Why Posting Schedule Matters on TikTok
Having a consistent posting schedule is crucial for success on TikTok. As TikTok’s unique algorithm favors regular posting and engagement, maintaining a regular schedule will help increase your content’s visibility and reach the right audience.
TikTok’s algorithm determines which videos to push based on a variety of factors, including how frequently you post. Accounts that post consistently are more likely to have their content shown to their followers and a broader audience. An inconsistent schedule can cause your viewers to lose interest.
Additionally, posting at optimal times when your target audience is most active on the app increases the chances of higher engagement. More likes, comments, and shares signal to the algorithm that your content resonates, resulting in amplified distribution. A coordinated posting cadence helps build an engaged audience that anticipates and looks forward to your next video.
As social media strategist Jenn Herman explains, “The algorithm loves consistency. The more consistently you post, the more TikTok will show your videos to potential new followers” (source). Focus on regularity and quality over randomly dumping content. Developing a thoughtful schedule tailored to your audience is key for TikTok success.
Research Popular Posting Times on TikTok
When determining the best times to post on TikTok, it’s important to research when your target audience is most active on the platform. Analytics suggest that mornings and evenings tend to see higher engagement on TikTok, while lunch hours and late at night have lower engagement.
According to a study by Later, the most popular times to post are before 11am and after 7pm on weekdays. Their data shows a peak in engagement around 7-8pm. Another analysis by Sprout Social found the highest viewership on TikTok occurs from 9-10am and 6-11pm across all days of the week.
The data indicates weekends, especially Sundays, see more TikTok views and interactions than weekdays. This is likely when more people have free time to scroll through their For You feed. So you may get greater visibility for your TikToks on weekends.
It’s best to test out different posting times yourself and analyze the insights data to determine when your audience is most responsive. But in general, mornings and evenings on weekends tend to be prime posting times according to multiple studies.
Sources:
https://profiletree.com/best-times-to-post-on-tiktok/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7Q37-9ONTM
Consider Your Target Audience’s Habits
When determining your posting schedule, it’s important to analyze when your target audience is most active on TikTok. Look at the analytics for your current content to see when your posts tend to get the most views and engagement. You can also check competitor accounts or influencers in your niche to see when their top performing content is usually posted.
Pay attention to days of the week and times of day when your audience is most engaged. Weekday evenings or weekends may perform better depending on your niche. You may find certain times consistently see higher view counts and comments.
Factor in time zones if you have an international TikTok audience. What appears as an optimal posting time locally may not translate well in other regions. You can tailor and stagger your posting schedule based on your top geographic markets.
TikTok analytics provide great insight into audience behaviors over time. Continuously analyze the data to refine your understanding of your target audience’s habits on the platform.
Test Different Posting Times
One of the best ways to optimize your TikTok posting schedule is to test out different posting times. Start by posting 1-2 times per day at different times across the 24 hours in a day. You can try posting in the morning, afternoon, evening, and late night to see what resonates best with your audience.
Make sure to track analytics like views, comments, shares, follows, etc. to see which times perform the best. You can view this data in the TikTok analytics section. Pay attention to when your videos get the most engagement within the first few hours of posting. Using TikTok’s split testing feature can also help compare different posting times.
Once you’ve collected enough data over several weeks, adjust your schedule accordingly. Optimize for the times that drive the most traffic and engagement. Consistency is also key – your followers will come to expect videos at certain times. You may need to test different days as well, since weekends may perform differently than weekdays.
Continuously analyze your performance data and refine your approach. As your audience grows, their habits may change too. Stay flexible and keep testing new times every few months to stay optimized.
Develop a Consistent Schedule
Once you determine the best times to post for your target audience, it’s important to develop a consistent posting schedule. According to one analysis, brands that post at least 1-2 times per day tend to see better algorithmic benefits on TikTok (https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2023/09/20/how-often-to-post-on-tiktok).
Rather than batch posting several videos at once or posting randomly, aim to space out your content throughout the day and week. Posting consistently at the same times trains the TikTok algorithm and helps your followers know when to expect new content.
For example, you could post at 7 AM, 12 PM, and 5 PM daily to hit key times when users open the app. Or post Monday through Friday and take weekends off. The key is sticking to the schedule as much as possible so your audience recognizes it.
A consistent posting approach combines optimization for the algorithm with building a relationship and expectations with your followers. Over time, you’re likely to see increased views, engagement, and growth by developing a posting schedule and rhythm on TikTok.
