How to Leverage TikTok As an Indie Artist for Popularity

  • 7 min read
  • Mar 4, 2024
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Since the launch of TikTok in 2017, the platform has gone ahead to capture the heart and minds of millions. Currently, TikTok has a presence in about 141 countries, with about 800 million daily active users worldwide. That's why leveraging on TikTok as an Indie Artist should interest you. At the rapid rate TikTok is growing, it has become a favorite platform for entertainment for millions. The beauty of TikTok is how it has helped to take unknown songs and artists, turning them into massive hits globally. TikTok is that successful not just because of the millions watching videos, but also upload their contents. The TikTok algorithm hinges on a recommendation engine that shows new content to a narrow section of the audience. If it gains acceptance, the algorithm recommends it to the wider audience. TikTok as an Indie Artist  

Guide on Leveraging TikTok as an Indie Artist

As an indie artist interested in using TikTok in growing your fan base and growing popularity, here are a few tips to help;
  • Settle For a Theme

To gain the heart of millions using TikTok, you’ll need to wrap your music around a theme. Look at Jason Derulo, his content on TikTok is built around Dance routines. You’ve probably come across the comedy sketches of Diplo. Your theme does not matter; there’s always an audience awaiting your content. What matters the most is your ability to stay consistent with your theme with the posting of content. Look into your type of music and settle for a theme that aligns best with it.
  • Follow Trends and Take Part in Challenges

No one knows you yet, but if you don’t stop making efforts, everyone will soon know you. There’s rarely any trend and challenge that does not go viral on TikTok. You’ll need to ride on the virality of trends to grow your popularity. Look out for new challenges and be one of those who’ll first participate in it. Be an early bord with trends. Whenever you see a trend, and you have ideas on how to personalize it, jump on it immediately. Don’t forget the place of hashtags while participating in challenges; also, it’s bound to take your content far.
  • Make Use of Your Songs on TikTok

While TikTok isn’t a traditional streaming platform, there’s still a lot your music can benefit from the platform. That’s why you should look out for challenges and trends that allow you to infuse your music. It’s just proper for you to let your TikTok followers know what you are doing and the latest music you have. Find a way to incorporate TikTok into your music promotion strategy as an indie artist. As much as you should not be blunt about it, nothing should stop you from using your songs as a soundtrack on TikTok.
  • Understand The Use of Hashtags

Hashtags are everything on social media, and TikTok isn’t an exception. It’s what gives relevancy to your content on TikTok. By pitching your tent with popular hashtags, you increase the chances of your content being found. Look through the TikTok discover and For You tabs, you are likely to see the trending hashtags, use the ones you find most appropriate for your content. It’s through the hashtags that TikTok will be aware of what your video is about to be able to recommend it.
  • Engage the Use Analytics From Day One

There are scores of analytics solutions that can help you make the most of TikTok, such as Ads.TikTok, Analisa.io, and of course, TikTok Analytics. These tools can provide you with insights and data that can help in establishing your presence on TikTok. As an indie music professional, you should leave no stone unturned in leveraging on the TikTok platform. Have it at the back of your mind that there are little platforms that give you the room to experience stardom. Analytics helps you assess your progress on TikTok and be able to make efforts to be better.  

Final Thoughts

As TikTok is growing wildly in popularity, you also have to go all out and milk it as an indie artist. Employ TikTok not just as a means to grow but also expand your fanbase. Don’t forget to direct your followers on TikTok to other platforms with more stability. Let’s know your progress and success with TikTok as an indie artist. We’ll all want to learn from you.