, trends fuel TikTok’s algorithm and make it one of the most popular methods for expanding audiences and being found on the app.
Trends are not just for emerging artists. Many prominent artists have gained much attention through the TikTok movements.
A good example is when Taylor Swift hopped on the ‘I understood the assignment’ trend to showcase the vinyl and merch available with her latest release.
You could even get creative and start a trend of your own to share with your followers and (hopefully!) build some momentum around.
3. Duet & collaborate
TikTok’s duet videos are most likely one of the most popular features on the app right now.
The ‘duet’ option helps users to make response videos to other people’s videos.
The duet feature has recently been used chiefly by regular users to create response videos or reaction-type videos. But for artists and creators, the duet feature offers a way to upload a reaction video and make it stand out by adding your creative twist.
Making duet content is an easy win as they are a quick way to reach the fanbase of another artist, and they are straightforward to make, considering that you have already got half the video content before you even record.
For artists searching to connect on the platform with other creatives who share their interests, it is always good to find music influencers and brands to team up with, and duets are a great way to catch the attention and eyes of the original video’s creator, which can prove beneficial for collaborative opportunities.
You could also encourage other artists and fans to duet with your video. Singer-songwriter Stacey Ryan posted an ‘Open Verse Challenge’ video asking other TikTokers to add their verse to her song. And when Zai1k dropped the verse below on it, it racked up over 8 million likes and 40 million views.
4. Reply to comments on the camera
Another feature unique to TikTok is the ability to record a video reply to a user’s comment.
If someone leaves a comment on one of the videos you are interested in, create a video reply to the comment you can share on your page. The original user’s comment and your response will be displayed on the screen for other users to see.
This is an excellent way to take song requests from your followers and invite users to give you some content.
It allows users to create and upload original sounds that show off their musical talent and engage directly with what your audience wants to see and hear.
5. Unreleased Demos
The good thing about TikTok is the ability to experiment with releases and get immediate feedback from your followers.
You could post unreleased previews of tracks you are working on right now to see which ones your fans connect with the most. If a favorite stands out, it will be easier to choose which one to release and invest marketing resources into.
PinkPantheress, the BBC Sound of 2022 winner, is a superb illustration of this tactic in action. She posted snippets of her songs on TikTok long before they reached Spotify. Her videos got hundreds of thousands of likes, and when her music hit Spotify, many people were streaming it.
6. Be a day-in-the-life vlogger
Breaking up your music-based, promotional material with more of your content is an excellent way to keep your TikTok content fresh and establish a deeper connection with those who listen to your songs.
On other video-sharing websites like YouTube and others, blogger and vlog-style videos are among the most popular. You may record little moments from your entire day on TikTok and edit them together to create a “day-in-the-life” film within about 30 seconds.
You don’t need to take it too seriously if that’s not your style.
Vlog it all events — from the first cup of coffee, you prepare when you get up, along with information about the types of coffee pods you use, to performance snippets from the concert you attended later that night.
When it comes to personal vlog-style films, there is no such thing as too much content; more often than not, the more oversharing, the better.
7. Document your journey
Another effective way of getting your followers invested in your content and luring them back is to document your latest project or creative journey.
Fans are more likely to want to keep up with you if they know that they can visit your TikTok profile to see what you’re working on next and be the first to learn about any noteworthy news or music releases.
You may also talk about the growth of your musical career. How you get started, and how you arrive at your present position. Share knowledge about your past, present, and future with your audience.
8. Make them laugh.
Allow your natural charisma to be seen through and get your audience giggling with a sketch or skit that is funny. You can also create and post skits around trending hashtags that can be shown on the app daily.
This skit does not have to be music related, but if it is and you still make it funny, it’s a bonus point.
Suppose the joke is more of a mark specific to a particular group of people or niche. In that case, you will be able to post great content that anyone can enjoy, which will also help you resonate more directly with a smaller group of people.
Michael Aldag is one artist/TikToker who nailed the blend of good comedy and music.
9. Offer up your skills
Share some of your musical know-how by showing others how to create new hooks, write lyrics, or perfect new riffs.
There are plenty of aspiring fellow musicians using TikTok who would love to learn something new or update their skillset. Also, start teaching them if you have a talent you can impart.
For example, you could post educational videos and mixing tips like OBLYVN on her page.
10. Take fans behind the scenes
It is not hard to see why behind-the-scenes videos are very good for musicians. Humans are nosy creatures; hence we all want to peep into what goes on behind the scenes when you’re not acting.
