How to Use TikTok To Promote Your Games
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Tiktok is one of the most popular/fastest growing social media platforms out there. However, it's unique as most of the content that you see comes from your "For You Page" and if you want your videos to be seen by as many people as possible they have to get on there as well. In order to do this, we need to understand how the Tiktok algorithm works. Tiktok is really good at finding videos that fit current trends, that can include videos that share a viral sound, theme and or content. One simple way of incorporating this with your videos is by using a current popular song/sound in your gameplay videos. Of course keep in mind context, playing the new Taylor Swift song while you show off your RPG style game may not be the best use of the sound! However, be creative and look at the other videos under the sound and see how you can also incorporate your gameplay videos with said sound.
The Tiktok algorithm also favours first-hand content. While gameplay videos are great and provide you with a reliable way to put out consistent content; also uploading first-hand videos of you creating your games are worth doing. These "in progress" types of videos will make your overall Tiktok channel seem more personable and relatable to your followers. For all the videos you upload also remember to utilize the proper hashtags. You need to understand who your primary audience is and use the hashtags that they mostly appear under. An easy way to do this is to look at similar videos that your target audience watches and copy those hashtags under your videos.
Once you utilize these tips, if you post quality content the algorithm and your audience should do the rest. The Tiktok algorithm should place your videos on people's "For You Page" that are most likely to view your videos all the way through and once that happens they will continue to see your videos on their "For You Page".
Finally, while TikTok users are no different to other social media users. When you follow someone's social media, you are following them for who they are, rather than for what they post. This also applies to you as a developer, don't just post gameplay videos with the expectation of them getting picked up on someone's "For You Page". Let the audience follow you through your journey of developing a game and let your personality shine through the videos you produce. Remember, your already existing followers are following you because you as a person are worth following, and you produce interesting content that is worthwhile tuning into!
