TikTok is a platform where growth can occur overnight. If you’re trying to make an account to promote your brand, it can be a powerful tool if you know how to use it. The challenge is that many people make a TikTok account, don’t achieve success, and then give up.
TikTok can take a while for you to grow, but there are some proven ways to increase your chances. Let’s look at proven ways to grow engagement on your account and see better results.
Create Quality Content
The first step is to create high-quality content. We can’t tell you precisely what to make because it will differ from account to account. But there are a few rules. You should have clear video and audio. You should invest in a ring light and make sure your camera lens isn’t dirty. You want content that will capture an audience’s attention from beginning to end and make them want to engage with your content.
You can turn to your competitors for inspiration or look at large brand accounts. How do they make great content? Can you create content that is within your style? Doing this can ensure that your account grows.
Quality is always the name of the game on every social media site. If your content is good, then people will like it. You do need to give people a reason to follow you. You can’t just ask for people to follow and then deliver nothing in return.
TikTok is not a platform where you need amazing video or audio skills to grow. In fact, sometimes you can do simple things to gain traction. It’s a platform where most content is filmed vertically off people’s phones. And once again, we can’t tell you what content you should create, but we have a few hits, such as:
Educational Content
Creating content that can educate your audience and tell them something they didn’t know is one way you can grow. This content can often target the users’ pain points and point out how your product or service can help. Another genre that people love is the tutorial video. If your product requires a bit of knowledge, explaining how to use it in a fun and educational way will guarantee that people love it.
Meme Videos
Making content with your own spin on a popular meme or dance can show you have a sense of humor. Make your video unique and timely, or risk you coming across as trying too hard. Remember, trends happen fast on TikTok so if you have an idea that fits the trends, get it out now rather than later.
Behind-the-Scenes
You can shoot videos that show what’s going on in your company or deliver a day in the life. People love looking behind the curtain, especially if it humanizes your company. Posting how a product is made, how people interact with each other at your business, or simply you driving can work for great behind-the-scenes content.
Live Streaming
TikTok also allows for live streams. This will enable you to record videos in real-time and allow your audience to interact with you. There are several types of live streams you can do on TikTok. Many people use this to host a Q&A, letting their audience interact with them. Another idea is to have an interactive show or podcast. Some people can be pretty creative with their streams, and you can create a stream that appeals to your niche. Ideally, schedule your stream ahead of time to build hype and interest, which brings us to our following method.
Have a Calendar
Posting consistently is one way you can grow on TikTok. A content calendar can help mix up your content and give you an idea of when to post. Ideally, you should have at least three videos per week.
Post at the Right Times
Like all social media apps, you want to make content when your audience is up. There’s no use uploading a video when they’re asleep or at work. How can you figure out when your audience is active? It depends on your audience’s time zones, age, lifestyle, and many factors. Some people will be early risers, while others will go to bed when the sun rises.
Your insights should give you more information. TikTok also allows you to schedule videos, which means that you can post at the best times if you’re not active then.
Use a Business Account
Some people will make a regular TikTok account and feel satisfied, but you should apply for a business account for the best results. Why? For one thing, your business account can track vital metrics that can tell you more about your audience. For another, the business account can create a more detailed profile with a link to your account.
Another way a business account can help you is that it allows you to make advertisements. While it is possible to grow on TikTok without paying a cent, paying for ads is a way you can boost your content and get the word out. In addition, TikTok has a robust advertising campaign, allowing you to appeal to your target audience.
Know Your Niche and Your Target Audience
Like most platforms, TikTok rewards you if you have an idea of what your niche is and who your target audience will be.
If you have a brand established, you probably have some idea about what your niche is. You may offer products that a specific demographic will enjoy. Ideally, your niche should be broad enough to attract a larger audience but specific enough so you don’t have to worry about mass competition.
But with TikTok, you can find ways to appeal your brand to an even more specific niche. For example, if you have success on Instagram, that niche may not carry over to TikTok. So, how can you figure this out? One way to figure this out is to look at the target audience on the platform.
