Building an effective social media growth strategy plan is an essential thing to do in today’s marketing world because the use of social media has become an essential part of modern-day marketing.
It has become an invaluable tool for businesses to engage with their customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales. As such, it’s no surprise that many businesses are investing in social media growth strategies to ensure they remain competitive in their respective markets.
A well-thought-out and properly executed social media growth strategy can help businesses increase their reach, engage more customers, and even improve their bottom line. However, many businesses struggle to develop an effective social media growth strategy that produces real results.
This article will provide an overview of the key elements of a successful social media growth strategy and offer practical tips on how to put it into action.
5 Best Ways to Building An Effective Social Media Growth Strategy
Identify Your Audience
The first step in creating a successful social media growth strategy is to identify your target audience. This means researching their demographics, interests, and habits so you can tailor your content and messaging to appeal to them. You should also look at the platforms they use, as this will help you decide where to focus your attention.
For instance, if your target audience is mainly young adults, you should focus on platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Develop Your Content Strategy
Once you’ve identified your target audience, you need to develop a content strategy that resonates with them. This means creating content that adds value, entertains, educates, and engages your audience. Research your target audience’s interests and create content tailored to their needs.
You should also consider their preferred content formats, such as videos, images, articles, and polls.
Finally, you should create a content schedule and stick to it. This will help you stay consistent and ensure that you post regularly.
Engage With Your Audience
Engaging with your audience is a key component of any successful social media growth strategy. This means responding to comments, answering questions, and engaging in conversations.
You should also consider using social listening tools to keep track of conversations about your brand and industry.
This will help you stay on top of the latest trends and identify opportunities to engage with your audience.
Invest In Paid Advertising
In addition to organic content and engagement, investing in paid advertising is an important part of any social media growth strategy. Paid ads allow you to reach new audiences, increase brand awareness, and generate leads. When creating your ads, make sure you use the right targeting options to ensure they reach the right people.
You should also consider using A/B testing to optimize your ads for maximum performance.
Measure
And Analyze Your Results
To ensure your social media growth strategy is successful, you need to measure and analyze your results. This will help you identify what’s working and what needs improvement. You should track key metrics such as followers, engagement, and website traffic. You should also use analytical tools to measure the performance of your content and ads.
This will help you refine your strategy and optimize your efforts for maximum results.
Conclusion
social media is an essential part of any modern marketing strategy. Developing an effective social media growth strategy can help businesses reach new audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. To ensure your strategy is successful, you need to identify your target audience, develop a content strategy, engage with your audience, invest in paid advertising, and measure and analyze your results. By following these steps, you can create an effective social media growth strategy that drives real results for your business.
Credit: article was written with support from openai.com
15 side business ideas you can start in the creative industry, at the moment we all know the Nigeria economy is not smiling on anyone, inflation standing at 20.77% and under employment standing tall at 33% so my dear I think now is the right time of starting a side business because it never hurts to have multiple income streams, especially when you’re building a business. Having a side hustle (or two) can be an excellent way to keep money coming in, easing your anxiety and lessening some of the financial burdens that come from entrepreneurship not to even thing about the hash condition of the economy at the moment.
So, let’s get into it without further delay crap your popcorn relax and learn ways you can make money for yourself from this 15 side business ideas I will be sharing with you.
15 side business ideas you can start in the creative industry
Run Instagram Or Tiktok Ads For Other Businesses
If you’re a world-class marketer, you can make a lot of extra money by marketing for other brands that aren’t so savvy in reaching the Gen-Z audience. Work your network to uncover business owners you know who need this service. You can make $1,000 a month or more without taking up too much of your time.
2. Start A Youtube Channel
There’s a lot of ad money to be made on YouTube. For example, my wife is a Registered Nurse here in Los Angeles. During her days off, she has been sharing her healthcare and personal experiences of pregnancy and parenting an infant on her YouTube channel. It’s a creative outlet for her that helps others broaden their knowledge while also earning some ad revenue.
3. Photography
If photography is more your medium, providing photography services at weddings can be a lucrative business.
The profitability of a running a photo studio business cannot be overstretched. Owning a photo studio automatically makes you a boss of yourself. Employing people to work in your studio makes you a job creator in the society. Photography services are demanded almost hourly by almost everyone.
4. Clothing Designer
You could also design clothing items from scratch and then work to get your line featured in stores or boutiques or even start your own.
5. Personal Stylist
If you don’t necessarily want to design the clothes but you still have a passion for fashion, you can build a business working as a personal stylist to help clients shop and put together outfits.
6. Makeup Artist
Makeup is another area that requires a lot of creativity. You can start a salon type of business or even just travel to work with clients at their location.
7. Sell An Online Course
Teach others how to become a master of your craft with online courses. Once the initial setup is complete, this is an excellent way to earn passive income. There are plenty of platforms out there to try, like Thinkific, Teachable and Kajabi.
8. Get Paid For Your Advice
Consultants are in high demand. Even better, being a consultant is entirely flexible. You can consult for as many or as few hours as you want in a given month. Register as an expert on Clarity and charge $10 a minute or more for your time. People can schedule calls with you to hear your advice and discuss their ideas, and you get paid for talking about your experiences. It’s a win-win situation.
9. Write A Book
You have a unique story. Write it down, then sell it on Amazon. Use Amazon’s self-publishing service to have your book distributed on Kindle or paperback. Be sure to work with an editor before publishing to ensure that your book is polished and professional. Once it’s online, you’ll get paid as people buy it. In addition to earning some extra income, you’ll build your reputation and increase your digital profile. This can be very helpful as you launch your new business.
10. Graphic Design
We live in a digital world, which means digital art is equally important. Starting a graphic design business is a great way to flex your creative muscles while also providing a valuable service to businesses. You can work on branding campaigns by creating logos or social media graphics for businesses, help design products, refresh websites, or sell design templates you create. From super fun and creative projects to B2B focused sales materials, there is no shortage of work for graphic designers to apply their creativity to.
11. Calligraphy
Beautiful penmanship is one thing, but calligraphy is a next-level skill that not many people have bragging rights to. Calligraphy is used in many art forms, as well as products such as wedding invitations and place cards. Both consumers and businesses alike need beautiful calligraphy services, so consider starting a freelance calligraphy business to serve these various needs.
12. Branding Consultant
Every business needs strong branding if they want to send a clear and memorable message to their customers. While many larger businesses have branding experts in house, smaller businesses may need a little help in the branding department. Like many creative business ideas, branding consulting can combine design, photography, and copy skills—so this is the perfect career for someone who likes to work on the complete picture of a creative project. By helping businesses make a name for themselves, you can make a lucrative career in the arts.
13. Art Teacher
If you have any of the creative skills mentioned previously in this list, then you can also consider spreading your knowledge by teaching them to others. Whether that be hosting a still life painting class with 30 pupils or tutoring students one-on-one in the art of calligraphy. You could offer digital art classes or create educational social media content. You may also create courses that other teachers can use in their classes. Find the teaching method that works for you and spread the word about your new business.
14. Tattoo Artist
Did you know that the tattoo industry brings in $3 billion dollars a year? Tattoos continue to gain popularity and people are willing to spend a good chunk of change for a high-quality tattoo. Of course, being a tattoo artist requires some major skills and a very steady hand—it’s an art form through and through. So, if you have the skills and want to create artwork that will stay with a person for their entire lives, this may just be the art business idea for you.
15. Art Director
The title art director can encompass a variety of jobs. Some art directors help create films, others design magazine layouts, some plan massive marketing campaigns, and others oversee the entire branding for a company. These are just a few of many examples of jobs that art directors do, but what most have in common is they plan the overall design for a project, whatever that may look like. If you have a passion for styling, photography, graphic design, and typography, then being an art director may just help you combine all of your creative interests.
Today we will be talking about the highest paid photographers in Nigeria because years ago, photographers in Nigeria use to be a business for school dropouts or misfits, but in today’s world it’s no longer that way because the business of photography has evolved it’s no longer a profession for dropouts or misfits. The industry reeks of artistic expressions that question humanity. Featured in this article are top wedding photographers in Nigeria, the best female photographer in Nigeria, celebrity photographers in Nigeria, photographers in Lagos Nigeria and some of the top photographers in Lagos itself. Nigeria is long overdue for a standard school of photography. The photography business in Nigeria is booming. And if you are interested in the art of photography you can enroll with Kennysoft Film Academy to start your journey.
