Still struggling with the algorithm to get your songs seen? Don’t worry! TikTok for Artists gives you exclusive tools to boost your reach and turn views into fans. With this simple guide, you will know how to apply for an artist account, best practices to promote your works and start growing your presence today!
What is a TikTok Artist Account?
The TikTok Artist Account is a specialized profile for musicians and artists who have officially released music. This account is a creative and promotional hub, helping artists grow their presence, connect with fans, and amplify their works directly within the TikTok ecosystem.
With the Artist Account, artists are given a range of exclusive tools, including:
- Artist Tag: Show the community you’re an official artist with a badge that sets your profile apart.
- New Release: Promote your latest track for up to 6 weeks, starting 14 days before and ending 30 days after the release. This spotlight also appears on TikTok’s Discovery pages.
- By Artist: Pin your chosen message on the Discovery page to connect with fans, whether a trending video or featured track.
- Behind the Song: Share personal stories or creative inspirations behind your music to build emotional connections with your audience.
- Music Tab: Display your full music catalog in one place. This section updates automatically as new tracks go live on TikTok.
- Fan Spotlight: Highlight the best user-generated content from your fans directly in your Music Tab, encouraging community engagement.
Why TikTok is a Powerful Platform for Artists?
So why did TikTok launch the Artist Account? Because TikTok isn’t just a place for dancing videos anymore. Here are the reasons artists should leverage TikTok for Artists:
- Huge reach and exposure: TikTok’s algorithm helps your music get discovered by tons of new people, even if you’re just starting out.
- Simple tools to make videos: You don’t need fancy gear, just your phone and TikTok’s built-in features to create fun, eye-catching content.
- Creative content favored by the algorithm: TikTok algorithm rewards creativity and honesty, so being yourself can help you go viral.
- Community engagement: Whether it’s through trends, sounds, or challenges, TikTok for Artists makes it easy for people to use your music and become part of your creative journey.
How to Apply for Artist Account on TikTok?
Ready to claim your TikTok Artist Account? If you’ve released at least 4 songs and over 100 TikTok videos using your music, you’re eligible to apply. Follow these steps to get started:
- Step 1. Log in to TikTok and go to your profile tab. Tap the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner to open settings.
- Step 2. Select “TikTok Studio“. Then, scroll to the “More tools” section and tap “Artist Hub” or “TikTok for Artists“. Tap the “Apply now” button.
- Step 3. Enter your full artist name and search for your artist profile in TikTok’s music library. Once you find your profile, tap “Claim“.
- Step 4. To prove ownership, log in to your streaming or music distribution platform and take clear screenshots. These must show:
- Your artist name
- Track or album titles
- Visible editing buttons on your profile
Upload the screenshots and hit “Submit“.
Best Practices To Promote Your Art on TikTok
Promoting your works on TikTok is about building a connection with your audience and sharing your creative journey in a way that feels real and engaging. Here are some best practices to help you showcase your art and music effectively using TikTok for Artists:
1. Tell Your Story with “Behind the Song”
Fans today want more than just a good beat. They want to know the person behind the music. Thus, with TikTok’s Behind the Song feature, you can share how the song came to life or even funny studio moments.
Videos like “How I made this song in 24 hours” or “What if this track was in R&B instead?” are super popular because they show your creativity in action. This way, you don’t need a full studio setup, just film a snippet of your process and explain your thinking.
2. Promote New Releases Smartly
When dropping a new song, timing and visibility are key. TikTok’s New Release feature lets you highlight your track for up to 6 weeks, starting 14 days before and continuing for 30 days after the release. This gives you a perfect window to build hype, share teasers, and encourage fans to create content with your track.
Try posting a countdown, a reaction video, or a clip of you performing the song live. And don’t forget to use relevant hashtags and sounds to help your video show up on the For You page.
3. Keep Your Music Tab Updated
Your Music Tab is like a mini homepage for your sound. It gathers all your available tracks in one place so fans can explore your catalog easily. To make the most of it, ensure your songs are properly distributed to TikTok via your music distributor or aggregator.
A good tip is to direct fans there in your video captions or pinned comments, something like “Check out the full song on my Music Tab!” makes it easier for them to engage further.
4. Engage Through Comments and Duets
TikTok is all about two-way interaction, and fans love it when artists take the time to respond. So don’t just post and disappear. Reply to comments, stitch fan videos, or create duets to react to their takes on your song.
For example, if someone does a cool dance to your track, duet it with your own reaction or try the dance yourself. These small gestures can create big loyalty and even help your song go viral.
5. Feature Fan Content with Fan Spotlight
When fans use your music in their videos, it’s a form of love, and the Fan Spotlight feature lets you return the favor. This tool allows you to highlight the best user-generated content on your Music Tab.
A great way to use this is during a song challenge. After a few days, pick your favorite videos and showcase them. It not only strengthens the community but also motivates more creators to use your song.
6. Pin Strategic Content with “By Artist”
TikTok’s By Artist feature lets you pin one video or message to the Discovery page tied to your music. This is your chance to guide what fans see first, whether it’s a music video, a trending remix, or a heartfelt message about your track.
For example, if a specific edit of your song is trending, you can use By Artist to make sure it stays visible and keeps gaining traction.
>>> Read more: TikTok for Musicians: How to Promote Your Music and Go Viral
Success Stories: Artists Who Made It on TikTok
TikTok has launched the careers of countless artists by giving them a space to share their music, personality, and creativity directly with fans. Below are success stories of artists who’ve made it big on TikTok:
1. Doja Cat: Viral Dances Amplify Reach
Doja Cat’s “Say So” became a TikTok sensation after user Haley Sharpe created a dance routine that went viral. The widespread adoption of the dance challenge significantly boosted the song’s popularity, leading to its ascent on music charts and culminating in a remix featuring Nicki Minaj that topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Key takeaways
- Incorporate viral elements into official releases.
- Embrace user-generated content to enhance visibility.
- Collaborate with creators to foster community engagement.
2. Lil Nas X: From Meme to Mainstream
Lil Nas X’s breakout hit, “Old Town Road,” gained massive popularity on TikTok through the viral #YeehawChallenge, where users transformed into cowboys and cowgirls. The song’s catchy blend of country and rap resonated with a wide audience, leading to a remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus. This propelled the track to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for a record-breaking 19 weeks.
Key takeaways
- Leverage TikTok trends and memes to amplify reach.
- Engage with the community to sustain momentum.
- Utilize remixes to keep the content fresh and engaging.
3. Chappell Roan: Turning into Pop Stardom
In April 2024, Chappell Roan released “Good Luck, Babe!”, a synth-pop ballad addressing themes of unrequited love and self-acceptance. The song’s bridge resonated with TikTok users, who created videos lip-syncing and dramatizing the emotional climax. This organic engagement propelled the song to peak at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Key Takeaways
- Post your own takes first to set the tone for the trend.
- Use emotional peaks in songs to inspire skits, lip-syncs, or reactions.
- Tap into relatable themes that reflect common life experiences.
Wrap Up
TikTok offers incredible opportunities for artists to showcase their work, engage with a global audience, and grow their careers. Start exploring TikTok for artists today and take the first step towards transforming your art career!
If you are a visual artist and want to learn more strategies to share your work and even make money from it, check out our blog post below!
>>> Read more: TikTok for Visual Artists: A Complete Guide to Monetize Your Art
