I'm Really, Really Sorry About This, Coach - But It's Time to Start Using TikTok
I guarantee you'll think it's stupid. But 1,000,000,000+ users say it isn't. Including your recruits.
I know, I know.
You just mastered Instagram, and finally learned that you need to look into the camera when you FaceTime a prospect.
Now, it’s time to start using TikTok. It’s the number one downloaded app on iPhones as of the fall of 2019, and it’s showing no sign of slowing down.
About one out of three individuals in the U.S. has downloaded TikTok, and a huge percentage of those are from the age group you recruit from, Coach. Ask ten recruits if they have a TikTok account, and I’ll bet 8 of them say yes. Maybe even 9.
It’s a cross between the old Vine app and Instagram, and it has the potential to be the best branding tool for coaches and their programs that you’ll utilize heading into 2020.
Stick with me on this: I’m serious.
(Even if you swear there’s not way you’ll ever use it, play along with me by downloading TikTok from the app store on your phone, Coach. It’ll make the rest of this easier to understand if you can reference it on your phone)
GETTING STARTED
After you download the app, you can immediately start browsing videos. But in order to post any yourself, you’ll need to sign up for an account.
You can make an account using your email, your phone number, or a third-party platform like Facebook. The app automatically assigns you a username.
To change your username, tap the icon in the right bottom corner that looks like a person’s upper body. Then hit Edit Profile. Here, you can change it to something more unique, as well as add a bio, picture, and Profile Video.
By default, TikTok accounts are public, meaning anyone can see your profile and view the videos you post. To adjust these privacy settings, tap the three dots in the top right corner of your profile.
NAVIGATING TIKTOK
Now that your profile is ready to go, it’s time to watch some TikToks. The app is divided into two main feeds. The default is For You, an algorithmically generated stream of videos that is similar to Instagram’s Explore page. Swipe left and you’ll find the other, Following, which features uploads from people you choose to follow. TikTok is like a never-ending variety show; it’s pure entertainment.
You’ll notice to the right of every TikTok video a series of icons. The first will take you to the profile of the user who posted it. Then there’s a heart, which functions just like hearts, or likes, on Instagram. Next are comments, then a right-pointing arrow for sharing individual TikToks to other platforms. Click the arrow if you want to copy the link to a specific TikTok, for example, to share it as a text or link on another platform.
The very last icon is a spinning record with music notes emanating from it. If there is music on a post, this icon represents the song excerpt the user is playing in their TikTok. Click on it to see the track’s name and artist, as well as a feed of other TikToks that also feature it. Don’t want to see a certain kind of TikTok in your feed? Hard press on the video to reveal a Not Interested button.
Try using the search function by looking for “coach”, “college”, “athlete”, “college recruiting” or your sport. See what comes up. Or, search for your school. Try anything…just explore a little.
USING TIKTOK
Ready to share your own TikTok? First, tap the plus sign at the bottom of the screen. The camera will open, revealing a red record button reminiscent of Snapchat. Before you start recording, you can add a song, so that your lip-sync, dance, or skit is in time with the music. If you want to film something in the moment, you can skip ahead and start recording without a musical track, then add the music later.
Like Snapchat, TikTok has a lot of AR effects that can be used in videos, which do things like change the color of your hair or eyes. Tap Effects on the left-hand side to browse them. The World tab includes options meant for the environment, such as a delicious-looking slice of augmented-reality pizza. There are even special effects designed to be used on dogs and cats.
On the right side of the recording screen is a Beauty button, which subtly erases the dark shadows under your eyes. Below it is the filters menu. The last and most important feature here is the timer, which lets users film videos without continuously holding down the record button. It’s what makes TikTok’s signature dancing videos possible.
TikToks can be up to 15 seconds long, but users can also connect multiple clips together for up to 60 seconds of total recording. You can also upload longer videos that have been recorded outside the app itself. Once you master regular TikToks, you can try experimenting with duets, which split the screen in half and let you sing the same song as another creator. To make a duet, tap the share button on the original video, and then hit Duet.
TRACKING VIEWS & GETTING NOTIFICATIONS
Once you start sharing TikToks, you can check how many recruits have watched them by looking at the view numbers on your profile. Tap the notifications icon at the bottom of the home screen to see who has commented or liked your videos. Here, you can also see who has looked at your profile or followed you.
One important tip: TikTok is notorious for sending hoards of engagement bait in the form of push notifications. If that sort of spam sounds unappealing, turn off TikTok notifications in your phone’s settings menu. TikTok also notifies users when popular creators are live streaming. (Follow me at TikTokTudor…I’ll be posting, too).
(Here’s another quick video tutorial, in case you want it)
Here’s what we’re going to do next:
We’ll go over a series of creative ways college coaches like you can (and should) use TikTok in recruiting for our clients and subscribers. You may feel like you’ve got a good handle on it all, which is great - go forth and TikTok. For everyone else, we’re going to guide you on all this over the next several posts. Most college coaches won’t know what to do with it, but you will. And it’ll be one more thing that separates you from the competition.
(If you want to give a subscribing a try and follow the posts that are coming up, click the button. I think you’ll like it, Coach)