Here is our list of the highest paid photographers in Nigeria
Kelechi Amadi-Obi
Number one on our list of photographers in Nigeria is Kelechi Amadi-Obi. Here’s why; kelechi dazzles with colours and light. You could learn a few tricks from his Youtube tutorials. His Wiki portfolio is massive but what catches my eyes is the appealing texture in the skin tones of his subjects.
If you have a thing for nighttime pictures, then keep Kelechi’s words close to your heart.
Starting as a lawyer Kelchi has become a renowned force in the creative scene says Vogue and I can’t help but nod to that.
TY Bello
Toyin Sokefun-Bello needs no introduction. If I’m partial, TY is my favourite celebrity cinematographer on this list of Top ten photographers in Nigeria. Her photo style gets me because TY understands that less is more. I like to think the best stories are the ones we’ve lived. If you’re that type of artist who is inspired by a person’s history and personal journey, then you should follow TY because she’d teach you depth in one shot. Her work puts the famed quote in perspective: “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind
Obi Somto
Obi Somto is a young photography who has always been art inclined. He was Born August 1, 1988, Obi Somto is a force behind a camera lens. Obi has always had the desire to draw, mould, paint and carve and his career as a photographer kicked off when he discovered his power in photoshop and fireworks. He launched his professional career as a graphic designer and illustrator in 2010. Obi Somto holds a degree in Banking and Finance from Babcock University, Ogun State, Nigeria and has since then made a name for himself in the creative field. He has photographed dignitaries and celebrities including former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ebele Goodluck Jonathan. Obi Somto has also been commissioned by renowned bodies such as African Council of Optometry and The Sight and Hope Foundation among others.
Adeola Olagunju
Adeola Olagunju is not your regular Nigerian photographer. She has a degree in Fine and Applied Arts (Graphics Design) and has worked as a Graphics Artist in various advertising agencies in Lagos. Adeola Olagunju works majorly with photographs however, her artistic palette consists of a range of media such as video, paintings, and collages. Known to explore themes surrounding her environment, self, and memory with documentary and a conceptual approach, Adeola Olagunju has been resident at Kuona Trust Centre for Visual Art in Nairobi, Kenya and the Lagos Photo Summer School exchange programme in Berlin, Germany. She has participated in Photography Master classes and exhibitions locally and internationally. She was also the recipient of the Lagos Photo Festival Award in 2012 and the Young Art Fund Amsterdam Award in 2013.
Aisha Augie-Kuta
Aisha Augie-Kuta was born April 11th, 1980 in Zaira, Kaduna State, Nigeria. She is a Nigerian photographer and filmmaker based in Abuja and is also the daughter of late Senator Adamu Baba Augie and Justice Amina Adamu Augie (JSC). Her love for photography began at a young age when her father gifted her a camera. Augie-Kuta received a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and is studying for an MSc in Media and communication at the Pan African University, Lagos, now Pan Atlantic University. Heavily awarded and recognised, Aisha Augie-Kuta has made contributions toward girl child/youth development and nation building. She has been a frequent facilitator at the annual gathering of photographers, Nigeria Photography Expo & Conference; a panelist and speaker at various events; and has spoken at TEDx events in Nigeria
Ade Adekola
Ade Adekola is a Nigerian born conceptual artist, photographer, and architect. He can be described as a seasoned documenter and keen cultural observer. Ade Adekola is known to make his artwork in series called ‘think pieces’. He actively makes use of technology in his process of creation, both as statement and tool, to achieve specific visuals effects and also to reinforce the social and intellectual narrative of the work. Ade Adekola produces art that is colourful, filled with humour, movement and cultural iconology. The work of this Lagos based genius shines a new light on the art of photography.
Are you one of those looking for the latest and best video editing apps for Android? You’ll find a list of the top applications to edit video on your Android smartphone.
There are an ever-growing number of Android video editors available on the Play Store today. And unless you know exactly what your requirements are, it can become overwhelming to zero in and figure out which is the best video editing app for Android.
So, in this article, we will give you a low down of the top 5 best video editing apps for android – both free and paid, to help you make a more informed choice and kickstart your video editing journey.
Top 6 Best 5 Video Editing Apps For Android
Adobe Premiere Rush
Price: Free / Up to $53.99 per month
Adobe Premiere Rush is another best free video editing app for Android without watermark that enables you to edit any video right from your Android device quickly. It is fast and fun to use.
Adobe calls the free video editing app “designed specifically for online video creators.” What this means is that the app knows the specific video adjustments you will require for social media platforms. Naturally, the video can be shared on multiple social media sites through the app.
Apart from the standard video editing functions, you can apply video effects, change color, create pan and zoom effects, add custom made animated titles and more. The app has built-in camera functionality to capture high-quality videos.
The Android app also features audio tools for sound balancing and auto-ducking. The best part, however, is that you can have multiple video tracks to smoothen your workflow. It is free to download and does not display any ads.
Features:
All-in-one video editor app for Android users.
One can add a thumbnail and schedule posts for TikTok, YouTube, etc.
App Installs: Over 1 million Google Play Store Rating: 4.0
The Filmr app is a super easy-to-use video editing app for Android as well as iOS-based phones. Perfect for both beginners as well as advanced video creators- it has a simple, fast and intuitive interface. You can add transitions, effects, filters and more to transform a basic video to something that is uber cool. If you’re looking for speed, agility and a premium look for your videos, Filmr is the place for you.
Review: Filmr has gained an overall rating of 4.4/5 based on reviews from 8,126 users and has 1 million and growing downloads on Playstore.
Price: It has a free version that allows you to create videos with an InVideo watermark. The paid plans start from $15/month
Key Features:
– No limit on the number of images/videos you can import – Smooth and unique transitions between videos – Multiple fonts to make your text stand out – Switch video format with ease: horizontal (16:9 and 4:5), vertical (4:3), stories (9:16), and square (1:1) – 20 million+ royalty free music library – Exclusive filters and effects to transform videos
Pros:
– The best thing about Filmr is that it has zero ads! – It has a vertical editing timeline which makes video editing super convenient, unlike other apps – Can reorder videos, photos and audio clips with a simple drag-and-drop – Lets you search for any song with a simple search or add music from your existing files – Reverse, Rotate and Flip videos with one tap – Get rid of the watermark easily by just watching an ad or going PRO – Save to gallery or export directly to any social media app – Set the duration of the transitions down to specific seconds – Directly shoot videos via the app and edit – Customise the duration of text on video on the text bar
Cons:
– There is no undo option in its Android version – Limited number of filters – Cannot record a voice-over directly on the app – Cannot choose the video resolution before saving – It does not support multiple languages
FilmoraGo is a remarkable Android video editor app that is liked by many users. All the primary functions like trimming, cutting, adding themes, music, etc. can be easily performed. You can also make 1:1 square videos for Instagram, 16:9 videos for Youtube, create reverse videos, add transitions, slow motion, text, etc. to beautify your video.
FilmoraGo has some in-app purchases, but most of its fantastic features are available for free. You can either save the videos directly in your gallery or share them straight to social media. Videos edited in the free version have a watermark at the end of the video.
Features:
Clips can be previewed in real-time.
Photos and videos can be imported from social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Extensive collection of templates and effects.
A set of professional editing tools.
App Installs: Over 50 million Google Play Store Rating: 4.6
Pros:
Offers a variety of features
Easy-to-use interface
Access to high-quality templates and presets in the Pro version
Cons:
No tutorials on how to use the presets and templates
Price: Free / $2.99 per month / $9.99 per year / $29.99 lifetime
If you are a video editor for Android that leaves no watermark, then InShot is one of the best ones out there. It features an intuitive interface and the ads do not interfere with your work. However, you will need to watch an ad if you want to remove the watermark on your video.
It has all the standard features that you would expect from a video editing app such as trim, crop, split, option to apply video effects, etc. Other than that, there is an option to freeze a select part of the video.
