Coming up with content that will make people hit the “follow” button is no easy feat. And even when you make a video you’re particularly proud of, who’s to say whether your target audience will enjoy what you put out?
Worry not, as we’re about to share a few simple tips and tricks that will help you boost your following in no time!
A Few Thoughts Before We Begin
If your goal is to bring in enough followers to become a full-time content creator, then you’re probably hoping to make TikTok your main source of income. But, it’s important to note that, while this type of work can bring you a lot of money, it’s still a lot different than any other nine-to-five job.
First of all, you’ll need to come to terms with the fact that you’re almost always on the clock. Coming up with ideas for content, filming, editing, answering comments, and everything else that comes with content creation can be incredibly exhausting, so make sure you’re prepared.
Second, you need to take the time to figure out which niche is right for you. Since you’re going to spend so much time working on your content, you should make sure you’re focusing on something you enjoy.
Keep in mind that choosing a niche purely because it’s popular at the moment isn’t a great idea. Let’s take true crime as an example. It continues to take social media by storm, and research shows that more than half of Americans enjoy true-crime-inspired content. Ultimately, if you love reading gory details and share a fascination for this type of content, or you like to nitpick and play investigator, this may be just the niche for you.
All in all, taking the time to figure out what type of videos you want to make should be your main priority.
Now, let’s move onto our tips!
#1. Learn About Your Audience
As a TikTok content creator, it is pivotal that you get to know your viewers. Ultimately, they are your target audience, and you need to appeal to their taste.
Essentially, there are two ways to go about this. For starters, you should check out your comments to see what people like or dislike about your videos. Next, read comments on other creators’ TikToks in a similar niche to yours, as this can help you grow your view count. Keep reading to find out how.
Reviewing Comments on Your TikTok Videos
When reading comments on your own videos, make sure you check out both the positive and negative feedback. We say this because it can be pretty difficult to read other people’s critiques. However, you can really get a good picture of what your audience is looking for by reading what they don’t like about your content.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean you should change your content entirely, especially if it’s something you’re passionate about. Instead, grab a pen and paper and write down the good and the bad.
For the most part, you shouldn’t expect to receive criticism on the niche you chose. Typically, people will dislike the quality of the videos, or the fact that they have multiple parts. Also, they might tell you that you need to do more research for your videos. This will all be helpful input that you can use to your advantage.
Analyzing the Comments on Another Creator’s TikToks
We imagine that you’ll find reading comments on another creator’s videos less stressful than going through the ones on your TikTok. For this, you need to find TikTokers that have a large following and make content similar to yours.
Again, it’s essential to analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly, and use this feedback when you’re creating your next TikTok. Creators with big accounts have a lot of followers, which also means they receive more comments than smaller accounts. And given that good feedback is gold, go ahead and use some of it (for free!) so you can make the best possible content for your (target) audience.
All in all, if you’re hoping to bring in more followers, keeping up with the comments is a must.
#2. Get Your Content on the FYP
The FYP is your ticket to success, but not every video makes the cut. In order to ensure your ticket onto the FYP, your best bet is to keep your videos short. Yes, it’s true that TikTok allows creators to upload videos up to 10 minutes long, but posting shorter content can help you get on the FYP.
Basically, it all comes down to keeping your audience engaged throughout the entirety of your video. The TikTok algorithm analyzes whether users are watching your videos all the way through. With that in mind, we expect that most people can watch an entire 20-second video. But, the same cannot be said for longer content.
Furthermore, a user can search for a video related to your niche, and come upon your content. If they aren’t immediately intrigued by your TikTok, there’s a good chance they will scroll away. While this does count as a view, the algorithm will log that the user only watched a few seconds of the video. The more times this happens, the less chance you have of getting on the FYP.
Your best option is to stick to videos that are 20‒30 seconds long. But, more importantly, use the first three seconds to hook your audience. Your goal is to both give your viewers an idea of what your video is about and get them interested in checking out your other content.
#3. Interact With Your Viewers
Most new creators aren’t aware that TikTok keeps track of basically all of their activity on the platform. This also includes interacting with your viewers. That’s why we recommend the following:
- Take time to answer your viewer’s questions
- Make duets with other creators
- Collaborate with content creators in your niche
- Live stream
For starters, answering your viewer’s questions will not only get you points for interaction but will also show people that you’re approachable. Bear in mind that viewers like to be acknowledged by content creators, so use that to your advantage.
As for making duets and collaborating with other creators, these strategies can help you bring in new viewers. The idea is to get more people to see your content, as this will give you the best possible chance to grow your following.
Finally,live streaming is a great way to interact with a lot of people at once. What’s more, it can help you create a real connection with your audience. As for the topic of discussion, it’s completely up to you. Some creators use their live streams to talk about their personal lives. Others will encourage viewers to ask questions, so the creator can answer them in real time.
#4. Use Trending Sounds
TikTok trending sounds change from one week to the next, which is why it’s crucial to keep up with the trends. In order to do so, it’s easiest to use your FYP to see what’s hot and happening on TikTok. While there, you’ll be able to view which sounds are popular at the moment.
