TikTok is an immensely popular social media platform focused on short-form videos. Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, it has over 1 billion monthly active users and is one of the most downloaded apps in the world (https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users[1]). With its fun effects, engaging challenges, and algorithmic “For You” feed, TikTok makes it easy for users to create and discover entertaining short videos. The app has become a global phenomenon, especially among Gen Z, for creativity, self-expression, and community. Given TikTok’s massive popularity, creating an appealing profile is key for creators and brands seeking to build a following and connect with this highly engaged audience.
Choose a Profile Photo
Your profile photo is one of the first things people will see when visiting your TikTok profile, so you want to make a good first impression. Use a clear, high-quality headshot of yourself. Ideally, you’ll have good lighting in the photo with minimal shadows or glare on your face. Face the camera directly and smile naturally.
When taking your profile photo, make sure you follow the recommended dimensions. As of 2023, TikTok profile pictures display as circles that are 150 x 150 pixels, but you should upload images that are at least 600 x 600 pixels for optimal quality. Use an editing app to add a solid background color if needed to fit the 1:1 ratio. Be sure to save and export your profile photo as JPG or PNG format at the highest resolution possible.
According to experts (https://storykit.io/blog/tiktok-pfp), natural lighting is best for TikTok profile photos. If indoors, position yourself near a window for diffused lighting. Avoid shadows on your face or harsh overhead lighting. Express yourself through your facial expression and use an angle that flatters you. A simple headshot with a genuine smile exudes friendliness and approachability.
Write an Engaging Bio
Your TikTok bio is limited to 80 characters, so you need to make it short and sweet. Keep it personalized to showcase your unique personality. For example, include a fun fact, a quote, or a brief description of the type of content you post. You can list your other social media accounts here too. Just remember – bios with emojis and keywords tend to perform better. Check out some creative TikTok bio examples for inspiration.
According to this article, some engaging bio ideas include:
❤️ Just here to make you smile ❤️
Plant mom 🌿🌱
Spreading positivity one video at a time ✨
Amateur baker 🧁🍪 Loves dogs 🐶
Keep it short, unique, and reflective of your brand. The bio makes a key first impression on new viewers clicking your profile.
Link Other Social Accounts
It’s a good idea to link your other social media accounts like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc. to your TikTok profile. This helps showcase that you have an established presence on multiple platforms and makes it easy for viewers to connect with you in other places (1). According to Milestone Internet, some key reasons to link your social accounts include:
- Making the sharing and linking process more convenient for users
- Expanding your brand reach and awareness through users’ networks
- Driving more traffic to your site and other profiles
To link your other accounts, go to your TikTok profile, tap the three dot menu icon in the top right, choose “Edit profile,” then tap “Social media links.” Here you can connect your Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, website, and other profiles. This demonstrates your social media savvy and provides viewers with direct access to your content universe (2).
Linking profiles together creates a cohesive social media ecosystem that reinforces your brand. According to the Buffalo Business Journal, it also shows that your business is organized and dependable (3). Just be mindful that each platform has its own tone and style – make sure your content is tailored appropriately.
Sources:
(1) https://www.seoptimer.com/blog/social-media-links/
(2) https://blog.milestoneinternet.com/getting-social/3-key-reasons-to-add-social-media-links-to-your-website/
(3) https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2019/06/10/benefits-of-linking-your-company-s-social-media.html
Decide on a Name
Picking the right name for your TikTok profile is crucial for making a good first impression on viewers. Your username should be memorable, on-brand for your content, and convey your personality or niche. Avoid generic names like “katie123” or “dancevideos456” – these are difficult to remember and don’t stand out. Instead, get creative with a unique username related to your content. For example, if you post comedy videos, “comedyqueen” or “lolmaster” are quirky options. If you share fashion content, “stylestar” or “[YourName]Fashion” work well. You can also incorporate emojis or use a play on words to help your name stick in viewers’ minds. Just make sure it aligns with your brand and is appropriate for all audiences. Keep it short and sweet – TikTok’s character limit is 30. Aim for a username that’s catchy, clever and memorable.[1]
Follow Relevant Accounts
One of the best ways to tailor your TikTok feed to your interests is by following accounts that post content related to topics you care about. Spend some time searching hashtags and viewing popular videos in niches that appeal to you. When you find creators that consistently publish content you enjoy, follow their accounts.
