TikTok is a social network that operates through a mobile application, which we download onto a tablet or mobile phone. It allows users to watch diverse content, record short videos of up to 180 seconds, edit them, and add special effects to the video itself. As with most other apps and social networks, users can follow other users and like and comment on videos. TikTok users can create videos up to 180 seconds long, recorded with a mobile phone or tablet. Videos can be recorded in a single take or assembled from multiple clips totaling up to 180 seconds. They can be edited and enhanced with various effects: speed up, slow down, reverse playback, and more. Users can also add music and other sound effects to their videos.
Once we download the app, we can watch videos without creating an account, but if we create a profile, we can follow others and create our own content. Most users record and produce a video in which they sing along to music by well-known artists (TikTok also allows recording videos unrelated to music, such as various challenges, dance, and comedy sketches). They then share these videos with other users. Users can log into TikTok with a phone number, email address, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter profile, or a Google account. They can then search for popular creators, browse categories, and explore hashtags. TikTok also has a feature that allows two users to perform a duet, but both users must follow each other.
The social network is of Chinese origin and is owned by ByteDance, headquartered in Beijing. It was founded in 2016 and merged with the app Musical.ly in 2018. TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app, and those under 18 must have parental or guardian consent. TikTok’s algorithm is one of the most unique parts of the experience. When you open the app, there are two tabs for viewing content – a page made up exclusively of accounts you follow, and your For You Page, abbreviated as FYP. TikTok’s algorithm uses artificial intelligence to provide users with recommendations on which videos to watch, based on previous views. The app tracks the types of videos users like and comment on, as well as the users they follow, to build a picture of what content interests them. The app is growing rapidly and is currently the sixth largest social network in the world.
- More than 1.65 billion users have downloaded the app on mobile devices and tablets.
- In 2019, it was the second most downloaded app in the world.
- According to official statistics, the average user opens the app 8 times a day.
- The largest demographic group on TikTok consists of young people aged 18 to 25, which is also one of the most sought-after target groups for marketing.
How to create a good TikTok profile and build it gradually
Popularity and virality on TikTok is no longer just for teenagers dancing. The platform has proven to be one of the most vibrant social networks of our time. This is also what makes it possible to create a viral video in a way that few other social media networks offer.
Anyone can create a viral video on TikTok and build a stable and popular profile, regardless of whether they have 2 followers or 200 thousand followers. The app’s algorithm, using artificial intelligence, gives all users an equal chance of having their videos go viral and building an audience over time, which cannot be said for other popular apps. However, just because TikTok provides equal conditions for all its users. If you have ever created a profile on any other social media platform, you will likely notice many similarities with creating a profile on TikTok. The main difference is that TikTok’s search and discovery algorithm is much better, meaning you will see better results much faster. That is why we have some tips for you on how to create a good TikTok profile with more followers.
- Be consistent. This probably seems like something obvious, but you need to figure out for yourself what posting schedule works best for you, and then stick to it. Regardless of whether that’s once a day or just a few times a week, we guarantee that the more reliable your schedule of new content is, the better your performance will be. One of the most well-known entrepreneurs in the world, Gary Vaynerchuk, has said that it is most advisable for beginners to post their TikToks 4 times a day.
- Create content for your target audience. It’s easy to lose your audience and create videos that will appeal to everyone. You will create the best content and achieve the best results when you film videos for a specific audience. If you’ve created an account for sports commentary, your target audience will be sports enthusiasts, who are probably not going to be interested in which make-up products are coming to market next month.
- Engage with your viewers. There’s a reason TikTok is called a social network. You must not forget the one-on-one connections you can gain in the comments section. This will make viewers feel like part of your profile and they will follow your videos with even greater enthusiasm.
- Comment on other people’s videos on the FYP. This is one of the best ways to make new friends or collaborations with other popular TikTok creators.
- Use appropriate hashtags (#). If you want your content to be discovered, you need to do some research on hashtags – which hashtags are trending, what target audience you are targeting, and which ones relate to your videos – hashtags must be connected to your video. Whenever you post a video on TikTok, don’t forget to add relevant and popular hashtags. Keep in mind that TikTok is primarily an entertainment platform. Users are looking for content that will entertain them. Use hashtags strategically to attract as much attention as possible from audiences who don’t yet know you.
- Think about what value your videos provide. One of the things that will help take your videos to the next level is asking: “What value do these videos have for my audience?” Whether they are aware of it or not, people watch videos to get something out of them. This could be as simple as comedy in every video. Or perhaps your audience is hoping to learn something new. Figuring out what value your videos provide will help guide the type of content you create.
