If you're aiming for exponential growth on TikTok, there are some effective tips that can help you achieve that goal without overspending on your social media marketing budget. You don't have to move mountains to become a viral sensation on this social platform, but you need to follow some key strategies, keep experimenting, and most importantly, have a deep understanding of TikTok.
The TikTok algorithm plays a pivotal role in promoting content on this social media platform. It utilizes an intuitive system that displays relevant short videos based on each user's preferences on the "For You Page" (FYP).
To understand the TikTok algorithm better, you may want to explore our article: "Understanding The TikTok Algorithm: How it Works & How to Use it."
So, how can you leverage the algorithm to go viral? Here are some effective tips that can help you maximize your visibility on TikTok by working in harmony with the algorithm.
Tip 1: Immerse Yourself in TikTok's Content Communities:
Firstly, immerse yourself in the diverse content communities that exist within TikTok. These communities are essentially groups of users who create and engage with content around a specific theme or interest. By identifying and engaging with these communities, you can increase your chances of reaching a wider audience that's interested in the content you create.
To get started, research and explore various communities relevant to your niche or area of interest. Join these communities, engage with their content, and create content that's tailored to their interests. You can also collaborate with other creators within these communities to expand your reach and create a strong network of like-minded individuals.
By participating in these communities, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the kind of content that resonates with the users within these communities, which can help you create content that's more engaging and likely to go viral.
Tip 2: Utilize the 3-Second Rule:
On TikTok, the average length of a video is between 21 to 34 seconds, which caters to the short attention span of young audiences who prefer watching brief mobile videos multiple times a day. However, to increase your chances of going viral, you must consider an even shorter time frame than the video's length.
Our team of skilled paid ads specialists advises that you become familiar with the 3-second rule. What does it entail?
Once you post a video on TikTok, the algorithm displays it on users' "For You" pages for a brief period. This is done to determine whether your video is relevant and engaging to viewers. If it is, the platform will showcase it to a larger audience.
The algorithm measures two key metrics to determine engagement: watch time and completion rate. If your audience only watches a few seconds of your 30-second video before moving on to another one, the algorithm will mark your video as boring or irrelevant, and it won't promote it.
To prevent this, your video must captivate your audience right from the start. Those first 3 seconds are critical since TikTok offers a vast selection of video content, making it easy for viewers to scroll to the next video. You must create an instant impact to grab their attention and keep them engaged.
Tip 3: Focus on Keeping Your Content Entertaining:
What keeps users hooked on TikTok? The answer is simple: fun. Studies reveal that people come back to the platform because it boosts their mood. Our own findings indicate that Gen Zers mostly visit TikTok for entertainment and humor, with 87% saying that the platform is mainly for "Comedy & Humour".
Brands such as Chipotle and Ryanair have capitalized on this trend by creating comedic content that often pushes the envelope. The shock value of the laugh encourages users to re-watch the videos, leading to massive views in the millions and triggering the TikTok algorithm to make them go viral.
Another way to engage audiences is through edu-tainment. Tutorials of all kinds are popular on TikTok, and our research shows that one common reason Gen Z follows brands on the app is because they "teach me something new."
A third tactic is to surprise viewers. In a recent event, Fanbytes by Brainlabs' Head of Creative Strategy, Tom Sweeney, explained how Casio went viral on TikTok by subverting storytelling norms and starting in the "wrong" place. The video made a huge impact and drove an impressive £104 AOV when used as an ad.
To make your content go viral, aim for a compelling story that intrigues and captivates your audience, while keeping a lively pace. Encourage interaction to demonstrate to TikTok that your content is engaging, which can boost watch time and completion rate, leading to more promotion from the algorithm.
Tip 4: Leverage influencer collaborations:
Influencers are experts in creating engaging content that resonates with their followers. By collaborating with them, brands can leverage their expertise to reach a wider audience and achieve higher engagement rates. However, it's crucial to select influencers who align with your brand's values and target audience.
The first step is to identify influencers who are a good fit for your brand. This can be done by researching their content, engagement rates, and audience demographics. Partnering with influencers who closely align with your brand's offering can increase your chances of creating a viral video.
Working with influencers can also help to create authentic content that resonates with their followers. However, it's important to ensure that the partnership feels natural and doesn't come across as inauthentic. TikTok users can easily spot a brand-influencer mismatch and will call it out, potentially damaging the brand's reputation.
To avoid this, it's essential to do your research and carefully select the right influencer for your campaign. Using tools like ByteSights can help to identify the best influencers based on trends and data insights. With the right influencer collaboration, your brand can achieve unprecedented reach and engagement on TikTok.
