How to get more views and followers on TikTok: 7 actionable tips

TikTok offers a great platform for users and businesses to promote their content, but it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle to get noticed in the sea of content being uploaded every day. With that in mind, here are a few easy steps you can follow to optimize your content for TikTok so you can maximize your viewership and build your following.

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TikTok isn't social media

Historically, most social media users have been concerned with their follower count — TikTok is different. Since TikTok is a distribution/content network, not a social media network, its algorithm is focused more on content quality, engagement, and other similar metrics — not your number of followers.

So how do you get views and followers on TikTok? The key is understanding the TikTok algorithm.

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The TikTok algorithm

How the TikTok algorithm works:

The first step to TikTok fame is making sure you understand how your videos are shown to users. First and foremost, your videos have to receive a high number of view completions (view time), likes, comments, and shares.

TikTok starts by pushing your content out to a small audience of viewers. If your content does well with this initial test audience, then it will be shown to increasingly larger audiences.

The bottom line: If people aren't watching your videos, chances are they won't follow you. So if you want more followers on TikTok, start by creating videos that people will actually watch.

If you can make the viewer stay on the app, you will be rewarded with more viewers. So how exactly do you do this? It may seem like a tall order, but there are some basic tips and strategies that will increase the likelihood of your videos going viral.

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7 tips to get more views on TikTok

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Keep videos short

Remember the old saying “Brevity is the soul of wit?” Completion rate and view time matter. You need your video to be short enough that people will want to watch it, ideally somewhere between 15 and 30 seconds. If it's longer than 30 seconds, many people will lose interest in the video before it ends. On the other hand, if your video is too short (less than 15 seconds), you may not be able to get your message across. Some short videos do go viral, but they tend to be a funny moment or a very short skit.

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Optimize the first 3 seconds

According to Facebook video data, "65% of people who watch the first three seconds of a video will watch for at least ten seconds, and 45% continue watching for thirty seconds." This means your first three seconds are crucial in making sure people stick around for longer. If these initial seconds don’t grab the viewer’s attention, they will probably move on. Content needs to be exciting from the start if you want people to stay tuned in for longer than three seconds — make sure your first few words are compelling and engaging. Draw in viewers with a funny comment or a catchy statement that makes them eager to learn more.

What makes you want to keep watching?

A: There are many ways to start getting more views and followers on TikTok.

or

B: Here's my secret strategy to get more views and followers on TikTok.

When you find a hook that works, try turning it into a series with multiple parts! For example: "Things I didn't know I needed from Amazon part 27".

Need help brainstorming these hooks and cliffhangers for your video? Try out Copy.ai's Hook Generator Tool!

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Tell your story

Viewers want to feel like they know you on a more personal level. They want to see your personality and relate to your content. When you are passionate about what you share, viewers will respond to that.

On TikTok, you can use your own experiences and add a comedic twist or otherwise make it relatable to draw people in.

Be authentic, but keep your story engaging and interesting enough to hold your viewers' attention. Focus on the emotions, the senses, and the nuances to capture your viewers' imaginations.

For example, if you're an artist, share your journey from when you started making music until now. If you work in a restaurant, share some funny or interesting stories about your kitchen adventures.

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End with a call to action (CTA)

A call to action is a clear instruction that tells the viewer what to do next. It's the final step in engaging your audience, and it's an incredibly strong tool for boosting views and followers on TikTok.

End your videos with a strong CTA. If you want more view time, tell viewers to comment (commenting keeps the video playing while the viewer types their message). If you want more followers, tell viewers to follow you. Tell them to like the video so they can see more content from you in the future.

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Post more content

The key to making it big on TikTok is consistently posting a steady stream of content: after all, the more videos you have, the higher your chance of going viral. Test out different formats, and when you find one that works, try to recreate it.

If you're having trouble coming up with ideas for your next video, try browsing other TikTok users' profiles for inspiration. You can also check out popular hashtags as well as news and trends — these are all great ways to find the topics and trends that people are most interested in.

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Use trending songs and hashtags

Many of the most popular TikTok trends are promoted by the app itself to monetize partnerships with corporations and artists. Videos using trending songs and hashtags tend to get more reach.

Ride the wave of trending hashtags to boost your own viewership. Search for those hashtags to see what kinds of videos other TikTok users are making with those hashtags, and then use the same hashtag in your own video to help it get more views than usual.

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Invest in good lighting

When it comes to TikTok, video quality does matter to a certain extent. Viewers are more likely to keep watching a video if it’s visually pleasing.

You don't have to go out and buy professional equipment, but make sure your room has plenty of natural light, or use a lamp or two with soft lighting instead of harsh overhead lights.

At the very least, decent video quality will prevent people from swiping up on your video without even hearing what you have to say!

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Conclusion

Use these tips and tricks to get your foot in the door on TikTok — the algorithm is mysterious, but it’s not impossible to crack. Whether you’re looking to start your own business or just build your online presence, TikTok is a great place to start! With a little time and effort, you can grow your audience on TikTok and start seeing exciting results. It may take a little bit of experimentation, but keep these best practices in mind and you’ll be well on your way.

Get started with our free AI writing tools today!

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