Post videos that talk about your life as a musician who’s making their mark. If you’re going out on the road, you could consider creating a diary for your video tour or recording a writing session in the studio.
You could show your fans what goes into the design and manufacturing of your merchandise or how you make your album artwork and cover art ideas a visual reality.
For example, Anne-Marie made a live video taking her TikTok fans behind the scenes on a music video production.
11. Host a live stream or Q&A session
The beauty of going digital with your music is you can perform your music live for thousands of people from the comfort of your bedroom or recording studio.
TikTok now facilitates live streaming through the ‘Go Live’ app’s feature. There’s no limit to how long you can go live, which means you could host a 3 hours symphonic concert there, but it is recommended that you don’t.
But you also do not always have to go live with a musical performance, as Q&A sessions are some of the most well-received videos between followers and music artists, bloggers, social media influencers, etc
Hop on a live stream casually or announce it ahead of time on your social networks to let fans know when they can tune in. Then open up the conversation by asking followers to comment their questions under the live stream about you, your music, your inspiration, your life, etc
12. Share your playlists and your music
You shouldn’t just make great music but also listen to it. Sharing what you’re listening to now with TikTok is an easy way to connect with people with similar music tastes to you and turn them into fans and followers.
You could post a video saying, “If you like these songs, you’ll love my music,” subtly slipping your tracks into the playlist. Or you could offer up your choice of songs for different moods and moments in life.
Alt-pop artist and playlist curator Elle Novella uses this approach by sharing her ideal playlists for specific situations and taking requests from commenters to build up a TikTok following while posting videos plugging her music from time to time.
13. Deconstruct or analyze a song
This applies to all music producers and literary geniuses out there.
Deconstruct your song instrumental in a simple, easy-to-understand way to show fans how you got to the outcome.
Start with the song and slowly break it down, removing different elements and layers until you are left with nothing but the bare beat or manuscript.
An alternative option for you is to create a video analyzing the lyrics and meaning behind a song, either one of your favorites or your own.
14. Bust a move
The best TikTok viral bait is creating choreography for one of your tracks.
A dance routine might sound challenging, but it doesn’t need to be Craig Revel Horwood’s standard. Chances are that your viewers will not be Strictly Come Dancing professionals, so don’t scare them off with a routine with a tasking dance step.
A simple dance sequence that is relatively easy to imitate with minimal effort is all you will need to draw viewers in. Once you have filmed and posted the tutorial, you could dare your fans to post a video of themselves performing the routine on their TikTok account.
This could be done with other challenge-type videos, like lip-syncs and costume contests. Offer a prize for the viewer who posts the best video and create a hashtag campaign, so you don’t miss any video reposts that feature your track.
15. Keep it local
TikTok thrives better when you use localized content. Like most other social media platforms, TikTok’s algorithm is usually influenced by location-based targeting and geotagging.
If you are an ardent TikTok user, you would probably have noticed that your feed is becoming populated with content related directly to your region or local community.
Produce content that resonates with your local community and the listeners who live there, as this would also put your hometown in the spotlight.
Just remember to post information about the location in your video and include popular hashtags relating to the area within your video caption, like Scouse rapper Hazey141, tagged #Liverpool in his biggest TikTok video to big up his hometown.
You could show off all the prominent sights and attractions in your community, take fans on a tour of your favorite neighborhood coffee shop, or even display some native slang and ask them to guess its meaning.
The ideas are endless, and as a local, you will know best what kinds of content would get the most engagement from people in your area.
Conclusion
TikTok now provides us with many tools to work with to make brands successful on the platform. It offers online resources like TikTok’s business hub, which is available to guide you more in-depth.
No matter how you continue your TikTok marketing journey, one constant for your brand is its endless possibilities on the platform if you follow this comprehensive guide on Tiktok for musicians religiously.
Because trends constantly evolve and TikTok business tools are expanding, it is a surety that your brand will see success on this platform.
RELATED: Latest Tiktok Trends for Marketing in 2022 (Leverage These Trends for Explosive Business Growth)
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As an experienced SEO and Social Media Strategist, I have dedicated the past four years to helping businesses enhance their online visibility and achieve remarkable growth. With a strong background in SEO and a passion for content strategy, I specialize in crafting compelling, optimized content that resonates with target audiences and drives engagement.
My expertise extends to guiding businesses of all sizes in leveraging video marketing tools. With a keen eye for innovation, I've honed the ability to identify game-changing video marketing tools and tactics that propel brands ahead of the competition. Whether through content strategy or hands-on writing, I am committed to delivering results that elevate brands to new heights.
