Gaining followers on TikTok can seem daunting, especially when starting from zero. However, there are many organic strategies you can use to boost your follower count for free. Having more followers on TikTok increases your visibility and reach, allowing your videos to be seen by a larger audience. It also helps establish credibility and authority in your niche. While buying followers is an option, real engagement comes from legitimate, active followers. With some time and effort using the right techniques, you can build an authentic TikTok following and take your account to the next level.
Optimize Your Profile
The first step to growing your followers on TikTok is to make sure your profile is optimized to attract your target audience. According to TikTok’s guide, the key elements to focus on in your profile are your bio, profile photo, and links.
Your bio should contain relevant keywords and hashtags to help people find your content. It should clearly explain what your account is about. Use creative text and emojis to make your bio stand out. You can also add a link to your website or other social media profiles. Having an optimized bio helps new users understand your content at a glance.
Your profile photo is also very important. Use a high-quality, eye-catching photo of yourself. Make sure you have good lighting and are clearly visible. An interesting or funny photo that fits your brand works better than a generic selfie. Your photo offers users their first impression, so it needs to align with your content.
Adding links to your other social media accounts or website in your bio allows users to learn more about you and your other content. These backlinks signal credibility and authority. Leaving them out means missing an opportunity to drive external traffic.
Taking the time to fully complete and optimize these key profile elements shows users you are serious about creating quality content on TikTok. It helps convert profile views into follows by showcasing what you have to offer right up front.
Use Relevant Hashtags
Using relevant hashtags in your TikTok videos can help attract more views and followers. According to Feedbird, hashtags help make your content more discoverable on TikTok so including the right hashtags is key (Source). When picking hashtags, research the most popular hashtags in your niche or content area. Tools like TikTok analytics can help you find trending hashtags and monitor performance.
Aim to use 3-5 relevant hashtags per video that are related to your content. Avoid using excessive hashtags or general ones unrelated to your niche as this can seem spammy and prevent your content from ranking. Focus on niche-specific hashtags with high search volume. For example, #cookingvids rather than just #cooking. Monitor which hashtags perform best and continue optimizing over time. Using popular hashtags can help put your content in front of interested audiences and lead to more profile visits, likes, comments, and follows.
Post High Quality Content
One of the most important factors in creating content that goes viral on TikTok is making sure your videos are high quality. Well-lit, steady shots will be much more engaging for viewers than dark, shaky footage. Use adequate lighting when filming, whether natural light from a window or artificial lighting. Invest in equipment like a tripod, ring light, or gimbal to help keep your camera steady as you film. High quality sound is also key – avoid background noise as much as possible. Consider getting a microphone for improved audio.
Great TikTok content grabs attention right away. Hook viewers in the first 5 seconds with an interesting visual, hook, or intro. Keep videos 15-60 seconds long to match viewer attention spans. Tight editing can help condense your point or story into a concise, engaging video. Use transitions and text overlays to spice up straightforward footage. Show your personality by talking directly to the camera or doing on-camera demonstrations. The more engaging your on-screen presence, the better chance of going viral.
Also think cinematically – use interesting camera angles, perspectives, and movements to make your footage visually appealing. Shoot B-roll or supplemental footage you can cut into your main video. High quality, well-edited videos that grab attention fast are your best bet for TikTok virality. Check out trending sounds and effects to incorporate into your content as well.
Sources:
https://www.descript.com/blog/article/16-tiktok-video-ideas-for-when-your-creative-well-runs-dry
https://medium.com/@Noah_D_A/111-creative-tiktok-video-ideas-for-your-next-viral-hit-ea3010c85f25
Be Consistent
One of the best ways to grow your TikTok following for free is to be consistent with posting content. You’ll want to aim to post 1-3 times per day for best results. According to this TikTok post, posting 1-3 times daily can help you gain more views and followers over time. The more frequently you post quality content, the more chances you give new users to discover your profile. Just make sure not to overwhelm your existing followers by posting too much.
