What does it mean to be a TikTok creator?
A TikTok creator is someone who regularly posts original videos on the platform to entertain and engage an audience. Creators produce a wide variety of content, from dance trends and comedy skits to educational tips and brand partnerships. The goal is to build a following and get views, likes, comments, and shares on their videos.
There are a few main ways creators can monetize their audience on TikTok:
– The TikTok Creator Fund provides creators an opportunity to earn money from their videos. Creators must meet certain eligibility requirements to join. (Source)
– Sponsored content and brand deals are a popular way for creators to earn money by partnering with brands. Brands pay creators to produce branded content and promote products.
– Some creators also make money through livestreams, merchandise, affiliate links, and other monetization options.
Popular types of content from TikTok creators include: dance/lip-sync videos, comedy/impressions, life hacks, recipes, singing, challenges, reactions, duets, and more. The key is creating fun, entertaining, or helpful videos that resonate with the TikTok community.
Why do creators want more followers?
More followers on TikTok can translate to a larger potential audience reach for a creator’s content (https://influencermarketinghub.com/how-to-get-more-followers-on-tiktok/). As their follower count grows, creators are able to get their videos, messages, and brand in front of more people. This wider audience reach is attractive for creators looking to build their personal brand and influence on TikTok.
A larger follower count is also required to join and benefit from TikTok’s Creator Fund program (https://sproutsocial.com/insights/how-to-get-more-followers-on-tiktok/), which allows popular creators to earn money from their videos. To qualify for the Creator Fund, creators need at least 10,000 followers and 10,000 video views in the last 30 days. More followers help creators meet and maintain these thresholds to monetize their audience through TikTok’s Creator Fund.
In addition, more followers make a creator more appealing for brand sponsorships and partnerships (https://buffer.com/library/how-to-get-followers-on-tiktok/). Brands looking for influencer marketing often consider follower count as a metric for a creator’s audience reach and resonance. Creators need sufficient followers to attract and secure lucrative brand deals and sponsorships, which can become a significant source of income.
TikTok Creator Fund requirements
To join the TikTok Creator Fund, creators need to meet certain eligibility requirements. As per TikTok’s website, the main requirements are:
- Have at least 10,000 authentic followers
- Be at least 18 years old
- Post original content that follows TikTok’s community guidelines
- Have accrued at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Have a strong engagement rate on videos
- Be based in an eligible geographic location – either the US or certain European countries like the UK, Germany, France, Spain, or Italy
The 10,000 follower minimum is quite standard across most influencer sponsorships and monetization programs. For the Creator Fund specifically, TikTok seems to be looking for creators who have built up a sizable following and are posting quality content consistently.
Meeting the requirements doesn’t automatically make someone eligible. TikTok seems to be selective about who gets access to the Creator Fund. Some critics have noted that the process lacks transparency. However, creating great content and building an engaged audience is a good first step towards potentially joining the program someday.
Sponsored content and brand deals
To get sponsored content and brand deals on TikTok, most experts recommend having at least 10,000 followers. According to Hype Co, generally brands want creators to have a minimum of 10,000 followers before considering a sponsorship, as this shows you have an established audience and can drive meaningful engagement https://hype.co/blog/industry/tiktok-sponsorship.
However, follower count alone may not guarantee sponsorships and brand deals. The Magic Links blog notes that engagement rate is key – brands want to work with creators that consistently produce content that generates likes, comments, and shares https://www.magiclinks.com/blog/how-to-get-sponsored-on-tiktok/. Having an engaged audience that actively interacts with your content is more valuable than a large follower count where few people engage.
Brand affinity also matters. Sponsors want to partner with creators that are a natural fit with their target audience and brand image. Developing a consistent niche and brand identity as a creator can attract aligned sponsorships. Overall, quality of content, audience engagement, and brand alignment are key factors for securing sponsored partnerships on TikTok.
Building an audience as a new creator
Gaining followers as a new TikTok creator takes time, consistency, and strategic effort. Rather than setting unrealistic goals for viral fame, it’s important to start small and focus on building genuine engagement. According to Sprout Social, new creators should identify their target audience and tailor content specifically for them. Staying on top of the latest trends and participating in popular challenges can help expose your content to a wider viewer base. You can also collaborate with other creators through cross-promotions. This allows you to tap into each other’s existing audiences. However, it’s critical that you consistently post high-quality, engaging content in order to retain new followers and build loyalty over time.
Buffer recommends setting realistic goals for follower growth as a new creator. Gaining 1,000 engaged followers within your first few months is a reasonable milestone. Rather than obsessing over follower count, it’s more important to focus on watch time, comments, shares, and other engagement metrics. This indicates you’re making content that truly resonates with your target audience. With time and consistency, your follower count will gradually increase as you build rapport with your community.
Consistently creating engaging content
It’s important for TikTok creators to post consistently in order to keep growing their audience. According to TikTok, the recommended frequency for posting is 1-3 times per day to maximize growth (source). Regular posting keeps your content fresh in the TikTok algorithm and ensures you stay visible to new viewers.
