Build Your Newsletter from Scratch with TikTok

TikTok, known for its viral videos and dynamic content, is now a powerful tool for newsletter growth. 

Now, that’s a sentence I thought I’d never say. 

But it’s true. Many email marketers underestimate its potential for building a substantial email list. 

TikTok offers a unique opportunity to connect visually with a wide and engaged audience.

Newsletters have been around for decades, which is why growing one today can be very challenging. 

That’s why TikTok is so exciting. It’s new, it’s fresh, and you need to capitalize on it now! 

In this guide, you will learn:

• Strategies to discover and engage with your target audience on TikTok

• Organic growth tactics, including content creation and collaboration

• Paid growth tactics to amplify your reach and accelerate growth

With the right approach and understanding of TikTok's platform, it's possible to increase your subscriber count significantly in a relatively short period. 

Now let’s get started. 

Table of Contents

• Who Is This Guide For?

  • Discovering Your Audience

    • Organic Growth Tactics

  • Engage With Your Audience

    • Free Organic Growth Methods

    • Paid Growth Methods

      • Get Better at TikTok With These Skill-Building Tools

      • Where To Go From Here

This guide is tailored for content creators, marketers, entrepreneurs, and others aiming to use TikTok to grow their newsletters. 

However, TikTok isn't necessarily the best fit for everyone.

Before diving in, consider these questions: 

• Is your target audience active on TikTok? 

• Are your competitors using it effectively? 

• Can you dedicate the necessary time and creative energy to it? 

If you answer "no" to any of these, it might be wise to reconsider if TikTok is right for you. 

I’m going to assume that you’ve said yes to all and are ready to start leveraging TikTok to grow your newsletter.

Discovering Your Audience

It doesn’t matter if you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business owner, or part of a larger marketing team, the strategies outlined below are designed to help you understand and utilize TikTok's unique ecosystem for subscriber growth.

Research and Discovery

The first few days on TikTok should begin with researching your industry. 

Let's break down how you can use TikTok to grow your newsletter, particularly among young professionals who are not just scrolling for fun but also looking for content that adds value to their professional and personal lives.

Start by diving into the platform's culture. Spend time exploring different trends, hashtags, and the kinds of content that get people talking. 

The goal here is to get a feel for what's catching the eye of young professionals.

Are they leaning toward motivational content? Do how-to guides in their field spark more engagement?

Or maybe it's the light-hearted, relatable work-life balance memes that they resonate with.

This isn't just about what they 'like' but what they value. There’s a difference. 

What they like might be a trendy dance video, but what they value could be a quick, insightful tip on productivity. 

Once your research is done, it’s time to move on to growth tactics. 

Growing on any social media platform, including TikTok, is all about sticking with it. 

A single video not hitting the mark shouldn’t deter you. What really counts is your willingness to experiment and learn. 

So let’s break down the free and paid tactics to organically grow your followers and email subscribers on TikTok. 

Why Trust Me?

Engage With Your Audience

Before you post anything, I want you to take the time to understand how to engage with your audience. 

Engage with your TikTok audience early on by responding to all comments.

Once you’ve built up a small audience, you can then start to incorporate polls. They can be very insightful and help you better understand your viewers' preferences. 

For a more personal touch, go live with Q&A sessions.

Like anything in life, consistency is key. 

I’d recommend posting a minimum of one video a day. But if you can post two or three videos daily, that’s even better. 

In the first three seconds of your TikTok video, make a bold statement or ask a compelling question paired with eye-catching visuals. This powerful combination is key to snapping your audience out of their mind-numbing scrolling daze, quickly grabbing and holding their attention.

This approach works across all types of content, whether it's educational, entertainment, or promotional.

Just like you do with emails, include a Call to Action (CTA) in your videos or captions.

A simple “Follow for more” is enough to encourage viewer interaction and boost engagement.

You should also be networking with other creators in your space.

Engage with their content to build relationships. 

Get good at storytelling. Think about creating a series in which you can weave narratives that will keep your audience returning for more.

Above all, be authentic and genuine. The world doesn’t need another MrBeast or Alex Hormozi. 

Being you is the real secret to building a thriving community on TikTok. 

Keep it real, keep it engaging, and keep it consistent.

Free Organic Growth Methods

Content Strategy

Let's dive into the first crucial aspect of choosing relevant topics.

The other day, I saw a video about knitting sweaters for cats. It was quirky and adorable, so I hit that "Follow" button without a second thought because, well, I love cats and you can’t tell me cats wearing tiny Christmas sweaters isn’t perfect. 

The funny thing is, I don’t have a cat, and I can’t knit. 

Why is this important? 

This creator made a video so good that it spoke the language of their target audience and, in this case, beyond that.

Here are some tips on identifying the right topics:

• Take a moment to understand who your ideal subscribers are. What are their interests? What problems does your newsletter solve for them? Your TikTok content should align with these interests and solutions.