You can get 4K exports and even choose from different frame rates.If you are a TikToker or are looking to upload videos on Instagram, then InShot is a great video editing app for you.
Features:
4K uploads and multiple frame rate options
In-house music effects
Platform-based aspect ratio options
App Installs: Over 100 million Google Play Store Rating: 4.8
Combined with a well-designed interface along with powerful features, KineMaster is one of the best video editing apps available on Android. It enables the drag-n-drop technique to import different media files easily. KineMaster offers remarkable levels of control over the editing process to create professional videos quickly. You can add different types of transitions in between video fragments, or insert blocks of text or subtitles.
However, the removal of the watermark and full access to premium assets can only be accessed if you purchase the professional edition of the app. Besides this, most of the functions come in the free version.
Features:
Multiple layers of videos, images, text, effects, overlays, stickers, and handwriting can be combined.
Instant preview feature to view the editing
Precise volume control from moment to moment within a clip
App Installs: Over 100 million Google Play Store Rating: 4.4
Funimate is the next entry on the list of the best Android video editor apps. It can instantly transform everyday moments into creative videos and enables automatic sharing options on different social sites. It has over a hundred advanced video effects that are designed to be a perfect match for editing short videos. You can even make short video loops which can be entertaining.
Funimate requires signing in before using the app. You can also get followers and follow other accounts in it. It is one of the best free video editing apps, but the displayed ads can be annoying.
Features:
More than 100 advanced video effects for making cool videos
DIY effects from pre-existing photos stored on your smartphone
Feature to make collab videos with friends
A dedicated Funimate video community
App Installs: Over 10 million Google Play Store Rating: 4.4
While there are many apps to choose from, we recommend using FilmoraGo, Adobe Premiere Rush, or InShot for the best experience. While these apps are partly paid, they offer the best value for your money with their set of features, so we included them in this list of the best Android video editor apps.
The world is evolving so is the way we connect, communicate, market our services and products and also live our lives and one of those evolution is social media, social media has evolved and especially with the rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels, video content has not only risen to the top content format spot, it has also become a major part of the marketer’s arsenal, commanding larger and larger budget allocations in all industries worldwide.
It has also helped that social technology has improved enough to afford HD video streaming just about anywhere in the world. The relevance, impact and power of video cannot be overstated.
So, whether you are a small business, a growing brand or an international behemoth, video is the language with which you communicate with your audience now and in the future.
So, in this article, we’ll look at some of the top Video Editing Studios in Nigeria
K.S. Kennysoft Studios Production Limited (RC 1720211) is a Nigerian Video and Animation Production Studio Located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Nigeria. It’s recognized as the best and leading video and animation content creator in Nigeria. Founded in May, 2015 the company today boasts of a committed 10-man team that can successfully carry out a project. Since inception kennysoft STUDIOs has introduced the Nigerian video and animation industry to a new breed of professional video and animation services right at heart of Nigeria’s garden city – Rivers state, helping our clients save money on projects that would otherwise have been outsourced.
Pulse Studio is a commercial video production team, working as a sub brand of Pulse with teams in 5 African markets. The Pulse Studio team comprises talented writers, cinematographers, directors and editors with decades of cumulative experience between them. Pulse has worked on some of the most culture-defining and iconic video productions in Nigeria in the time that it has been operative, for international brands (Nike, Jameson) and leading Nigerian brands across the industry spectrum.
Pulse Studio is able to create culturally relevant story ideas, resulting in visual experiences for the end audience that are very relatable and shareable.
Ultima describes itself as a full-service media and entertainment company. The team has demonstrated strong capabilities in television production particularly, having put their signature on some of the most important entertainment content on Nigerian television for the past decade. Although Ultima has been around for a while, and has perfect expertise in more traditional media capabilities, the company has remained relevant in delivering digital experiences in recent times.
X3M Ideas has built a reputation as a full-service digital agency, with strong capabilities in video production for music, television and brand purposes.
Like the other video production units in this list, Insight Publicis is a digital agency with a great video team. The Insight video team has executed commercial videos and films that are much loved by the target audience, showing a good understanding of culture.
Conclusion: Video has become prominent across the world. Even though we’re seeing more video creation from mobile cameras and amateur creators, there is still an opportunity for brands looking to connect deeply with their audience at scale to weave great stories and influence culture through great films. These brands can benefit from the experience and expertise of some of these video editing and production studios in Nigeria.
Kennysoft STUDIOs is one of the best video post production companies offering high quality professional video editing services unique to your business. If you have footage or clips that you need editing to your taste, adding text, overlays, effects, animations, sound effects, logo, intro, etc. then Kennysoft STUDIOs is right here for you. We have a dedicated team of video editors, wherein each team specializes in a particular segment. Get personalized videos edited as per your brand vision and style.
We have edited videos across industries, including Wedding Events, Education, Music, eCommerce, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Finance, Technology, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Food industry, etc. With over a decade of multi-industry and multimedia experience, we have successfully delivered small and complex video editing jobs worldwide. Kennysoft STUDIOs specializes in serving companies, directors, filmmakers, producers, videographers, cinematographers, and individuals with video post production service worldwide. Moreover, we also assist Digital Marketing Agencies with social media ads and videos.
Today i am going to be talking about 5 essential tools every business need to be successful in todays business world we all know launching a business may seem scary at first, but it can be a very rewarding challenge if you have the right tools under your belt. Hundreds of small companies are launched every day globally for example here in Nigeria they are about 41.5 million SMEs, and about 71 thousand are added every year just only here in Nigeria. But the truth is the secret to long-term success is hiring passionate employees and securing the right business tools. If you want to set your company up for success, here are the top 5 business tools every entrepreneur needs to thrive.
5 essential tools every business need to be successful
Website: A business’s online presence, regardless of industry, can have a massive impact on its success. In this day and age, some businesses still don’t realize that a majority of their customers will visit their website before making a purchase.
Having a strong online presence, particularly a website, can be make or break for generating more revenue. One of the main reasons you should have a website for your business is to increase your organization’s credibility. Chances are there are several providers offering a similar service to yours. One way you can stand out is by having a website that looks good and clearly communicates quality information to your consumers.
Without a website, people may question your legitimacy as a business. Having a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and give people comfort that you’re a real business.
Many businesses get calls from prospects or existing customers asking simple questions about location and hours of operation. If you miss a call, the customer is left unhappy. Calls can also distract your staff from focusing on the most important parts of your business. A website can reduce these calls and increase internal productivity. At the same time, it helps customers find useful information without needing to call, which ultimately provides an all-around better user experience.
Since your website is on 24/7, it’s easy to post updates and announcements to your customers. It’s a way to keep them up to date on everything that you’re doing. When something is particularly relevant to them, it increases the chance of you being able to upsell them.
If you plan on leveraging digital marketing to increase your leads and grow your business, you’ll likely want to drive traffic to a website or landing page. To do this effectively, leverage historic traffic that has been going to your website so you can target the most qualified customers and get the best ROI on your ad spend. This is something that can’t be set up retroactively, so it is best to get your website running early even if you’re not planning on running ads at the moment.
Websites have become essential to business today. I strongly recommend creating one if you haven’t done so already. You can improve it over time, but the key is to start.
Gmail: In the present days having an email is essential because not only it helps you communicate with your friends, colleagues and businesses but it also helps you surf the web to register in blogs to comment, subscribe to newsletters and to shop on the internet.
There are many free email providers but one of the best is Gmail because it has so many more options included when you sign up compared to its competitors. Here we will list some of the benefits of Gmail that make it the best choice for personal and business use.
Google takes security very seriously. If you forget your password, there are very specific steps to recover it and only the owner can get back the password because of all the security steps google has taken to ensure no one else can get access to your password.
The Gmail platform is very easy to customize and you may change almost every aspect of it. You can chafe colors, themes, font size, type of font, how messages are displayed, etc. This way you can modify it to your linking.
With Gmail you can have up to 5 POP email accounts in your main Gmail so that you don’t have to sign in to each email account. For example, you can have your Hotmail and yahoo emails from Gmail, you can receive all new messages to these account and send emails from each of these emails. This a really cool feature you don’t find in many other free email providers.