The 3-second rule
Knowing how to become popular on TikTok also means understanding how TikTok’s algorithm evaluates and distributes content. Once you become aware of the key factors that influence value measurement in the algorithm, you will be one step closer to creating content that people want to see on their pages (For You Page). One of the key tips is precisely the three-second rule. But what does this actually mean?
As soon as you post a video on TikTok, the algorithm will always send the video to users’ For You Page, but only for a short time. The reason for this is that the platform can determine whether your video is relevant and engaging for viewers (and if it is, it will show it to more people).
The key factors that TikTok measures here are watch time and the video completion rate. If your audience only watches a few seconds of your 30-second video before scrolling to the next one, the algorithm will flag your video as boring or irrelevant, which is not ideal.
So how do you avoid this? Make sure your video captures your audience’s attention. And those first 3 seconds are the most important. After all, there is an enormous amount of video content to choose from on TikTok and it is very easy to scroll to the next video.
The longer people watch your video, the better it will be for you. That’s why you need to hook your audience the moment they see your video, and try to keep them watching until the end. This will increase your average watch time and boost your video completion rate.
The longer the watch time and the higher the completion rate of your video, the greater the likelihood that TikTok will recommend your video to more users.
So allow yourself to start boldly, captivate your audience, and pay attention to pacing. Reveal the conclusion at the end or serialize your content so that people are excited to watch the next video and see what happens. Perhaps leave them with some questions, so they are compelled to comment on your video to find the answer. The more you encourage interaction, the better. This way you are proving to TikTok that your content is engaging and people want more.
Encourage FOMO (fear of missing out) in your viewers
FOMO refers to human behavior where you leverage viewers’ desire to seize every opportunity they get. This means encouraging viewers to continuously follow your video/videos without later regretting it.
FOMO works because humans are risk-averse beings, which is why it is one of the marketing tactics that companies create to persuade customers into impulse purchases, without potential buyers first asking themselves whether the product they intend to buy even meets their standards. If you suddenly see an ad on Facebook showing a watch with a huge discount, your sense of FOMO will increase. You may not have been that enthusiastic about making a purchase, but just by seeing that ad you will be compelled to think about it. This is the exact feeling of panic that FOMO marketing aims to create.
You can easily create this feeling on TikTok. By encouraging users to simply replicate your content, participate in a challenge, or try your product or service, joining the trend becomes irresistible for other users, which is good news for brands.
Post videos when the most people are using TikTok
As with any social media platform, posting at the ideal time also helps on TikTok. It is not as important as on Instagram, but posting when more users are in the app can help your videos gain more views faster, leading to more TikTok followers. I suggest posting early in the morning, mid-afternoon, or late at night, as these are the times when people typically use their phones the most (morning commutes, afternoon couch breaks…). This requires a bit of experimentation on your part. Social media services do not yet have great tools for predicting ideal posting times. Fortunately, TikTok’s built-in services within the app include insights into when your audience is active. Post when your viewers are most active in the app.
Post high-quality videos
In the beginning, quantity is certainly more important than quality of videos, however with more followers you will soon be compelled to improve the quality of the image and sound of your videos as well. You may have noticed that videos uploaded to TikTok don’t always look great. Some users may think that the quality of video recorded with their smartphones is too low, which is why TikTok allows you to upload videos in 1080p HD. If you haven’t manually adjusted the video quality settings on TikTok to default to uploading videos in high resolution, the video quality will likely still be poor. To upload high-quality videos to TikTok, follow these steps:
- prepare your video; press the plus (“+”) button to begin the video upload process;
- record a video or select an existing video from your mobile phone, then add text, animations, filters, and other effects if needed;
- press the “Next” button to proceed to the posting settings, then add a caption and tags and configure any of the privacy settings as usual;
- press the “More Options” button to enable the “Upload HD” option; once enabled, you can upload an HD video to TikTok;
- press the “Post” button to upload your video in higher quality.
When recording videos, don’t forget about good lighting, which is one of the most important factors in overall quality. You don’t need to complicate things with very expensive equipment and lights. Just make sure you have good lighting on the subject/people you are filming at the time of recording.
Conclusion
We must be aware that no success comes overnight. In very rare cases, a beginner with a desire for a successful TikTok profile, many followers, many views/likes… can achieve success overnight. However, with hard work, consistency, and discipline, anything is possible, so don’t give up and try to achieve your TikTok goals with our help.
Don’t miss out!
We have several free e-books for you to help you earn more and achieve business success. Download yours at https://zannekrep.com/brezplacne-e-knjige/