Optimize Your Captions and Hashtags
Your captions and hashtags are critical for grabbing attention and improving discoverability on TikTok. Write compelling captions that intrigue viewers and encourage them to engage. Ask questions, tell a story, or share an interesting fact related to your video. Use current trends and challenges as inspiration too.
Including relevant hashtags allows your content to be found by users interested in those topics. Research popular hashtags in your niche and include a mix of broader and more targeted ones. You can include up to 100 characters of hashtags per caption. Place less important tags at the end so your most important keywords are visible up front.
According to TikTok creator @rachforaday, “Asking questions in your caption is the easiest way to get engagement on TikTok. It gives viewers a reason to comment.” She recommends asking open-ended questions that invite deeper discussion.
Additionally, use captions to encourage viewers to follow you, check out your bio link, view another video, or take a desired action. Well-optimized captions are vital for driving results on TikTok.
Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachforaday/video/7099453117950905606?lang=en
Leverage Trending Sounds and Challenges
One of the best ways to reach new viewers on TikTok is to leverage popular sounds and hashtags. The app makes it easy to find what’s currently trending. Open the search bar and browse trending sounds, hashtags, and challenges. You can also scroll through your For You feed to see what types of videos are going viral.
When you find a trending sound you want to use, put your own creative spin on it. Add visuals, effects, captions, and choreography that show off your style. Challenges are a great way to engage your audience and get more eyes on your content. Come up with fun ways to participate in viral challenges, or create your own original challenges that your followers can join in on.
As an example, check out this blog post from Shopify on how to find trending sounds on TikTok: https://www.shopify.com/blog/how-to-find-trending-sounds-tiktok. Putting your own spin on popular trends is key to growth on TikTok.
Collaborate with Influencers
Collaborating with influencers in your niche can be an effective way to cross-promote content and reach new audiences on TikTok. According to TikTok Influencer Marketing: Tips for Success, partnering with the right influencers allows brands to tap into their existing follower base and credibility. The key is finding influencers whose content aligns with your brand identity and target demographic.
Look for influencers in your industry who create high-quality content and have an engaged, relevant audience. Make sure to vet potential partners to ensure they have a good reputation and that their values align with yours. When reaching out, be clear about your goals for the partnership and collaboration opportunities that would benefit both parties. This could include co-creating TikTok videos, cross-promoting each other’s accounts, participating in trends together, etc. Offer to promote their channel in exchange for them featuring your products or messaging.
According to TikTok Influencer Marketing: Tips for Marketing on TikTok, successful TikTok collaborations allow both influencers and brands to expand their reach and get creative with branded content. Maintain open communication, share metrics, and be willing to optimize the partnership over time. With strategic influencer partnerships tailored to your audience, you can gain credibility and tap into new networks organically.
Promote Your TikToks Elsewhere
In addition to optimizing your content for the TikTok platform, you can expand your reach by promoting your TikTok videos elsewhere. A great way to do this is by sharing your TikTok videos on other social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook. You can easily download your TikTok videos and upload them natively to other platforms. Add captions encouraging people to check out your TikTok channel.
Another effective strategy is to embed your TikTok videos on your website or blog. TikTok offers embed codes that allow you to easily integrate your videos. This exposes your content to visitors who may not be on TikTok yet. Make sure to include links back to your TikTok profile so viewers can follow you if they enjoy the content. Promoting your videos externally can help drive more followers, likes and shares on TikTok itself. Just make sure to optimize the content for each platform’s algorithm.
Analyze and Refine Your Approach
Once you have started posting content on a regular schedule, it’s important to continuously analyze your top performing posts. TikTok provides creators with robust analytics to help identify what types of videos are resonating with your audience.
Pay attention to metrics like views, likes, comments, shares, watch time, and more. Look at when your top videos were posted and what made them stand out. Did they use a popular sound or hashtag? Was the caption funny or informative? Did the video highlight a trending challenge?
Use these insights to refine your approach. Double down on what’s working by making more videos in that style or about those topics. Try out new variations to improve upon successful formats. Stay on top of your comments to see what viewers are responding to.
It’s also crucial to stay on top of TikTok algorithm changes and experiment accordingly. Small tweaks like using different hashtags, trying new video effects, or switching up your posting schedule can reveal how the algorithm currently favors certain content. Pay attention to any drops or spikes when changes are implemented.
By continuously analyzing performance and fine-tuning your strategy, you can create content tailored for your TikTok audience while adapting to the platform’s evolving algorithm.
For more insights, check out TikTok’s analytics guides: https://www.tiktok.com/business/en/analytics
