7 Ways Creatives Can Leverage TikTok's Short Videos

Published on 18 July 2023 7 min read

5. Create Challenge-Based Content

Imagine this: you're a creative mind, bursting with ideas, but you're not sure how to get the world to notice. Enter TikTok, the platform where short-form video takes center stage. It's the perfect stage to showcase your creativity and make your mark. This blog post will guide you through the process of leveraging the power of short-form video on TikTok for creatives. So, let's get started!

1. Optimize Your Profile

Your TikTok profile is your first impression, your billboard on the highway of TikTok. It tells your audience who you are, what you do, and why they should stick around. Here's how you can make it shine:

Choose a Clear Username

When you're starting out, it's best to stick with a username that is easy to remember and properly represents you or your brand. Make sure it's unique, catchy, but not too complicated. Remember, people will need to find you amidst the sea of TikTok users.

Use a Captivating Profile Picture

First impressions matter, and your profile picture is the first thing people see. Make sure it's appealing and consistent with your brand image. If you're a painter, why not use an image of one of your vibrant works? If you're a comedian, a fun, off-beat image could work well.

Craft a Compelling Bio

Your bio is your chance to tell your story in a nutshell. It needs to be interesting, yet concise. Highlight what's unique about you and your content. Are you a magician who creates illusions with everyday objects? Say it loud and proud!

Link to Other Platforms

Don't forget to add links to your other social media platforms or your website. This helps your followers find more of your content and connects your online presence together.

Optimizing your profile is the first step in leveraging the power of short-form video on TikTok for creatives. Now that you've got a stellar profile, you're ready to dive into the world of TikTok and make waves with your content.

Hashtags are like breadcrumbs in the vast forest of TikTok content—they lead viewers to your videos. When used effectively, they can increase your visibility, engagement, and follower count. Here's how to make the most of them:

Stay Current

Keep an eye on the trending page to see what's hot. Joining in on a trend or popular hashtag can boost your visibility since users often search for these tags. For instance, if #ColorChallenge is trending and you're a painter, why not create a video of you mixing colors to match a sunset?

Use Relevant Hashtags

While it's important to use trending hashtags, it's equally crucial to use tags that are relevant to your content. If you're a dancer posting a choreography video, hashtags like #dance, #choreography, or #hiphop will make your content discoverable to the right audience.

Create Your Own Hashtag

If you're feeling adventurous, why not create your own hashtag? This could be a great way to start a trend, showcase a series of related videos, or encourage user-generated content. Plus, it's a fun way to engage with your followers and see their takes on your content.

So, there you have it: the power of hashtags in leveraging the short-form video platform of TikTok for creatives. Remember, it's all about visibility and connecting with the right audience. Now, ready to get hashtagging?

3. Collaborate with Others

Working with other TikTok creators is a fantastic way to grow your audience, and it's something that's unique to this platform. Here's how to get started with collaborations:

Find Your Tribe

Search for other creatives who share your interests. Are you a comic artist? Look for illustrators, designers, and other artists. Love making indie music? Connect with other musicians, songwriters, or music lovers. The key is to collaborate with people who resonate with your style and content.

Get Involved in Duets

TikTok's duet feature is a unique way to collaborate. You can create a video that responds to or interacts with another user's content. This is a great way to engage with your peers and their followers — it's like a digital handshake!

Join Forces

Consider creating a joint piece of content with another creator. This could be a shared challenge, a creative project, or even a fun Q&A session. The combined reach of both your followers can lead to greater visibility and engagement.

Remember, collaboration is about mutual growth and creating something bigger than the sum of its parts. So, who's ready to start collaborating and leveraging the power of short-form video on TikTok for creatives?

4. Engage with Your Audience

On TikTok, the audience isn't a passive observer — they're integral to your creative process. Here are a few ways to keep your followers engaged and invested in your content:

Respond to Comments

When someone takes the time to comment on your video, it's a golden opportunity for engagement. Responding to comments shows your audience that you value their input and fosters a sense of community. Plus, it's a great way to spark conversations that could inspire your next TikTok creation.

Ask for Feedback

What do your followers want to see more of? You won't know unless you ask. Inviting feedback not only gives your audience a sense of ownership in your work, it also gives you fresh ideas for future content. Win-win, right?

Start a Conversation

Don't just wait for your audience to come to you — start the conversation. Ask questions in your video captions, create polls, or initiate challenges. The more interactive your content, the more engaging it is for your audience.

Engaging with your audience isn't just about boosting your numbers. It's about building a community around your work, and that's the real power of TikTok for creatives. So, are you ready to start meaningful conversations with your audience?

5. Create Challenge-Based Content

Challenges are the lifeblood of TikTok. A well-executed challenge can get your content seen by a wider audience, increase engagement, and even land you on the coveted "For You" page. Here's how to make the most of this TikTok phenomenon:

Participate in Existing Challenges

There's always a new challenge trending on TikTok. Joining in not only shows your audience that you're in touch with what's happening on the platform, but it also gives your content the chance to be seen by users who are following the challenge.

Create Your Own Challenge

Feeling creative? Why not create your own challenge! The key to a successful challenge is simplicity — it should be easy for others to replicate. Remember to create a unique hashtag for your challenge to make it easy for others to find and participate in.

Whether you're joining in on a popular dance challenge or starting a quirky trend of your own, challenge-based content is a powerful tool for TikTok creatives. It's a fun, interactive way to leverage the power of short-form video and expand your reach on the platform.

6. Leverage the Duet Feature

TikTok's duet feature is a game-changer. It allows you to create a split-screen video with another user's content — it's like a virtual collaboration. But how can it be a powerful tool for creatives? Let's find out.

Engage with Your Community

When you duet with a popular video in your niche, you're not only making a connection with the original creator, you're also getting your content in front of their audience. It's a win-win!

Showcase Your Skills

Are you a dancer, musician, or artist? Use the duet feature to show off your skills by reacting to, or building upon, another user's content. You could choreograph a dance, add an instrumental layer to a song, or even create an art piece inspired by a video.

Start a Conversation

Duets don't have to be about performance — they can also be a great way to get a dialogue going. Offer your take on a popular topic, or share a tutorial or tip in response to a user's question.

By leveraging the duet feature, you're opening up a world of collaboration and engagement that's unique to TikTok. It's a fantastic way for creatives to connect with fellow creators and their audience in a fun, interactive way.

7. Post Regularly

Consistency is key when it comes to leveraging the power of short-form video on TikTok for creatives. TikTok's algorithm favors active users, so the more regularly you post, the more likely your content is to be seen. But how do you keep up with a regular posting schedule? Here are a few tips.

Create a Content Calendar

Planning out your content in advance can save you a lot of stress. Set aside some time each week to brainstorm video ideas, and schedule them out on a content calendar. This way, you won't be scrambling for ideas at the last minute.

Batch Your Content Creation

Create multiple videos in one go. This can be a real time-saver, especially if you're dressing up or setting up a specific scene for your videos. Plus, it ensures you always have content ready to post.

Use TikTok's Schedule Feature

Did you know you can schedule your TikTok posts? Take advantage of this feature to maintain a consistent posting schedule, even when you're busy or need a break.

Remember, consistency doesn't mean you have to post every single day. Even posting a few times a week can be enough to keep your audience engaged and keep you on the TikTok radar. It's all about finding a schedule that works for you and sticking to it.

If you're excited about leveraging the power of TikTok's short videos, don't miss the workshop 'Level Up Your Videos on Social Media' by Carolyn Edge. This workshop will teach you how to create engaging and high-quality content for platforms like TikTok, helping you stand out and grow your creative brand.