Right from the start, Tik Tok has been built as a video sharing app that allows users to share videos and content on any topic. Every day we see culture created on TikTok, small moments explode into worldwide trends and creators bond the users with entertainment. An experience that’s powerful and unlimited.
In the music industry, TikTok continues to get high encomiums as an essential promotional tool for blowing up songs organically, even if they have been off the mainstream for years. Marketers and Label can also hire influencers to help a song take off, sparking thousands of their fans to follow in the video challenges.
In Nigeria, the wave began in the middle of 2021. Love Nwantinti (ah-ah) by Chukwuka Ekweani popularly known as Ckay started to gain popularity on TikTok, this propelled it to chart across European countries, Latin America and India. Ckay’s “Love Nwantinti (ah-ah)” became a global hit that peaked at no 2 on the billboard 100.
A song might be old but TikTok can make it Gold, Gentility (released in 2019) by Wande coal and Melvitto currently rose to the number one spot on Apple Music Nigeria, guess what did the magic? you guessed right, TikTok!
In a quick response to seize the opportunity, the Rnb/Pop superstar Wande coal followed up with an acoustic video and an announcement to give the best TikTok video a star prize of one million Naira.
How to leverage Tiktok as an Independent African Artist
As an artist interested in using TikTok in growing your fan base and growing popularity, here are a few tips to help;
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Select a theme
To gain the heart of millions using TikTok, you’ll need to wrap your music around a theme. Look at Kiss Daniel, his content on TikTok is built around invigorating dance routines. You’ve probably come across the comedy skits of Falz.
What other artists post does not matter; there’s always an audience waiting for your content. What matters the most is your ability to stay consistent with your theme with constant posting. Look into your type of music and settle for a theme that aligns best with it.
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Make use of your songs on TikTik
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 marketing 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.
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Hashtags play an important role
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.
Through the hashtags, TikTok will be aware of what your video is about to be able to recommend it.
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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 them. Be an early bird 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.
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Final Thoughts
As TikTok is growing wildly in popularity among young Africans and the world at large, you also have to go all out and milk it as an independent African artist. Employ TikTok not just as a means to grow but also to expand your fanbase.
Let’s know your progress and success with TikTok as an independent artist. We all want to learn from you.
Written by;
Daniel Scott Eleh (@_daniellscott)
Abiola Hamzat (@armxart)
23 Comments
It’s been a wonderful experience on Boomkit,just keep it up
Please help me i want my song to go views
I’m an artist name badboy 2nice you can get my song on all social media app follow me on IG official_2nice you can also follow me on TiK ToK @official_2nice25 follow me I promise you won’t regret it go stream my songs in all social media app love you all
Please help me promote my song God of possibilities by nonsocon and bend collet by nonsocon thanks
I really appreciate it and I will make it work.
I love this but what about gospel singer
You can also make use of this as a gospel artist, Your genre of music does not limit you in any way.
What of gospel song
Nice
Beautiful write up…. I’m an Hip Pop Artist and my songs is on all playing stores including Tiktok….. You can search for my profile on Google Search Engine…. Support me to make my dreams come true
Nice one, this is incredible
I’m an hip pop artist name De Door you can get my song in all the social media app including tiktok you follow me on ayomacoentertainmentno1@gmail.com I say you keep on following me by his grace i no that same God that do it for you will also do am for me
I’m an hip pop artist name De Door you can get my song in all the social media app including tiktok you follow me on ayomacoentertainmentno1@gmail.com I say you keep on following me by his grace i no that same God that do it for you will also do am for me
I’m an hip pop artist name De Door you can get my song in all the social media app including tiktok you follow me on ayomacoentertainmentno1@gmail.com I say you keep on following me by his grace i no that same God that do it for you will also do am for me
I like artist
Iam an artist please help me by sharing my music in every store
There’s a better because you help full for those times thank for your doing i like that
I have not yet posted my songs but I have tried but I don’t go through help me please my music name is Ruhwnee veeyh
My songs can’t play what could be the problem
Plz I need to publish my song
Melody is now out in all platforms
Hi I’m treaz the experience has been great
With God all things are possible na when man help man life go sweet