Symphonic x TikTok Masterclass Recap: Inside TikTok For Artists

Did you miss our last masterclass with TikTok? No worries! In it, Jess Messier, Head of Indie Label Partnerships for TikTok North America, joined us to give an in-depth look at TikTok’s new features for artists, including fresh discovery tools, fan engagement options, and the growing connection between TikTok and streaming platforms. To catch you up, here are 10 key takeaways from the session you definitely need to know…

Symphonic x TikTok Masterclass Recap: 10 Key Takeaways Every Artist Should Know

1) Get Set Up with a TikTok Artist Account

The foundation of everything starts with a TikTok Artist Account. Once verified, you’ll unlock exclusive features like the Artist Tag, Music Tab, and a New Release banner that highlights your latest drops. This account also enables interactive tools like Fan Spotlight and pinned sounds.

There’s no follower requirement; all you need is at least one official song live on a DSP to qualify. If your music isn’t showing up correctly, you can apply for or fix your artist profile directly through TikTok for Artists, or reach out to your distributor (like Symphonic 😉) for assistance.

2) Dive into Data with TikTok for Artists

TikTok for Artists (TT4A) is the platform’s central hub for artists to track performance, fan insights, and sound engagement. It offers metrics similar to Spotify for Artists but with TikTok-specific data, like video engagement and fan geography.

🌎 You can also launch Pre-Release campaigns right from the dashboard, connecting your TikTok audience to upcoming albums and EPs via Spotify and Apple Music links. It’s a streamlined way to convert discovery into day-one listeners.

3) New Bulletin Board Feature to Stay Connected with Fans

One of TikTok’s newest tools, Bulletin Board, gives artists a direct line to their most loyal fans. Think of it as a built-in broadcast channel where you can share updates, announce tours, promote merch, or post behind-the-scenes notes.

When fans subscribe to your Bulletin Board, they automatically follow your profile, giving you a subtle but powerful way to grow your audience while deepening engagement between releases.

(NOTE: This feature is currently in beta and not available to all creators at this time.)

4) Spotlight Fans and Pin Your Top Songs

The Fan Spotlight feature lets you feature up to five fan-made videos that use your official sound. It’s a great way to reward fan creativity and encourage participation in trends.

📌 At the same time, the Pin Sounds option allows you to anchor a key track  (your newest release or biggest hit) at the top of your Music Tab. Both features strengthen the bridge between your audience and your catalog.

5) Turn TikTok Discovery into Streaming with “Add to Music”

TikTok’s Add to Music App feature continues to be one of its biggest success stories. Once a fan connects their preferred DSP (Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, or YouTube Music), they can instantly save any TikTok track they discover.

This has already led to more than one billion track saves since launch, proving that discovery on TikTok directly drives long-term streaming growth.

6) Use Built-In Tools to Promote Your Music and Events

TikTok now integrates directly with major streaming and ticketing platforms to help artists promote and sell more effectively.
With it, you can:

• Share tracks from Spotify and Apple Music straight to TikTok posts.
• Run album and EP pre-save campaigns to boost release momentum.
• Add ticket links via Ticketmaster, AXS, or Eventbrite using TikTok’s Ticket Anchor tool.

🎫 These tools keep fans inside the TikTok ecosystem while making it easier to go from discovery to conversion, whether that’s a stream, save, or ticket sale.

7) Track Your Momentum with TikTok Charts

The TikTok Top 50 and Viral 50 charts give artists real-time insight into what’s resonating on the platform.

• Top 50 tracks highlight the most popular songs in a given week.
• Viral 50 measures the fastest-rising sounds based on user activity and day-over-day growth.
• Charts are also being integrated into TikTok for Artists, so you’ll soon be able to track your placements directly within your dashboard.

8) Sell Merch and Music with TikTok Shop

For artists who sell vinyl, merch, or bundles, TikTok Shop offers an in-app storefront directly connected to your videos and profile. You can tag items in posts, host live shopping sessions, or add a “Shop” tab for passive income.

Artists using Shopify can connect their stores seamlessly, and some are already seeing meaningful results, like indie artist Alexandra Kay, who sells merch from her hotel room while on tour using TikTok Live.

9) Follow TikTok’s Best Practices for Posting and Content

TikTok recommends posting at least three to four times per week, and every day during a release cycle. Tease new songs three to six weeks before launch, and keep each clip under 60 seconds to prevent muting.

Experiment with built-in tools like Duet, Stitch, and Photo Mode, or use CapCut templates to make editing faster. The more you use TikTok’s creative buttons, the better your content tends to perform in the algorithm.

10) Go Live and Build Real-Time Fan Connections

TikTok LIVE remains one of the most effective ways to build deeper relationships with your followers. Artists can host live listening parties, fan Q&As, or acoustic sessions.

You can also use Multi-Guest, LIVE Events, and the new AI Alive tool (which animates static clips into dynamic visuals) to expand your live strategy. Going live consistently not only boosts discoverability but also fosters real fandom and community around your music.

——

Some final thoughts…