How to Launch a Brand on TikTok and Go Viral in 11 Steps

Think you're too established for fleeting video fame or too new to nail a viral hit?

Think again.

Budding entrepreneur, established powerhouse, or social media strategist, your brand's presence on TikTok isn't just a choice anymore—it's essential.

But how do you harness TikTok's unique potential for your brand's success?

This article will show you how to launch a brand on TikTok and tick all the right boxes.

#1 Understand how TikTok works

Are you eager to launch your brand on TikTok and make it go viral?

Well, let me tell you the secret sauce: understanding the TikTok algorithm is the first step!

This algorithm tailors content specifically for each user's For You Page, making the experience highly personalized.

Now, while the nitty-gritty details of the TikTok algorithm remain a mystery, there are some interesting theories on how it operates.

One key factor is user activity. The more engagement and views a video receives, the higher the chances of it reaching a broader audience. Likes, comments, shares, completions, and re-watches all contribute to the positive signs of engagement.

Another aspect is video information.

Interactions with other users and content discovered through the Discover tab, such as captions, sounds, hashtags, effects, and trending topics, all play their part in the algorithm's decision-making process.

Additionally, the TikTok algorithm even considers your personal preferences and account settings.

Things like your language preference, location, device type, and the categories of interest you selected during onboarding can influence the content that shows up on your For You Page.

In a nutshell, the TikTok algorithm is the magic behind providing users with a one-of-a-kind experience.

#2 Create a competitor analysis

Launching a brand on TikTok without competitor analysis?

That's like stepping on stage without knowing the dance.

In essence, conducting a TikTok competitor analysis is essential for brands looking to launch or enhance their presence on TikTok.

Understanding how your competitors are performing in specific areas allows you to identify gaps and opportunities, align your goals, and set realistic targets.

• Using Socialinsider to benchmark your TikTok KPIs

Whether you aim to craft a successful TikTok content strategy or want to seize a competitive edge, Socialinsider offers a suite of features tailored for in-depth analysis of your competitors.

The app’s Benchmarks feature allows users to profile competitors and benchmark performance against them.

You can look into various metrics such as engagement rate, views, top posts, follower count, and more.

The platform also simplifies data with custom reports.

The Autoreports feature is essential as it ensures that data is presented in a manner most relevant to your unique goals and decision-making processes, thereby making it easier to extract actionable insights.

#3 Identifying your brand's voice and message

When launching a brand on TikTok, it is essential to identify its unique voice and message.

This authenticity helps the brand stand out in the competitive space, build a loyal community, and connect with the audience effectively.

However, while the core message should remain consistent across platforms, adapting the content format and style is crucial.

Different social media platforms have diverse target audiences, discourse, and content preferences.

Take, for example, the famous case of Ryanair.

The airline company achieved a distinctive brand voice on TikTok effortlessly by applying a creative TikTok filter to its videos.

This simple yet effective approach allowed the brand to establish its unique identity and connect with the audience in a compelling way.

By tailoring the message for each platform, brands can resonate better with users and leverage the strengths of each platform to achieve greater success.

#4 Create the TikTok profile

Ready to launch your brand into the heart of the action?

If yes, it’s time to actually create your brand profile on TikTok.

While TikTok offers two account types—Personal and Business—the latter is more suitable for brand profiles, offering a set of different marketing tools, including ads.

A Business Account is better for reaching, engaging, and converting TikTok users.

With a Business Account, you have access to advanced business tools, such as Web Business Suite, Commercial Music Library, and Business Creative Hub.

To switch between Personal and Business Accounts:

1. Go to your profile in the TikTok app
2. Tap the Menu button
3. Navigate to Settings and privacy

4.  Select Acount

5.  Choose Switch to Business Account and follow the provided instructions

#5 Plan your TikTok content strategy

This is the stage where creativity meets strategy, and where your brand can take the spotlight.