With your Google Account you have access to Youtube.com, Google Play, Blogger, Pinterest, Google+, Google Docs, Google Drive and much more without having to open a new account for each of this services. It is great to have access with just one username and password to all this services because this helps minimize the number of usernames to access all web services many of us use everyday.
Phone Systems: It can be exhausting keeping up with customer calls, especially if you own a small company that does not have a specific customer service team. An automated phone system can help you deal with an influx of calls in an efficient manner. This tool allows you to answer common questions without tying up employees. You can also take orders, allow customers to make payments and register complaints as needed.
There are many types of phone systems that could be beneficial for your company. Along with automated systems, you may want to invest in a PBX phone system that allows your company to transfer calls between multiple extensions and departments. Small business PBX essentials are especially useful in streamlining communication for startups.
Task-Management Software: Running a successful business requires you to complete numerous tasks quickly and efficiently. Keeping track of all of these tasks can be incredibly difficult, especially if you have several employees with different responsibilities. Investing in task-management software is a great way to streamline the process so you can check items off your to-do list in an organized manner.
The right software can also help you divide tasks and delegate responsibilities evenly among your employees. Investing in software tools such as WorkFront can help you with time management and ensure your tasks and responsibilities are completed in a timely manner.
Google Analytics: As a business owner, you might have heard about — or are already using — Google Analytics. Today, millions of businesses use Google Analytics. If you are one of them, it is necessary to know how you can maximize this tool.
First, What is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics helps businesses get a better grasp of their website. It also helps evaluate and measure how marketing, content and products are performing relative to user engagement. This tool collects data and sorts it into useful information.
Google Analytics provides businesses with tools that help measure trends. For example, showing business owners if there are specific products on their website that are suddenly gaining traction.
Further, Google Analytics can help businesses predict clients’ behavior. For example, the rate of customer churn in a specific period. This tool is able to provide data that can help you allocate the necessary funding to retain your customers. These kinds of insights can help you create better marketing strategies and other business-related plans. These features create a clearer path for you to achieve a return on investment.
For Google Analytics 4, measurements include both website and app. So, data is a combination of two integral parts of your operations. It is now also able to include data from your YouTube account alongside other channels. This way, you have a more comprehensive view of your marketing efforts.
Better Understanding of Client Behavior
The upgrade has a more customer-centric approach in measurement. This includes user IDs that aid in tracking behavior with regards to your business. The new version is capable of providing information about your client’s life cycle in interacting with your channels. Since they are given unique user IDs, you can track their behavior individually — from the acquisition stage to retention.
This is important as consumer behavior is rapidly changing. Being able to get ahead by making real-time decisions based on true data is essential. Track which channels are effective in customer acquisitions, and keep a pulse on data regarding engagement with your products. This, in turn, can aid business entities to pave plans for better customer retention.
In my experience, this change has been one of the most useful as it can help businesses create a more personalized approach. In the older version, business owners were only given platform-centric data, which didn’t help much in regard to targeted marketing.
Targeted Marketing
Google Analytics offers a comprehensive set of features that can help you scale how you manage your digital marketing efforts. The data collected by this tool can be managed in different ways. One is using these sets of data for ad personalization, which plays a great role in marketing. Google gives you the option to set up personalized ads relevant to the geographical data collected from your clients.
For example, say you have gathered a useful amount of first-party data from a specific state. You can use this set of data to create an audience for your next ads. This data will aid you in placing ads that will yield sure returns as it is targeted to an already interested market.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
At this point, you probably know or have an idea of what SEO is. It is one of the most highly effective digital marketing efforts today. Google Analytics contributes to making this even more efficient and effective in helping you grow as a business. The tool gives insights regarding the pages of your website that are gaining a relative number of visitors and your best-performing pages. This can help you strategize on what kind of content to invest in and how you allocate your efforts accordingly.
Creating Innovative Business Ideas
To make sure your business grows, you need to introduce new ideas that set you apart from your competitors. However, coming up with ideas is one story, but having ideas that are worthwhile is another. So, how do you introduce new things that are worthwhile? By basing them on data and facts.
With the information Google Analytics provides, you can start implementing upgrades and innovations. These changes can further help you have an edge over other competitors.
Going over these data can help you devise actionable plans and reasonable business goals. Take, for example, reports indicating that Reddit forums help in customer acquisitions. Given this information, you can create marketing strategies that are tailored to Reddit.
As a business owner, having control over your operations is important. This control should always be data-driven and factual. This is to ensure that your business decisions will bring valuable contributions to how you want your business to grow.
With Google Analytics and all the services, it offers, tracking digital channels has been made easier and more efficient. Through this tool, you are provided with accurate data that can be used to scale your business.
QuickBooks: QuickBooks is the most popular small business accounting software businesses use to manage income and expenses and keep track of the financial health of their business. You can use it for invoicing customers, paying bills, generating reports, and preparing taxes. The QuickBooks product line includes several solutions that work great for anyone, from a freelancer to a midsized business.
Online influencer creating fun podcast content with videoblog, recording live discussion to broadcast on social media channel. Happy lifestyle blogger using vlogging equipment.
Broadcasting live to thousands of people used to be the stuff of television, requiring millions of dollars and oodles of fancy equipment. Now we have supercomputers in our pockets. With a smartphone or a GoPro, we can broadcast anything to friends over Facebook and YouTube in seconds.
Why Livestream?
It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s immediate. Livestreaming goes straight to the internet. There’s no editing, no fiddling around with cuts, no overlays or sound effects, and no special filter to make you like Tom Cruise. Just you and the audience. You can show off the best of your skills. Did you learn a new guitar song? Just finished a painting? Want to let the world know about the best graphic novels? Livestream it.
With over 57% of marketers live streaming their content, it’s not hard to see why brands are jumping into the streaming business. But for plenty of brands and content creators, learning how to live stream can be a hurdle.
There’s no shame in admitting the technical side of live streaming can be, well, pretty technical to understand for the majority of us.
Don’t lose hope! In this guide, we’ll unpack all the complicated business of streaming. We’ll walk through how to set up a live stream, what gear to consider, and how to get it set up.
We’ll also tackle how to find the right streaming platform and share tips for a stable internet connection when live streaming.
There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s jump into it.
How to set up a live stream
Ultimately, live streaming your content boils down to five steps:
Connect the audio and video sources that capture content for live streaming to your streaming device (PC or laptop).
Configure the encoder – one that translates the audio and video content into stream able files ready to be shared on the internet.
Connect the encoder and streaming platform using the stream key and URL that your streaming platform provides.
Test your internet connection and upload speed
Stream away!
In other words, your live streaming process includes CED or capturing audio and video content, encoding it, and distributing it using a live streaming platform.
You probably noticed there’s lots of gear and live streaming software involved. We’ll address those first, then share the details on how to set everything up.
What equipment do you need to live stream?
Building a streaming setup for beginners is pretty simple. You’ll need a camera, mic or microphone, lighting, and a stable internet connection.
You’ll also need to get your (digital) hands on some live streaming software. More on that in a bit. For now, let’s get started with the live streaming equipment you’ll need.
Camera
If you’re only getting started with testing the live streaming waters, our Live Production Lead at Vimeo, Tom Gott, suggests you’ll only need a single quality camera.
In other words, a webcam will do the job.
But if you’re looking to explore other camera choices, there are plenty of options for every budget. We have great options if you’re aiming to go low-cost into live streaming before upgrading your gear.
Beginner level video sources:
Your phone’s camera
An entry-level live streaming camera like DJI Osmo Action, GoPro Hero, Logitech C930e, or Mevo camera.
Intermediate level video sources:
If you do have some budget set aside for investing in a camera, say up to $2000, you can level up your live stream’s game by investing in any of the following:
Canon XA15 or XF100
Panasonic LUMIX GH4
Sony A7 II for this price range.
Can you use any camera to live stream?
A webcam, point and shoot, camcorder —all will work for live streaming as long as the camera you use is able to capture a minimum of 720p at 24fps footage.
Audio
Even if the video quality of your live stream is up to par, your audience will check out if the audio quality is poor.
So don’t overlook your live stream’s audio quality. That’s why Gott advises, “Don’t rely on the built-in microphone on your camera, invest in a proper one.”