• While it's tempting to jump on the hottest TikTok trends, don't forget about your niche. Blend trending topics with niche-specific content. For instance, if you're in the fitness niche and dance challenges are all the rage, showcase dance workouts related to your newsletter's fitness tips.

• TikTok users can spot inauthenticity from a mile away. Don't force content that doesn't align with your values or message.

• Pay attention to comments and feedback. If your viewers express interest in a particular aspect of your content, consider expanding on it.

• Sign up for a pro account and dive into your TikTok analytics and data to understand demographics such as (age, gender, and location.)

• Test various content forms from educational, entertaining, and personal stories. 

Remember, your goal here is not just to gather likes and views. Yes, they can be an indicator that your content is good; however, that can equally be a vanity metric. 

1 million likes is not the same as 1000 loyal fans who actually engage with your newsletter. 

Engagement and Interactivity

That’s your content strategy outlined. Now it's time to dive deeper into the engagement side of things.

I touched on this previously; however, I wanted to circle back and highlight the Call to Action and responding to comments.

Here’s How To Write Compelling CTAs:

• Be Specific: Don't beat around the bush. Clearly state what you want your viewers to do. If you want them to subscribe to your newsletter, say it outright.

• Highlight Benefits: Explain why they should take action. What's in it for them? Mention the value that they'll gain from subscribing.

• Use Action Verbs: Encourage action with verbs like "subscribe," "join," "discover," or "learn." These words prompt viewers to act.

• Create Urgency: Add a sense of urgency by mentioning limited-time offers or exclusive content. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) can be a powerful motivator.

Examples of Effective CTAs:

• "If you want weekly fitness tips delivered straight to your inbox, hit that subscribe button now."

• "Join our community of cat lovers by subscribing to our 'Purrfect Weekly' newsletter.”

• "Subscribe for the latest tech trends today."

• “Refer a friend and get 20% off.”

When your viewers leave comments or ask questions, it's your chance to pull up a chair, chat, and make them feel welcome.

Responding to comments shows that you care about your audience.

Here’s What To Do:

• Respond to comments, questions, or compliments as quickly as you can. 

• Mention their usernames. A simple "Thanks, @TikTokFan123!" can go a long way in making them feel valued.

• Encourage more engagement by posing questions in your responses.

• Handle negative comments gracefully. If someone criticizes your content, respond professionally or ignore it if necessary.

• Use Emojis to add a friendly and relatable touch to your responses.

Trends & Features

Here's How To Leverage TikTok Trends:

• Use the “discover” section in TikTok to stay informed on the latest trends.

• When you spot a relevant trend, find a unique angle to tie it to your newsletter content.

• Incorporate the trending hashtags into your video description to ride the wave of popularity.

If there's a trending challenge about organizing your space and your newsletter is about productivity, create a video showcasing your workspace organization tips.

Join a lip-sync trend and use it to deliver a short teaser about the valuable insights that readers can find in your newsletter.

Exploring TikTok’s Creative Tools:

• Spruce up your videos with fun filters and effects. 

• Collaborate with other TikTok creators by dueting with them or stitching their videos.

• Use text overlays to highlight key points or add witty captions to make your content more engaging.

Paid Growth Methods

It’s still early days for advertising on TikTok, so don’t expect Facebook/Instagram level finesse here. 

TikTok currently has a $500 minimum ad spend, and it's got some daily budget thresholds to keep in mind. 

At the campaign level, you're looking at a minimum daily budget of $50; while for the AdGroup level, it's a minimum of $20 per day. 

They also have what’s called the Brand Takeover, where TikTok promises you a whopping 5 million impressions, but that requires a significant investment. 

TikTok Offers 4 Ad Types:

1. In-feed ads

These are TikTok's version of the usual ads you spot on platforms like Instagram or Twitter. They're like those quick elevator pitches, lasting just 15 seconds. 

In-feed ads pop up seamlessly in a user's feed and are skippable. You've got a bunch of call-to-action (CTA) options, from app downloads to website clicks and beyond.

2. Brand takeover ads

These ads will be still images, GIFs, or videos and are linked to a brand's profile or a corresponding hashtag challenge. 

Only one brand per day can monopolize brand takeovers. This is typically reserved for the big boys like Nike, Fenti, etc.

3. Hashtag challenge

Here's where the magic of TikTok really shines. Hashtag challenges marry user creativity with your brand's narrative, creating a vibrant, interactive experience. 

For those aiming to amplify their impact, collaborating with influencers can ignite a hashtag challenge, turning it into a wildfire of engagement across TikTok.

4. Branded lenses

These are TikTok's homage to Snapchat's popular filters, allowing users to add a sprinkle of pizzazz to their videos. These filters not only feature in the trending section but also let users add their own creative twist while filming.

Collaborations and Influencer Marketing

When deciding on who to partner with, look for influencers whose content aligns with your core values and ideally your niche. 

Once you have narrowed down your list of influencers, begin examining their follower demographics. 

