#1 Define your target audience You could say this is more of a pre-step since it needs to be done before you start creating content. But we will mark it as Step 1 anyway.
If you don’t know WHO you are trying to reach, you can’t figure out HOW to reach them.
TikTok is all about creating content that resonates with your audience. But how do you figure out who your target audience is in the first place?
Unapologetically Be You: What kind of content do YOU enjoy creating? What could you talk about every day and not be bored with it? Who would enjoy viewing that content? Are they young or old? Male, female, or nonbinary? Interested in reviews, beauty, travel, home decor, fashion, music, or comedy? Watch The Trends: You can also use the platform's built-in search functions to see which videos and hashtags are trending. By understanding what users are already watching and sharing, you can better tailor your own content to appeal to them. So get out there and start exploring/figuring out your target audience on TikTok is key to success on the platform.Look To The TikTok Gods: Start by taking a look at the influencers and creators who are already successful on the platform who talk about things you’re interested in. What kind of content do they produce? What topics do they focus on? What tone of voice do they use? This will give you a good idea of what type of content is likely to be popular with TikTok users. Unapologetically Be You + Watch The Trends + Look To The Gods = Your Niche Finding a niche can be pretty straightforward when you think about it like this: You want to align your profile with a category you enjoy, are knowledgeable in and that has solid viewership.
Maybe you’re a mommy blogger and want to reach other moms on the app. Maybe you just went into college and want to help other incoming freshmen through the struggles of university life.
Once you know who your target audience is, you can start creating content that appeals to them.
#2 Optimize your bio We all know the saying, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." And it's true - first impressions can be incredibly influential.
Think about influencers and creators on social media. They have built their careers on the idea of creating a strong first impression. And it works - people are drawn to those who make a strong first impression.
In our everyday lives, we all encounter opportunities to make a positive first impression. Whether it's a job interview, a blind date, or simply meeting someone new, taking the time to make a good first impression can pay off in big ways, especially on TikTok.
Your bio is likely the first introduction your audience will have to your brand. Yes, new followers will probably find you scrolling through their "for you" page, but once your content sparks their interest, they will most likely click on your page and read your bio to learn more.
Keep your profile friendly and descriptive. Use an eye-catching and welcoming profile picture. Describe who you are or what kind of content you make in a brief bio.
It's also a great idea to include links to other relevant platforms or pages you are part of. Link to your IG (free followers, anyone? ), YouTube, Amazon affiliate page, or personal blog.
If you have too much to link, you can always make a linktree with all of your things in one place.
#3 Post, a lot If you're hoping to become a TikTok influencer, you'll need to post regularly. That's because the algorithm favors creators who are active on the app.
In other words, if you want your videos to be seen by more people, you need to post often. Of course, that doesn't mean that you should spam your followers with an endless stream of pointless content. Instead, focus on quality over quantity.
At a minimum, you need to be posting daily, although three times a day is the true minimum recommendation
If your goal is massive growth, then you need to be posting 4-8 times a day.
Pick a range you can stick with and start posting that content. You want to optimize your chances of being pushed by the algorithm.
Post interesting videos that will engage your audience and encourage them to follow you. With a little effort, you can quickly grow your TikTok following simply by posting great content on a regular basis.
#4 Add variety to your posts No one likes the same food all day, every day. Well, the same goes for your content.
TikTok is a great way to show off your creative side. But if you're not careful, your posts can start to look a bit same-y. To keep things interesting, mix up the content of your posts, the topics you cover, and the TikTok trends you follow. You can also experiment with different filming styles, editing techniques, and music choices.
Your audience likes variety (within your niche). If you are a fitness guru focusing on nutrition, maybe throw in the occasional workout idea or day in your life.
Figure out niche-specific ways to give your audience something new and exciting to engage with. And don't be afraid to be personal - TikTok is a great platform for showing off your personality. So have fun, be yourself, and mix things up to keep your TikTok followers engaged.
The next few tips will give you some ideas on how to spice up your content.
#5 Use trends TikTok is huge on trends and trending sounds.
You may have seen things like the tortilla challenge or the corn kid song remix (if you haven’t listened yet, you need to, you really do). Trends are constantly being made and changing, so find some niche-appropriate, relevant ones!
