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TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms for both entertainment and marketing. With its massive audience, it’s a goldmine for businesses and marketers alike. The problem, however, is that not everyone knows how to utilize it. That’s where the book TikTok Advertising comes in.
The book is a compilation of tips from the top people on TikTok, including agency owners, lawyers, real estate agents, and other professionals. These are experts who have been successful in their fields and are willing to share their knowledge. The book is not just for young adults who sing and dance on TikTok; it’s for anyone who wants to leverage this platform for their business.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of being able to create a 15-second video that can capture people’s attention. Unlike SEO, which mainly relies on text, TikTok advertising requires the ability to make compelling videos. To do this, the book shares a three-part formula for creating effective videos that get the message across in just 15 seconds.
The formula is simple: hold up your cell phone, speak directly to the camera, and make one key point. Whether it’s about money in 2023 or testosterone therapy, the idea is to keep it short and focused on one topic. The book provides examples of how to do this effectively, especially when it comes to advertising.
One of the most powerful tools for advertising on TikTok is Spark ads. Spark ads allow you to boost anyone’s post, whether it’s your own or someone else’s (with permission, of course). This is a game-changer for brands that struggle to make compelling videos. The book recommends searching for people who are talking about your brand, reaching out to them, and asking for permission to boost their post. This creates an amazing creator ecosystem and can help your brand get more exposure on the platform.
The book also provides a case study of how this strategy was used for a low-priced hotel chain. By searching for people who were checking into the hotel and boosting their posts, the brand was able to get more exposure and engagement. They even launched a contest among thousands of universities to encourage people to create TikToks that included the hotel chain and offered a prize for the winning school.
Mastering the 15-Second Formula: How to Grab Attention and Keep Viewers on TikTok
To succeed on TikTok, it is essential to understand that users have a very short attention span. In fact, if your video is longer than a minute, you might only get a 1% completion rate.
Therefore, it’s crucial to grab the viewer’s attention within the first two seconds with a hook, such as an interesting movement or statement. This should be followed by a ten-second explanation of the concept, ensuring that the content is compelling enough to make the viewer stay until the end. The final three seconds should include a call to action, such as introducing yourself and your profession.
By following this 15-second formula, it’s possible to achieve a 30-40% retention rate. This is a higher retention rate than on other platforms such as YouTube, where only 35% of viewers stay after nine minutes. TikTok users are extremely impatient and are unlikely to stay for more than a few seconds if the content doesn’t immediately capture their attention.
Using this approach, it’s possible to leverage the TikTok algorithm, which rewards creators who can keep viewers engaged. The challenge is to create content that is short, sweet, and informative, while also being visually appealing. By doing so, users can build an audience and grow their brand on the platform.
Why iPhones Perform Better and How to Film on Any Phone
Any phone will work, but it appears that iPhones tend to perform better, especially modern ones like the 14 pro max, which is currently the best option. This could be due to factors such as its higher aperture, ability to shoot in cinematic mode, ease of editing, and more vibrant colors.
The key is to use a cell phone and film vertically, focusing on selfie-style videos.
Focus on Simplicity and Value: The Key to Creative Success
Many people strive to be unique or different in their creative endeavors, but the key is to focus on simplicity and adding value to your audience.
Instead of merely discussing how to make money, show your audience the money you have made. This approach is more captivating and engaging.
Creativity does not necessarily require elaborate ideas or grand productions. Consider sharing the valuable experiences you have had that others might care about and teach those in 15 seconds or up to a minute, similar to YouTube but more authentic and less polished.
Attempting to be too creative or fancy can create unnecessary hurdles and detract from what truly matters.
Aligning Your TikTok Strategy with Your Business Goals
To make the most out of TikTok for your business, you need to consider what’s already working in your business. If your business is successful, you already know your goals, content, and target audience. You also know the problem you solve and why your customers like you. TikTok can amplify your business, just like Facebook or any other social media channel.
However, if you don’t have a clear product or service, TikTok won’t solve your problem. You need to have a clear business strategy and goal, which is to drive sales. Your strategy should be the same across all channels, including TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
While the formatting may be different on each channel, you should use the same assets and messaging. Your business goal should remain consistent, with some intermediate steps such as collecting phone numbers, webinars, landing pages, and testimonials.
