TikTok started from being a mere lip-syncing application and was initially called Musical. transformed from simply, a local counterpart into an international powerhouse. It has started outrageous trends in fashion, crusaded for new artists, and entertained short videos. But social media platforms, along with some of the best advertising platforms have also become instrumental in digital advertising, and TikTok is no exception. As Top View ads, In-Feed Videos, and Branded Hashtag challenges, it is a preferred platform for the brands.
However, there are some things that one needs to know before he or she jumps into ads on the TikTok platform. While scrolling through TikTok users expect to see raw content and ads disrupt the flow and feel like an intrusion. It isn’t also simply a sales site – users are usually more in discovery mode. It seems that the largest segment of users on TikTok comprises rather young individuals, their average age is 18-24, so, it may not be useful to attract those audiences who are making the final decisions.
Due to issues of data privacy and the future possibility of bans on the platforms in some counties, it is about the right to look for other options. Therefore, what are the other best advertising platforms apart from TikTok? In this blog, however, we will be looking at other advertising strategies followed by Xdimension that may be more suitable for your brand.
Things To Consider While Choosing the Best Advertising Platforms:
Here is a brief on the best online advertising platforms before arguing about the best one but first, make sure you know your audience. If you are in a B2B or B2C environment, it is crucial to understand where your customers are active and what type of content they consume.
Begin with determining the buying behavior of your target group by focusing on age, media use, and other factors. So if your target is businessmen or other people who control the budget, or simply buyers with more money, such apps might not suit you as well as, let’s say, Instagram or YouTube which has a population of older people.
The fourth element is developing a cross-platform approach. This is true because when you rely on one platform you are confined to that particular area. That is, by adding Reels to your strategy and engaging with YouTube Shorts, Snapchat, or other platforms, you can expand your reach and increase engagement.
Now let’s give a highlight on some of the most effective and best ad platforms you can use instead of TikTok.
Instagram Reel Ads: A Strong Bulwark
Later in the year 2020, Facebook-owned Instagram released Reels to fight it out with TikTok short-form videos. Nowadays reels are also one familiar and utility instrument for brands, using in short video formats linked to Instagram which is a part of Meta, previously known as Facebook.
Why Instagram Reels Work:
The Instagram audience is a little bit older than the TikTok audience. This is advantageous to brands that advertise to users who have more money to spare or offer a better standard of living. It also provides Meta’s powerful and best advertising platforms as part of its package, so you can reach your desired audience.
Apart from using the two different platforms to advertise its products, Power has the advantage of reaching more people than when placing its reliance solely on Instagram Adverts. That’s why Instagram Reels can be considered one of the most effective and the best advertising platforms for advertisers.
Challenges:
One of them is that Instagram has a new algorithm more often than not. There is a tendency for unknown brands or even creators to barely get consideration, particularly since the IG algorithm tends to favor popular accounts. This can lead to increased cost of attracting the customer and reduced customer Lifetime Value.
Snap chat Spotlight:
It is an awesome and fun experience to take a break from work or studies and get creative with an added knowledge of some places it will take you.
That is why one can also take a closer look at Snapchat which is another social network. That way, with Snapchat Spotlight, the platform shares a short video format similar to TikTok. Organically, Snapchat also contains a “For You” page, so it is not complex to expand the target brand’s audience.
Why Snap chat Works:
The feature known as Spotlight offers brands an opportunity to share videos and get more viewership by uploading them. The primary target group of users on Snapchat is young users, especially users who are 18-24 years of age. This makes it appropriate for use in those markets that are oriented towards young people.
Challenges:
Unfortunately, Snapchat is not so popular in all the countries, therefore it may not work in some areas. What may work with one group of people might not work with another and depending on the audience you want to target, you might have to adopt different methods.
YouTube Shorts: A Global giant
It is really hard not to recognize YouTube as one of the best advertising platforms worldwide, and especially, there is YouTube Shorts – a direct competition to TikTok. The huge popularity of YouTube Shorts means that brands are guaranteed to get a great amount of views and reach.
Why YouTube Shorts Work:
YouTube Shorts helps you to produce short and catchy videos not exceeding 60 seconds. This is unlike TikTok, where creators are not paid to create content thus promoting quality content on the platform. It also means Youtube is under Google so it brings along with superior google advertising features and comprehensive analytics.
Challenges:
Due to the nature and openness of YouTube having all sorts of viewers, your campaign outcomes may differ depending on the target viewers. Choosing keywords is important when it comes to matching the right clients to your advertisements.
Conclusion: Expanding The Advertising Mix
The selection of the best advertising platforms is a key factor in advertising to access your identified market. That’s why, although TikTok continues to be relevant and ever-popular, it may not necessarily be the best choice, depending on the target audience and if it’s decision-makers that you’re trying to address with your content.
When you attempt to discover the best online advertising platforms such as Instagram Reels, Snapchat Spotlight, YouTube Shorts, and Taboola, you get more effective and diverse e-commerce marketing strategies. Using multiple platforms will help get the word out to a wider audience, gain better responses, and most importantly, promote your brand effectively.
You need to remember that you should not limit yourself to just one platform. That is why your results will be significantly better when testing, optimizing, and using a cross-platform strategy and your advertisements will target the right audience. Come and connect with Xdimension, your digital partner for expert advice.
