With more than a billion TikTok folks out there, packed with young and plugged-in millennials or Gen Z, TikTok’s the place to chill online. Get this, 69% of folks surveyed say they’ve got an account, and 34% say it’s where they hang the most. But how to go viral on TikTok? Now, that’s a head-scratcher that’s puzzled loads of folks, me included. As someone who’s roamed around this wild place, I’m here to spill the beans on how to make a video blow up on TikTok, and toss in some tips and tricks I’ve picked up.
Understanding How to Go Viral on TikTok
When I first got going on TikTok, hitting the viral jackpot seemed like a long shot, kind of like winning the lottery. The TikTok rulebook is this big maze, but I figured out that keeping my finger on the TikTok pulse, spotting hot videos, figuring out what TikTok folks are into, finding the right hashtags for my gig, and keeping up with the freshest TikTok crazes popping up on my For You page was key. This stuff turned into my guide for whipping up the next big hit video.
As someone who’s dabbled in being myself and selling stuff on TikTok, I knew my stuff had to hit the mark with the people I wanted to reach, whether to get more eyeballs on my brand or move more merchandise. Still, I had to keep it real, ’cause being real is what counts here. I learned that mixing this realness with other must-haves like keeping videos snappy and throwing in trendy tunes was the magic formula to make my stuff take off on TikTok.
15 Ways to Go Viral on TikTok
1. Understand Your Audience
One of the biggie lessons I picked up about how to score big on TikTok is to really get my followers. Figuring out who I’m making vids for helps me decide what and when to post. I’d drop about 15-30 minutes a day digging into what my fans are into, and TikTok Analytics turned into my secret weapon to tailor my stuff.
2. Make High-Quality Videos
The quality of your vids is a make-or-break deal to land on the For You pages. Even if you’re filming on budget phones, you can still churn out top-notch HD vids. Since TikTok vids are snappy, going all in on quality is a no-brainer for bigger reach.
3. Focus on the First 3-Second of the Introduction
In my quest to figure out how to make a vid take off on TikTok, I found out that 67% of the most popular vids snag your attention in the first 3 seconds. Here’s what worked like a charm for me:
- Kick off with a clear win for viewers.
- Use numbers in the headline to crank up interest.
- Pop in standout images and scenes.
- Throw in text for the opening shot.
- Start off with a question that piques curiosity.
4. Create an Attractive Main Idea
Want to know how to go big on TikTok in 2023? Content is still king. Here’s what I suggest to keep your fans on the hook:
- Sharing the Know-How: Keep vids short and sweet.
- Vlog: Put the spotlight on eye-catching visuals and captivating audio.
- Movies: Spin unexpected and captivating storylines with a cliffhanger ending. Aim for a vid length of around 1 minute and 30 seconds to make sure your viewers stay tuned.
5. Evoke Emotions in the Ending
The way I wrap up my TikTok vids turned into a powerful way to reel in viewers and get them to do something. Instead of just focusing on the wrap-up, I learned to let the story steer the emotional journey. Some tactics that worked wonders for me are:
- Throwing out questions to get viewers involved.
- Cooking up a unique brand message without a hard sell. Keep in mind, there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe, but trying to leave viewers feeling content or craving more, depending on the vid, became a key part of my creative game plan.
6. Pay Attention to TikTok’s Algorithm
Getting TikTok’s algorithm is a must for anyone scratching their head about how to go viral on TikTok. I noticed that the longer viewers stuck around for my vid, the better it did. The platform gave me a pat on the back for keeping viewers glued, ’cause the algorithm would push my vid to more folks if it aced the Performance Evaluation.
7. Keep Your Videos Short
Completion rate is a big deal in TikTok’s algorithm. I found out that keeping vids short, but juicy enough to get the message across, seriously upped my odds of going viral.
8. Throw Music in Your Videos
Music’s been a game-changer for my vids. Thanks to TikTok’s killer music library, I can add the latest beats that are all the rage, lining up with what’s hot and what everyone’s doing. Figuring out how to snag these tunes was key to jumping on the viral train.