How can you do this? One way is through, once again, the power of the Business account. The insights it provides can tell you about your followers, from their age range to when they are online. You can also click on your followers to see what they post, who they follow, and more.
Overall, the niche on TikTok is vital and may not be the same as other platforms. Do a bit of research to see what works. And always do updates to see if your target audience or niche has changed.
Follow the Trends
TikTok is a bit of a paradox when it comes to growing. On one hand, you are encouraged to have a unique brand identity and be yourself. But on the other, you must follow the trends. You can visit the Discover tab to see what songs or sounds are trending. It can be a rising hit song, a funny meme sound, or something else.
The same applies to hashtags, which you should see on trending posts. Ideally, having niche and unique hashtags and taking advantage of trending ones would be best.
While you should follow trends, you must also ensure that they conform to your niche and target audience. Some songs may not be the right fit, and you may turn away your current audience or attract a new one who is not part of your target demographic.
Be Clever With Hashtags
TikTok lets you put many hashtags in your posts, but if you hashtag squish, you may be spammy. Ideally, you should take a quality-over-quantity approach and have up to five hashtags per post. This is not to say you can’t experiment a little, but don’t go overboard.
Your hashtags should include a unique brand tag, a couple of hashtags your target audience may use, and some broader tags. Again, do not be afraid to mix it up and try different things, as it can depend on your business and many other factors.
Duet/Stitch
TikTok is a platform that encourages heavy collaboration. One way it does this is through its Duet and Stitch features.
You may have an idea of what a Duet is already. It’s when you record a video side-by-side with someone else’s. You may copy a dance or respond to it in real time. It’s a way to enhance an already-existing video and encourage collaboration.
Then, there is the Stitch option. This is when the original video plays, which goes into your response. You can use this answer to critics, joke, and contribute to the original video somehow.
Duets and Stitches can push you into the algorithms of the people who follow the person you’re responding to. You should Duet/Stitch someone with the same niche or target audience.
Engage and Collaborate With Brands and Influencers
Some big TikTok names were built without the help of others, but this is the minority. Most people must collaborate with brands and influencers with similar niches. You can collaborate as long as you have a similar following or are willing to put money down.
You can find influencers for brands by searching the hashtags that you use. Some websites give you an idea of some of the biggest influencers and even have smaller ones. Micro-influencers may not have as many followers, but many people still trust their words, and a smaller influencer may be easier to speak with.
When you find the right influencer, send them a message. State your intentions and the idea for the collaboration. The more information you have, the likelier they’ll want to work with you. Be sure you also have a deadline to hold both of you accountable.
You can also use the branded hashtags that many companies have. These tend to come in hashtag challenges, where you make a video using their product or do something else the challenge says. Having your unique spin on it can get you noticed.
Engage With Your Fans
TikTok is a platform where audience engagement is vital if you want to retain your fans and get new followers. If someone leaves a comment, you should like it or answer if you have a question. If a user does a Duet or Stitch, respond appropriately.
As you grow, engagement shows that you’re not above anyone else and are willing to listen to criticism. Once again, live streaming is also an excellent way to grow engagement. You can host Q&A live sessions, chat with the audience, and more.
Check Your Analytics Often
TikTok is a platform where a lot can change in a month or so. That’s why you should check your analytics to see where you stand. If the numbers are going up, keep doing your approach. If you’ve stagnated or have lost a few followers, it may be time to do some reflection. How can you change your direction while staying loyal to your brand’s image? This is something where there will be no universal answer, but instead, months of fine-tuning and trial-and-error.
Final Thoughts
These are some proven ways you can grow on the TikTok platform. Again, it can take a long time to figure out your place in the app, but once you do, you can cultivate a fantastic audience. While you should have a business-like approach, you should also have fun, and don’t be afraid to make some friends. We hope that this article was helpful to you.