Cracking the Code: How to Master TikTok and Reels to Boost Visibility

In today's digital age, marketing is evolving faster than ever. New platforms and tools are emerging every day and can be overwhelming. One generation that truly embraces new tech and social media is Gen Z. This generation has grown up in a world where social media is the norm and now that their purchasing power is only rising, it's crucial for brands to pay attention to them. 

As a result, traditional marketing tactics are just not as effective when it comes to reaching Gen Z. That's where I come in - a 20 year old marketing professional who has grown up in the heart of this generation. In this blog post, we'll explore how to crack the code of marketing to Gen Z through the power of new social media tools and the algorithms behind them. Get ready to tap into the minds of the most digitally savvy generation yet and learn how to effectively market to Gen Z, from me: a Gen Z marketer.

The Basics of Improving Your Content's Visibility

As mentioned, TikTok and Reels are super beneficial tools for marketers to create engaging content especially catered towards Gen Z. These platforms are not going anywhere anytime soon so let's look at some general tricks and tips for mastering the algorithms that you can use on any post.

Use Trending Sounds and In-App Features

When creating a TikTok or Reel, it can seem easiest to just upload a video from your phone and post with the sound already in it. While tempting, this is a huge no and should be avoided. These platforms want to see that you are using their own recording features and filters and will reward you for doing so. Using existing and trending sounds on these platforms are how many videos get found and gain popularity. So next time you're making a video, pick a popular song on TikTok or Reels to go in the background instead. 

Stay up-to-date with Trends and Influencers

We all know the famous TikTok dances and viral challenges, and while no one is asking your CEO to do the renegade dance, some trends can be a fun and down-to-earth way to connect with your audience and boost your visibility on TikTok and Reels. 

An easy way to stay up to date with trends is to get to know the popular creators and influencers who resonate with your target audience or already are involved in your industry. Look up keywords into the search feature to find these people and interact with them. Watch the content that performs well to get ideas and leave a comment every once in a while to stay engaged. Don't be afraid to push the envelope here and get creative. Gen Z has respect for brands that push the norms of corporate standards and have a bit of fun. 

Use Hashtags... But Wisely

One of the easiest hacks to improve your TikTok and Instagram Reels content is to use hashtags in the caption. Don't overdo it with the hashtags though or else you'll come across as spammy, about 4 or 5 relevant ones and with between 200,000 to 400,000 followers on Instagram will do the trick. 

If you're unsure of which hashtags to use, there are many tools online like Hashtagify or Talkwalker that can give you an overview of traffic for hashtags and trends. Even the official TikTok website lists trending hashtags that can be used as inspiration for new content and tags. 

Location Tags & Mentions

The same idea goes for tagging locations and others; doing this is a simple way that makes your content more visible when users are searching by location and can encourage reposting and more engagement in your comment section. Don't be afraid to call out a partner, influencer, or celebrity to raise the chances of them engaging or reposting your videos to their own audiences. 

Consistency, Consistency, Consistency

Last but certainly not least is CONSISTENCY. No one will go viral overnight and the way that these platforms work is by boosting content of accounts with more authority and consistent posting. I know this one is the most difficult, it can be exhausting staying up to date with trends and posting without results for a while, but it is the most important. 

Try creating a bunch of content at once then spreading it out over a content calendar but remember the importance of striking when the iron is hot with new trends and pop-culture moments as well. 

Brainstorm with a Marketer and Get Help 

While these are great tips to get you started on TikTok and Instagram, it can be overwhelming to come up with creative content, learn the platform, and keep up with consistent posting and trends. Having a content brainstorming session or outsourcing a content creator like myself is a great way to ensure your company is using social media to it's full advantage. Especially if you want to reach Gen Z audiences, send me a message and let's chat further about how your brand specifically can harness the power of these platforms.