TikTok is a short-form video sharing platform that has exploded in popularity in recent years. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it has become one of the top destinations for social media creators looking to build an audience and get discovered.
On TikTok, creators make videos ranging from 15 seconds to 3 minutes long on any topic imaginable – from dance challenges to comedy skits to educational explainers. Videos can go viral seemingly overnight, propelling unknown creators to fame and allowing them to build massive followings.
One of the keys to success on TikTok is having your videos seen and discovered by new viewers outside of your existing follower base. The more impressions and engagement your videos get, the more TikTok’s recommendation algorithm will amplify and promote them. Gaining visibility is essential for creators hoping to grow a loyal audience and turn TikTok into a career or business.
That’s why understanding how to optimize your TikTok presence for maximum discoverability is so important. Utilizing the right strategies can make all the difference in standing out in a competitive landscape and getting your content seen by a wider audience.
Optimize Your Profile
One of the most important things you can do to get your TikTok posts seen is to optimize your TikTok profile completely. This includes filling out your bio, using a high-quality profile photo, and including relevant keywords that relate to your niche or content focus.
Your TikTok bio has a 150 character limit, so make the most of the space to describe what you do and what people can expect from your videos. Use keywords and phrases that are relevant to your niche so your profile is more searchable on TikTok and google.
For example, if you make cooking videos, include keywords like “cooking videos”, “recipes”, “home chef”, and ingredients or cuisine types. Just make sure it flows naturally and reads well.
Your profile photo is one of the first things people will see, so choose a high-quality, well-lit headshot or image that conveys your brand. Show your face and make sure the image looks professional.
According to this article from ContentShifu, having a complete, optimized TikTok profile helps get your content seen by new viewers who may stumble upon your account and follow you if they like what they see.
Post Consistently
Posting consistently is important for the TikTok algorithm to pick up your account and start recommending your content to more users. As TikTok’s own guidelines mention, posting 1-4 times per day is ideal to be seen by the algorithm.
According to research by WordStream, posting 1-2 times per day can help your content be seen by more people over time as the algorithm learns your posting habits. They recommend not going over 4 posts a day though, as too much content at once can overwhelm your audience.
Hootsuite also advises a 1-4 posts per day approach, saying consistency helps distribute your content better on TikTok. While everyday posting may not work for some schedules, regularity seems key no matter what. Even if it’s every Monday or Friday at the same time, consistency in when and how often you post matters.
Leverage Trends
Taking part in current trends on TikTok is an effective way to get your content seen. TikTok’s algorithm often surfaces trending content more than other videos. You can find trending dances, songs, memes, challenges and more by exploring TikTok’s discover page or hashtags. Some tips for leveraging trends include:
- Jump on viral dances, songs, memes, challenges when they first start trending to maximize visibility. But don’t wait too long or the trend may already be oversaturated.
- Put a unique spin on trending content to help your video stand out from the crowd. Add your own personality or creative touch.
- Use trending audios and hashtags but create your own original video concept around them.
- Film trends from multiple angles or environments to offer something new.
- Mashup multiple trending ideas into one video for a fresh take.
Leveraging trends can help expose your content to a wider audience already engaged with that trend. But it’s important to add your own original style instead of just copying what’s already popular. Trends move quickly on TikTok, so stay on top of what’s current and find creative ways to make it your own.
Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags are essential for getting your TikTok videos discovered. Using relevant hashtags allows your content to be found by users interested in those topics. When selecting hashtags, aim for a mix of popular and niche tags.
Some best practices for hashtags on TikTok include:
- Include 2-5 hashtags that are closely related to your video’s specific content or topic.
- Add 5-10 broader hashtags around popular genres, subjects, or interests that still connect with your video.
- Limit your hashtags to 10-15 per video – going overboard looks spammy.
- Research trending and popular hashtags through TikTok’s discover page, but avoid overused tags that drown out your content.
- Consider niche hashtags with a smaller but more targeted audience for your type of content.
Strategically chosen hashtags enable you to extend your reach while allowing posts to be found by your ideal audience. But keyword stuffing your videos with excessive tags will get your content filtered, so keep hashtags purposeful and relevant.