Tip 5: Leverage TikTok Trends to Boost Your Content:
TikTok is the hub of internet trends, and taking advantage of these trends can be extremely beneficial for your brand. Trends provide an opportunity for your content to become a part of an unstoppable chain reaction, where awareness builds upon awareness.
There are two ways to approach TikTok trends as a marketer. First, you can jump onto existing trends, being aware of what's currently popular and which trends your audience is receptive to. Discovering trends should be easy if you've followed step one, and by putting your own spin on these trends, staying true to your brand message, you can use their momentum to your advantage. Sign up for our TikTok Trends Newsletter to stay informed about the latest trends.
Secondly, you can create trends yourself, taking inspiration from the top TikTok trends and figuring out how to create your unique trend to boost user-generated content and amplify your efforts. We collaborated with some of TikTok's most successful influencers to create a dance trend for Dua Lipa's new song, resulting in 15.3 million views and 58,000 fan videos. You can read more about this case study here.
Using trending sounds, particularly audio memes, can also help boost your reach. Trending hashtags and hashtag challenges can also provide a pathway to going viral, but only if you use the right ones. Check out our article on Viral TikTok Hashtags to learn more about using hashtags effectively to skyrocket your brand on TikTok.
Tip 6: Position Yourself as the Leading Figure in Your Niche on TikTok:
To achieve viral success on TikTok, it's crucial to carve out a unique identity for yourself within your chosen niche. While it's tempting to follow trends and replicate popular content, standing out from the crowd is key.
Rather than simply copying what others are doing, strive to put your own spin on popular topics and create original, valuable content that reflects your personal brand. For example, Sony Commercial Group successfully leveraged George Michael's "Careless Whisper" to create a fresh, new TikTok trend by enlisting macro influencers to put their own spin on the meme using the official song.
To establish yourself as a standout figure in your niche, you need to find a unique selling proposition (USP) that sets you apart from others. This could be a product, a particular song, a special skill, or a unique viewpoint. By creating a series of TikTok videos or a playlist that showcases your USP, you'll keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
For further details on how Sony Commercial Group executed their successful campaign, check out their case study.
Tip 7: Optimize Your Discoverability on TikTok Search:
TikTok has been evolving to become a search engine, earning it the moniker "the new Google." It's quickly becoming the go-to platform for Gen Zers seeking information. Although TikTok Search functions differently from Google search, it offers unique and exciting ways for Gen Zers to find and engage with content.
For instance, if you're looking for conversations about "Vegan Beauty," typing the phrase into Google will generate a list of products and specific results. On the other hand, searching for the same topic on TikTok will provide discussions and conversations around it.
As TikTok Search continues to develop, TikTok Search Engine Optimization (SEO) will become increasingly important for creators looking to increase their visibility. Our article on TikTok SEO: How to Get Discovered on TikTok provides valuable insights on how to achieve this.
Hashtags can also help improve your TikTok SEO while signalling the algorithm where to distribute your content. Check out our article on the Best Hashtags for TikTok: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for a shortcut.
Tip 8: Boost Engagement, Especially in the Comments Section:
The comments section on TikTok is a powerful tool for creators and brands alike. Globally, 77% of TikTok users read the comments on posts and videos, making it an essential area for developing search engine capabilities and going viral.
Engaging with users by leaving comments can significantly enhance your brand's visibility and the TikTok algorithm's reward. Responding to user comments on your videos can also encourage user-generated content (UGC) and inspire more creative content, keeping engaged users coming back for more.
TikTok influencers are excellent examples of how to interact with users by responding to comments with new videos, which helps them stay connected with their audience and create more content that resonates with their fans. Brands can also adopt this approach to keep their viewers wanting more, and increase the chances of triggering the TikTok algorithm to send their content viral.
By using the comments section to connect with users, brands can keep their audience engaged and inspire them to seek out their content, ultimately boosting their visibility and driving more engagement.
Getting viral on TikTok is just the beginning of building your brand on the platform.
To truly establish your presence, it’s crucial to understand your audience, both content communities and your own followers. Attracting users to follow your brand is one thing, but establishing a genuine connection with them is key to creating viral videos that lead to long-term brand loyalty.
The beauty of TikTok is that its algorithm recognizes the value of nurturing your follower community, making it a rewarding approach to achieving widespread viral success. So, keep in mind that going viral is just a small part of the bigger picture of building your brand on TikTok.
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