Expert Insights from a Tik Tok Pro
With over a billion active users each month, TikTok is one of the world’s top social media platforms. If you want to get in on the action, TikTok is easy to join; however, it isn’t always easy to gain traction and build a following. However, there are some proven tips and tricks that can help creators of all sizes increase their visibility on the app. For example, they can keep track of trends, purchase TikTok likes, and find their niches just like the top TikTok creators. This platform is practically taking over the world; with the tips below, you can start to take over TikTok!
Some Important Tips for Using Tik Tok
1. Post at the optimum time of day
TikTok is constantly being flooded with new content; it just doesn’t have time to keep showing users older videos. If a video is over a week old, it’s basically ancient history. This is why you should consider the time of day when people will be watching your videos, and posts during those windows of opportunity. Pro tip: if you have a TikTok Business account, you’ll get access to valuable analytics, such as when most users are watching your videos. With this information at your fingertips, you’ll be able to optimize the views that each video gets.
2. Make it snappy
Most content on TikTok is short-form, which means that you should generally steer clear of long explanations or complex topics. You might have to do some fancy editing or speed some of the clips up, but make sure that your videos stay short and sweet.
3. Stay on top of trending challenges
The app has gotten plenty of attention (not all of it positive) for the number of viral challenges generated by its users. Some of them are dangerous, but most of them are just a way for people to amuse themselves with whatever is popular at the moment. This type of content is highly visible for as long as the trend lasts, and the challenges can often be done by creators in many different niches. To increase visibility for your content, participate in any trending challenges that are relevant to your niche. And don’t forget to add the trending hashtags too!
4. Take advantage of trending songs and sounds
If you’ve spent any time at all on TikTok, you will have noticed how some sounds are EVERYWHERE – for a while. Then they’ll be replaced by the next round of songs or sounds, and the next, and the next. Certain audios are constantly trending, and there’s a good reason for that: creators know that the algorithm favors content that uses trending songs or sounds. If you want to be seen by as many people as possible, keep an eye out for these trends, and join in as soon as you spot a new one.
5. Start each video with a hook
Things move pretty fast on TikTok, and that includes the speed at which the average user scrolls through content. If someone pauses to watch one of your videos, you have just a few seconds to get their attention. This being the case, you should begin with an attention-grabbing statement or question. You don’t have to give away the entire video in the first five seconds, but you should share enough information to pique the viewer’s interest. For example, a cooking-related account could start a video with “Here’s the #1 thing I learned not to do as a professional chef”. They could then share what they’re talking about, and get into the background of why that thing is hated in professional kitchens around the world. Even if they essentially give the punchline away at the beginning of the video, the real meat of the matter is contained in the background story – people want to know why it’s so terrible. This strategy will look different for each niche, but you get the picture: grab their attention immediately.
6. Encourage viewers to comment
Comments are king on TikTok. Increase the number of comments on each video, and TikTok’s algorithm is more likely to show your content to other users. There are all kinds of ways to encourage people to comment, but the simplest one is to ask your viewers directly. You could say something like “let me know what you think down below”, but this isn’t the best way to make people feel involved and needed. Instead, go to your followers with a dilemma or question of some kind, and ask for their input. An example of this would be a cosplayer asking their followers for suggestions for Halloween. Since their followers would already be interested in what comes next, they would jump at the chance to have some input on the matter.
7. Interact with commenters
If you want to be seen as relatable, it would help if you replied to some of the comments on each video. You may not be able to get to each one, but even a few replies will make a good impression. Some creators only reply to really heartfelt or humorous comments, while others commit to replying to everyone who comments in the first hour after posting a video. It’s your choice to decide which comments get a reply, but keep in mind that the TikTok algorithm is paying attention just as much as your followers! Your replies drive up engagement, which is something that can increase visibility to potential new followers.
8. Create content from comments
Your followers will love the feeling that you actually notice their feedback; one way to do this is to make videos based on their comments. Some creators answer questions, others respond to controversies, while still, others clap back against the haters. Best of all, some commenters might make requests for specific videos – and they’d be thrilled to see you make that content! Again, it’s your choice to decide which comments get a response; just remember to focus on your fans rather than the naysayers.
Conclusion
There’s a fair amount of strategy involved in becoming successful on TikTok, but once you know the basics, it’s just a matter of time before you see positive results!
