The minute the clock struck midnight into 2024, TikTok-mired by a lively set of creators who are usually very expressive-started taking the digital fore in regards to celebrations and reflections concerning the just-gone year. A look at how different parts of the world moved into the new year as captured through TikTok:

A Mosaic of Global Celebrations

TikTok was full of mesmerizing New Year celebrations around the world. From the iconic Times Square ball fall in New York to the spectacular fireworks over Sydney Harbour, users shared unique experiences that turned the platform into a party across the globe. The hashtag #NewYear2024 was trending, with millions of posts capturing the essence of celebration across cultures and time zones. It connected people in real time, enabling them to share joy and optimism for the coming year in ways that feel particularly meaningful.

Trending Sounds and Dances

One of the most captivating parts of New Year's on TikTok had to be the music. The year went out with a bang: from viral songs like "Apple" by Charli XCX, which inspired the iconic "Apple" dance that found its way into many New Year's posts. This dance, choreographed by Kelley Heyer, was not just about the moves; rather, it was an individualistic and creative celebration of oneself. The song "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" by Beyoncé featured in numerous celebration videos as a dance choreographed by Dexter Mayfield and Matt McCall turned the dance floor into a world stage.

Personal Reflections and Resolutions

As the year drew to a close, TikTok became a place for reflection. People were sharing what happened to them in the years 2024-both their personal high and low moments and lessons they took from them. There is also a huge trend of these lists of 'in and out', as in what one is bringing into the new year and what one is leaving behind. That's not really just New Year's resolutions but bigger reflection on personal growth and self-care. Wellness and self-care brands seized the momentum by pushing products in tune with such new year aspirations.

Community and Connection

Community, not just individual celebrations, was the order of the day on TikTok in 2024. The platform has connected people by means of shared experiences and challenges, such as the "Suspect Challenge," where friends playfully roast each other. The lookalike contests for Timothée Chalamet and Paul Mescal added humor to the New Year's day and light-heartedness, much needed from the heavy news cycle.

Cultural and Memorable Moments

Cultural phenomena, like "Brat Summer" and the "Willy Wonka Experience" disaster, lived on TikTok for posterity, finding a home in the year's cultural tapestry. Most moments-coupled with a trending audio or dance-relentlessly became representative of the year's zeitgeist, shared in every New Year's retrospective. "Very demure, very mindful," coined from a TikTok by Jools Lebron, encapsulated a trend of understated yet impactful style, influencing fashion and personal branding on the platform.

As we come into the year 2025, TikTok has created a powerhouse in digital marketing. Because of its entertaining and commercial blend, new ways are being offered from TikTok marketing strategies where brands could connect with this engaged and global audience. Herein lies a thorough look at the current trend and strategy that defines what TikTok marketing is today.

1. Strategic Use of TikTok Ads

TikTok's advertising ecosystem has grown sophisticated, providing brands with multiple avenues to reach their audience. The strategy now lies in understanding the platform's unique user behavior: short attention spans and a preference for authentic, engaging content.

In-feed Ads: These blend completely in and are non-interruptive; a way to introduce one's products or services smoothly. Brands experiment with several creatives to nail what is catching eyeballs in the fraction of a second.
TopView Ads: This ad format takes up the screen for up to 60 seconds, offering exactly what brands need to fire up storytelling. It hands them a canvas to draw a story around their products.
Branded AR Effects: This is a playground for creativity because augmented reality ads, with branded lenses or filters, encourage users to interact more and create content around a certain theme or product of a brand.

The key here is relentless testing-understand what resonates through the view duration, engagement rate, and conversion.

2. Creative Content and Short Drama

The storyline on TikTok has now moved to telling a story with a plot twist. The short-form drama or 'series' in TikTok format is gaining popularity, and this is indeed giving brands a way to engage users over time in the following manner:

Mini-Series: Brands have created mini-series to communicate stories aligned with their ethos or even to show usage of a product in context. This not only engages but also builds brand identity overtime.
Creative Challenges: Besides traditional dance or lip-sync challenges, brands now involve narrative or puzzle-based challenges where a user is called to develop a story further or solve the mystery related to a certain product.
User-Generated Content: This enables users to create content, adding a story angle about a product or service in order to build a community surrounding the brand.

3. Influencer Marketing and Public Image Management

The power of TikTok is extending beyond product marketing to influencing public perception.

Crisis Management: Political figures, among other public personalities, have been more and more engaging TikTok influencers for image management or crisis issues that come off as much more credible to the younger audiences.
Narrative Control: Through the usage of influencers with a more trusted voice in some demographics, brands and figures may create or control narratives in ways that are hard to do through traditional media.
Micro-Influencer Strategy: Because TikTok algorithms favor quality over the quantity of followers, micro-influencers are gold in the eyes of brands striving for authenticity and niche targeting.