Lavalier mics aka clip on mics (yes, the ones that look pretty cool)
Handheld microphones such as Shure SM58s that our team has used
Not planning to invest in an audio source? Your phone can help capture sound. Well, at least temporarily as you get to grips with the live streaming business.
Capture card
The third piece of live streaming equipment that you may need is a capture card.
A capture card is an intermediary device that transfers video from its source to your main live streaming setup.
But hang on: why do you need a capture card? So that it can show your computer what your camera is seeing.
To use a capture card, your camera needs an HDMI port/output to attach the HDMI cable. This will transfer the video feed to your computer.
And, when do you need to add a capture card to your live stream setup?
You need a capture card when you’re using a software encoder (more on this below).
You don’t need a capture card when you’re using a hardware encoder as it usually comes with an internal capture card. You also don’t need it when you’re using a USB camera or microphone that you can directly plug into your computer.
For now, know that if you are planning to use a capture card, you’ll need to pick between a USB interface capture card or one with a PCI-e interface.
Here are some of our capture card recommendations:
AV.io HD
Elgato CamLink 4K
Razer Ripsaw HD
Whatever you select, be sure to check that the capture card is compatible with your streaming platform. For instance, there are a handful of capture cards supported by Vimeo.
Lighting setup for live streaming
Okay so you now have most of the tech list that partly answers how to live stream. But there’s another essential aspect that you can’t skip — lighting for streaming.
A well-lit stream can help your live video look more professional and help you engage your audience. Think about it: you don’t want your viewers to cringe at how poorly lit your live streaming setup is and you certainly don’t want the overhead lights in your office to cast harsh shadows on your speakers or presenters.
The good news? You can perfect the lighting set up with these two sources.
Lighting for entry level streamers:
Sunlight
Ring light
Sunlight is your best friend and a free source for lighting your streaming space. Test your video to find the right balance of natural light. Too much sunlight can mask the details of your speaker’s face and too little of it will obscure their features.
Here are a few tips for creating a flattering look with natural lighting:
Face the natural light source
Use a bounce to fill in any dark shadows
Avoid having a window behind the speaker
Avoid harsh white or fluorescent lighting
Experiment with opening and closing the window shades to find the right setting and the perfect balance between the natural and artificial lights in your room.
Want to make the most of the sunlight and shoot outdoors? Dive into this guide to get a rundown of how to perfect outdoor lighting.
Another option that’s become popular among live streamers is ring light. These are budget-friendly lighting sources for beginner-level streaming that don’t pose a fire hazard or heat the room, making them great to use. Their circular design also means ring lights help remove shadows from your face.
Lighting for intermediate level:
A three-point light kit
Have some money to spend? Get a three-point light kit to polish up your lighting. These kits include three lights: a main/key light, fill light, and a backlight that bring warmth, depth, and quality to your stream.
You can also pair lights from this kit with the overhead lights in your office to light up the scene professionally. How? By removing the main light since overhead lights do its job instead.
Where should I position my lights for streaming?
Using a three-point light kit, position the main light across the subject to illuminate. Next, position the fill light across the other end of the subject to balance the light from the main light and position the third, backlight behind the subject to separate them from the background. See where each light goes in this short video.
Accessories for live streaming
As for the bits and bobs for the perfect setup, here’s a quick list:
A green screen (Chroma key) for changing your background
A tripod stands for holding your video camera
A microphone arm where the audio source rests (unless you’re using a clip on mic)
Encoder
Let’s talk about encoders. To share your stream with the world, you’ll need an encoder.
An encoder is a device that converts video files from one format to another. Put another way, it takes the raw feed from a camera and transfers it into viewable content in your main live streaming station.
There are two types of encoders at your disposal: hardware encoders and software encoders.
Here’s a quick rundown of hardware encoders and software encoders.
Hardware encoders
Specially designed for live streaming. They free up your computer for other tasks.
Does not require a capture card.
Less affordable and difficult to upgrade.
Because hardware encoders free up your computer for focusing on other tasks, these are great for more professional broadcasts and live streaming gamers. This way, the PC can focus on the game while the encoder works in the background.
As for which hardware encoder to buy, read on to find out budget-friendly options below.
Beginner-level hardware encoders:
AJA HD10AMA audio embedder
Intermediate level:
AJA HD5DA HD-SDI distribution amplifier
Datavideo DAC70 up/down/ cross converter
Software encoders
A great option for beginner-level streamers. Keep in mind they rely on your computer’s processing power.
Capture card may be needed
Variety of price points and upgrade options
The good thing about software encoders is that they work on their own, not taking up much of your attention.
Here are a few software encoder options:
Livestream Studio 6
OBS Studio
Streamlabs OBS
Switcher
Last on this list of live streaming equipment is a switcher. Like an encoder, you may or may not need it. It all comes down to your requirements.
Essentially, a switcher helps switch between different video and audio sources, production elements, and control graphics.
So if you’re using two or more cameras for live streaming or want to show graphics/presentations between your live stream, you’ll need a switcher to capture the additional feeds for you.
If you’re a Vimeo Enterprise user (or plan to be one soon!) you’ll get Livestream Studio with your package. Not only does it handle a software encoder’s job, but it also plays the switcher’s role.
What’s the right streaming platform for me?
With live streaming equipment out of the way, let’s talk about the distribution side of how to live stream.
Live streaming platforms are video hosting services that let you broadcast video content. Depending on the platform you choose, you can stream on multiple channels at once to reach a wider audience.
There’s no one answer to which streaming platform is right for you as the correct answer is: it depends on your requirements.
For live streamers who are using video for internal communications (like town halls or employee trainings) or for virtual events, there are a few key features to keep in mind.
Five key features for your live streaming platform
High quality, professional video
For high quality, professional streaming video, you’ll want to find a solution that supports full HD 1080p and cloud transcoding so that viewers can enjoy beautiful video across devices.
Broaden your reach
If you’re a business looking to reach customers wherever they are, you’ll want to find a platform that supports simulcasting to other platforms like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitter, and Twitch.
Security and privacy
Secure video streaming is a must for businesses. Look for platforms that include features around privacy, authorization, customization, embedding restrictions, and security.
Powerful engagement
You’ll want to include ways for your audience to interact with your live streaming content via live chat and polls as well as advanced analytics to help you better serve your audience.
An all-in-one home
Get all the tools you need for your live and hosted videos: edit and replace post-event video files in up to 4K, spread out with up to 5TB of storage, and sell your videos after the big event.
Five streaming channels for your video
There are a lot of places for your audience to view your live stream. Here are a few main destinations where you may want to broadcast your next live event:
Branded site: For businesses with a dedicated website or event site, embedding your live stream video can be the simplest and most effective way to share your content with your audience.
Vimeo: With an audience of X, Vimeo is a great place to reach your audience. With Vimeo Enterprise, streamers can create showcases to broadcast HD quality video and organize videos into custom categories to create a more Netflix-like experience for audience members.
LinkedIn Live: LinkedIn’s native livestream feature is a great place to connect with business-minded professionals, hospitality workers, and even students.
Instagram Live: Instagram’s livestream feature lets you broadcast content as part of your IG stories. The key differentiator here is that the stream is ephemeral. Meaning: it disappears once the broadcast ends. No replays are available.
Twitch: With 3.8 million streamers, Twitch is the go-to live streaming platform for gamers. But, it’s now opening up for other stream content too.
Facebook Live: Once started as mobile-only streaming, Facebook Live lets you now stream from both mobile and desktop.
What if your audience is spread across multiple channels? You don’t have to pick just one place to stream! Simulcasting allows you to stream to multiple destinations at once.
How to live stream in 5 simple steps?
At the start of this guide, we gave you a quick overview of how to live stream. Now that you’re familiar with the gear needed for a streaming setup for beginners, let’s dive into the details of how to set up a live stream.
1. Connect your audio and video sources
This involves physically connecting the audio and video sources to your main live streaming setup (the PC or laptop). Connect these sources to your hardware encoder to feed the content into your livestream station or use a capture card if you have a software encoder.
2. Configure the encoder
If you’re using an external encoder, you’ll need to configure the device’s setting using an app or Web UI. For a software encoder, you’ll work internally.
