TikTok has become one of the fastest growing social media platforms in recent years. Launched in 2016 under the name ‘Douyin’ in China, it was rebranded to TikTok the following year for the international market. Within just a few years, TikTok has amassed over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2021 (source). Its rise in popularity, especially among Gen Z, has been remarkable. According to a 2022 report, TikTok was the 7th most visited website in the world, surpassing established sites like Netflix and LinkedIn (source). TikTok’s growth shows no signs of slowing down, with estimates predicting over 1.8 billion users by 2024.
Optimizing Your Profile
Having an optimized TikTok profile is essential for growing your account and attracting new followers. According to this source, the three key elements to optimize on your profile are your profile photo, bio, and username.
Your profile photo is the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so make sure it’s eye-catching and represents your brand. Use a high-quality, well-lit photo of yourself or your logo. Avoid blurry, pixelated, or inappropriate photos.
Your bio is valuable real estate to share who you are and what your account is about. Keep it short, descriptive, and optimized with relevant keywords. Encourage viewers to follow you or take a desired action.
Your username should be unique, memorable, and relevant to your niche. Include keywords but avoid overstuffing it. A customized URL makes it easier to share and remember.
Consistent Posting
One of the most important factors for growing a TikTok account is being consistent with posting. Research shows that the ideal posting frequency for growth is 1-3 times per day (Source 1). Posting consistently helps keep your content fresh and surfaces it to new viewers organically. It also helps the TikTok algorithm understand your posting habits.
When figuring out your posting frequency, consider your niche and audience. For example, weekly recaps or daily life updates may work for some creators, while fast-paced meme accounts may need multiple posts per day. Get into a regular schedule that works for your content style.
Leveraging popular trends and challenges can also help grow your TikTok. Look at the discovery page and hashtag search to find rising challenges in your niche. Put your own spin on trending content to capitalize on what’s already working. This can introduce your profile to new audiences already engaged with certain hashtags or sounds.
The key is finding a posting cadence that allows you to remain consistent, while also taking advantage of timely trends. Stick to the schedule as much as possible to build up your TikTok presence over time.
Engaging Content
One of the best ways to grow your TikTok is to create engaging content that taps into popular trends, challenges, and formats. According to the article 6 Best Types of Videos to Make on TikTok, creating videos based on trending TikTok sounds is a great strategy. When a sound goes viral on TikTok, making content using that sound can help expose your videos to a wider audience already interested in that trend. Participating in popular TikTok challenges is another way to create engaging content. Challenges like the Silhouette Challenge or the Wipe It Down Challenge allow you to put your own spin on an idea while also tapping into what’s currently popular.
You can also create engaging content by reacting to other TikTok videos, duetting with other creators, or stitching together multiple videos. These interactive formats encourage audience participation and allow you to collaborate with others. Focus on reacting genuinely, adding value through commentary, and putting your own creative twist when duetting or stitching. This shows your personality and creativity versus just repurposing someone else’s content.
Use Hashtags
Hashtags are crucial for increasing the reach of your TikTok videos. Researching and using the most popular hashtags will help your content be seen by more users who are following those tags. You’ll want a good mix of broad hashtags with millions of views, and niche hashtags that relate specifically to your content.
As a general rule, aim to use 5-10 relevant hashtags per video. Too few tags means you’re missing out on potential audience exposure. But using an excessive amount can get your account flagged by TikTok. Find the right balance for each video. Check which hashtags are trending that week and include a few of the most popular ones.
Take the time to find niche hashtags that represent your target audience and content style. These specific tags will connect you with engaged users who will genuinely be interested in your videos. Just make sure they are still relevant. For example, #foodtiktok, #comedyvideo, #smallbusinessowner.
By optimizing your hashtags, you can tap into the millions of people searching and interacting with posts through these tags on TikTok.
Interact With Your Audience
One of the best ways to increase engagement on TikTok is to actively interact with your audience. When someone comments on your videos, be sure to respond and engage in a meaningful conversation. According to [keyhole.co/blog/how-to-increase-tiktok-engagement/](https://keyhole.co/blog/how-to-increase-tiktok-engagement/), replying to comments shows users that you care about them. It makes them feel valued and encourages them to engage more.
You can also interact through features like duets and stitches. Do a fun duet with a fan who uses your audio or stitches your content. This shows your audience that you’re paying attention and gives them a shoutout. The more you engage directly with users, the more likely they’ll be to follow you and stay actively engaged.
Post at Optimal Times
One of the best ways to grow your TikTok is to post content when your audience is most likely to be on the platform. Different days and times tend to see higher engagement and views. According to research, some of the best times to post on TikTok are:
Mondays at 12 PM and 4 PM – People are back to their usual routines and scrolling during lunch or after work. (Source)
Tuesdays at 7 AM, 8 AM, and 11 PM – Mornings and late nights are popular viewing times midweek. (Source)
Analyze when your current followers are engaging and also consider when new audiences may be on the app. Test posting at different high-traffic times and track the results to optimize your schedule.
Run Contests & Challenges
Running contests and challenges is an excellent way to grow your TikTok following. They encourage user-generated content and increase engagement. You can run contests and challenges in many creative ways. Offering exciting prizes will attract participants. Prizes like gift cards, merch, or shoutouts motivate users. Come up with fun and original challenges that utilize TikTok’s features. For example, dance challenges that users can perform and duet. Or challenges using green screen effects.
User-generated content contests work well on TikTok. These allow participants to get creative and make their own videos. You can have TikTok contests based around:
-Dance challenges
-Doing a stunt or trick
-Showcasing a skill or talent
-Using a specific sound or audio
-TikTok effects or filters
Setting rules and hashtags for submissions makes it easy to track entries. The key is coming up with challenges suited to your brand that people will enjoy participating in.
Cross-Promote Other Channels
One effective way to grow your TikTok following is by cross-promoting your TikTok content on other social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and your website. This exposes your content to new audiences who may not yet follow you on TikTok. According to SMPerth, some best practices for cross-promotion include:
On Instagram, you can post TikTok videos to your Instagram Stories or Reels. Make sure to link back to your TikTok account in the caption. You can also post short preview clips of your TikTok videos on your Instagram feed and encourage people to check out the full video on TikTok.
On YouTube, upload your best TikTok videos and link back to your TikTok channel. Mention your TikTok handle prominently in the video description. You can also add end screens or cards to your YouTube videos directing viewers to check out your TikTok.
On your website, embed TikTok videos or link to them from blog posts or other pages. Mention your TikTok handle and encourage visitors to follow you on the platform.
Cross-promoting provides a bridge between your different social platforms, allowing you to convert audiences from one platform into TikTok followers. Just make sure your content and messaging is tailored for each platform’s format and community.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several key strategies to grow your TikTok following and increase engagement. First, optimize your profile with an eye-catching photo, compelling bio, and engaging content that showcases your personality. Post consistently, at least a few times per week, to stay top of mind. Create fun, entertaining videos using trending audios, effects, and hashtags. Interact with your audience by responding to comments, doing livestreams, and collaborating with other creators. Leverage optimal posting times based on when your audience is most active. Run contests and challenges to spark interest. Cross-promote your TikTok content on other social channels. Lastly, analyze your analytics to see which types of videos perform best.
The most important tip is to focus on value-added content that resonates with your niche. Build an authentic community that feels engaged and connected. With a thoughtful, strategic approach, you can steadily grow your TikTok presence.