Try to develop a posting schedule that works for you and allows you to maintain a steady stream of content. You may want to post more during peak times when more users are active on the app. Pay attention to when your followers tend to be online and engage with your content. Tailor your posting times around when your audience is most responsive. Consistency pays off in the long run, so stick with a regular posting cadence.
Engage With Your Audience
Engagement is crucial for gaining more followers on TikTok. When you actively engage with your existing audience, it helps boost your content in the algorithm so more users will see it. Here are some tips for engaging with your followers:
Like and comment on your followers’ videos. This simple gesture goes a long way in building relationships with users. When you take the time to view their content and provide feedback, it makes them more likely to stay engaged with your profile too. You can even @ mention users you enjoyed interacting with so they get notified.
Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner. Set aside time each day to have real conversations with your followers in the comments. Ask questions to keep the dialogue going. Replying quickly when users reach out via direct message also makes them feel valued.
Duet with your followers’ videos when it makes sense. The Duet feature allows you to record a video side-by-side with someone else’s. When you duet with your audience, it shares their content with your followers and vice versa. It helps build community.
According to TikTok Marketing in 2023: How to Get More Followers and Sales (source), regular engagement helps boost watch time and build loyalty with users. Set a goal to interact with followers daily.
Do TikTok Challenges
Taking part in popular TikTok challenges is a great way to get more views and followers on the platform. TikTok challenges go viral quickly and attract huge engagement from users. When you participate in trending challenges, your videos will be discoverable to millions of viewers searching for that hashtag. According to Niche Pursuits, some of the most popular TikTok challenges right now include dance challenges like the Renegade, the Silhouette Challenge, the Wipe It Down Challenge, and the Mug Shot Challenge.
To find the latest trending challenges, explore TikTok’s Discover page or search for top hashtags. When you join a viral hashtag challenge, make sure to put your own creative spin on it instead of just copying others. Also, focus on quality over quantity – one excellent TikTok challenge video can gain more traction than multiple mediocre attempts. Stay safe and avoid dangerous viral challenges that encourage risky behavior.
Participating in fun, engaging TikTok challenges allows you to showcase your personality and talent to a huge potential audience. The key is to be strategic and selective in the challenges you do, while putting effort into creating a video that stands out from the crowd.
Collaborate With Others
One great way to gain more followers for free on TikTok is by collaborating with other popular creators. Duetting or stitching popular videos from creators with a similar audience can expose your content to a wider viewership. When collaborating, make sure to add value by putting your own creative spin on the content. You can also reach out to creators with similar niches and follower counts to film original collaborations, like challenges or skits. According to Buffer, successful collaborations can lead to ongoing partnerships and cross-promotion opportunities.
When looking for collaborators, take the time to find creators that truly align with your brand and content style. As outlined in this article, make sure you research potential partners beforehand, and aim to establish long-term relationships that benefit both parties. Executed thoughtfully, TikTok collaborations allow you to tap into a new audience and gain more visibility.
Use Trending Sounds
Leveraging popular audios in your niche is a great way to increase engagement. Look at sites like Tokchart and Tokboard to find out what sounds are currently trending in your niche. For example, if you make dance videos, use music that is popular among dancers. If you make comedy sketches, use sound bites from popular movies or TV shows.
When you use a trending sound, your video is more likely to be discovered by people looking for that sound or song. The familiarity also makes people more likely to watch the full video. Just make sure your content still fits the sound – don’t force it. Put your own creative spin on trending sounds to stand out while still capitalizing on their popularity.
Conclusion
Here are some recommendations for ways to boost your followers on TikTok for free:
- Optimize your profile to showcase who you are and build your brand.
- Use relevant hashtags to help your content show up in searches.
- Post high quality, engaging content consistently.
- Engage with your audience by liking, commenting on, and duetting their videos.
- Participate in viral TikTok challenges.
- Collaborate with other creators to gain exposure to new audiences.
- Use trending sounds to take advantage of what’s currently popular.
In summary, putting in the time and effort to post creative content daily, engage with others, utilize relevant hashtags and sounds, and optimize your profile will help you gain authentic followers organically over time on TikTok.
