How TikTok animations can help your studio succeed -

Keep your marketing current and create TikTok animations that get your animation studio seen.

With a billion active monthly users, TikTok represents a goldmine of marketing potential. As an animator, you have a massive advantage on most visual-based social media platforms. Not to mention the fact that animators have already racked up millions of views by creating eye-catching TikTok animations. Here’s how you can use your animation skills to get your animation studio seen on TikTok.

How does TikTok work?

Like social media sites such as Instagram, TikTok judges success based on engagement. In other words, a successful TikTok animation will keep viewers engaged from beginning to end (which could take up to 3 minutes). There are multiple ways that TikTok encourages user engagement—trends, hashtags and collaborations are just a few examples. Here are our tips for how your studio can crush the TikTok animation game…

1. Watch for trends to turn into TikTok animations

How TikTok animations can help your studio succeed: trend watch

TikTok, perhaps more than any other social media site, thrives on trends. Trends can take the form of audio, video style, video content, or a combination of all three. The most successful TikToks to attempt these trends tend to be the most original. A great example of this is the recent Adult Swim TikTok trend, which spawned thousands of original interpretations.

Trends are an excellent place to let your TikTok animations shine. Animation is visually interesting by definition, and your videos will undoubtedly stand out from the live-action content. Unlike live-action TikTok creators, your creativity won’t be hampered by practicalities, so find a trend you like and get brainstorming!

TikTok, perhaps more than any other social media site, thrives on trends. Trends can take the form of audio, video style, video content, or a combination of all three. The most successful TikToks to attempt these trends tend to be the most original. A great example of this is the recent Adult Swim TikTok trend, which spawned thousands of original interpretations.

Trends are an excellent place to let your TikTok animations shine. Animation is visually interesting by definition, and your videos will undoubtedly stand out from the live-action content. Unlike live-action TikTok creators, your creativity won’t be hampered by practicalities, so find a trend you like and get brainstorming!

2. Post TikTok animations as often as possible

If you’re familiar with Instagram, you’ll know it rewards frequent uploads. TikTok uses the same strategy. Users who are looking to build a global following are recommended to post a video at least once a day. However, this isn’t possible for many animators—especially if you’re trying to run an animation studio at the same time. Animations can take longer to produce than a simple handheld video. Here are some tips to help:

Produce multiple types of content at once

If your animation studio has an Instagram account, maximise the animations you produce. Turn your TikTok videos into Instagram Reels, provided they’re under 30 seconds. Adding animated reels to your Instagram will boost your engagement, at the same time as you expand your TikTok reach.

How TikTok animations can help your studio succeed: produce multiple content

How TikTok animations can help your studio succeed: create stock animations

Create a ‘stock’ of TikTok animations

Find a long period of time in your schedule and create multiple TikTok animations, to release gradually over the next week or month. In general, this method of producing TikTok animations is more efficient than creating videos one by one, as your creative flow won’t be interrupted.

Create a ‘stock’ of TikTok animations

Find a long period of time in your schedule and create multiple TikTok animations, to release gradually over the next week or month. In general, this method of producing TikTok animations is more efficient than creating videos one by one, as your creative flow won’t be interrupted.

Schedule your posts

In our tips on how to grow your business on Instagram, we recommend using a post scheduling app like Planoly or Later. For TikTok, try a program like TikTok Scheduler. After you’ve created multiple pieces of content, upload them to be posted throughout the week.

3. Collaborate

How TikTok animations can help your studio succeed: collaborate

With features like ‘duet’ being used by 43% of active users in 2021, it’s clear to see that TikTok loves inter-user collaboration. Make this work to your advantage by creating TikTok animations that involve collaboration. Could you animate alongside an existing TikTok? Offer feedback for other TikTok animators? Respond to a TikTok to show what a day in the life of your animation studio looks like? The possibilities are endless.

Duets are also a great way to show a ‘before’ and ‘after’ video. Showing behind the scenes animation TikToks will bring in viewers wanting to know more about the animation process. If you filmed a TikTok showing your storyboarding method, for example, duetting it with the finished animation is a satisfying way for users to engage in your studio’s work.

With features like ‘duet’ being used by 43% of active users in 2021, it’s clear to see that TikTok loves inter-user collaboration. Make this work to your advantage by creating TikTok animations that involve collaboration. Could you animate alongside an existing TikTok? Offer feedback for other TikTok animators? Respond to a TikTok to show what a day in the life of your animation studio looks like? The possibilities are endless.

Duets are also a great way to show a ‘before’ and ‘after’ video. Showing behind the scenes animation TikToks will bring in viewers wanting to know more about the animation process. If you filmed a TikTok showing your storyboarding method, for example, duetting it with the finished animation is a satisfying way for users to engage in your studio’s work.

4. Find your niche

There’s a TikTok for everything, so it’s important to stand out. The best way to do this is to find your niche. Focus on the viewers you want to attract, rather than trying to please everybody. TikTok animations are distinctive, so you can easily use visuals to attract the audience you want to see your studio.

Your niche on TikTok should echo the niche of your animation studio. Although it’s a good idea to tailor your content for TikTok, don’t forget the brand you’re representing. One example of this is in the audio you use. If you want to market yourself as a professional animation studio, for example, you might want to avoid trending audio which includes profanities. Stick to the niche you’ve decided on, and let TikTok become an extension of your brand.

How TikTok animations can help your studio succeed: find your niche

Summary: Creating TikTok animations for your studio

Since TikTok is relatively recent, it comes as a fresh avenue for many businesses. Take advantage of the temporary novelty and create a new space for your business to thrive. All things considered, start-up animation studios rely heavily on long-term marketing strategies, so get your animation out there and invest in the future of your studio.