Looking to grow your fanbase on TikTok? These TikTok ideas for musicians are perfect for showcasing your talent and connecting with new fans. With millions of users, TikTok is a great platform to reach more people. In this guide, we’ll share 12 simple and creative ideas to help you expand your audience.
Let’s get started!
How to make an engaging TikTok
Most successful TikToks have a few things in common, starting with a clear brand that connects with a specific audience.
Your style should match the music you make. For example, a grungy shoegaze or nu-metal band will look different and attract a different audience than a pop artist.
But no matter what genre you make, good TikToks share some common elements.
Show Your Face
Showing your face is important because videos with faces get more engagement. Faces help build a connection with your audience.
People are naturally drawn to other faces, and we pay more attention when we see something personal.
So, put your face out there and start taking some selfie videos.
Use a hook
TikTok hooks make people stop scrolling, pay attention, and watch your video until the end.
A hook can be:
- A setup leading to a payoff
- A joke
- A misdirection
- Something eye-catching
- An audience request
- An interesting fact or info that sparks curiosity
Think about your hook when planning your TikTok ideas, and you’ll reach more people.
Add Visual Appeal
Make your screen interesting. You don’t need a subway surfer clip, but you could show a screenshot of your DAW’s interface if you’re at your computer.
Adding visuals with colors, scrolling elements, or animations under your video will help keep your audience’s attention.
Show a Live Performance
Live performances are very popular. People love watching musicians play with feeling and skill.
Show us what you can do. Sign on camera, play your instrument, use your DAW, or mix on turntables. Showing your music skills makes your story feel more real.
Give us the real you
Posting on TikTok is about storytelling, and you might think you need to share “your story”.
But your story is always changing. The best thing you can do is be genuine. Show us who you truly are, and you’ll find an audience that connects with you.
Don’t force it, and just enjoy the process! That’s what TikTok is for.
12 TikTok ideas for musicians
Alright, now that we’ve looked at what makes a great TikTok video, here are some TikTok ideas with real examples:
1. Sing a Clip from Your Favorite Song
A classic TikTok idea is to cover your favorite song openly. This can get more engagement and show your followers what music you like.
Tag the artist so they know you covered their song. They might re-post, comment, or reach out to thank you.
2. Use nostalgia triggers
Nostalgia is popular on TikTok and Reels, and music easily creates those feelings because it triggers memories.
If your song reminds people of the past or updates styles from the 90s and 2000s, lean into those nostalgic vibes.
3. Make Music with a Weird Instrument
You don’t need to learn a new instrument. Instead, try using something odd from a thrift store or play a baby xylophone.
Alternatively, you can make your instrument, like playing a steel mixing bowl with water in it—it sounds unique and interesting! Have you tried playing a steel mixing bowl with water in it? It sounds unique and interesting!
4. Use Reverse Psychology to Surprise Viewers
Tell viewers NOT to duet or stitch your song.
Hot Tip: See how Never Easy uses this trick in TikTok’s music.
There are many funny TikToks using reverse psychology. Just surprise your audience, misdirect them, or tempt them to do the opposite of what you say.
5. Post till someone notices
The “day X of doing X until X happens” trend is now going viral on TikTok. Many bands are trying it.
This trend can go viral and is a great way to make daily content and show who you are.
If you have a new song on streaming platforms, these daily posts can help get more engagement with that song.
6. Riff plus hook
If you come up with a cool riff, vocal part, rap verse, drum fill, or synth sound during a recording session, record yourself playing it and add a hook.
The hook can be anything and doesn’t even need to be related to your music.
Just say something that asks your audience to do something, share a feeling, or talk about your music.
7. Introduce Yourself, Your Music, or Your Collaborations
Tell the audience to stop scrolling and listen to your music. Then introduce yourself and give them a reason to check it out.
Be sincere—show your true self, and someone will take a look.
8. Why is this broken?
Here’s a simple way to grab attention—frustrate some viewers while making others feel smart for spotting the mistake.
If you use a piece of gear you know well, others might relate to its problems and solutions.
TikToks that “play dumb” keep viewers who don’t know the problem watching for the solution and encourage those who do to comment with the answer.
9. Mash-Up Your Song with a Popular Artist
Mashups have always been popular, even before TikTok. If you’re my age, you might remember mashup CDs from the early 2000s.
Now, mashups are very popular on TikTok. Many producers and artists mix their songs with famous ones to create great content.
This works because people know the original song but love hearing a new, surprising version of it.
10. Get Creative with Your Set Design
The setting of your videos is important and can be the main focus.
Using a unique angle, interesting lighting, or an unusual location can make your videos stand out. Being creative with where, how, and when you shoot your TikToks can make them more interesting and exciting.
11. Make a Vlog-Style TikTok
Have an interesting day coming up? Turn it into a vlog-style TikTok.
Even if it’s a normal day, capture some moments and show your audience a real part of your life.
This kind of daily content keeps your audience engaged and lets you hype upcoming events like releases, shows, and tours.
12. Who’s the drummer?
If you haven’t seen this trend, give it a try.
It’s simple: ask your audience to guess who the real drummer is, then show clips of everyone playing drums.
Next, make a TikTok showing who plays each instrument. It’s a fun way to engage your audience!
Make TikToks Like You Make Music
Make TikToks because it’s fun.
Don’t overthink it. Be creative, join a fun trend, and make something you enjoy.
Have the same fun you had making the music that got you here!