4. Success Stories and Viral Content

Going viral on the platform has been a goldmine for small businesses in that the authenticity wins; brands showing the human side of their businesses, probably through behind-the-scenes content or telling stories of customer interactions, usually see high engagement.
Algorithm Leverage: Finally, understanding how TikTok's algorithm picks up when new and appealing content increases the visibility by posting consistently as well as catching up to trends.
Case Study: Success stories of various businesses-from the local retailer to new-fangled technical gadgets-who have created a storm online are both informative and help marketers pick up valuable insight. Typically, such cases show an ability to merge creativity and community engagement successfully.

5. Trends and Product Promotion

The trendsetting capability of TikTok drives marketing in the following:

Challenge Marketing: Brands are not just following the trends but often start the trend themselves, using their custom hashtags or challenges for user participation.
Product Demonstrations: Showing products in action, generally in a funny or creative way, can often yield viral moments if one leverages the humoral and surprise culture on TikTok.
Trend Analysis: Equipped with analytics tools, brands are now better at either predicting or promptly reacting to trends, positioning their marketing in line with what people are talking about.

6. E-commerce Integration through TikTok Shop

The TikTok Shop has revolutionized how brands conduct e-commerce:

Direct Sales: The integration enables direct buying options, allowing viewers to become buyers in-app in a highly shortened sales funnel.
Live Selling: The concept of selling live is pretty much like TV shopping, but since TikTok is an interactive platform, a live stream of product demo or review can get directly converted into sales. Shoppable Videos: Product tagging in videos makes it seamless for the user to shop inside the video content.

Without a doubt, the social network that has best succeeded in changing how music is found is TikTok. Today it was announced that TikTok is partnering with music streaming service Deezer to give their users a better, more seamless and fun experience.

Introducing Add to Music App

This collaboration comes in line with the feature "Add to Music App" of TikTok, enabling users to save the songs they come across on TikTok into their favorite music streaming service. This means, with the joining of Deezer to that feature, users can save the track to their Deezer playlist without much effort.

Seamless Integration for Music Lovers

Add to Music App will appear next to the track name, below the TikTok video on For You Feed. At first usage, users will be able to select Deezer as a preferred streaming service. Once connected, Deezer will serve as the default destination when tracks are saved from future TikTok use. Integration makes capturing and enjoying your favorite music all too easy.

Increasing Music Discovery

TikTok is known for being one of the best platforms for discovering both new and catalog music. The partnership with Deezer will further this experience in allowing millions more music fans to save and enjoy the music they discover on TikTok. It's a win-win for both platforms and their users as it helps turn brief encounters with music into lasting connections.

Excitement from Industry Leaders

Michael Kümmerle, Global Head of Music Partnership Development at TikTok, said he was excited about the partnership because it has the potential to benefit millions of music fans and artists around the world. Matthieu Gorvan, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Deezer, echoed similar sentiments, saying that music discovery should be effortless and enjoyable.

As social media evolves, Bluesky has emerged as a promising platform for creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs. If you want to monetize your presence on Bluesky, here's how. Herein presented is the step-by-step guide to get you going.

1. Building a Strong Following

The backbone of earning through Bluesky happens to be a great, active following. Build on content that is informative, entertaining, or both, targeted toward your audience. In that, great consistency will mean posting as often as possible and being able to engage with your followers to develop a loyal community.

2. Brand Collaboration

When your following grows, so do the opportunities to work with brands. This can include sponsored posts and brand ambassadorship. Whichever brand partnerships you choose, make sure they are relevant to your personal brand and offer value to your audience.

3. Selling Products and Services

Bluesky can serve as a powerful platform to market and sell your own products or services. Whether you’re selling merchandise, digital products, or offering consulting services, leverage your Bluesky presence to drive traffic to your online store or service website.

4. Monetizing Content

Utilize monetization features within Bluesky: creator funds, tipping, and subscriptions. These tools will allow a more direct stream of revenue from your followers-who appreciate your content and are willing to support your work financially.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of those methods of earning money that has been tested over time through social media. Share affiliate links of certain products or services you will actually recommend. Every time your followers purchase through the links, you get a commission from this, creating a passive income stream.

6. Host Events and Webinars

Organize and advertise events or webinars via Bluesky, which users have to pay to attend. Offer premium content during such webinars, making it a source of revenues that could be very efficient for monetizing expertise and deeply connecting with your audience.

