Musical.ly: The Next Facebook for Teens?

Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known entrepreneur and social media influencer, explores the potential of the Musical.ly app, arguing that it could be the next major social media platform, especially among teenagers. He draws parallels with the rise of Facebook and Instagram, highlighting how Musical.ly has captured a younger audience than those platforms did.

• He emphasizes that Musical.ly has already achieved significant popularity among teens, particularly those between 13 and 18 years old.
• Vaynerchuk believes Musical.ly’s success stems from its ability to cater to the desire of young people to be creators, providing them with the tools and resources to easily create and share entertaining content.

Musical.ly’s Appeal to a Young Audience

Vaynerchuk highlights how Musical.ly’s user base, which includes first-graders, mirrors the early adoption of Facebook by college students. He explains that with the increasing use of smartphones and tablets by young children, platforms like Musical.ly that capture their attention are poised to grow in influence. He compares this trend to Snapchat's early success among tweens and teenagers, and later expansion to a broader audience.

Musical.ly’s Focus on Content Creation

The article compares Musical.ly’s utility to Instagram’s early success as a tool that empowered users to create better photos. He points out that Musical.ly, similar to Instagram, provides a platform that makes content creation more accessible. It offers features like filters, video speed control, and access to professional audio, allowing young people to create engaging content even without professional skills.

Musical.ly’s Potential for Growth

Vaynerchuk emphasizes that Musical.ly’s current user base, exceeding 90 million globally, demonstrates its potential for continued growth. He advocates for understanding its potential, not dismissing it as a fad, and suggests that it can become the next major social media platform, similar to Facebook and Snapchat.

The Evolution of Social Media Platforms

Vaynerchuk analyzes the evolution of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, emphasizing how their initial appeal shifted from specific demographics to wider audiences. He suggests that Musical.ly, having captured the youngest users, could follow a similar trajectory, expanding its user base and becoming more relevant to older demographics.

• Just as Facebook transitioned from a college-only platform to a broader social network, Musical.ly has the potential to evolve and attract a wider audience.
• He suggests that Musical.ly is positioning itself as the "someone's older brother's app," becoming the next generation's social media platform, while Snapchat is becoming the "your mom's app" for the older generation.

Importance of Understanding Young Audiences

The article underscores the importance for businesses and individuals of understanding the platforms used by teenagers and young adults. He emphasizes that Musical.ly is a platform that can be leveraged to reach this demographic effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Musical.ly is a growing social media platform with a young user base.
• It has captured the attention of teenagers and younger children, making it a valuable platform for reaching these demographics.
• Its focus on content creation and user-friendly tools makes it appealing to young people.
• Musical.ly’s success and potential for growth are comparable to the trajectory of Facebook and Instagram.
• Understanding the changing landscape of social media platforms and the preferences of younger generations is crucial for businesses and individuals.