For example, if you’re interested in cooking and baking, search for hashtags like #bakingtips, #easydinnerideas, and #foodhacks. Follow accounts that share recipes, cooking techniques, and other kitchen-related content. This curates your “For You” page so more cooking videos appear.
You can also check out who similar accounts follow for recommendations on relevant people to follow. According to the TikTok Help Center, “Tap Follow from the user’s profile page” to follow someone [1]. Follow a diverse range of creators to keep your feed exciting.
Like and Comment on Posts
Interacting with other users’ content by liking and commenting is an important way to engage on TikTok. When you like videos, it lets the creator know you enjoyed their content. Liking videos also helps them get more visibility on TikTok through the algorithm. According to an article on PubTok, “The more likes a video gets, the more credibility it has in the eyes of the TikTok algorithm.” https://pubtok.com/blog/why-do-tiktok-likes-matter/
Commenting allows you to connect with creators and build relationships. It provides an opportunity to share your thoughts, give compliments, and show appreciation. An article on FbPostLikes notes, “Commenting on other’s posts will establish you as an active user, which in turn will make the algorithm promote your profile and content.” Make sure to comment meaningful, relevant things to foster genuine connections.
Liking and commenting regularly will position you as an engaged user, which can lead to more visibility and a better experience on TikTok overall.
Post Quality Content
TikTok is all about entertainment, so you’ll need to post fun, engaging videos if you want to build an audience. According to the Shopify blog, “The majority of viral TikTok videos are under 60 seconds long. Keeping videos short and punchy will capture viewer attention and make content easily digestible.”
Come up with creative concepts and film high-quality videos to stand out. Use effects, transitions, text overlays, stickers, and trending sounds to make your content more captivating. Experiment with different video styles like challenges, comedy, lip syncs, dance videos, and more to see what resonates with your followers.
As the HootSuite article suggests, “The best performing content on the platform is funny, uplifting, entertaining, or helpful.” Bring your personality and passion to your videos. Being authentic and relatable will help you connect with viewers.
Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags are one of the best ways to get more views and reach new audiences on TikTok. By using relevant hashtags, you make it easier for users to find your content when searching or browsing. Some tips for using hashtags effectively:
Research popular and trending hashtags in your niche by using sites like TikTok’s Trend Discovery tool. Aim to use a mix of popular hashtags with millions of views along with more specific niche hashtags.
Include a good variety of hashtags – 5-10 per video is usually recommended. Putting too many can seem spammy.
Place hashtags in the caption of your video. You can also add some in the first comment.
Use relevant hashtag challenges and campaigns like #SmallBusiness to join larger conversations.
Analyze which hashtags perform best by looking at engagement and views. Refine your hashtags over time.
Tagging your videos with relevant hashtags will help you expand your reach and get your content in front of users looking for those topics. Take time to find the right hashtags to grow your audience.
Analyze Performance
Once you start posting content, it’s important to analyze how your videos are performing so you can understand what types of content resonates best with your audience. TikTok provides creators with robust analytics within the app to track views, likes, comments, shares, audience demographics, traffic sources, top videos, profile visits, etc.
To view analytics, open the TikTok app and go to your profile page. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Creator Tools”. This will bring you to the Creator Tools dashboard. Select “Analytics” to view performance data.
Some key metrics to analyze regularly include:
- Video views – This shows how many times each video has been viewed.
- Likes and comments – Higher engagement numbers indicate your audience is responding well to your content.
- Shares – When people share your video it expands your reach.
- Audience retention – This shows how long people are watching your videos on average.
- Traffic sources – See where your views are coming from (Hashtag challenges, FYP, profile visits, etc).
- Top videos – Review your best performing content.
There are also free TikTok analytics tools that provide more in-depth data like hashtag performance, competitor benchmarking, and audience demographics. Regularly analyzing your performance data will enable you to create the type of content your audience loves.