7. Tracking and Refining Your Approach

Keep a close watch on your content performance and the performance of your monetization strategy by analyzing it regularly. Use Bluesky's analytics for that insight into what works with your audience and refine this approach to maximize your earnings.

Phoenix, AZ – On this National Giving Tuesday, we wish to spotlight this past month's very special live fundraiser event hosted by TikTok and Make-A-Wish, with multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jason Derulo and independent singer-songwriter and mental health advocate Alexander Stewart. The evening happened this past Tuesday, November 19, 2024. They aim to raise $250,000 in one hour, to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

A Night of Music and Giving

The entire 3-hour LIVE event was replete with music, excitement, and much emotional moments as Jason Derulo and Alexander Stewart performed for their fans. Special gifts could be sent during the LIVE session, for which TikTok would donate to Make-A-Wish for each gift sent. This event spurred the inspiring behavior of the TikTok community to become Wish Makers and support a cause that finally mattered.

The Impact of Wishes

Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America, underlined the importance of these wishes for transforming the lives of the children and even improving health outcomes. "Wishes bring hope and inspiration, uplift spirits, and connect people," Motter said. "We are thankful to TikTok and every artist using their platform to help make more wishes a reality."

A Community United

It was a testament to the power of community and the resulting power of pooled giving. Further testifying to the commitment of TikTok to making positive change in the world was a $3 million pledge in funds, along with an additional $1 million in ad credits, to various nonprofit organizations.

In this digital age, social media platforms have emerged as strong domains for discourses on politics, where the emergence of social media influencers is seminal in shaping public opinion. Among such platforms is TikTok, a viral outlet that gives rapid amplification to any voice, reaching millions across the globe. The recent Romanian Presidential Election acts as a strong case study, depicting how TikTok Influencers are changing the Political Landscape across the Globe.

The Evolution of Social Media’s Political Role

While in the initial stages of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, social media was mainly used for disseminating news and debating, the landscape has radically changed. With the likes of Instagram and TikTok setting a different layer of influence, personal branding has intertwined with entertainment to pass on political messaging. Influencers, who had previously engaged in lifestyle or pure entertainment content, have recently found a niche in political advocacy, capitalizing on their huge following bases to create political conversations.

That is most evident on TikTok, where highly engaging short-form videos go viral in no time. Political campaigns and movements now recognize the potential that the platform has for reaching younger, often politically disengaged demographics.

The TikTok Effect: Romanian Presidential Election

A case in point for such political influence of TikTok would be the recent Romanian presidential election. In a surprise twist, the far-right candidate Călin Georgescu gained momentum with the help of TikTok, connecting especially with young voters. His wider success on the platform underlines a broader trend: the power of social media influencers and non-traditional political figures to circumvent mainstream press and reach out directly to the electorate.

This is not some phenomenon peculiar to Romania. In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, TikTok proved to be a major player, where continuously, influencers urged people to register voters and go out to participate in it. In similar trends in Brazil and the Philippines, there was something similar, in which social media campaigns play an influential role in the electoral outcomes.

The Dynamics of Influence: Trust and Authenticity

What differs with the influencer is a perceived authenticity, something that makes them relatable to their audience. This quality makes their endorsements and opinions potentially very persuasive. What results is an extremely powerful platform for political messaging, but at the same time, the ability to spread misinformation is just as powerful.

The TikTok algorithm, optimized for user engagement, inadvertently fosters echo chambers of information. It greatly exposes users to information that aligns with their current beliefs, which, in turn, can catalyze further polarization during politically sensitive times, like elections, by amplifying extremist views.

Case Studies of Political Influencers

Other countries besides Romania offer a glimpse into how the landscape of influencers is changing politics:

US: Influencers like Charli D'Amelio have used their platforms to promote voter registration, reaching millions of young Americans. The political influence of these social media celebrities, however, cuts both ways: just as the reach can be harnessed to inform, it can also be exploited in spreading misinformation or biased narratives.
- The Middle East to Latin America: Influencers have been key players in organizing protests and social movements, showing that this, too, is a global trend. Yet, the impact differs according to regional political climates and internet regulations.

Benefits and Risks of Influencer Politics

Advantages:
- Increased Engagement: Influencers can mobilize young and disengaged voters, making politics more accessible and relatable.
- 'Simplification of Complicated Issues': Influencers can take difficult political issues and simplify them using short, captivating videos, for a more comprehensive understanding.

Risks:
- Misinformation: The informal nature of content on social media can blur the line between opinion and fact, contributing to the spread of misinformation. During the Romanian election, concerns were raised about the accuracy of information disseminated by influencers.
- Ethical Concerns: It brings up questions about authenticity and transparency in monetizing political content. Are influencers truly advocating for a cause, or are they swayed by financial incentives?

