TikTok is a social network where the videos can last up to 3 minutes. Also known as short form video.
It's one of those things that you either love or hate, but there is no denying how popular it has become.
And TikTok profiles are popping up all over the place!
Let's take a look at what I am calling the 6-Point TikTok Optimization Framework (PTOF).
TikTok Bio Ideas That Work
Your TikTok profile is an essential part of your presence. If you have created a brand online for yourself already, carry over that branding to TikTok.
Things like colors, profile picture, name, messaging, etc.
You want to stay on brand and provide your viewers and potential subscribers as much value as possible.
Key elements of a killer profile:
- Name - choose either your company or brand name (include keywords if a good fit)
- Profile photo - have a professional, branded photo of yourself
- Username - same as name usually
- YouTube and IG links
- Bio - Who, What, Why, How
- Settings - change/update and always be testing the key elements above
Let's go over each of these in a little more detail.
Choosing a TikTok Profile Name
As with any social media platform, choosing your display name is one of the first things to consider when you are creating a new account.
One simple question to ask yourself, is are you going to be building a personal brand, or more of a corporate name?
mastery minutes with matt
Personally, I like choosing my name. This allows for grander opportunities down the road if you want to expand outside of your niche a bit. If you are afraid to use your name, perhaps your employer will find you, so I recommend using a name that includes a keyword in your niche.
Choose a profile name that is memorable, yet informative.
I recommend keeping it simple but meaningful.
High-Quality Photo
Phones have amazing capabilities to take some incredible photos, up there with the ranks of very expensive DSLR cameras.
So you need to take advantage of this and make sure to take your photo is of high quality, with proper lighting, and great composition.
Be aware of shadows, color, and clarity when it comes to your profile picture.
Avoid taking photos in the dark, or having your face unrecognizable.
mastery minutes with matt
If you are struggling with lighting in your photo, simply prop your phone up against a window and use the natural lighting of the outdoors. This works wonders if you don't have any professional lighting.
BONUS TIP: Wear a bright-colored shirt or add a bright background to your photo. This will help you stand out when writing comments on other TikTok videos.
Picking a Username to Help People Find Your TikTok Account
Usernames have to be simple enough for anyone to remember.
They are typically only single words that are common or easy to spell, with no extra symbols or numbers tacked on the end.
i.e.: @marketingmastery (easy to remember and simple)
Marketing Mastery with Matt: As you can see in my profile, I like to try and include a keyword for my niche, or at least something that will be related or easily searchable.
So why would somebody just use their name?
Because this is the information they will want to type in when searching for you, and since it is a full name search specific to where they are from, the chances of people finding your profile increases.
Usernames can be unique, or common sounding.
It all depends on what you want out of them.
I recommend staying away from generic usernames like "musiclover".
If you are making a more personal account, I recommend using your real name.
mastery minutes with matt
Since my username includes the word "marketing", some people type in my username without the word mastery at the end. This is ok, but it has made me consider creating another account (with an email address attached) that is strictly for the keyword "marketing".
Adding YouTube and Instagram Links
If you have other social media accounts that you can link to in your TikTok bio, do it.
Some of the available options as of now are YouTube and Instagram.
If you are just getting started with social media, I recommend just sticking with a single platform. Creating several social accounts will only dilute what you are trying to accomplish.
So, if you have established accounts, absolutely add them to your profile.
It is a great way to grow your following and bring over people who use these platforms as well.
Mastery Minutes with Matt: Make sure that your other social accounts are very similar. You don't want to be selling essential oils on TikTok and be creating a clothing brand on Instagram. Keep your brand cohesive across all social platforms.
Writing Out Your TikTok Bio for High Engagement
In less than 80 characters, you have to convince the person visiting your profile to take further action.
That action could be clicking on the website URL in your bio, or as mentioned above, clicking on your YouTube or Instagram account.
In order to do that, you must answer the following questions:
Who: who are you (master chef, digital entrepreneur, #1 bestseller, etc)
What: what exactly do you do (cook dishes for CEOs)
Why: why do you do what you do (create a simple lifestyle for others)
How: how can I get more info - this could be through the link in your bio or reaching out via a direct message on TikTok
This can be a bit challenging because you only have 80 characters, but don't skimp on writing these out and making them work in your favor.
Change TikTok Bio Often
If you find you aren't getting a great deal of engagement, change up your bio.
Rewrite the description to include different, but relevant terms.
Use emojis to convey your message (💰 for money).
You don't want to come off as spammy, but it sometimes takes weeks or months before you get that perfect TikTok bio that hooks people in.
Conclusion
Creating a TikTok profile that stands out is not an easy task.
The 6 points framework above should help you get started on the right path to building your TikTok brand.
From creating a memorable username, including other social media links in your bio, writing engaging bios and more - these are just some of the ways that will ensure people don't forget about you or what they can do if they follow through with clicking through to your website URL.
Happy TikToking!