Is Posting 3 Times a Week Enough to Grow Your TikTok Following?
With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms for content creation and entertainment. For aspiring creators looking to build a following on TikTok, one of the most common questions is: how often should I be posting?
The ideal posting frequency on TikTok depends on many factors. Posting consistently is key for keeping your audience engaged and allowing the TikTok algorithm to recommend your content. However, the quality and optimization of your videos matter just as much as the quantity. Finding the right balance is essential for creators who want to maximize their growth and views.
In this article, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of posting 3 times per week on TikTok. We’ll also explore how to optimize your posting strategy, engage your audience, track analytics, and implement other best practices for standing out on TikTok as a creator.
TikTok Algorithm Basics
The TikTok algorithm is designed to determine which videos users will find most engaging. It analyzes several factors to promote videos in user’s For You Pages (FYP).
Some key factors that help videos get promoted by the algorithm include:1
- User interactions – Likes, comments, shares, views, and profile clicks indicate a video resonates with viewers.
- Video information – Details like captions, sounds, hashtags, and video duration provide signals to the algorithm about content.
- Device and account settings – The algorithm customizes the FYP based on each user’s preferences and tendencies.
- Content quality – High-quality videos that are entertaining, useful, or interesting tend to be promoted.
In summary, creating content that genuinely engages users is key to success on TikTok. The more a video gets positive reactions, the more it will be pushed by the FYP algorithm.2
Pros of Posting 3 Times Per Week
Posting consistently 3 times per week on TikTok can help build a loyal audience over time. According to ICUC Social, frequent and regular posting is generally rewarded by the TikTok algorithm. When viewers see new videos from an account multiple times a week, they are more likely to follow and engage with that account.
Additionally, posting 3 times per week allows more time for creating high-quality videos versus trying to post daily. As noted by Planoly, maintaining a sustainable pace helps avoid burnout and rushing through content creation. Creators can spend time brainstorming creative ideas, filming, and editing each video before posting. This thoughtful approach often results in better performing videos.
Cons of Posting 3 Times Per Week
Posting only 3 times per week on TikTok may not be frequent enough for optimal reach and discoverability. According to TikTok’s own recommendations, posting 1-4 times per day is ideal for growth (source). With the TikTok algorithm favoring accounts that post consistently, 3 times per week likely won’t put your content in front of as many new viewers.
Additionally, posting just 3 times weekly makes it harder to stay top-of-mind for those who do see your content. As creator Rachforaday points out, “you want people to recognize you when they see you on their For You page” (source). More frequent posting helps build that consistent recognition and makes it easier for viewers to recall and engage with your brand.
Ideal Posting Frequency
The ideal posting frequency on TikTok depends on your goals and account size. According to top creators, posting 1-3 times per day is recommended for growth when you’re just starting out and have under 1,000 followers. As your following grows to 10,000+ followers, you can reduce frequency to 1-2 times per day.
For smaller accounts with under 1,000 followers, posting at least once per day is key to being discovered by the TikTok algorithm. TikTok’s algorithm rewards accounts that post consistently and engage with viewers. More posts give you more opportunities to create viral content.
However, as your following grows, you can reduce frequency while maintaining growth. But you still need to post daily. Top creators with over 1 million followers tend to post 1-3 times per day.
Here are the ideal posting frequencies according to account size:
- Under 1,000 followers: 1-3 times per day
- 1,000-10,000 followers: 1-2 times per day
- 10,000-100,000 followers: 1-2 times per day
- 100,000-1 million followers: Once per day
- Over 1 million followers: 1-3 times per day
Regardless of follower count, aim for at least one high-quality video per day. Consistency is key, but quality trumps quantity.
For reference, according to this TikTok post, top creators recommend posting 1-3 times per day when starting out and growing your account.
Optimizing Your Posts
When creating TikTok videos, it’s important to optimize them for maximum engagement and reach. Here are some creative strategies and best practices:
Leverage popular trends and challenges. TikTok is all about trends, so make sure to stay on top of the latest viral dances, memes, hashtag challenges etc. Participating in popular trends is a great way to get more views.