Regulatory and Ethical Considerations

As social media's clout in politics increases, so does the clamor for its regulation. Countries like Australia want strict laws that call for age verification and content moderation on platforms such as TikTok. The European Union recently introduced regulations intended to combat misinformation and increase transparency for political advertising.

The subject of regulating political content on social media has been discussed with great intensity within the context of the Romanian election. Experts warn that unduly unregulated, this information can undermine the democratic process with unverified or biased information spreading at an unimaginable rate through platforms designed for entertainment.

In a surprise twist, President-elect Donald Trump said that he would save TikTok from a ban in the United States. This has been a turbulent year of lawsuits and not knowing whether it had a future within one of its most massive markets.

The Background

TikTok owner ByteDance has been criticized as a national security risk for data privacy concerns. In April, President Joe Biden signed a federal law demanding ByteDance divest its stakes in TikTok within nine months, though the time limit can be extended by another three months if a sale is in process. If that fails, TikTok will be banned in the U.S. come January 19, 2025, a day before Trump's second inauguration.

Trump's Pledge

Trump had promised, during his campaign, to block the ban of TikTok at every turn, in complete contrast to his first term when he himself had tried to ban the app. He says banning TikTok will only help out its competitor, Facebook, which he has repeatedly blamed for the 2020 election outcome. Trump's transition team has made it clear he will make good on the promise, saying the American people re-elected him with a mandate to get his campaign promises through.

Legal and Political Maneuvering

The fate of TikTok remains in the courts, with both sides urging a federal appeals court to rule by December 6. Whoever loses is likely to appeal to the Supreme Court, which would take at least several more months. If Trump takes office before the case concludes, he might press Congress for a repeal or instruct his attorney general not to enforce the ban.

Lobbying Efforts

In an effort to cling to TikTok, ByteDance has been aggressive in its lobbying in Washington, spending millions already. The company has hired several veterans, including David Urban, a lobbyist and former aide to the Trump campaign, and Kellyanne Conway, former senior Trump aide, who has now been pushing TikTok's interests in Congress.

Implications for TikTok Users

For an incoming president who has come out swinging against China, this could be the most significant policy about-face. For TikTok's 180 million U.S. users, this means an uncensored ability to go on using the popular app without disruption. Larger elements related to U.S.-China relations and data privacy, however, remain to be seen.

The Canadian government has taken a bold step and requested the cessation of TikTok's business practices within the country owing to issues related to national security. However, citizens of Canada will be granted the right to download and use the application similarly like before.

Background and Decision

The decision comes after a thorough review of TikTok's plan to invest and expand its business in Canada. According to Francois-Philippe Champagne, the Minister for Innovation, the decision was made in an effort to deal with particular risks arising from ByteDane ltd which is Tiktok's mother company in China and its operations. The review involved rigorous scrutiny by Canada's national security and intelligence community.

Impact on TikTok's Operations

As a result of the order, TikTok will be required to close its offices in Toronto and Vancouver. Despite the shutdown of its business operations, the Canadian government has made it clear that it is not blocking Canadians from accessing the app or using it to create content. The government emphasized that the decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice and encouraged Canadians to adopt good cybersecurity practices.

Response from TikTok

TikTok has expressed its intention to challenge the order in court. A spokesperson for the company stated that shutting down TikTok's Canadian offices and destroying hundreds of well-paying local jobs is not in anyone's best interest. The representative also explained that the shutting of TikTok offices in Canada will be detrimental to the company and its staff.

Broader Context

This support comes at a time where there is a recurring series of close scrutiny and questioning over business entities from China that are located in America. Concerns about the privacy issues with the TikTok app have been raised in the United States as well as issues of the growing threat of the Chinese authorities. The U.S, Government has just responded by blocking people in government from downloading and using the app.

The world of social media and digital content creation keeps changing, and very few influencers do emerge, not only as the most popular, but also as the richest. The peculiar group of professionals described above has the gift for understanding audiences, creating brands and making profits. It is true that some people are extremely good at persuading their target audience, developing lucrative businesses, attracting customers and sustaining profitability, and a good example is what a handful of the most successful US producers are currently gaming from the system and how they tell their story in the most captivating manner.

MrBeast: The King of YouTube

Atop the creator economy food chain stands no other than MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, that has virtually carved a niche on YouTube. Driving home an astonishing **$82 million** in 2022, MrBeast redefines what it means to be a content creator.