You can leave the configuration setting to default as the software automatically adjusts to the streaming platform.
Ask you configure your encoder, keep these three points in mind:
The resolution or your video’s frame size needs to be at 1280 x720 resolution to start.
The bit rate or the rate at which data is uploaded should be set at 3000 Kbps.
Lastly, the frame rate or the number of images/frames displayed in a second needs to be 30
3. Connect to the streaming platform
With the audio and video set up with your livestream station, you’re now left with linking in your streaming platform into the picture.
Use the streaming key/name and streaming URL that your live streaming platform gives you and enter it into the encoder to complete your live streaming setup.
Doing so allows the streaming platform to identify your encoder. On the other hand, the encoder is able to understand where to send the audio and visual details.
4. Check your internet connection
Your internet connection is the elephant in the room when it comes to streaming. Unreliable internet connection equals slow streaming – something that can make you lose viewers fast.
To prevent lost views, start test your internet speed using a site like Speedtest.net. Here are a few other tips to make sure your internet connection is stable.
Upgrade your bandwidth or how much data you can upload to the highest available.
Ask any other family members, roommates, or colleagues share your space to stay offline during your stream.
Use your cell phone’s hotspot as a worst-case scenario backup.
Test your tech including audio and video quality.
5 important ideas to consider with upload speeds and streaming
What is upload speed?
Your upload speed is the speed at which your ISP lets you share content on the internet. It’s measured in millions of bits — or megabits — per second and it matters because a slow upload speed would mean spotty livestreams.
While there’s no answer to the perfect upload speed for a live stream, we have a few benchmarks to keep in mind:
3 Mbps for 480p
6 Mbps for 720p
13 Mbps for 1080p
Just remember, the higher your video quality is, the more upload speed you’ll need.
Your upload speed can also be impacted by four things.
Upload rate
This is the speed at which your internet can upload content. The higher it is, the better your upload speed.
Your internet service provider’s (ISP) bandwidth
To recap, bandwidth is the capacity of your internet to upload or download data. The larger the video content, the greater bandwidth required.
The content quality
High-quality and fast moving visuals can impact your upload speed.
Your streaming platform
Every platform has its recommendation. Here just few platform-specific suggestions to give you an idea:
Vimeo requires 10 Mbps or faster for live streams in 1080p.
5. Start streaming
With everything in place, click start streaming in your encoder and get the show running! Remember, it’s okay to be nervous with your first time going live. Add a few practice runs before the live data and you’ll be good to go.
With enough planning and a few live streaming sessions under your belt, you’ll start enjoying the process in no time.
To find out more about how Kennysoft STUDIOs can help you livestream your event, get in touch with one of the members of the team for a chat.
Are Tiktok Ads Worth It? The short answer — yes, you should definitely give it a go. It’s one of the fastest-growing (& most cost-effective) social media platforms in the world and is quickly becoming an advertising haven for businesses! But deciding if it’s the right fit for you requires answers to essential questions like:
Who is your target audience?
(If they’re 25 and under, TikTok is the place to be!)
Can you easily showcase your products/services in a video?
Are you comfortable sharing light-hearted content?
(TikTok isn’t a ‘serious’ platform by any means).
I personally recommend you spend time experimenting with the platform and different types of content so you can find the perfect fit for your business!
That been said, why will you even want to market your product or service in TikTok to start with. I believe you don’t know let me explain to you statistically, just take a look at these statistics from Influencer marketing hub
TikTok Users Spend More than 850 Minutes Per Month on the App
According to Statista, US TikTok users average 858 minutes per month on the app. This statistic gives information on monthly TikTok app user engagement in the United States in March 2020.
If you examine the data from October 2019 to March 2020, you will note a considerable increase in the time that the average TikTok user spent on the app. Usage grew from an average of 442.9 minutes per month in October 2019 to 526.1 minutes in November, 561.2 minutes in December, 680 minutes in January 2020, 731.6 minutes in February, and 858 minutes in March 2020.
2. TikTok now has 1 Billion Monthly Active users (January 2022)
As of January 2022, TikTok had 1 billion Monthly Active users worldwide!
In a December 2019 Statista survey, 23 percent of respondents stated that they had used or seen videos posted on TikTok. Conversely, 44% indicated that they hadn’t, while 33% claimed to have never heard of TikTok. However, more U.S. internet users used TikTok in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, so these percentages now probably understate the actual situation.
3. 3 Billion Installations
TikTok has been installed on devices over 3 billion times worldwide. It passed the one billion-milestone in February 2019 and the two billion-figure in April 2020. It reached three billion in Mid-2021. TikTok became only the fifth non-gaming app to reach the 3-billion level and the first not owned by Facebook (now Meta).
4. 167 Million TikTok Videos Watched in an Internet Minute
In August 2021, Statista collated online media usage for an “internet minute” worldwide. In that time, people consume hundreds of thousands of hours of content and send, scroll, and upload millions of messages, emails and texts. Amongst these statistics, Statista found that TikTok users watch 167 million hours of videos on the app in a sample minute.
5. Entertainment Most Popular Category on TikTok by Hashtag Views
As of July 2020, the most popular content categories on TikTok all had over two billion views, according to Statista. The most viewed content category on the app was entertainment content. Presumably, this category includes all those lip-synching videos. The second most viewed content category was dance.
The most popular categories overall are:
Entertainment – 535 billion hashtag views
Dance – 181 billion
Pranks – 79 billion
Fitness/sports – 57 billion
Home reno/D.I.Y. – 39 billion
Beauty/skincare – 33 billion
Fashion – 27 billion
Recipes/cooking – 18 billion
Life hacks/advice – 13 billion
Pets – 10 billion
Outdoors – 2 billion
6. Highest Social Media Engagement Rates Per Post
Recent Upfluence data shows better engagement rates across different follower levels for Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. TikTok has considerably more engagement than either of the other two networks at all follower levels. For example, Upfluence found micro-influencers had engagement rates of 17.96% on TikTok, 3.86% on Instagram, and 1.63% on YouTube. At the other extreme, mega-influencers had engagement rates of 4.96% on TikTok, 1.21% on Instagram, and 0.37% on YouTube.
If you isolate the fitness sector, Upfluence found that although there weren’t all that many TikTok fitness influencers, they had the highest average engagement rate across platforms – 9.3% compared to Instagram (2.9%), YouTube (0.7%), and Facebook (0.5%).
7. Total Downloads For TikTok Exceed 2.5 Billion
TikTok has grown significantly over the years and House of Marketers expect it to continue to scale worldwide. According to a report by the Business of Apps, 2.6 billion people will download the app by 2020. In 2018 alone, more than 750 million people downloaded the app. And as 2019 came to an end, they reached 1.5 billion, almost doubling the number of downloads in a single year.
8. Most TikTok Users Want Funny and Engaging Content on TikTok
Participants in the global web index survey said that they usually look for entertaining or funny content on the app. Entertaining its visitors is a higher priority for TikTok than anything else. Posting and sharing entertaining content remains the most common way that people interact with the app.
9. Users spend more time on TikTok than YouTube
According to AppAnnie, users are spending much more time watching TikTok than they are on YouTube. People can watch new content in a very short span of time given the style of content that TikTok offers, especially when compared to YouTube. This helps explain why your marketing budget may be better used off YouTube, and on TikTok.
10. Smaller Brands Can Go Viral on TikTok, With Little Effort
Some smaller brands can sometimes become household names and older brands can become relevant again through TikTok. In the case of Ocean Spray, a 90-year-old beverage company became relevant again. TikTok creator Nathan Apodaca showed himself drinking the beverage on his way to work. Ocean Spray also saw a bump in their sales following the height of the trend. They capitalized on it by referencing the trend on TikTok and participating in a challenge inspired by Nathan’s initial video.
TikTok age demographics
Age
Percentage of users
Under 18
28
19-29
35
30-39
18
39+
19
Note: These are global values. Individual country demographics are available in the TikTok Report
Source: App Ape
TikTok gender demographics
Gender
Percentage of users
Female
59
Male
39
Other
2
Sources: App Ape, Bloomberg
TikTok engagement by country
Year
Usage per day (minutes)
United States
68
United Kingdom
60
France
60
Norway
74
Poland
68
Sources: Bloomberg, Sensor Tower
So, with all these statistics I need you need to rethink it twice if you will not be marketing your product or services on TikTok.
