If you're serious about growing your brand or business, you can no longer sleep on TikTok. Everyone wants to blow up; however, getting seen takes far more than simply being lucky or posting whatever you feel is right. The true obstacle lies in creating posts that omit shout-outs, raise awareness, grab attention, and keep viewers coming back for more.
In this guide, We will decode the nonsense and break down the true
steps you need to know. You will learn how to post with clarity and purpose,
build a real following, and build a community with a brand that will be there
for real - and not guesswork.
Laying The
Groundwork For TikTok Growth
Before you jump right into chasing trends or hacks, think about what you are going to do and for whom you're doing it (the person you want to reach). Establishing a foundation before gaining momentum will level out the peaks and valleys in trends and prevent creator burnout.
The creators on TikTok who stand the test of time are the ones who
stick to their purpose, find a niche, and stick to it. Consistency in a niche,
style, or message allows your feeds to stay focused and helps viewers hone in
on what you, as a creator, are about and what you stand for. When trust is
built on a certain type of content, growth not only occurs faster but is also
longer-lasting.
Pick Your Angle And Stick To It
When you're starting, odds are you're going to want to post about all the things you love or what is blowing up right you really into productivity? When you create content, don't forget to share your early processes, resources you use to save time (hacks), or a before-and-after of your workspace makeovers.
Having clear angles allows your audience to determine if they are in
the right place in a much faster time frame. They can see what they should
expect when they see your video pop up, which is a nice bonus. Put up your flag
on the turf that you know well, and build your persona off of that.
Know Your People: Audience Insights
It is great to have the desire to post each day. However, if you are
not a good listener, you are wasting your time. In order to grow, build on what
your audience liked and change what they didn't like along the way. TikTok has
some of the best analytics tools; don't overlook it.
To make better decisions around your content:
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Check your analytics each week! Look at the
content that received likes, comments, shares, and re-watches.
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Explore the videos they watched the longest. If
your audience dropped off halfway through your video, take note of what you
changed.
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Go through your comments and DM's. Sometimes,
your audience will provide you with direct feedback, and other times, it will
be in the form of a question or a request.
●
Conduct some small experiments. Get creative with
experimenting by trying out different formats, different times, and different
ideas, and see how things shift.
● Always ask for it. You can poll in your Stories or ask a direct question in your post caption, giving your followers a voice.
Many people overthink their analytics and allow it to stress them out.
By doing this, you are looking for patterns to respond to, all the while
remaining true to your angle.
Set A Posting Routine You Can Keep
Having one viral post is great; however, if growth is what you are
after, consistency is key. Having a posting routine allows you to consistently
get in front of your audience and build habits with them.
Here are some strategies to find your best posting rhythm:
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Small steps. Commit to 2-3 times a week if every
day is too overwhelming to start.
●
Batch filming is a time saver. Designate a few
hours to film multiple videos at once.
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Plan a rough calendar. Write down topic ideas so
you are not RUSHING at the last minute.
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Mix formats where you are able to repeat. Series,
challenges, or themes allow you to avoid reinventing the wheel every time.
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Be realistic. Only commit to what you can
sustain, even on a busy week.
●
Consistent uploads train followers to look for
you and help TikTok give credence to your account. Steady is better than
perfect; keep showing up in your lane!
Content That
Grabs And Keeps Attention
On TikTok, you don't want just attention for a few seconds. You want
people, most of all, to stick around to watch again and share your content as
well. It starts with posting content that feels authentically made for TikTok
and your audience. Next, we'll emphasize the importance of good hooks, posting
in a TikTok way, leaning into trends with your own flavor, and creating
authentic engagement. Here's a summary of how to make content that stands out
in crowded feeds and creates followers who are interested in you, not simply
what you made most recently.