According to experts, “Use relevant hashtags that are specific to your content and your target audience. This will make it easier for users to find your content when searching for topics they care about.” (Source)
Post at Optimal Times
According to research analyzed by Influencer Marketing Hub, some of the best times to post on TikTok for maximum engagement are in the afternoons and evenings. This is when many TikTok users are winding down their day and spending time scrolling on the app. Specifically, posting between 12-4pm or after 7pm tends to do well.
However, it’s important to consider the timezones of your target audience. If you have a global audience, you may need to experiment with posting at different times to see when your particular followers are most active. Adjust your posting schedule based on when you notice the most comments, likes, and shares.
The key is being strategic about timing and thinking about when your posts will be most visible in your followers’ feeds. With some trial and error, you can determine the optimal times to post your TikTok content for your specific audience.
Engage With Community
One of the best ways to get your TikTok posts seen is to engage with other users and creators on the platform. Liking, commenting on, and dueting other videos shows TikTok that you are an active community member. According to Sendible, “Encouraging conversation, challenging other brands to respond, and tagging other creators in your content are all great ways to get more eyes on your TikToks.”
When you actively engage with others’ content, you increase the chances that they will check out your profile and content in return. The Sendible article advises brands to “respond to any comments you receive, particularly those where you’re tagged. Replying promptly shows users you’re listening and care about what they have to say.”
You can also collaborate directly with other popular TikTok creators in your niche. As noted by Rival IQ, “teaming up with creators with high engagement rates on duets or stitched videos can introduce your brand to a whole new audience.” Finding creators to collaborate with takes time and relationship building, but it can significantly boost impressions and engagement.
Overall, taking the time to build connections and interact authentically with other users and creators is a proven way to get more eyes on your TikTok posts. Don’t just post and walk away – engage!
Use High Quality Video
One of the most important factors for getting your TikTok posts seen is using high quality video. Here are some tips for ensuring your videos are top-notch:
– Make sure your video is well-lit. Proper lighting eliminates shadows and prevents your video from looking dark or grainy. Position lights in front or above you to evenly illuminate your shot.
– Use a stable camera or tripod for a smooth, steady shot without shakiness. Shaky footage is distracting and unprofessional.
– Frame your shots nicely, leaving some space around subjects and keeping your camera level. Watch the composition and avoid crooked angles.
– Ensure clear, non-distorted audio so viewers can hear you. Invest in an external microphone for improved sound if needed.
Quality video production vastly improves the watchability of your content. Follow these tips and you’ll be putting out eye-catching, polished videos that get more views.
Consider Paid Promotion
Paid ads on TikTok can be an effective way to increase your reach and get more views on your videos. TikTok offers several paid ad options such as In-Feed Videos, Brand Takeovers, and TopView.
One of the main benefits of paid promotion is that it can give a boost to your best organic performing content. For example, if you have a popular video that is already getting engagement, you can put some money behind it to push it out to an even wider audience.
TikTok’s ad platform allows you to target ads based on demographics, interests, behaviors and more. This means you can identify your top videos and then create a paid campaign to get them in front of the audience that is most likely to appreciate and engage with that content.
In addition to expanded reach, paid ads can help accelerate growth by bringing in new followers. When people see your compelling ad content, some will click through to your profile and choose to follow you.
Just be sure to analyze the results of any paid campaigns. By tracking conversions, engagement rates and more, you can refine your targeting and optimize your ad spending for the best return.
Overall, selective use of paid promotion can be an effective way to boost your best organic content and grow your TikTok presence faster (TikTok Business 2022).
Track Analytics
Regularly checking your TikTok analytics is key to understanding what content resonates most with your audience. TikTok provides creators with robust analytics through the Creator Portal (https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/tiktok-content-strategy/understanding-your-analytics/). With metrics like views, likes, comments, shares, and more, you can identify your top performing content.
Analyze which types of videos get the most engagement and watch time. Look at when your followers are most active. See which hashtags and sounds are driving the most traffic. Use these insights to replicate your successful content, whether that’s a certain video style, topic, hashtag, or sound that resonates. Keep testing and optimizing based on the analytics.
Regularly checking your TikTok analytics will help you continuously improve your content strategy and give your audience more of what they want. This will ultimately help get your posts seen by more users.
