Get ready to take your TikTok game to the next level. In this article, we'll be unlocking the best-kept TikTok tips of successful social media managers. Learn how to create viral content, grow your following, and reach the coveted 'For You' page.
TikTok Tips to Get on the FYP
- Understand how the TikTok algorithm works
- Find your content niche and stick with it
- Follow a clear structure in your videos
- Start with a trending hook
- Try to post often & stay consistent
- Eat & breathe pop culture
- Don’t wait too long to jump on trends
- Stitch trending TikTok videos
- Get creative with the green screen effect
- Show real humans in your content
- Engage with other accounts
- Team up with influencers
- Use trending TikTok sounds
- Reply to comments with videos
- Add subtitles to your videos
- Use straightforward CTAs
- Measure your content performance
TikTok Tip 1: Understand how the TikTok algorithm works
The TikTok algorithm determines which videos are shown to which users.
It is important you understand the TikTok algorithm because it can affect how well your videos perform, how many people see them, and how much engagement they receive.
The algorithm takes into account a variety of factors, the information in your videos (such as captions, hashtags, and effects), your user engagement history (likes, comments, and follows), and account settings (such as location and language).
Of these factors, the information in your videos is the one you have the most control over. This is why you need to make sure to follow the tips below.
TikTok Tip 2: Find your content niche and stick with it
To optimize your TikTok content, it's essential to choose a specific topic or niche.
Experimenting with videos across different categories can set you back, so when you find your niche, stick with it. Narrowing down your niche will also help you attract a more specific audience, so don't be afraid to get too specific.
By focusing on a particular area, you will establish authority in that vertical and your content will be more likely to be seen by your target audience.
Take for example the famous TikToker Chiara King. With over 3M subscribers on the platform, Chiara became viral by posting funny and relatable videos about boys, dating and relationships.
TikTok Tip 3: Follow a clear structure in your videos
If you're new to TikTok and aren't sure how to begin, it can be helpful to adopt a narrative structure that has been successful in the past with other brands.
Using a specific framework is crucial as it clearly conveys the essential components needed to motivate viewers to engage.
A recommended structure to follow is:
- Hook
- Product in use
- Social proof by including reviews
- Before vs. after
- Solving a problem
- Clear CTA
The "hook" at the beginning of the video captures the viewer's attention and makes them want to keep watching.
Showing the product in use allows the viewer to see how it works and the benefits it provides. Including social proof, such as reviews, helps to build trust and credibility with the viewer.
Showing the "before and after" demonstrates the effectiveness of the product. By solving a problem, it highlights the value of the product and how it can improve the viewer's life.
And finally, a clear call-to-action (CTA) encourages the viewer to take action and make a purchase.
Overall, this framework helps to make the video more persuasive and increase the chances of conversion.
TikTok Tip 4: Start with a trending hook
In the fast-paced world of TikTok, it's essential to capture your viewer's attention immediately. If you don't, they may quickly move on to the next video on their endless scroll.
To avoid this, start your videos with a hook that entices your target audience to stay and watch.
A strong opening in the first few seconds can make all the difference. In fact, 63% of all successful ads on TikTok have their main campaign message clearly presented in the first three seconds of their video.
Enhance your TikTok strategy with our compilation of effective and popular hooks. Check them out:
- My secret hack for [result of using the product]
- I wish I knew about [product/brand] sooner
- 3 reasons why you need [product] in 2023
- I tried [product] so you don’t have to
- Why [product] broke the internet
- This is your sign to buy [product]
- TikTok made me buy/try this
- Wait! I wanna show you something
- If you’re like me and [insert action], then this is for you
- Guys, this works so well! [show end results, then problem + pain]
- This is your reminder to [insert action]
- [This product] is a game changer
- 3 must-haves for [target audience]/[this season]
- Online finds you’ll simply adore
- Here’s my go-to [solution] for [problem]
- The BEST [product] I’ve ever used for [problem]
- This [product] will blow your mind!
- 3 things I wish I knew earlier about [solution to problem]
- If you [struggle with problem], you need to hear this!
- TikTok finds you NEED to hear about
- I bet you didn’t know this
- I don’t know who needs to hear this but …
TikTok Tip 5: Try to post often & stay consistent
To be successful on TikTok, it is important to consistently post new content.
Aim to upload at least one video every day, or multiple times a day if possible. This will increase your visibility and make it more likely that your videos will appear in people's "For You" feeds.
Keep in mind that quality should not be compromised for quantity, and make sure that your content is relevant to your followers and target audience.
Rather than creating new content every day, you can save time by filming a week’s worth of TikToks in a single day and then share it day by day.
TikTok Tip 6: Eat & breathe pop culture
Even its most dedicated users are aware that there is more to the world than just TikTok.
Many TikTok users are interested in current events and keeping up to date with what's happening in the world around them.
TikTok’s format offers a great opportunity to quickly share perspectives and insights on current events and popular culture.
This doesn't just have to be limited to news, you can also make videos expressing your thoughts on a favorite movie or TV show.
TikTok Tip 7: Don’t wait too long to jump on trends
The popularity of a trend can quickly wane.