It’s important to remember that TikTok is not a separate entity from your business. It’s simply another tool to amplify your message and reach a wider audience. By focusing on your business goals and using the same strategy across all channels, you can make the most out of TikTok for your business.
The Importance of Quantity in Achieving Quality
The key to achieving quality is through quantity, and this requires a lot of practice. According to Grant Cardone, it’s all about quantity.
In your first hundred videos, you’re likely to be terrible, so it’s best to get past that stage as quickly as possible.
Becoming a better basketball player involves shooting more free throws and taking many shots.
People often judge themselves and are afraid of how they look, but if the video is bad, it won’t reach a wider audience anyway, so there’s no penalty for making mistakes.
How to Repurpose Your Content Across Different Channels for Maximum Impact
I like to repurpose my content across various channels because it doesn’t require much time or effort, especially if you have a virtual assistant who can do it for you.
However, each channel has its own unique audience and style, so it’s important to figure out which platform resonates best with your content and personality.
For example, I have a large following on Facebook, where I share personal advice, but that same type of content doesn’t perform as well on Twitter or Instagram, where visuals are more important.
Some people prefer YouTube because they can talk for longer and elaborate on their points, while others may find success on TikTok by being more concise.
You don’t have to be on every channel, but it’s important to research where your competitors and industry leaders are spending their time and follow suit. By doing so, you can effectively reach your target audience and maximize your content’s impact.
Behind the Scenes of Billion-Dollar Facebook Ads: A Unique Opportunity to Learn Digital Marketing Strategies
As someone who has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads and worked with brands like Quiznos, WWE, Jack Daniels, and Nike, many people are interested in seeing how these companies spend their advertising budgets.
I have had the privilege to go behind the scenes and show people how we set up campaigns and sell tickets for upcoming games or events. The best part is that I have received permission from my clients to share this information with others.
This behind-the-scenes look provides a great opportunity for people to learn about digital marketing. Many people talk about it, but few actually show how it’s done.
By logging into campaigns, Google Analytics, WordPress, and Shopify, I can show people how we are making ads, tracking stats, driving traffic, and earning income. I’m not showing off, but rather documenting the process and, for example, sharing how we hire people from countries like the Philippines or Pakistan.
Many people follow me because they find it entertaining, but it also helps them grow their businesses. By seeing how we do things, they can learn from our experience and apply the same principles to their own business.
5 Common Mistakes Companies Make in Creating Short Form Video Content and How to Avoid Them
There are several mistakes that companies make when it comes to creating short form video content.
The first and most critical mistake is not creating any short form video content at all. This lack of participation automatically disqualifies a company and results in a zero score.
The second mistake is trying to use actors or stock footage instead of creating genuine, authentic content. People can see through this artificial approach, and it is not effective.
Another mistake is blindly repurposing long form content into short form without considering the differences in energy level and engagement. For example, a one-hour YouTube video might have an interesting topic, but it might not translate well into a 15- to 60-second snippet.
Additionally, many companies believe they need expensive equipment or professional videographers to create effective short form videos, but this is not the case. Often, a cell phone or a handy son or daughter is sufficient for creating high-quality content.
Finally, many companies make the mistake of thinking they need an agency to create their short form video content. However, most agencies only talk about digital marketing and short form video without actually creating it themselves. Therefore, it is essential to look for agencies that practice what they preach and have a proven track record of success.
3 Key Steps to Learning Digital Marketing: Identifying Goals, Finding a Mentor, and Focusing on Your Niche
To someone who is starting from scratch and lacks knowledge and skills, it’s important to identify a clear business goal first. Whether it’s making a certain amount of money or starting a specific type of business, once you know what you want to achieve, you can then determine what you need to learn to get there.
While short form video is popular, it may not be the best focus for everyone. It’s important to find a mentor or follow the steps of someone who has achieved the same goal you want to achieve. They can provide specific advice and guidance on what to learn and how to apply it in your chosen field.
There are many areas within digital marketing that require different skills and knowledge. For example, B2B marketing is different from e-commerce, fashion or sports marketing. Therefore, it’s important to seek out mentors or resources that are specific to the area you want to learn about.
It’s also important to note that not everyone has to be an expert in everything. If you want to learn how to fix a car, it doesn’t make sense to follow someone who specializes in digital marketing. Instead, focus on finding someone who has expertise in the area you’re interested in learning about.
In short, identify your business goal, find a mentor or expert in your specific area of interest, and focus on learning the skills and knowledge that will help you achieve your goal.