Amidst a sea of viral hits and fleeting trends, a strong content strategy acts as your guiding lighthouse, fostering sustainable growth and meaningful engagement.

Launching your brand on TikTok requires impeccable timing, relevance, creativity, and consistency.

A well-crafted TikTok content strategy anchors your brand in this fast-paced digital landscape, ensuring alignment with your objectives.

Optimize your resources and make each content byte deliberate, so they can serve both immediate goals and long-term vision.

#6 Leverage TikTok features

To launch a successful brand launch on TikTok, understanding and effectively using the platform's features are essential steps.

TikTok is a hub for creativity and short-form video content, making it crucial for brands to leverage the various features it offers.

By incorporating in-app effects, filters, or adding trending sounds, brands can create captivating content.

And beyond just gaining algorithmic visibility, effectively using TikTok's features can also contribute to cost-effectiveness.

In-app editing and effects can save time and resources, enabling even brands with smaller budgets to produce engaging content that resonates with users and boosts awareness.

#7 Collab with influencers

Teaming up with relevant content creators helps launch your brand on TikTok and reach a wider audience organically.

Collaborating with TikTok influencers who align with your brand creates engaging, viral content that your audience can relate to.

The influencers' authenticity and loyal following build trust and interest in your brand, making it an effective and exciting marketing strategy!

#8 Engage with the TikTok community

When launching a brand on TikTok, engaging with the TikTok community from the start is essential for a successful and authentic presence.

Here's why and a few tips to get started:

• Harness the power of virality

TikTok thrives on viral content.

By engaging with the community, you increase the chances of your brand's content going viral, gaining exposure to a broader audience.

• Build trust and authenticity

TikTok users value authenticity.

Engaging with the community allows you to show your brand's personality, respond to comments, and build trust with potential customers.

• Understand trends and preferences

Being active within the TikTok community helps you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and preferences of your target audience, ensuring your content remains relevant and appealing.

#9 Experiment with TikTok ads

TikTok ads can be an excellent strategy to amplify your marketing efforts, especially if your goal is to drive conversions.

The platform's appeal lies in its potential for viral content and easy connection with customers. Authenticity is valued, and you don't need massive budgets to succeed.

Moreover, TikTok now offers improved targeting options, allowing you to reach the right audience based on factors like age, location, and interests.

With these features and its growing user base, TikTok presents a compelling opportunity for marketers to boost their brand presence and engage with a broader demographic.

#10 Keep track of your performance metrics

When launching a successful brand on TikTok, monitoring and optimizing performance metrics are crucial for achieving long-term success.

While in-app analytics provide basic indications of brand performance, relying solely on them may limit strategic insights.

That's where third-party social media analytics tools, such as Socialinsider, come into play.

What sets Socialinsider apart from other similar platforms is that it offers comprehensive profile data and competitive analysis.

With Socialinsider, brands can make informed decisions based on data, resulting in better overall performance and growth in the highly competitive TikTok landscape.

A few TikTok metrics you should keep an eye on when performing a TikTok audit are: engagement, followers growth, hashtag performance, top posts, and best times to post on TikTok.

#11 Adjusting strategy for continuous growth

Even with meticulous planning and a flawless strategy on paper, adaptability is crucial.

And trends play a significant role in TikTok's culture.

So keeping a close watch on current and emerging trends allows you to adjust your communication and content to match real-world events.

Embracing popular challenges and using trending sounds can greatly amplify a brand's visibility.

Not only does this increase the chances of being discovered, but it also garners favor with the TikTok algorithm, which actively promotes content with high engagement.

How to launch a brand on TikTok: key takeaways

As you embark on this exciting TikTok journey, remember that the path to success isn't just about reaching the summit; it's about enjoying every step, every witty caption, and every moment that sets your brand apart.

With the perfect blend of creativity, strategy, and authenticity, you're not just launching a brand on TikTok—you're building a path between you and your target audience.

The stage is set, the lights are on, and your brand is the star!