TIKTOK: THE BASICS
TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, with millions of users creating and sharing content every day. But what's the secret to success on the platform? Contrary to popular belief, achieving virality on TikTok is not just about having a huge following. Rather, it's all about creating the right kind of content and understanding the platform's algorithm.
Post Consistently
Posting at least three times a week on TikTok is considered a best practice, and you should start noticing improvements in your metrics after two weeks of consistently maintaining this posting frequency. This is because the more often you post, the more chances you have of getting your content in front of your target audience.
Produce Longer Videos
TikTok videos that are longer, specifically those that run for 42 seconds or more, tend to receive higher views and engagement rates. So, try creating longer videos to keep your audience engaged for a longer period of time.
Optimise Your Posting Time
The optimal time to post on TikTok is typically at 8 PM, except on Saturdays, when you should aim for 6 PM. Furthermore, Fridays are said to be the day when you're most likely to receive the highest number of views. So, try to schedule your posts accordingly.
Prioritise the For You Page
It may seem like common knowledge, but it's worth noting that 75% of the views on your TikTok videos will come from the For You page, rather than from your followers. In other words, creating content that resonates with the wider TikTok community is critical for expanding your reach on the platform.
Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags aren’t the most crucial aspect of driving traffic to your TikTok videos, however they can still be helpful. Using two to three relevant hashtags in your captions can help categorize your content and increase its visibility. However, it's important to note that the TikTok algorithm prioritizes on-screen text or subtitles when categorizing your content. Therefore, it's essential to include accurate on-screen text or subtitles to optimize your video's potential reach on the platform.
Edit in CapCut or Record Directly in TikTok
If you want to give your TikTok videos a natural boost in the algorithm, it's recommended to either edit them in CapCut or record them directly within TikTok. This is because these apps are more likely to be favored by the TikTok algorithm.
Be a Good "Citizen" of the Platform
To improve your standing with the TikTok algorithm, it's crucial to be a good "citizen" of the platform. This means engaging regularly with other users' content, which can help prioritize your profile and increase your visibility to other TikTok users.
Analyze Your SEO
To gain insight into how TikTok categorises your videos for SEO purposes, you can visit your TikTok page and scroll through your content. Take note of the keywords that appear in the search bar as you scroll, as these are indicators of how TikTok categorises your content. If you see the phrase "find related content" or nothing appears, it may suggest that TikTok was unable to categorize your video.
Achieving virality on TikTok is not just about having a large number of followers, but rather about creating engaging content that resonates with the wider TikTok community. Posting consistently, using accurate on-screen text, and engaging with other users are all key factors in boosting your visibility on the platform.
