What is TikTok?

If you haven't used TikTok, we’re sure you’ve heard of it! Formerly known as Musical.ly, TikTok has taken the world by storm through its lip sync battles, TikTok life hacks and comedic skits. With its audience originally targeting young adults and teens, it has gone far beyond with users of ALL ages. People often make the judgement that TikTok is ONLY for Gen Z, but this is NOT the case. This is why brands have turned to the platform to reach a new audience and get their name out there.

We understand that using TikTok can seem a bit chaotic and fast-paced, but we’re here to help you get started! TikTok is a combination of so many social platforms, which is why it’s doing so well! Users are able to get the latest content, relevant to their interests with one simple flick of a finger. So, why is TikTok so different from other social platforms? Why does it work? And…how can YOU use it in the hospitality industry? 🤔

Let's break it down. TikTok launched in late 2017 and has since risen to be one of the most downloaded apps globally. It's a super interactive app with insanely high engagement compared to other social media platforms. In order to attract views and create a viral TikTok, it all comes down to the relevancy of your content and how interesting it is to the viewer 📱

Location, music, and hashtags all play a part in landing your video on the FYP. The ‘For You Page’ of TikTok is perfectly curated to the preferences of the viewer. If you spend countless hours scrolling through TikTok, you would know that videos by the same creator or videos with similar content are more likely to pop up on your feed if you’ve engaged with the content previously.

The FYP is unique to each user and according to TikTok, videos are ranked based on varying factors such as user interactions, device settings, and music. Each of these factors creates a user's unique interest level which is how certain videos are surfaced on your FYP. So the real question is, do I need a million followers to make a viral video? The answer is NO! That’s because TikTok does not base your FYP off videos from accounts that have high numbers of followers or previous videos with high views. It is solely based on the interests of your viewers. 

In relation to hospo, starting out on TikTok may seem irrelevant since you primarily use other mediums of communication. But, getting started on TikTok is a great way to get your name out there within the community and can significantly increase your engagement on other platforms! TikTok is just another way to advertise what you’re all about, and since it's 🔥 and trending right now, you should jump on it while you can and get the most out of it!