When it comes to the type of content that performs well, trends and challenges tend to spread rapidly on TikTok. Creating content tied to viral dances, sounds, hashtags, or meme formats can help reach a wider audience. Types of content like comedy skits, life hacks, recipes, and storytelling also resonate with the TikTok community. Most importantly, creators should focus on producing fun and entertaining videos that align with their brand and showcase their personality.
Leveraging TikTok trends and challenges
Jumping on viral trends and challenges is one of the most effective ways to gain more followers and views on TikTok quickly. When a trend goes viral, it can be seen by millions of users. By creating content based on popular trends, creators can get their videos seen by a much wider audience. Some of the most popular trends on TikTok include dance challenges, meme sounds, outfit and style trends, and more. For example, dances like the Renegade and Mama Long Legs dances exploded in popularity after influencers like Charli D’Amelio helped make them go viral. To leverage trends effectively, creators should aim to make the trend their own by putting a unique spin on it. This could involve doing the dance in a new location, wearing a funny costume, adding special effects, dueting with another creator, and more. The key is to stand out from the sea of other videos using the trend. Creators can also try remixing trending sounds in creative ways. Overall, jumping quickly on viral trends and challenges is a proven way for creators to expand their reach and gain new followers on TikTok.
Here are some tips for putting a unique spin on trends and challenges:
– Add a twist to the trend like wearing a costume or doing it backwards
– Collaborate with another creator to do a duet
– Use green screen effects or other video edits to make it more creative
– Film in an interesting location like a beautiful landscape or cool building
– Put an unexpected spin on it like doing a dance in slow motion
– Add props, animals, or other funny elements
– Use trending sounds in a remix or mashup with other sounds
Cross-promoting content
Cross-promoting your TikTok content on other social media platforms is an effective strategy to drive more followers to your TikTok account. You can share your TikTok videos natively on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also embed your TikTok videos in YouTube descriptions or blog posts. According to Starter Story, cross-promoting gives your content “maximum exposure” by tapping into multiple platforms’ audiences (source).
When sharing your TikTok videos on other platforms, make sure to always include a strong call-to-action encouraging people to follow you on TikTok. You want to make it as easy as possible for viewers on other platforms to find your TikTok profile and hit the follow button. Some best practices are adding your TikTok handle to captions and graphics, and linking directly to your TikTok page in YouTube descriptions or blog posts.
Amplifying your TikTok content across multiple platforms will expose your content to new audiences and is an effective tactic for driving more followers back to your TikTok account. Just make sure your cross-promotion strategy always leads viewers to your TikTok profile where they can subscribe.
Paid advertising
Paid advertising on TikTok can be an effective way for creators to gain more followers and views. TikTok offers several paid ad options, including in-feed video ads, brand takeovers, and branded lenses and effects [1]. These ad formats allow creators to reach new audiences and get their content in front of more potential followers.
In-feed video ads appear directly within users’ For You feeds and can help creators expand their reach beyond just their current follower base. Brand takeovers allow creators to “take over” the TikTok app when first opened with a full screen video ad. Branded lenses and AR effects also enable creators to showcase their brand in an engaging, interactive format.
Studies have shown paid TikTok ads can have strong results. One study by Socialinsider found the average CTR for TikTok video ads was 5.26% [2], much higher than other platforms. Paid ads are also useful for creators looking to amplify specific videos or campaigns. Setting an advertising budget and utilizing TikTok’s targeting tools can help creators get their content in front of the most relevant audience.
However, ads shouldn’t replace consistently creating high-quality content. The most successful creators on TikTok combine paid distribution with organic growth strategies. But for those looking to boost their follower count faster, paid TikTok ads can be a strategic investment.
Maintaining follower engagement
Keeping existing followers engaged is crucial for long-term growth and success on TikTok. According to How To Increase Your TikTok Engagement Rate In 2024?, “the most successful creators don’t just focus on gaining new followers, they also nurture the audience they already have.”
One technique for maintaining engagement is to encourage participation through polls, questions, challenges and by asking followers to comment. As 11 tested tips for boosting your TikTok engagement suggests, “ask a question in your caption or comments to spark a conversation.” This gets your audience involved and makes them more likely to stay engaged.
It’s also important to consistently post high-quality content that aligns with your niche and brand. As The 3 Secrets To Increasing Engagement Rate On TikTok explains, “TikTok’s algorithm favors accounts that post consistently good content over those that post sporadically.” Keeping a regular posting schedule shows followers you are committed and encourages them to check back for more.
Finally, engage with your audience directly by liking comments, responding, and doing livestreams or Q&As. Humanizing your brand fosters a sense of community and connection. As 11 tested tips for boosting your TikTok engagement notes, “replying to comments shows followers you care about them.” Nurturing your existing followers is key for long-term TikTok success.