Then, you can immediately add it to your video in order to make it more discoverable. Simply tap the create button (+) and go to add sound. You can also lower the volume of the audio if necessary. Regardless of whether or not people can hear the audio you’ve added, sometimes TikTok’s algorithm will place your video on the FYP simply because you added a trending sound to it.
#5. Add Relevant Hashtags
Apart from following top trends, you need to use the right hashtags. Specifically, you can use hashtags as a way of categorizing your content. For instance, if you’re a creator that makes get-ready-with-me videos, you can use #GRWM, #grwmroutine, #morninggrwm, and #letsgetdressed.
However, if you’re not sure which hashtags are best for your type of content, enter a keyword that’s relevant to your niche into the search bar. Once the page loads, look for the following options: Top, Videos, Users, Sounds, Live, and Hashtags. Click on Hashtags to see popular or relevant ones for the keyword you’ve entered. Also, try to avoid generic hashtags such as #FYP and #ForYou, as they’re overused and thus won’t help boost your engagement considerably.
#6. Try Out New Challenges
There are more challenges on TikTok than you can imagine! Yes, this can make it quite difficult to decide which ones to choose, but try to find ones that are popular at the moment by browsing your FYP.
We recommend trying the In 2023, I will… challenge, as it is still trending right now, and so is the learn something new challenge. Most importantly, these types of challenges fall into the category of motivational content, so they’ll stay relevant for longer.
In 2023 I Will…Challenge
The idea behind this simple challenge is to make a TikTok about your aspirations for 2023. What makes it so easy is that your video can be about anything from learning a new language to reading more books or traveling to a foreign country.
Equally important, you could end up inspiring people with your ideas! If this happens, they’ll likely want to start following your account.
Learn Something New Challenge
Sometimes, mindlessly scrolling through TikTok is the best way to get our minds off work and everyday problems. However, there’s no harm in learning something new while we’re at it, which is why this challenge is so great! Not only will you learn a new skill, but by sharing your newfound knowledge with your viewers, you’re bound to get them interested in your content.
Also, if you need some inspiration, check out what other creators are posting on their accounts.
Create Your Own Challenge
Of course, if you really want to step up your game, try making up your own challenge. This could end up being a fun experience, and it will get more eyes on your content, especially if it goes viral!
You can create a challenge where people show off their pets, e.g., encourage your audience to film them doing some tricks. You can call this the “my pet can do this” or “talented animals” challenge.
After all, you can come up with dancing, singing, or lip-syncing challenges, as they are ever-trending and also rather easy to make.
#7. Determine a Posting Schedule
For the most part, people like creators who share their posting schedule. Regardless of how often you put out content, the key to growing your following is consistency.
Equally important, you should pick a good time to post. Obviously, your goal is to catch your viewers while they’re awake, but when is that? If you switch to a TikTok Pro account, you can find that out pretty easily.
Essentially, this is a free upgrade that will give you access to TikTok Analytics, such as profile metrics and data insights that regular TikTok users can’t see. Simply put, you can use these tools to keep track of how your videos perform.
Furthermore, you can get insight into your follower data, such as their age, gender, and location, which can help you determine what type of content they like. Additionally, since you can see where most of your followers are located, it will be easier to establish your posting schedule.
Overall, by posting at times when most of your followers are online, there is a better chance that they will see your content as soon as it’s uploaded. Best of all, getting a TikTok Pro account is completely free, so there’s no harm in giving it a try.
#8. Use Quality Equipment to Create Eye-Catching Videos
Another important part of increasing your follower base involves using the right equipment, so consider investing in a quality phone if you’re serious about content creation. For reference, you will need one that records using a minimum of 1080p for 30 frames per second.
If this is something you’re ready to do, here are some of the most recommended phones currently available on the market:
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
However, if you’re on a tight budget, consider these models:
- Realme C35
- XIAOMI Redmi A1+
Additionally, if you are gunning for a professional setup, consider investing in a microphone, a ring light kit, and a tripod stand. These tools will easily improve the lighting, reduce ugly shadows, improve your sound, and hence give your TikTok videos a more professional edge.
#9. Have Faith in Your Content
If there’s one thing you need to remember, it’s that every TikTok creator has a video that doesn’t immediately do well. Yes, this even goes for larger creators such as Charlie D’Amelio and Bella Poarch. But just because you post something that doesn’t get thousands of likes within the next few hours doesn’t mean you should delete it.
In fact, it’s quite common for a video that was posted a couple of weeks ago to suddenly go viral. Who knows, perhaps you posted something that is yet to become trending? Then, once it hits the FYP, people could end up liking, sharing, reposting, and even dueting your video! And, the more people end up seeing your content, the greater the chance they’ll hit the “follow” button.
Additionally, we always encourage creators to only use tactics that go with the natural flow of their content. Stick to suggestions that are easy to apply to your niche. Last but certainly not least, the best way to increase your follower base is to stay true to your calling and believe in the content you’re creating. And remember, with each video you make, your ability to connect with your viewers will inevitably increase, which makes the journey worthwhile!