Whatever trend you’re obsessed with, jump on that bandwagon and get creating.
#6 Don’t be afraid to be original You might think it's odd to put a tip having to do with originality directly after encouraging trends, but we like to keep it honest. You need both.
Trends are a great way to get discovered, no doubt. But you also want to include original content or at least original twists in your TikTok.
TikTok is all about being creative and original. Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with your content. Some of the best TikToks are the ones that are unexpected. So go out there and be yourself! TikTok is the perfect platform to showcase your unique personality. And who knows? You might just become the next big TikTok star.
Maybe you have been ONLY posting trending content for a hot second. Try mixing it up and uploading one of your original content ideas.
If that feels like too much, you can always start by putting your own twist on a trending concept. So don't hold back – go out there and make something amazing.
#7 Go Live Connection, connection, connection. When actively growing your audience on social media, you have to connect with your community. TikTok is no different.
Try going live with your audience a couple of times a week. Try to have your lives on a consistent schedule so that your community knows when to join you.
It is important to note that you can’t go live until you have at least 1,000 followers. If you are not there yet, master our other tips first.
Once you can go live, it's a great way to connect with your audience and position yourself to be found by new followers.
#8 Try making a video series One of the best ways to use TikTok to build an audience for your brand or business is by creating a video series. TikTok series are usually around 10 episodes long, and each episode is around 60 seconds.
They can be funny, educational, or just entertaining. Plus, they're a great way to get your TikTok followers engaged with your brand.
Maybe you love cooking. You could release a weekly series of "what I eat in a day."
If you are a travel channel, make a series along the lines of "top places I have visited."
Whatever your niche may be, think of a way to make a weekly (or even daily) video release.
It could be as simple as you ranting weekly about all the things that have annoyed you lately.
Get creative! So if you're looking for a new way to reach your target audience, try making a TikTok series to get your audience hooked.
#9 Connect with other creators and collab You should actively seek out other successful creators in your niche to learn from and collaborate with!
Search through relevant hashtags to find other people with similar audiences to yours. Reach out to them and start building a supportive network of like-minded creators. Once you have your network, think of who could mutually benefit from a collab!
When you make TikToks with other creators in your niche, you both get exposure to the other person's audience. Win, win.
#10 Cross promote If you’re active on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook, promote your TikToks there.
It is a great way to reach a wider audience and grow your presence.
Always post your latest TikTok in your IG stories and direct your community to follow you on TikTok.
Any audience you already have outside of TikTok can become a part of your TikTok community! Take advantage of that.
#11 Don’t sleep on CTA’s CTAs (Calls to Action) are an excellent way to get more engagement. Whether it be more likes, more comments, or more follows. Directly asking your audience to interact with you simply works.
There isn’t one right way to do a CTA, but try to make it flow seamlessly.
If you’re sharing a story time, maybe ask your audience to like and comment on any similar experiences they have had. Or you could leave room at the end of your video for stitches (where other creators use a part of your video to prompt their own).
However you want to do it, do it. Prompting engagement works.
One caveat, it does need to be a genuine CTA. If you are posting a random video of yourself and then including a totally unrelated call to action, your audience will know it’s not genuine.
Keep it all real.
#12 Post at the right time Now, you can Google "best time to post on TikTok" and you will get a variety of answers. BUT bottom line is, that the best time to post on TikTok is whenever you get the most engagement.
If you are starting out and don’t have analytics to use, think about when your audience is most likely to be scrolling.
If you are a college student, maybe it's between classes. If you are a parent, probably after the babies are asleep.
Once you have been on the app for a bit, check your metrics. What videos did the best? At what times did you post them? Try experimenting with those times and tweaking as needed!
Conclusion At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we want to close by saying, we know growth can feel really overwhelming and elusive, but if it were impossible, no one would be thriving on TikTok.
The market is massive, and it's continuing to expand as more and more people become daily users of the app.
We know for a fact that with dedication and creativity, you are totally capable of growing your audience!
We're cheering you on!
And if you are looking for more in-depth knowledge about the algorithm and how to make it on TikTok, be sure to download our ebook How To Go Viral on TikTok and Earn Exponential Growth: Fall 2022 Edition.
Get your copy here!