Type of TikTok ads
Here are the five types of TikTok Ads:
In-Feed Ads
Brand Takeover
TopView
Branded Hashtag Challenge
Branded Effects
TikTok Ads: In-Feed Ads
In-Feed Ads are the video ads that appear in between user videos as you scroll through your For You page. If you’re unfamiliar with TikTok and the For You page, In-Feed Ads are very similar to the ads you’d see while tapping through Instagram Stories.
TikTok Ads: Brand Takeover
Have you ever opened up TikTok and received an ad right away? If so, those are Brand Takeover Ads.
Brand Takeover Ads appear upon opening the app — presenting a full-screen video to your targeted audience.
They’re one of TikTok Ad’s best options for delivering mass awareness and driving direct sales since you can place your messaging right in front of your target audience.
Not only do these ads show up as soon as users open TikTok, but they can also appear on the For You page as still images, GIFs or videos — including a clickable link driving users to a landing page or a Hashtag Challenge within TikTok.
See how Guess Jeans had their #InMyDenim Challenge advertised all across TikTok. The photo below on the far left is an example of a Brand Takeover.
Brand Takeover Ads are exclusive to their category, which means that TikTok makes sure users don’t see more than one Brand Takeover per day. With Brand Takeover Ads you can expect a lot of eyes on your content with little competition.
If you’re just starting out with TikTok Ads, Brand Takeovers may not be your first choice. Because, while super effective, Brand Takeovers do come at a high cost.
If you’re a bigger brand with a large marketing budget, they are a great option for fast growth and reaching a large group of TikTok users.
TikTok Ads: TopView
TopView Ads are a new advertising option that builds on Brand Takeovers.
What makes TopView Ads different is that unlike Branded Takeover Ads, TikTok users aren’t bombarded with an ad as soon as they open the app — TopView Ads are the first in-feed post after 3 seconds.
It shows up at the top of the For You page, TikTok’s most premium real estate, with up to 60-seconds of full-screen video with auto-play and sound.
TikTok Ads: Branded Hashtag Challenge
Branded Hashtag Challenges are a one-of-a-kind advertising opportunity exclusively to TikTok. You’ve probably seen branded hashtag challenges displayed on TikTok’s Discovery page.
TikTok Ads: Branded Effects
TikTok now offers branded shareable stickers, AR filters, and lenses in their advertising mix.
Similar to Snapchat’s branded lenses, TikTok’s branded effects allow brands to design their own custom filter on the app.
Branded Effects can be live for up to 10 days at a time and are an awesome way to encourage users to directly interact with your brand (in a fun way!).
How Much do TikTok Ads Cost?
TikTok Ads are new to the scene — brands and businesses are still experimenting with the platform — so understanding the average spend or return on investment (ROI) is difficult.
So, if you’re a small business and want to give TikTok ads a try, don’t let the unknown scare you off right away — spending big bucks on TikTok isn’t the only way to advertise on the popular app.
You can set up a free TikTok Ads account and create In-Feed ads with your own set budget and schedule. Currently, TikTok’s minimum campaign budget is $500 and the minimum ad group budget is $50.
However, it has also been reported that the cost of advertising on TikTok can be anywhere from $50,000 to $120,000, depending on the type and duration.
If these reported numbers are true, it would make sense as to why we haven’t really seen smaller businesses advertising on TikTok just yet.
As more brands begin to engage and use TikTok Ads, it will become clearer whether TikTok will follow a similar model to Instagram and Facebook ads where (no budget is too small), or if they will continue to keep certain ad types, like branded hashtag challenges, as elite spends
How to Create a TikTok Ad
Now that you’re familiar with TikTok’s creative advertising options, it’s time to talk about the tools that help get your ads into action.
Before you can go ahead and create ads on TikTok, even In-Feed ads, you have to be approved by TikTok. It’s not a difficult process, just an extra step to keep in mind.
#2: Enter your country and account type and press “Next”.
#3: TikTok Ads is currently only available in certain regions. Fill out all of your contact information and depending on if TikTok Ads self-serve is available in your region, either press “Make a Reservation” or “Inform me of Future Updates”.
Note: TikTok Ads Manager self-serve platform is now available in the United States for businesses of all sizes.
#4: Now it’s time to wait for TikTok to send more information. Make sure to double-check all your email folders (promotions, social, junk, etc).
TIP: If you know you want to start advertising on TikTok in the future (even if it’s not for a while!) create an account sooner than later to be sure you have it there when you’re ready.
Once you get the verification email, TikTok asks a number of questions about your business and advertising goals. After you submit the questionnaire, a TikTok representative will be in touch with you over email to help you complete the process.
Following that, you’ll be able to enter and officially set up your account.
On TikTok’s self-serve platform, you can create and run campaigns, easily define your target audience, select bidding methods, and design your ad creative.
Similar to regular hashtag trends and challenges on TikTok, Branded Hashtags Challenges offer both organic and sponsored opportunities for brands.
They’re a great way to encourage user-generated content and build brand awareness.
The best part about Branded Hashtag Challenges? You can have a ton of fun with them! They are an awesome way for brands to collaborate and seamlessly integrate themselves into the TikTok culture and community.
It’s important to have concrete objectives when you’re creating a Branded Hashtag Challenge. Are you looking to create awareness for a new product? Generate new leads? Or increase general brand awareness?
When a user clicks on a sponsored hashtag, they’re taken to a landing page on TikTok with the brand logo, link to their website, brief description of the challenge, and popular videos using the hashtag.
#4: Now it’s time to wait for TikTok to send more information. Make sure to double-check all your email folders (promotions, social, junk, etc).
TIP: If you know you want to start advertising on TikTok in the future (even if it’s not for a while!) create an account sooner than later to be sure you have it there when you’re ready.
Once you get the verification email, TikTok asks a number of questions about your business and advertising goals. After you submit the questionnaire, a TikTok representative will be in touch with you over email to help you complete the process.
Following that, you’ll be able to enter and officially set up your account.
On TikTok’s self-serve platform, you can create and run campaigns, easily define your target audience, select bidding methods, and design your ad creative.
Similar to regular hashtag trends and challenges on TikTok, Branded Hashtags Challenges offer both organic and sponsored opportunities for brands.
They’re a great way to encourage user-generated content and build brand awareness.
The best part about Branded Hashtag Challenges? You can have a ton of fun with them! They are an awesome way for brands to collaborate and seamlessly integrate themselves into the TikTok culture and community.
It’s important to have concrete objectives when you’re creating a Branded Hashtag Challenge. Are you looking to create awareness for a new product? Generate new leads? Or increase general brand awareness?
When a user clicks on a sponsored hashtag, they’re taken to a landing page on TikTok with the brand logo, link to their website, brief description of the challenge, and popular videos using the hashtag.
If you’re looking for maximum exposure, you can pay up to a hefty $150,000 per day to show up on TikTok’s Discover banner. That’s huge real estate but it’s not the only way to get users engaged with your branded hashtag.
TIP: If you’re looking for a less costly alternative, partner with popular creators on TikTok, like Houseparty and Freal Milkshakes below, to help your challenge take off!
Check out how the popular video messaging app, Houseparty, uses branded hashtags in a recent campaign on TikTok.
See how Houseparty partnered with Gen-Z heartthrob Chase Stokes (or better known as “John B” from Outer Banks) to help push their hashtag even further.
You can get super creative with In-Feed Ads. You can include multiple call-to-actions and make your video anywhere between 9 to 15 seconds.
Having the opportunity to include a call-to-action is a huge advantage. For example, you can encourage users to shop now, download your app, or visit your website right from TikTok.
See how Adobe uses a clear CTA in their In-Feed Ad below.
One thing to keep in mind is that like any other video on your For You Page, In-Feed Ads can be scrolled past or skipped pretty quickly. You only have about 2-3 seconds to catch your audience’s eye before they keep scrolling.
In-Feed Ads should be full screen and should be enticing enough to stop users from scrolling past your content.