Hook Viewers In The First Few Seconds
Those first 3 seconds are everything; they are what causes someone to swipe away or keep watching. And you're limited on time here, so be crystal clear and make your opening so punchy your viewer has no other choice but to stay. Here are a few solid ways to captivate your audience from the get-go:
●
Bold on-screen
text: Spell out your big question, share a shocking fact, and give a hint
about what's to come. "Watch till the end for…" or "You won't
believe..." are ways to hold attention if you can back it up.
●
Relatable
moments: Reflect something people can easily relate to from their own lives—a
silly little screw-up, a morning struggle, or a universal annoyance. Quick,
real, and direct holds attention.
● Eye-catching visuals: Start with bright colors, dramatic zoom-ins, or some other unexpected visual change. Do not start with a long intro. Get right to the heavy-hitting moment or punch line.
Turn First Impressions Into Loyal Audiences
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Wrap your video with a quick call-to-action like
"Follow for more tips!" or "More content like this
tomorrow!"
●
And deliver on that, fast. TikTok followers stick
around when your content is tight, straightforward, and consistent.
●
Express some personality right away. People do
not just follow content. They follow people they have a connection with. The
more you can be yourself and real in the first few seconds, the more likely you
are to get
TikTok followers that stick around long-term.
Making videos with great hooks and a good takeaway allows you to break through and start developing an audience that is coming back for more.
Create For TikTok, Not Just Any
Platform
TikTok video content is fast-paced, and your editing style needs to match. This is not a place where you will want to have a super-long intro or stage obvious scenes that they may have copied from YouTube or Instagram. TikTok content is meant to feel raw but should also be sharp. You can edit out the bland bits, but keep your focus on what connects with the audience on TikTok:
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Jump cuts: Cut out all the
pauses, swaying, boring and any moments that don't keep the story moving.
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Casual talk: Look into the
camera as if you are talking to a friend.
●
On-screen text
and captions: Put context on either summary points or mostly standout moments.
Audiences on TikTok expect small, fast, and easy-to-read bits of information.
● Light-hearted humor: Spread or use hilarity by using trends, memes, and your personality. TikTok users want to see quirks or mistakes, not perfection.
It is also very easy to fall into the trap of reposting previously
created content made for other platforms on TikTok. Don't! Your posts should
look and feel like TikTok. If you approach your videos this way, you'll attract
a following that believes in your aesthetic, not only in what has been done in
the past.
Lean Into Trends—But Make Them Yours
While a lot of TikTok growth is built on trends, plagiarizing things gets you nowhere. Trends should be used as a launch pad, then add your twist to it so it is fresh and you. This is how you gain followers who tap into the support of your work.
●
You can either
use the trend or end up at the punchline: Use a trending
sound or hashtag, and then craft your scenario to fit your life.
●
You can mix in
point of view: If everyone is completing the challenge a specific way, do it the
other way. Show how you messed up or would change.
● You can mix trends with your niche: If you run a finance account, dance the trend but hold up a sign saying money tips. If you do food, do the trending audio for a taste test or quick recipe review.
When you take something someone else did and update it to who you are,
people are left with you, not the meme. This is what holds you as a long-term
follower as opposed to merely going viral for a moment.
Encourage Comments And Shares
Live views are great, but the sooner your viewers comment, share, and engage with your videos, the more people see them! Encourage your viewers to engage by physically pointing out when they do, and make it enjoyable! Fast strategies to trigger genuine engagement:
●
Ask fast
questions: Finish your video with a "Which would you pick?" or
"Tag someone who partners you need this."
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Create polls in
your captions: Give your viewers the prompt of "Drop an if you agree, or tell
me your favorite in the comments."
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Reply to comments
in your next video: People love to see their names or thoughts reposted; it shows that
you listen to and appreciate their comments.
● Start challenges: If you are doing something hilarious or impressive, why not give viewers the option to do it and tag you back?
Your viewers should feel like a community, not just a number in front
of your face. When your content generates comments and is reshared, TikTok will
notice, as will newer viewers looking for a series.