Look to see if their audience matches your target subscribers in terms of age, interests, and location.

And now for the big one – what are their engagement rates? Are they authentic?

High engagement and genuine connections with their audience indicate a valuable partnership.

Once you’ve found the perfect fit and are ready to collaborate, you’ll need to plan your content. 

Here’s What You Need To Do:

1. Clearly outline your objectives for the collaboration. Is it to increase newsletter sign-ups, raise awareness, or promote a specific offer?

2. Collaborate with the influencer to develop a content strategy that resonates with both their audience and your newsletter's message. It should be engaging and informative.

3. Incorporate clear calls to action (CTAs) within the content.

4. Use TikTok's creative tools like filters, effects, and music to make your content stand out.

5. Plan how the influencer will promote the collaborative content. They can share it on their profile and cross-promote on other social platforms.

6. Use tracking methods to measure the success of the collaboration. Monitor subscriber growth, engagement, and click-through rates.

TikTok University is a free learning program by TikTok to help creators get better at making content. It has 25 classes on different parts of making videos. 

To get a certificate from TikTok, you need to finish 20 classes and score at least 75% on their quizzes.

There Are 3 Types of Courses:

• 101 Level: Basic stuff like setting up your account, making a content plan, making videos, understanding your video stats, and following the rules

• 201 Level: More focus on editing and different kinds of videos like gaming, sports, and music

• 301 Level: Advanced topics like building a community, making your own brand, business tips, avoiding burnout, using special effects, making longer videos, going live, making money, and doing good things for others

TikTok University helps creators of all levels, giving them useful tips to improve their videos and grow on the platform.

InVideo

InVideo offers a mixed bag for video editing, boasting a library of over 5,000 templates for all sorts of videos like Instagram Reels. 

The editing tools are pretty solid with AI to make videos from text, and it's easy for beginners, too. 

You can edit online without downloading software, and it's good for teams working together. 

There's also helpful customer support, but it can be slow, especially when you're finishing a video. 

InVideo is handy for easy editing and teamwork but not for high-level pros or super-long videos.

Canva

Canva is a versatile tool that's really helpful for growing your TikTok and email newsletter audience. 

It's user-friendly, so you can quickly design eye-catching TikTok videos and graphics for your emails. 

With a lot of templates and easy drag-and-drop features, making professional-looking content is simple, even if you're not a design pro. You can customize everything to fit your style. 

This helps make your TikTok videos and emails stand out, attracting more followers and subscribers.

Plus, Canva saves time, so you can focus more on your content and less on figuring out how to design it. 

Community Engagement and Networking

Joining TikTok creator communities is a smart move for anyone looking to grow organically on the platform. 

These communities, like TikTok Community Discord Servers and Reddit’s TikTok subreddit, are hotspots for creators to connect, share experiences, and learn from each other. 

By Engaging With These Groups, You Get To:

• Network with fellow TikTok creators, opening doors to collaborations that can increase your visibility

• Gain insights from others’ experiences, including what content works and what doesn’t

• Exchange tips and strategies for growing your TikTok presence

• Get feedback on your content, helping you fine-tune your approach

You’ll be surprised how much other creators like to support each other. You’ll also discover new ideas and stay updated with the latest TikTok trends, all of which are crucial for organic growth on the platform.

Additional Resources

TikTok's official marketing blog is a goldmine for anyone looking to up their game on the platform. 

It's packed with the latest tips and trends straight from the folks who know TikTok best – its own marketing team. 

Here, you can dive into real-world case studies, giving you a glimpse of what successful TikTok campaigns look like. 

This blog is a must-visit for staying ahead of the curve, understanding what content resonates with audiences, and learning how to tailor your strategy for maximum impact.

Pentos is a tool designed specifically for TikTok analytics. It helps you track and analyze your TikTok account's performance, providing insights into metrics like follower growth, engagement rates, and content reach. 

With Pentos, you can monitor how your videos perform over time, understand audience behavior, and see which content types are most effective. 

This data is crucial for refining your TikTok strategy, allowing you to create content that resonates more with your audience and ultimately grow your presence on the platform.

Growing from 0 to 1000 subscribers on any platform involves continuous learning and experimentation. 

Staying updated with the latest trends, changes in TikTok’s algorithm, and best practices is a must for any marketer. 

This means regularly checking for new trends, understanding how TikTok’s feed works, and adapting your strategy accordingly. 

Experiment and try different types of content, post at various times, and use different methods to promote your videos. 

Chat with your followers, build a community, and listen to what they have to say. Want to earn from your growing fan base? Dive into sponsored content or affiliate marketing.

When ready, drop a few bucks on ad spend and team up with other creators or brands to get a helping hand on reaching your audience. 

And for that extra push in growing your audience, especially via email, why not give beehiiv a try? 

It's a fantastic tool to amplify your newsletter's impact and reach. Couple that with TikTok, and you’ve got yourself a pretty powerful combo. 

Sign up with beehiiv today for free.

Happy mailing!