Maximizing the Potential of ChatGPT as a Writing Coach and Idea Generator
ChatGPT is a highly useful assistant that can help you generate ideas and provide alternative perspectives you may not have considered. For example, if you were creating a video about the purchasing power of $100 over time, ChatGPT could assist you by conducting research and providing examples.
However, you may prefer to use ChatGPT as a tool for improving your work rather than relying on it to create content for you. One way to do this is by running your script through ChatGPT and asking for feedback on potential questions or suggestions for enhancing the style or tone.
The advantage of using ChatGPT in this way is that it has access to an extensive library of information, having read almost the entire internet and every book and listening to every song. This makes it an excellent resource for providing insights and feedback on your work.
It’s important to view ChatGPT as a coach rather than a tool for cheating, as simply relying on it to write your content would not be valuable. Instead, leverage its capabilities to improve your work and enhance your creative process.
Superfans and LIGHTHOUSES: Harnessing the Power of User-Generated Content for Effective Marketing
Creating superfans or LIGHTHOUSES can be a powerful marketing strategy, as promoting the enthusiasm of dedicated fans can inspire others to want to emulate them. This doesn’t necessarily require the involvement of A-list celebrities; for example, wearing a WHOOP device and following the example of other athletes or businesspeople can create a sense of community around shared goals.
Effective marketing is less about convincing people to buy something and more about showcasing examples of others who have solved similar problems or achieved similar goals. When there are many such examples, each one can resonate with different individuals in unique ways.
The key to this strategy is collecting and processing user-generated content (UGC) at scale, creating a diverse and engaging collection of content that can inspire and motivate others to become superfans themselves.
Overall, creating a sense of community around shared goals and using UGC to showcase success stories can be a powerful marketing strategy for businesses of all sizes.
The Power of Patience: Why Consistent Effort Leads to Success
Impatience is a common issue that people face in any area of life.
Take, for instance, someone who is overweight and wants to shed some pounds. They start going to the gym and working out rigorously. However, at the end of a hard workout, they realize that they still do not have a six-pack or have not lost 20 pounds. This can lead to frustration and demotivation.
Impatience is not just limited to fitness; it can manifest in other areas too. For example, it is common to make New Year’s resolutions and give up on them quickly due to the lack of immediate results.
However, it is essential to realize that progress takes time. As Warren Buffet, one of the world’s wealthiest men, said, compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. Consistent 1% improvement every day can lead to a significant change over time.
Similarly, improving your video skills, testing different ads, collecting testimonials, enhancing your product, hiring better employees, and streamlining processes can all lead to incremental progress.
When successful people are asked about their secrets, they often mention that their success was not due to any overnight success. Instead, it took years of consistent effort and dedication.
For instance, the CTO of Facebook attributed his success to ten years of hard work, working day and night, and even on weekends.
Therefore, it is essential to cultivate patience and stay focused on making incremental improvements every day, even if the results are not immediate.
Over time, these small efforts can lead to significant progress and success.
Conclusion
The above article is from an interview by Anatolii Ulitovskyi, a digital marketer.
The article discusses various aspects of leveraging TikTok for business purposes, such as the importance of creating compelling 15-second videos, using Spark ads to boost content, and aligning TikTok strategy with business goals.
The article also highlights the need to focus on simplicity and adding value to the audience, the importance of grabbing viewers’ attention within the first two seconds, and the benefits of using iPhones for filming.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive guide to maximizing TikTok’s potential for businesses and marketers.
Dennis Yu
Dennis Yu is co-author of the #1 best-selling book on Amazon in social media, The Definitive Guide to TikTok Ads. He has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads across his agencies and agencies he advises. Mr. Yu is the "million jobs" guy-- on a mission to create one million jobs via hands-on social media training, partnering with universities and professional organizations.You can find him quoted in major publications and on television such as CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, and LA Times. Clients have included Nike, Red Bull, the Golden State Warriors, Ashley Furniture, Quiznos-- down to local service businesses like real estate agents and dentists. He's spoken at over 750 conferences in 20 countries, having flown over 6 million miles in the last 30 years to train up young adults and business owners. He speaks for free as long as the organization believes in the job-creation mission and covers business class travel.You can find him hiking tall mountains, eating chicken wings, and taking Kaqun oxygen baths-- likely in a city near you.