Turning Followers
Into A Loyal Community
Having thousands of followers looks good on your screen, but the real TikTok success comes from not only having an audience but also having an audience who will stick around and care about the information that you share. The key to fostering that community is what will turn whoever is watching into a superfan who will support your journey, engage with your posts, and keep showing up for every video you create. You want viewers who are feeling a fondness, not just numbers.
Here are ideas to get your followers involved in the bigger picture
rather than being bystanders.
Reply Like A Real Person
When someone drops a comment or sends you a DM, that is your
opportunity to build rapport with a quick reply. There's no need to hide behind
standard replies or ignore people. If someone spends time to talk to you, talk
back as if you were talking to a friend. Use people's names if you can. Use
shared jokes or reference past comments. Your replies should feel like you were
sitting in the same room.
Here are some ways to show you care:
●
Respond to real
questions: Respond with honest, specific answers, and don't just respond with
"thanks."
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Utilize voice
notes or video responses: If you are comfortable using these, this will
elevate the interaction and provide a more personal experience.
●
Show some
excitement: Include a crying with laughter
emoji or "lol" so people can have a sense you're a human!
●
Acknowledge
first-timers and loyal commenters: Acknowledge new faces and give a quick
shout-out to people who comment regularly.
● Answer DMs with enthusiasm: While you won't respond to everyone who DMs you, responding to a handful with authentic responses strengthens the bond.
People remember creators who make them feel seen and heard. These
responses provide new followers with an indication they are valued. The more
your followers feel valued, the more likely they will remain loyal and engaged.
Make New Followers Feel Instantly
Included
Your TikTok followers should not feel like a number; they should feel a part of something special immediately. When someone new hits follow, you have your chance to get them into the core of your community. Don't allow your new followers to quietly fade in; rather, create moments for your new followers to join in; whether it be through interactive videos, welcome shout-outs, or a simple "get to know me post," every piece of content should help your new TikTok followers feel seen, heard, and appreciated here are very basic strategies to include and engage them right from the start:
●
Make posts purposely to answer almost always
asked follower questions or comments.
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Do a "New Here?" Q&A in your
stories or pinned videos for new TikTok followers.
● Tagging them to say where they are from or what they want to see more of.
When new followers feel part of the discussion from the beginning,
their chances of sticking around, engaging often, and progressing from passive
viewers to loyal followers of your TikTok community are far greater.
Show Behind-The-Scenes And Daily Life
We often only want to share the shiny highlights. However, authentic
content makes you realistic. Finally, allow your audience behind the curtain by
sharing even the mundane aspects of your life. Yes, they can feel boring to
you, but they are all part of the story. Those details do build trust, and they
open a door for your audience to recognize and connect with the person behind
the profile.
Where you could consider sharing more than just finished products:
●
Morning routine, or ways you prepare for a shoot
● Little anecdotes surrounding things that didn't go right, or some days that you weren't successful
A few short clips of your petsWhen you have a good mix of highly
curated posts alongside rich everyday moments on your feed, people feel it's
real and start to root for you.
Celebrate Your Followers' Wins
True community is built on give and take. If someone calls you out,
offers you constructive criticism, or you see they followed your guidance and
won big, put them in the spotlight. You are letting the world know you
recognize you have seen and appreciate your followers.
There are easy but no less meaningful methods to recognize your followers and include them in your community:
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Share follower
content: There are loads of ways to reshare fan art posts, reactions, or
TikTok showing that people have followed your challenge or made your recipe.
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Celebrate
milestones : when a follower achieves their milestone using your support, tag them
or repost it.
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Pin top comments: allow the
funniest or most useful comments to mark a day in the spotlight.
●
Ask for feedback
and repost results: if you run a poll on social media, write about what people said and
tag them.
● Run simple shout-out contests: maybe Follower of the Week or roll call for birthday shout-outs and wins.
When people see you recognizing the community instead of only recognizing yourself, you completely turn your account from a one-way show into a space for everyone to shine. This recognition will keep people returning for more and waste the time of your entire audience, as they invest in your experience.
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