What's Next for TikTok?
"TikTok", (AKA Douyin in China) is a Chinese music video platform and social network that was launched in September 2016 by Zhang Yiming. Previously called "Musical.ly", this social media smart phone app has built quite a following the past couple of years; using similar styles to apps that came before it such as "Vine" and "Dubsmash".
It started with mainly musical posts (Hence the name) with a few comedic videos thrown in the mix; users (Or Musers, as they're affectionately known) would lip dub over a sound clip of a song or funny movie scene, using speed effects by filming in 0.25x, 0.5x, 2x, & 3x as well as normal speed to add to the feel (or in my experience, ease of creating) the video.
Filters and video effects also add to the final product, from changing your hair color to water filling half your screen, and the TikTok community encourages it's users to experience them by posting creative 'Challenges' where people must attempt to film a difficult transition, use an effect in a special way or come up with a unique duet with others!
The app boasts more than 500 MILLION users, building its own popular stars on the app with a lot of users who had migrated over from it's predecessor "Vine"; however the question remains, what's next for TikTok? A lot of 'Viners' feel it's a rip-off and wish to stay true to their first love; and while Vine died due to Instagram adding a longer video option (and Vine not reacting quickly enough), TikTok stays strong with it's Dubsmash style of lip-dubbing videos and constant challenges being added to keep people trying new things; and the best part? Everyone can get in on it! Even my mom seems to be getting into the swing of things...
The tricks seem to lie in using props creatively, as well as clever hashtags, well-timed zooms, & zany facial expressions. Being attractive helps too (Surprise, surprise...) but, it's not necessary! If you're able to combine these tools effectively with posting often, then you're sure to gain a following quickly! The most important tool to use is taking advantage of peoples empathy (bad as it sounds); if people see you enjoying yourself, then they'll enjoy watching you!
Sure, it may not be as big as Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, but that's like comparing Mickey Mouse or Mario to Steven Universe or Finn from Adventure Time; sure ones a big star that pretty much everyone knows, but that doesn't diminish it's large fanbase. In my experience, one might have more fans, but the latter's fans are usually a bit more passionate about their world. (People love an underdog!)
TikTok could be an important player in the years to come, or it could be gone in a week; there's no way to tell what's going to become of a company (No surefire way anyway, that I know of; if you know different, I'd love for you to take a look at my stock market options) but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon, and it's free to participate so why not? As long as people are enjoying themselves and not causing havoc, isn't that all that really matters?
