TIKTOK'S RISE IN MUSIC: IS IT HURTING OR HELPING?

Whether you like it or not, TikTok is becoming a household name. Between the specially curated "for you page" and how easy anyones content can blow up, this app is HIGHLY addictive. I am a victim of the TikTok app and I'm not ashamed of it! I can spend hours on TikTok and not even know it. Whether thats good for my sleep schedule is questionable...but what I really want to talk about is the relationship between TikTok and Music.

Now for all my upcoming artists out there who find it hard to get noticed in a sea of talent, this could be the app for you. What's great about TikTok is its algorithm. Especially in the beginning because there is no rhyme or reason to it! Which is why its so "easy" for content to blow up on the app and why it's so easy to get addicted.

The formula for TikTok? Some will say in terms of social media, quality over quantity. In most cases, this is true. However, in TikTok's case I think it's the opposite. The more content you make, the more likely ONE of them is going to blow up. Now if you have quality content AND quantity? Then that's really the recipe for success.

Is TikTok good or bad for the music scene? Well I think it depends on how you look at it. TikTok has given people the opportunity to be creative, get noticed and create a solid fan base. It caters to peoples psyche, giving prospective fans exactly what they like! This is both great for the artist and the fan.

The problem? I think it could be fleeting. I say this because the minute you stop using the app consistently, it is so easy for people to forget you. The reason for this is because TikTok is constantly giving users new content on their fyp, and their fyp changes with them. It's an extension of the users likes, dislikes, thoughts, comedy, music taste, etc. So if you are not actively on their fyp and they're not seeing your content on a daily basis, it's not going to be long before they forget you exist. It sounds harsh, but it is the truth. I know this because I have followed people who stopped posting for months and I see their content and decide to unfollow because well, I don't "like" them anymore.

People can change very quickly. As someone who wants to be a digital/social media marketer in the music industry, I am always thinking about the psychology behind fans and consumers. One thing I know for sure is that it is not hard for many people to change their minds, likes, and tastes.

TikTok is a creative, unique, and wonderful app for getting your foot in the door and really taking your music career to another level but you NEED to be consistent. If not, you could lose just as fast as you gained.

So, what do you think? Is TikTok the next step in finding talent? Is it here to stay? These are just my opinions so I would love to hear from you! Let me know what you think on socials!

As always, thank you for reading "The B-Side" blog! :)

- Bianca

Instagram: @theb.sidemagazine