9. Use the Right Hashtags
Hashtags have been my secret weapon on TikTok. Slapping on big-name and specific hashtags that jive with my content has helped me find the right crowd. Mixing the big boys with some smaller, unique ones helped boost my viral vibes.
Check out our Ultimate Guide on How Many Hashtags on TikTok Should You Use and get trending now!
10. Follow the Trends Regularly
I finally got that TikTok’s all about what’s trending now. Keeping my finger on the pulse of what videos are in and joining in on the latest hashtags or challenges has bumped me up on the “For You” page. Playing around with those trendy challenges has been a big win for keeping viewers hooked.
11. Collaborate with Other Creators
Working with influencers and other TikTok stars has been a big part of how I reach new fans. Hooking up with others has been a solid move for getting myself on TikTok’s For You page.
12. Engage with the Community
To me, TikTok’s not just about dropping videos; it’s about building a tribe. I use stuff like Duet and Stitch to cook up videos together, and I make sure to poke my viewers to chip in with their two cents. Doing things this way has given my videos a boost in the algorithm.
13. Respond to All Comments
Chatting back to my viewers by replying to comments has given my videos some extra juice. I figured out that the more comments a vid’s got, the more likely it’s gonna take off. But I also learned I gotta take it easy on how fast I respond; going too quick can get me a time-out from my account.
14. Use TikTok’s Tools
I found out TikTok’s got tons of cool songs and snazzy video effects. I play around with these tunes and tricks to make my vids stand out, which helps me get in tune with my peeps.
15. Keep Posting
For me, hitting it big on TikTok’s all about keeping at it. I try to drop content regularly, always aiming for top-notch stuff. Doing this, I’ve seen my videos get better, and I’ve got a better shot at blowing up.
16. Try Different Stuff
Believe it or not, anything can blow up on TikTok (yep, even stuff about slicing avocados!). When I kicked things off, I tried all sorts of different things, playing around with styles and themes. Once I figured out what my crew liked, I kept on trying new stuff to keep things fresh.
17. Hold Off on Linking Products
It might feel like you want to drop a product link like, right now, especially if I’m showing off something cool. But I learned that keeping that link under wraps for a bit can get people talking. By playing hard to get with the link, folks tend to chime in more, asking about where to find it or what it is. That chit-chat has given my vids a bit more oomph.
Frequently-Asked Questions about How to Go Viral on TikTok
Do I Need a Large Following to Go Viral on TikTok?
No, having loads of followers isn’t gonna make sure you go viral on TikTok. I’ve watched folks like Addison Rae and Charli D’Amelio start with basically nada and still go big with just a few hundred or thousand followers.
What Are Some of the Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Go Viral on TikTok?
From what I’ve seen, posting grainy or super-salesy vids, slapping on hashtags that don’t make sense, ghosting your audience, and blowing off TikTok’s rules are no-nos you’ll want to steer clear of.
Is It Possible to Get Trending on TikTok Without Using Popular Music or Hashtags?
Totally! Sure, hit songs and the right hashtags can bump up your views, but I’ve seen peeps go viral without ’em. It’s all about being fresh and different.
How Many Views Are Considered Viral on TikTok?
There’s no magic number since it depends on what you’re sharing and who’s watching. But I’d say if your video’s racking up hundreds of thousands or even millions of views super fast, you’re in viral territory.
How Often Should You Post on TikTok to Go Viral?
There’s no set rule for how often to post if you wanna go viral. But I’ve noticed throwing out more vids seems to help your chances.
How Long Does It Take to Go Viral on TikTok?
It’s a mixed bag. I’ve had some vids go wild right after I’ve posted them, while others were more of a slow burn, taking days or weeks. Even the big accounts don’t always blow up overnight. My two cents? Chill out and let TikTok do its thing.
Figuring out how to hit it big on TikTok might seem like a puzzle, but with a cool head, talking to your fans, playing around with TikTok’s toys, and not goofing up, you can find your way. Stick with it, follow these tricks, and learning how to go big on TikTok with 123Tik‘s tips can turn into a fun ride.”