TikTok offers brands an effective way of communicating with their audience by helping brands engage with users through multiple ad formats that speak the TikTok language, seamlessly integrating with native content and delivering maximum results.
Over the years TikTok have grow from not just been one of the video sharing apps but among the biggest video sharing apps in the world at the moment with about 1 billion monthly active users worldwide and still growing it has become so powerful that you just can’t ignore it anymore.
So, I will be showing practical ways you can create very Engaging Contents on TikTok, so without no further ado let’s get started.
Be authentic.
Keep it real, keep it organic, and create something truly engaging. Don’t focus on “branding” it too much; instead, create something which would drive lots of user-generated content. Ordinality will always sellout.
Focus on Niche Content Your Ideal Audience Will Want to Watch
When people think of TikTok, they tend to think of viral content, popular dances, and trendy music. TikTok trends tend to be fairly universal. Certain content also tends to be fairly universal, things like food, for example. Universal content can help you rack up a lot of views fairly quickly but it doesn’t always equal high engagement or sales like having a targeted audience.
A targeted audience most often comes in through niche content. Niche content doesn’t need to be super-narrow but it does need to be content your ideal client would be interested in watching, or even binging, while on TikTok.
While going viral can be fun and exciting, the real success for businesses comes with consistent content targeted toward their audience, growing a community based around that content, and offering the same tips and value that would elevate them to thought leaders.
Hashtags on TikTok
One more thing to consider when it comes to creating content for TikTok: the hashtags. Like other platforms, TikTok uses hashtags to help categorize and filter out content. And users use hashtags to find the content they’re interested in. Using niched-down hashtags will help ensure that your content gets in front of the right eyes.
However, hashtags aren’t necessary and don’t always play a role in going viral. Even if the hashtag is trending, using a popular hashtag that’s unrelated to your content won’t necessarily increase the views on your videos.
Educate Your Audience
It’s time to flex your skills and expertise! Break down valuable information or guide viewers through an educational how-to video.
This type of content works because it can be applied to any industry or niche, and you can share your knowledge about a particular subject.
Real-estate professional Tamika Ellsworth (@realestate_t) educates viewers about home buying terms, insurance, and more:
Not sure where to start? Take a look at FAQs related to your business on Google, gather feedback from your followers, or think about what advice your friends ask you for.
TIP: Make educational TikTok videos a recurring element of your content strategy by creating a dedicated TikTok Playlist. This will allow viewers to find all your related videos in one place.
Tell a Story
With over 65B views, the #StoryTime hashtag is proof of the demand for personal, story-based content on TikTok.
Take Tiana aka @hoopsandt, an official scorer for basketball games. Her TikTok video telling the story of how she landed her job has over 72K views:
Or you could get inspiration from Joanne L. Molinaro who shares personal stories about her life while cooking Korean dishes:
You can also share stories you’ve been captivated by and spotlight employees, role models, or game-changers in your industry.
TIP: Storytelling videos don’t need to be too complicated. They can be as straightforward as filming a selfie video to talk about a unique experience.
Prioritize creativity.
Be creative! That’s the only thing that brands should consider while engaging with their audiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels! Brands who are able to show their creativity in a funny and natural for the platform way, are always welcomed by the viewers
More Than Just A Trend
While it can be daunting to use a new content-creation platform like TikTok, the most important thing is to have a little bit of fun while using TikTok. Services that can express their creativity and funny side will be more popular with audiences and leave a positive lasting impression. What do you think about brands using TikTok to widen their reach and Creating Engaging Contents? Do you think it’s just a trend that is soon to pass? Share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions with us at kennysoft STUDIOs, because together, we learn!
Marketing educates many people about a certain product. When people are well-informed about your product, your sales will increase. Marketing is a great help for many business establishments to create revenue options. It is when business sectors use different marketing strategies to increase business profits.
And one of the ways companies market their products and services is through advertisement and today we will be looking at some of the big spenders when it comes to advertising budget.
According to data compiled by Nairalytics and sourced from the published financial statements of the companies. Some of Nigeria’s mega corporations spent about N143.7 billion in 2020.
According to a PWC report on entertainment and media, Nigeria’s entertainment market is poised to reach $10.8 billion (N4.4 trillion) in 2023, having reached $4.5 billion in 2018. The report stated that Nigeria’s E&M market is dominated by internet revenue, indicating a foreseeable growth in this sector in the coming years.
The report also projected Nigeria’s total advertising revenue at $483 million (N193 billion) in 2020, with the internet accounting for 20.5% of the total. The study revealed that although television advertisement will remain the ad leader in Nigeria by 2023, internet advertisement will outperform TV ad in terms of net additions.
So, accounting to research done by Nairametrics.com this are the biggest advertsing budget companies in Nigeria
Nigerian Breweries – N24.86 billion
Nigerian Breweries, the largest brewing company in Nigeria, which also exports to other parts of the West African region spent a total of N24.86 billion on advertisement and sales promotion in 2020,
This represents a decline of 13.8% compared to N28.85 billion spent in the previous year.
The brewing giant embarked on a number of endorsement and advertisement projects in 2020, some of which includes the endorsement of Grammy-winning Nigerian musician, Burna Boy as a brand ambassador for Star Lager, one of the products of the company.
In November 2020, the company also announced Erica Nlewedim of the Big Brother Naija reality tv show as a brand ambassador for the relaunch of their drinks, Legend Extra Stout and Star Radler as the brewing company aimed to improve sales of the products.
The company also sponsored the Access the Star musical talent show together with Access Bank.
This reflected in the company’s top line as it reported a 4.34% increase in revenue from N323 billion in 2019 to N337 billion in 2020.
MTN Nigeria – N15.14 billion
The telco giant incurred a total of N15.14 billion in advertisement, sponsorships and sales in 2020, representing a 13.83% decline compared to N19.84 billion recorded in 2019.
Some of the projects embarked on by MTN Nigeria in the period under review includes the launching of a campaign tagged “Turn-It-Up”, which is expected to help Nigerians turn things up and live their best. The programme generated a series of TV, radio press, and outdoor advertisements during the year.
Later in the year MTN Nigeria also unveiled a new campaign for its youth proposition, MTN Pulse which featured Nigerian music sensation as an ambassador of the campaign.
The company increased its revenue in this period by 15.1% as Nigerians increased their use of the internet and phone conversation to cope with the new reality of staying home during the lockdown.
Dangote Cement – N12.18 billion
The most capitalized company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and a top cement producing company in the country spent a sum of N12.18 billion on advertisement and promotion in 2020.
Its advert expenses increased significantly by 41.7% from N8.6 billion recorded in the previous year to N12.18 billion in 2020.
The cement industry is not known for television advertisements as it is easier to use physical and online banner advertisements to promote the product.
Dangote Cement is one of the highly profitable companies in the Nigerian corporate space. It reported a 15.98% increase in revenue, as it hit the one trillion-naira mark compared to N891.7 billion reported in the previous year.
Access Bank – N11.32 billion
Access Bank closely followed Dangote Cement, having spent N11.32 billion on advertisement and marketing expenses in 2020. This represents an 80.49% increase when compared to N6.27 billion recorded in 2019.
Access Bank together with Nigerian Breweries, sponsored the “Access the Star” musical talent show in 2020, where the winner walked home with a grand prize of N150 million along with consolation prizes for the first and second runners up.
The company also engaged in a number of television, radio and online advertisements during the year.
This translated to a 14.69% increase in revenue of Access Bank as it posted a top line of N764.72 billion during the period.
Fidelity Bank – N9.59 billion
Fidelity Bank spent N9.59 billion on marketing, communication and entertainment in 2020, an 8.02% reduction compared to N10.43 billion recorded in the previous year.
The bank created online contents and other advertisements across various channels in the year. It also worked on placing banner ads on some internet media platforms in the country.
Fidelity bank however posted a 5.42% decline in revenue from N218 billion recorded in 2019 to N206.2 billion in 2020.
It is worth noting that Fidelity Bank’s advertisement expenses, includes communication, entertainment and marketing costs.
Final thought
Why is advertising important? It’s important because it can drive business growth. Advertising works to amplify your business marketing and helps you reach the right audience with positive, targeted messaging that converts potential customers into paying customers.
