What Does it Mean to be Authentic on TikTok?
Apr 06, 2024
When you think of social media, it’s unlikely that authenticity is the first thing that comes to mind—and, historically, social media has been anything but authentic.
However, with the rise of TikTok, we have recently seen an enormous surge in the demand for genuinity on social media—and authenticity is now one of the most important parts of running a successful TikTok account.
If you are a business owner with the goal of being “authentic” on TikTok, but have no idea what that actually means—or where to start—this article is for you.
Why Authenticity is Important
Before we can fully understand how to be authentic on TikTok, it’s important to understand why this authenticity in content creators is so sought after by viewers.
Essentially, being authentic is important on TikTok because it has become almost synonymous with being the following:
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credible,
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honest,
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trustworthy,
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and more!
People on TikTok aren’t just looking for entertainment. They’re looking for product recommendations, business tips, safety ideas, and more—all of which mean much more coming from a real person than a slideshow of text.
For this reason, authenticity is important because it helps viewers connect with you and be open to your suggestions, tips, or recommendations.
They want to know that a real person has used these methods, tried these tricks, or ordered these products and experienced success!
How to be Authentic on TikTok
There are many definitions of authenticity, and therefore many ways to be “authentic” on TikTok. Here are a few that have worked for my clients in the past:
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Give viewers a behind the scenes look at your life or business. Don’t only show the finished products—let watchers see your hard work, messy office, and process! This helps watchers realize how much work goes into what you’re doing, and helps them place a person’s time and effort with a product.
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Don’t be afraid to show your face—even if you’re not “put together.” Simply hopping on camera and letting viewers see your face and hear your voice can work WONDERS for engagement.
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Don’t be afraid to discuss hardships, failures, or negative emotions that have come with business ownership. We’re all human—and allowing your followers to connect with you on an empathetic level is EXTREMELY important.
Hopefully, these tips will help you understand how to keep things genuine on TikTok and reap the benefits of doing so—even if it does mean allowing your viewers a glimpse into the office that hasn’t been cleaned in six months.
The important thing to remember about authenticity is that the very principle of it is uniqueness and making everything your own—so don’t be afraid to put your own ideas to the test on TikTok!
TikTok rewards creativity and innovation—and your idea could be the next viral trend.
About Samantha Vlasceanu: Samantha is on a mission to convince businesses and brands that TikTok is not just for our teenagers (and no dancing required)! When COVID-19 hit, her other traveling business had to shut down and she had to pivot - FAST. That's when she realized that she'd been organically reaching her audience on TikTok all along and realized the power TikTok could have for businesses if they gave them a chance. Fast forward to today, Sam works with marketing agencies, coaches, lawyers, corporate Brands - you name it! Sam ensures all her clients are using the app with intention as a sales funnel in finding their target audience and coaching the strategies of converting their followers into ACTUAL paying clients.
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