Did you know TikTok can boost your art career? Explore how TikTok for Artists can transform your journey with our guide about ad types, budgeting tips, and campaign optimization. In this article, I’ll also help you create engaging content, and connect with your audience to showcase your art globally with Mega Digital’s guidance!
Table of Contents
Why TikTok is Essential for Artists?
TikTok is necessary for artists because it offers a dynamic platform to reach a vast and varied audience through engaging short videos. Besides, using TikTok also increases the chance of going viral and helps artists interact with their fans easily.
TikTok’s Popularity and Viral Potential
Launched in 2017, TikTok has really made a name for itself by completing the five most popular social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok). Til 2024, this platform gets 1.04 billion monthly active users around the world. Its short-form video format and high engagement rates make it an ideal platform for artists looking to showcase their work to a broad and diverse audience.
Unique Opportunities for Artists
TikTok offers unique features like short videos, viral challenges, and music integration, which provide artists with creative ways to present their work. You can participate in a trending challenge, create a time-lapse of your drawing process, or sync your art to a popular sound and let TikTok help your art go viral by displaying the video to a larger community if it receives enough engagement. This process allows users with limited followings to reach thousands or even millions of viewers.
Best TikTok Ad Types for Artists
There are many types of TikTok Ads, yet in this post, we highly recommend two most effective ad types that help your TikTok for Artists account:
TikTok In-Feed Ads
TikTok In-Feed Ads appear in users’ feeds as they scroll through TikTok. These ads can be incredibly effective for artists because they blend smoothly with organic content, making them less intrusive and more engaging.
This ad type can include links to music platforms, artist websites, or social media profiles, driving traffic and conversions effectively, therefore, artists can increase interactions through comments, likes, shares, and connections with fans.
For example, we have the case of Megan Massacre, a well-known tattoo artist. Megan has used TikTok to show her artwork and tattooing process by sharing attractive time-lapse videos of her work, she not only promotes her art but also drives traffic to her booking page.
TikTok TopView Ads
Another effective way to boost your TikTok for Artists account is using TikTok TopView Ads. This method takes over the screen when users first open TikTok, capturing their full attention with immersive video content. This ad type is perfect for displaying detailed art pieces or visual stories since these ads can last up to 60 seconds, allowing artists to create concepts in more detail compared to shorter ad formats.
Artists can also include calls-to-action in their TopView Ads, directing viewers to their streaming platforms, websites, or social media profiles. Look at Sarah’s Scribbles, the creator of the popular webcomic series, for instance. Sarah uses TikTok to share relatable comics and behind-the-scenes content, and then utilizes TopView Ads to promote her product, resulting in increased traffic to her online store on Amazon.
Cost to Run TikTok Ads for Artists
If you want to promote your TikTok artist account and reach a larger fan community, you need to understand the costs associated with running TikTok ads.
Running ads on TikTok includes various pricing models, typically based on Cost-Per-Mille (CPM) or Cost-Per-Click (CPC).
TikTok’s in-feed ads are cost-effective, operating on a CPM model with an average cost of $10 per 1,000 views, making them more affordable than other TikTok ad types. Conversely, TopView ads are among the priciest, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 per day, with costs influenced by targeting, duration, and competition. When budgeting for TikTok ads, consider ad type and frequency, as monthly budgets can range from $1,000 to over $50,000, offering flexibility for different campaign scales.
When planning your first TikTok ad for creators campaign, I recommend you start with a clear objective and allocate a modest budget of at least $1,000 for the first month, focusing on cost-effective In-feed ads.
If you have a substantial budget and broader campaign goals, use TopView ads instead. If possible, reserve a portion of your budget for Branded Hashtag Challenges or Branded Effects to encourage user engagement and participation.
After you gather data and insights, gradually increase your budget, ensuring a consistent and strategic approach to build recognition and engagement.
How to Optimize TikTok Campaigns for Artists
As an artist, optimizing your TikTok presence can significantly enhance your ability to showcase your work, engage with your audience, and grow your fan base. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of TikTok:
1. Understand Your Audience
First, it’s important to understand who your audience is. You can use TikTok’s analytics to gain insights into the age, gender, and location of your followers. Additionally, analyze their interests by looking at which of your videos perform best.
For example, if your time-lapse videos of the drawing process get the most likes and comments, this means your audience enjoys seeing how your art comes to life. Creating your content based on these insights will help you attract more followers who share similar interests.
2. Set Clear Goals
You need to know what exactly you want to achieve with your TikTok campaign, such as increasing your followers by 20% over the next three months, achieving at least 1,000 views on every new video you post, or driving traffic to your online store by promoting it in your videos. You need to set goals for each campaign and track your progress using tools like spreadsheets or project management apps to stay organized and focused on your goals.
3. Create High-Quality Content
With TikTok for artists, we highly recommend you focus on producing clear, well-lit videos that highlight your artistic process. Whether you’re sharing time-lapses of your drawings, tutorials, or finished pieces, ensure the visuals and audio are top-notch to captivate your audience.
