How To Go Viral on TikTok

Going viral on TikTok is the dream of many creators, but only achievable by a few. With millions of users and billions of views, the platform can be overwhelming, especially for new creators trying to make their mark. However, by understanding the platform’s algorithm and leveraging the right strategies, you can increase your chances of creating a viral TikTok video that resonates with your audience and propels your brand to new heights.

Below, we cover tips and best practices to help you increase your chances of creating a viral TikTok video. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the insights and tools you need to take your TikTok presence to the next level.

1. Participate in Trends and Challenges

Joining popular trends and challenges is one of the most effective ways to gain visibility on TikTok. 

Regularly check the “Discover” page on TikTok to stay informed about the latest trends, challenges, and popular sounds. Pay attention to the videos that are gaining traction and analyze what makes them successful.

However, not all trends will be relevant to your niche or audience. Be selective and choose trends that align with your brand and content style. While participating in trends, aim to put your own unique twist on the challenge or sound. This will help your video stand out from the crowd and showcase your creativity. Add your own personality, humor, or skills to make the trend your own so your participation feels authentic and engaging to followers.

2. Use Hashtags Wisely

Hashtags play a crucial role in categorizing your content and making it discoverable on TikTok. They serve as searchable keywords that allow users to find content related to specific topics or trends. When you use relevant hashtags, your videos are more likely to appear in search results and on the “For You” page, exposing your content to a wider audience.

Aim to use a combination of the following types of hashtags:

• Popular Hashtags: These are broad, high-volume hashtags that are widely used across TikTok. They can help you reach a large audience, but may also be highly competitive.
• Niche-Specific Hashtags: These are more targeted hashtags that are relevant to your specific niche or industry. They may have lower search volume, but can help you reach a more engaged and relevant audience.
• Trending Hashtags: Keep an eye on the latest trends and challenges, and use the associated hashtags to capitalize on the momentum. Trending hashtags can help your content appear in the “Discover” section and the “For You” feed.

3. Create Engaging and Share-worthy Content

Creating content that is engaging, entertaining, and share-worthy is crucial for success on TikTok. Focus on producing content that resonates with your target audience and encourages them to interact with your videos.

Here are some things to remember when striving to create viral content for TikTok: 

Understand your audience

Take the time to understand who your target audience is and what type of content they find engaging. Research your niche, analyze successful creators, and gather insights from your existing followers demographics to identify their preferences and pain points.

Offer value

Aim to provide value to your audience through your content. This can be in the form of entertainment, education, inspiration, or a combination of these elements. Identify what your audience is looking for and deliver content that meets their needs.

Be relatable and authentic

Viewers are drawn to content that feels genuine and authentic. Showcase your personality, share your experiences, and create content that reflects your unique voice and style. Relatability helps build a connection with your audience and encourages them to engage with your videos.

4. Start with a Hook and Keep It Short

The opening seconds of your TikTok video are the most important. Use a strong hook to immediately capture the viewer’s interest and curiosity. This could be a surprising statement, a relatable scenario, a thought-provoking question, or an attention-grabbing visual.

TikTok’s algorithm tends to favor shorter, more concise videos. Aim to keep your content under 60 seconds, as these videos generally perform better in terms of engagement and reach. The key is to strike a balance between conciseness and depth. Ensure that every second of your video contributes to the overall narrative and maintains the viewer’s interest.

5. Engage with Your Audience

Engaging with your audience is a crucial aspect of building a successful TikTok presence and increasing your chances of going viral. By fostering a sense of community and interacting with your viewers, you can cultivate a loyal following and encourage them to share your content with others.

Here are some ways to engage your audience on TikTok: 

• Respond to comments to show your audience you value their engagement. Personalize responses to build connections.
• Interact with niche creators by commenting, duetting, or collaborating. This builds relationships and exposes your content.
• Encourage viewers to share thoughts, experiences, and ideas through prompts and calls-to-action. Inviting participation fosters community and shareability.
• Repost relevant UGC to show you value their contributions and expand your reach.
• Monitor engagement metrics to understand what resonates and adjust your strategy.
• Consistently engage by responding to comments, interacting with creators, and encouraging participation. This builds trust, loyalty and community.

6. Become Proficient in Editing

As a highly visual platform, mastering video editing skills can make your content more eye-catching and engaging on TikTok.

The platform offers a robust set of built-in editing tools that allow you to enhance your videos directly within the app. 

Familiarize yourself with features like:

• Filters and effects: Apply creative filters, AR effects, and visual overlays to your videos.
• Text and captions: Add captions, titles, and text overlays to convey information or emphasize key points.
• Transitions: Incorporate smooth transitions between video clips to create a polished, professional look.
• Speed and timer: Adjust the playback speed of your videos and use the timer function to time your content precisely.

You can further elevate your editing skills by using third-party video editing apps like CapCut, InShot, or Adobe. Mastering video editing takes time and practice. Experiment with different techniques, effects, and editing styles to find what works best for your content and brand. Pay attention to the editing choices of successful creators in your niche and use them as inspiration.

7. Collaborate with Other Creators or Brands

Partnering with other creators or brands on TikTok can be a highly effective way to expand your reach and increase your chances of going viral. 

The primary benefit of collaborating with other creators is the ability to tap into their existing audience. When you create content together, you expose your brand and content to a new pool of potential followers who may not have discovered you otherwise.

This cross-pollination of audiences can lead to a significant increase in views, engagement, and follower growth for both creators involved. It’s a win-win scenario that can help propel your content to new heights of virality.

Look for creators whose content and audience align with your own niche or brand. This will make it easier to come up with ideas for collaborations that will be interesting and engaging for both of your audiences.

Some effective TikTok collaboration ideas include:

• Duet or stitch each other’s videos
• Film a “day in the life” or behind-the-scenes video together
• Create a challenge or trend that encourages your audiences to participate
• Host a joint Q&A or AMA session
• Develop a series of complementary videos on related topics

8. Post Frequently

The TikTok algorithm is designed to reward users who post content consistently and frequently. When you post regularly, your audience comes to expect and anticipate your new videos, which can lead to higher engagement and increased visibility.

Aim to post at least 1-3 times per week, if not more. The exact frequency will depend on your content strategy and your audience’s preferences, but the key is to find a cadence that works for you and stick to it.

To help maintain a consistent posting schedule, consider using a social media management tool like Metricool. The platform allows you to plan, schedule, and publish your TikTok videos in advance, ensuring your content is shared at the optimal times.

In particular, Metricool provides valuable insights into the best times to post on TikTok based on user engagement. By scheduling your content to publish during these peak times, you can maximize the visibility and reach of your videos.

9. Manage Your TikTok with Metricool

Use a social media management tool like Metricool to streamline your TikTok content creation and posting. The all-in-one social media management tool is here to help you streamline your content creation, track your performance, and make strategic adjustments to your approach – all from a centralized dashboard.

With Metricool, you can:

• Create and schedule TikTok videos in advance
• Customize your posting schedule to align with the best times to reach your audience
• Identify your top-performing videos and understand what makes them successful
• Analyze audience engagement metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares
• View your TikTok account growth and community analytics
• Understand your audience demographics and interests

Gretchen Oestreicher , 18 July 2024