So, what’s his secret? It’s all about great gesture and altruism. MrBeast is known for his jaw dropping challenges, elaborate stunts and generous giveaways. While giving cars or giving millions of dollars to the poor, he combines a love for spectacle with tears. This unique blend not only keeps his audience coming back for more but also encourages them to share his videos, amplifying his reach even further.

Jake Paul: The Maverick of Media

Next up is Jake Paul, whose name has come to represent both success and scandal. Jake has amassed an empire that includes boxing, YouTube, and other commercial endeavors, earning over $45 million.

And how does he make the public interested in what he does? Jake is cool for being in different and extreme things with the ‘don’t-care’ attitude. However, the layer that distances him the most, is the element of risk taken. Jake would rather put spikes around his neck and perform a live act, than hide somewhere and do nothing. These traits of his often force his viewers to pay attention to what he is saying and the content he releases across various platforms.

Markiplier: The Gaming Sensation

Everyone familiar with gaming has heard of Markiplier or Mark Fischbach. An estimation of his income falls within the region of **$38 million**, making him one of the premier internet personalities influencing the art of gaming in 2024.

The captivating thing about Markiplier is his down-to-earth nature which naturally endears viewers to him. Extremely often, he shares narrative episodes, situations and experiences that many people listen to and recognize. In such moments especially in his play videos, the humor, madness and even some self-doubt are visible and he is totally identifiable. By fostering a sense of community among his fans, Markiplier encourages interaction and loyalty, which translates to high viewer retention and shares.

Rhett and Link: The Dynamic Duo

Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, the two people behind Good Mythical Morning, have a combined net worth of over $30 million. Their chemistry and inventiveness are evident in their content, which ranges from cuisine challenges to amusing experiments.

What keeps their audience hooked? It’s their authenticity and the fun, lighthearted nature of their show. Rhett and Link have a unique ability to create engaging content that feels both fresh and familiar. They often involve their fans in the creative process, whether through viewer suggestions or interactive segments, which helps build a loyal following. Plus, their clever humor and relatability make it easy for viewers to tune in daily.

Logan Paul: The Controversial Entertainer

Last but not least, we have Logan Paul, a new force in the producer space with a net worth of around $21 million. Logan’s journey has been a roller coaster, full of highs and lows, but he keeps eating well into the digital world.

Logan has a special ability to inspire people in a different way. He is not only a video creator, but also threw himself into boxing and engaged in business. It is this thirst for novelty and courage that keeps the work of Logan without a shadow of a doubt fascinating. Logan is quite the sensationalist when it comes to narration, a factor that is one of the reasons he remains top in the industry.

Conclusion: The Formula for Success

What is an interesting fact about most producers at the top of their game? Well, everyone can pinpoint one main quality in each of them, and that is a charismatic presence, a gift of invention and appeal to the masses. By leveraging their strengths and engaging with fans on a personal level, they have established themselves as titans in the content creation arena.

Dear sports enthusiasts, rejoice! In the upcoming season, i.e. later this fall, TikTok partners with the top Major League Soccer (MLS) to enhance their fans experience with a live stream which will be completely dedicated to Lionel Messi. Titled ‘Spotlight on Messi’, the live feature was announced to air on the app in October. "Player Spotlight: Messi," a special feature, will allow fans to get a close-up and personal look at the iconic football player throughout the MLS Cup playoffs. Let's examine the specifics and discover what makes this partnership unique.

A First-of-its-Kind Experience

For the first time ever, TikTok will broadcast an entire live match with a single player focus. During Inter Miami CF's playoff games, the camera will be trained on Messi, capturing every move, assist, goal, and celebration. This "Messi Cam" will allow fans to virtually be on the pitch with him, experiencing the action from Messi's perspective.

Why Messi?

Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is driving the franchise that is Inter Miami CF . He has been able to put his magnificent talents on display recently with, among other things, a hat-trick of goals in his most recent game. As Inter Miami prepares for their first-ever MLS Cup playoffs, the spotlight on Messi is a no-brainer. Fans can't wait to see how he performs under the pressure of the playoffs.

How to Watch

The @MLS TikTok profile will host the exclusive live feed, while the @InterMiamiCF TikTok profile will simulcast it. Fans will have plenty of time to settle in and get ready for the action as the stream will begin five minutes prior to kickoff. Both soccer fans and tech enthusiasts are likely to take notice of this unusual watching experience.

What to Expect

The camera will direct its attentions on Messi so that the viewer can appreciate the event much more in a personalized way. Everything from his tactical movements to the thrilling soccer moments is to be streamed live. This is a road less traveled in live events and it is a visible sign of TikTok and MLS stepping forward.