The quality of your content is one of the most important factors that decide the success of your TikTok channel. There are some tips to improve the quality of your videos like using natural light or a ring light and keeping your camera steady with a tripod or phone stand.
Besides, focus on creating content that highlights your artistic process. For instance, you can create a series of videos showing the step-by-step progression of a watercolor painting, from the initial sketch to the final touches. Also, pay attention to audio quality by using a microphone, especially if you are explaining your process.
4. Participate in Trends
Participating in hot trends is an indispensable part if you want to make your TikTok channel viral. Artists can join popular challenges like #Inktober or #DrawThisInYourStyle and add their unique twist to them.
Using trending sounds can also enhance your content. For example, if there is a popular sound clip related to creativity, you could sync it with a sped-up version of your artwork coming to life. Doing trends in this way can help you reach a broader audience.
>>> Read more: Reach More Audiences With TikTok Ads for Musicians
5. Use Hashtags Strategically
If you want to boost your TikTok, you can also use a mix of broad and niche hashtags to increase the visibility of your art. For example, using hashtags like #Art, #Drawing, and #Illustration, along with specific ones related to your style such as #DigitalArt or #WatercolorPainting will make your content reach both general and specialized audiences.
6. Engage with Your Audience
Don’t forget to respond to comments on your videos, host live sessions, and interact with other artists and art enthusiasts! This will help build a community around your art and encourage more interaction with your content.
Engagement is key to building a loyal fan base on TikTok. You need to make it a habit to interact with your fans and respond to comments on your videos, as this helps build a strong connection with your followers.
Hosting live sessions can also be an effective way to keep interaction with your audience. You can schedule weekly live sessions where you draw or paint in real time, and answer questions to interact with your followers. Don’t forget to promote these sessions a few days in advance to ensure a good turnout. While having your live sessions, collaborating with other artists through duet or stitch videos can also expand your reach and strengthen your community.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using TikTok Ads for Artists
To maximize the effectiveness of TikTok ads, artists must be aware of these common pitfalls and avoidable mistakes:
Inconsistent Branding
One major mistake when using TikTok ads to promote your videos is inconsistent branding, which can confuse viewers and decrease your brand’s identity. To build a recognizable presence on TikTok, ensure your content consistently reflects your unique artistic voice. This consistency in visual style, tone, and overall presentation helps establish a strong, memorable brand that viewers can easily identify and relate to.
Ignoring Trends
Ignoring trends is also a mistake that can limit your reach on TikTok. While staying true to your style is essential, participating in relevant trends can significantly boost your visibility. You can engage in art-related challenges and use popular sounds in a way that matches your work to make your content more discoverable and connect you with a broader audience interested in current trends.
If you’re a professinonal photographer, maybe you don’t want to miss these things to drive more followers.
Overly Promotional Content
Last but not least, overly promotional content can turn off potential fans. Constantly pushing sales can feel dishonest and off-putting, so it’s better to share your artistic journey and techniques to create a genuine connection with your audience. By promoting your work with engaging and authentic content, you can maintain interest and boost a loyal following that appreciates your art for more than just its commercial value.
Success Stories of Artists on TikTok
Many artists have succeeded in promoting their careers with TikTok ads, below are a few cases that I find outstanding since they reach the global community through this platform.
Devon Rodriguez (@devonrodriguezart)
Devon Rodriguez, a New York artist known for his quick, detailed sketches of people on the subway, has become a viral sensation. By sharing time-lapse videos of his drawing process and capturing the reactions of his unsuspecting subjects, Devon showcases his impressive talent and unique approach to street art. His videos have garnered millions of followers, leading to media features and increased opportunities for commissioned work, demonstrating how effectively using TikTok can elevate an artist’s career.
>>> Read more: TikTok for Visual Artists: A Complete Guide to Monetize Your Art
Zach King (@zachking)
Another example is Zach King, a filmmaker and digital content creator renowned for his “magic” vines and creative storytelling. He uses clever editing and visual effects to create mind-bending videos that captivate viewers and often incorporate art and animation, making his content stand out. His viral videos have earned him millions of followers and collaborations with brands, demonstrating the potential for artists to create engaging and innovative content on TikTok while building a substantial and dedicated fan base.
James C. (@jamescharles)
James C., also known as James Charles, has found immense success on TikTok as a beauty influencer and makeup artist. Known for his tutorials and transformative makeup looks, he combines makeup artistry with entertaining challenges and collaborations. By showcasing his artistic skills through creative makeup designs, James has solidified his status as a prominent figure in the beauty community. His viral success on TikTok has attracted millions of followers and significantly contributed to the growth of his successful beauty brand.
Conclusion
TikTok offers incredible opportunities for artists to showcase their work, engage with a global audience, and grow their careers. By understanding the platform, optimizing your campaigns, and learning from successful artists, you can use TikTok’s power to promote your art journey. Start exploring TikTok for artists today and take the first step towards transforming your art career!
