11 Proven Strategies to Go Viral on TikTok

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TikTok generates an incredible audience and a high potential for viral content, hence the importance of being there. However, going viral on TikTok can be tough. There are over one billion active users and millions of videos being uploaded every day. So, standing out from the crowd requires hard work.

Whether you're an aspiring TikTok creator or a brand looking to harness the power of TikTok's virality, this guide will provide you with proven strategies and expert tips to increase your chances of going viral.

Ways to go viral on TikTok

Understand how it works

TikTok influencers aren't there because they're lucky. Instead, they know how TikTok works. There are three things to consider. One of them is user engagement, which relates to followers, sharing stuff, comments, and likes.
 
The second one is the ability to capture interest, so you need to ensure your viewers make it all the way to the end. Finally, it’s about the content, so use the right hashtags and captions, not to mention TikTok’s sounds.

Follow trends

Trends become viral. Even if it’s not you who started a trend, you can still jump on it and become part of the viral content. Be it a dance or a transition, anything can draw some attention. Keep track of trends, and make sure to jump on anything you see worthy.
 
It pays off showing your fun side, whether it’s a personal profile or a business one.

Use hashtags

Like for any other social network, hashtags can make a difference. It's not a new idea, but it's still one that works. Go to the discover tab, and you'll reveal a series of useful trends. Each of them has hashtags, so make sure to implement them into your posts as well.
 
Of course, such hashtags must be relevant to your content, but adapting them is fairly simple.

Use viral elements in your posts

Sometimes, going viral is not all about the content and trends. It’s also about the audio background.
 
Luckily, there are lots of options out there, from famous songs to songs no one’s ever heard of. As long as they’re popular on TikTok, that’s all that matters.
 
If you’re not sure what songs suit your content better, simply choose to add a sound, and you'll find all the viral stuff there. Pick something suitable for your content and watch your following grow.

Keep it short and sweet

Initially, TikTok only allowed 15-second videos. The rule has changed considerably over the past years, but that doesn't mean you have to exaggerate. People don't have much patience these days, so they're more likely to watch a 15-second video than a three-minute one.
 
No matter how much you have to say in a video, keep it short. It’s wiser to post more short videos than one long video.
 
The idea behind this tip is simple. The shorter a video is, the more likely people are to watch it to the end. If it’s too long and you fail to keep the audience engaged, you won’t go viral, simple as that.

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Interact with your users

TikTok is about user engagement, that’s what drives certain videos to go viral. User engagement is considered a sign of quality, hence its importance.
 
Interaction is about posting videos about FAQs, showing tutorials of various products, conducting interviews, running the AMA (Ask Me Anything) trend, and even hosting a live chat session, based on your available time.
 
When live, you’re more likely to be recommended to other users, who will then be able to join with just a swipe. Many of them will join out of curiosity, so make sure you’re doing something useful to keep people in.

Start with a hook

No matter how short your videos are, people will swipe relatively fast if you don’t start with a hook. You need to catch someone’s attention within a couple of seconds only. If they’ll stick for most of the video (assuming the video is short too), the content is more likely to be appreciated by TikTok’s algorithm.

Take a few editing tutorials

TikTok is visual, which means you need to draw attention with the actual video. Sure, audio helps in the process and can trigger the right emotions, but if people want music, they’ll join other networks. Therefore, it’s the video to focus on.
 
While you can always shoot great videos with no editing knowledge, getting good at editing will certainly help. At the same time, you'll spend less time on your work, since you don't need too many "doubles".

Keep it consistent

Like for any other social network, consistency is critical for your audience. Become inactive, and chances are your users will slightly slide away. It makes perfect sense, people are on TikTok to watch content, so make sure you're always there. Do it daily or once every few days, depending on your profile.

Using controversy in videos

While this strategy isn't exclusive to TikTok, it has been proven effective over the years. Controversial posts tend to evoke strong emotions and elicit reactions from viewers. However, it's crucial to approach controversy with caution and sensitivity. The goal is not to offend, but to offer your opinion and spark reflection and discussion among your audience.

Collaborate with other TikTokers

When seeking collaboration with TikTok creators and influencers, it's important to consider their relevance to your niche. Working with influencers who align with your brand or content ensures that you attract the right audience and achieve maximum impact.

If you're new to TikTok and have a low follower count, it may initially be challenging to find a content creator willing to collaborate. However, don't get discouraged. Begin by following influencers you admire, studying their content style, and engaging with their posts. As you build a solid following, you can then approach them with a well-thought-out collaboration proposal.

Bottom line

A mix of all these techniques will help you gain some notoriety on TikTok. It takes time to figure out what works for you, but trial and error makes it perfect.