Use eye-catching thumbnails. The thumbnail is the first thing viewers see, so creating an appealing visual with bold colors and compelling imagery can help grab attention.
Write engaging captions. Well-written, witty or informative captions encourage likes and comments. Ask questions to spark discussion.
Use relevant hashtags. Include a mix of popular and niche hashtags so your content surfaces for a wider range of searches.
Collaborate with others. Duets and stitch videos with trending creators to gain exposure to their audience. Challenges and trends often thrive through collaborations.
Post consistently. Use analytics to find your best posting times and establish a regular schedule. Consistency helps build a loyal following.
Optimize video length. Videos under 60 seconds tend to perform best. Keep it concise and fast-paced.
Enhance with effects. TikTok’s creative effects help videos stand out. Use effects sparingly and purposefully.
Check analytics. Review performance data regularly and tweak your strategy. Trends change quickly on TikTok.
Interacting with Viewers
Responding to comments is one of the best ways to increase engagement on TikTok. When someone takes the time to comment on your video, you should acknowledge that by replying back. This shows viewers that you care about what they have to say. According to Keyhole, replying to comments can increase engagement by over 50%.
You don’t need to reply to every single comment, but try to have conversations with users when possible. Ask questions to keep the dialogue going. Also like or heart positive comments to show appreciation.
Engaging with duets and stitches is another great engagement strategy. When someone duets or stitches your video, watch their creation and leave a comment. You can compliment their creativity or provide feedback. This interaction gets your content in front of their followers, while building community.
Analytics to Track
Key metrics to measure on TikTok include views, shares, follows, comments, likes, and completion rates. By diving into TikTok’s analytics, you can gain insights to refine your strategy and boost growth.
Views show how many times your videos were seen. Popular videos receive thousands or even millions of views. Tracking your daily and total views helps gauge how well your content resonates.
Shares indicate how often viewers shared your video to other platforms or with friends. Highly shareable content gets passed around rapidly, expanding your reach.
Follower growth shows your ability to attract and retain an audience. Steady follower growth is a sign you’re creating content people want to keep watching.
Comments demonstrate active engagement. Reviewing comment themes and volumes helps improve future videos.
Likes help content get promoted by TikTok’s algorithm. Videos with more likes tend to reach more FYPs (“For You Pages”).
Completion rates reveal how long people watch your videos. High completion rates signal your content and captions keep viewers’ attention.
Analyzing these metrics over time, and A/B testing content, enables refinement of videos, captions, sounds and hashtags to boost performance.
Additional Growth Strategies
Cross-promoting your TikTok content on other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter can help expose your content to new audiences and drive growth. Make sure to include links back to your TikTok page in the captions or descriptions of posts on other platforms. You can also edit some of your best TikTok videos to share as traditional social media posts or YouTube shorts.
Collaborating with other creators through duets, stitches, or joint videos can introduce your content to their follower base. Reach out to creators with audiences similar to yours to set up collab opportunities. You may be able to run contests or challenges together or have them help promote you in some way. When collaborating directly in a duet or video, make sure your content provides added value to their audience.
Additionally, you can collaborate with influencers or brands to sponsor or feature their products in your videos. Paid partnerships allow you to tap into an existing audience while earning income.
Conclusion
In summary, posting 3 times per week on TikTok can be a good starting point for building an audience and getting comfortable creating content. However, most successful creators post daily or multiple times per day to take full advantage of the platform’s algorithm.
To grow your TikTok following, focus on quality over quantity, optimize your hashtags and captions, actively engage with your viewers, and track your analytics to see which types of videos perform best. Consider going live, collaborating with others, and exploring additional promotion techniques. Consistency and persistence are key.
With a thoughtful content strategy and commitment to regularly publishing engaging videos, you can build a thriving community on TikTok. Don’t get discouraged if growth is slow at first – stay motivated and keep Experimenting to find your niche. Your hard work will pay off in the end.