If you wait too long to recreate the trend, it may no longer be relevant or interesting to viewers.
By jumping on a trend early, you can also gain an advantage over your competition, as there will be fewer videos using that trend, which can increase the chances of their video standing out.
TikTok Tip 8: Stitch trending TikTok videos
Stitch on TikTok is like a magic wand that lets you blend another video into yours.
It's a great way to team up with other TikTok-ers, showcase user-generated content, and expand your reach.
To use it, you can either search for trending videos in your niche using keywords or look for videos that mention your brand.
Once you find a video that catches your eye, tap the Share icon and select Stitch. This will open an editing tool where you can select a five-second clip to add to your video and create a new video that is more engaging and interactive.
TikTok Tip 9: Get creative with the green screen effect
The green screen filter allows you to remain on screen while different images appear in the background, enhancing your storytelling by incorporating visual aids.
This can be particularly useful for explaining topics, providing recommendations, sharing your opinion, or any time when visuals can complement your story.
TikTok Tip 10: Show real humans in your content
The app's focus on its creators is a major selling point, and most popular videos on the platform feature real people.
TikTok's emphasis on creators, combined with its user-friendly editing features, makes it a platform where videos created by real people have the potential to go viral.
Incorporating real people in your TikTok content can help to build trust and credibility, foster deeper connections with the audience, bring a unique perspective and creativity to their content, and increase the chances of their message resonating with their audience.
Starbucks’ TikTok strategy relies heavily on the human factor. The brand leverages user-generated content (UGC) to amplify customer voices but also create a sense of community and engagement with their audience.
TikTok Tip 11: Engage with other accounts
An effective way to boost visibility and TikTok engagement is to actively engage with viral content yourself.
Users appreciate feeling acknowledged and valued, therefore they are more likely to return to your account for new content if you frequently communicate and interact with them.
TikTok users have reported that they are more likely to engage with brands who leave comments on other users' posts. Additionally, monitoring and responding to comments on your own videos is also crucial.
TikTok Tip 12: Team up with influencers
Using TikTok influencer marketing is becoming increasingly popular as it is often more relatable and engaging than traditional advertising.
By working with influencers who align with your brand message, it is more likely that the content will resonate with your target audience and go viral.
TikTok Tip 13: Use trending sounds
TikTok-ers should use trending songs because it can help increase the visibility and reach of their videos.
Trending songs often have a strong emotional connection with viewers and can help evoke a strong reaction to a video, which can lead to more views, likes, and shares.
Using a trending song in a creative way can also help a video stand out among the others using the same song, and increase the chances of going viral.
According to our recent TikTok study, the audio used in videos can affect their watch and engagement rate. The study found that using original sounds can lead to a slight decrease in the average watch and engagement rate.
To find out which sounds are currently viral, check TikTok's Creative Center which ranks the most popular music and audio clips daily. You can also filter the results by region, this can be useful if your audience is in a different location from yours.
TikTok Tip 14: Reply to comments with videos
TikTok is a playground for brands to connect with their audience, and the comment section is the perfect arena for this interaction.
In the past, creators could only respond to comments with text. But now, with video replies, they can offer a more dynamic and interactive experience that keeps viewers hooked and helps users create more content easily.
TikTok Tip 15: Add subtitles to your videos
Subtitles can help keep viewers engaged and focused on the video, especially if the video has a lot of dialogue or background noise.
But more importantly, subtitles can make your videos more searchable on TikTok. The platform can index the keywords in the subtitles, making it easier for people to discover your content.
TikTok made it easier to caption videos with the introduction of auto captions. You can still manually add captions for more customization options, but the Captions tool allows you to quickly generate subtitles with a single click.
TikTok Tip 16: Use straightforward CTAs
Sometimes, all it takes to boost engagement is to simply ask.
A well-thought call-to-action (CTA) can coax users into taking a specific step, such as becoming your TikTok follower, browsing your website, or leaving a comment.
Think about the move you want your viewers to make, and make sure it aligns with your overall objective.
You may also use your TikTok description and comments section to your advantage, by adding CTAs like asking questions, urging followers, or guiding users to your website or other social channels.
TikTok Tip 17: Measure your content performance
Measuring the performance of your TikTok content is essential for understanding your audience, identifying trends, optimizing your strategy, tracking your ROI, and benchmarking progress.
By analyzing metrics such as TikTok views, likes, and comments, you can gain insight into what types of content resonate with your audience, and what doesn't.
Additionally, measuring performance can help you identify trends in your audience's behavior, such as what types of content are more popular at certain times of the day or which themes or hashtags are particularly effective.
To perform a TikTok audit, social media managers may choose to use the platform’s own TikTok Analytics or a more advanced third party TikTok analytics tool.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, our TikTok tips got your creative juices flowing enough to let your content do the talking.
With the right mix of trending hashtags, relatable content, and a dash of quirkiness, you'll be well on your way to TikTok fame.
Remember, on TikTok, there's no limit to what you can achieve, so don't hold back! Grab your phone and let's make some viral TikTok magic happen!
