While TikTok initially gained popularity as a lip-synching and dancing app, it has evolved into one of the leading social media platforms for marketing and advertising. Because of its large user base and engaging content format, many companies have turned to TikTok to connect with current and potential customers.
A large following on TikTok is vital as it increases your reach and visibility. A larger following can lead to higher engagement rates, greater brand recognition, and more opportunities for conversions.
In this article, we’ll discuss strategies to get more followers on TikTok.
Are you curious? Then, let’s get started.
Why do TikTok followers matter
Knowing your audience is the base of any good marketing strategy. On TikTok, your “followers” are essentially your audience, an indicator of your reach and influence.
When a TikTok account has many followers, its video content reaches more people. When many people watch a video, it has a higher chance of garnering interactions (likes, comments, shares, etc.).
For some creators, interactions convert to money. Others rely on their followers’ interactions to help support a cause or spread information.
Whatever the purpose, having substantial followers on TikTok is vital for a person, company, or brand’s success on the platform.
But how do you get TikTok followers, anyway? And, once you’re there, how do you ensure your followers stay?
11 Ideas to get more followers on TikTok
Let’s review 11 great ideas to grow your TikTok following.
1. Choose your niche
Choosing a niche means your TikTok followers know what to expect from your account.
Determine your niche by answering the following question — What kind of video content makes the most sense for your brand or business?
Like other advertising methods, the base of TikTok marketing is reaching demographics that have the highest chance of purchasing your products or services. Similarly, consumers enjoy content that resonates with them.
Put these two concepts together, and voila! That’s your niche.
This might mean that your tech company produces straightforward product features or reviews, your beauty company creates tutorials, and your pet care company is just cute dog videos. Or, it may mean something totally different.
Whatever it may be, don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things as you explore how to get more followers on TikTok.
2. Post often and stay consistent
Post content on a regular schedule to leverage success with TikTok’s algorithm.
When first getting acquainted with the platform, develop a content strategy with a calendar to plan posts weeks in advance.
Of course, TikTok is a social media platform. This means that a large percentage of engagement should come from interacting with followers, too. In addition to posting on a schedule, factor in time and resources to make additional content that addresses commenters, followers, and other creators. More on this later!
3. Create content in-app
TikTok is an intuitive app with a full built-in video creation and editing tools. While the app supports uploaded footage, TikTok’s algorithm favors videos filmed and edited on its platform.
When creating content in the app, users can access thousands of sounds, stickers, effects, filters, and traditional video editing options.
If you wish to gain TikTok followers, post according to the app’s algorithm for the best success rate. The algorithm determines the videos on users’ feeds and how often they are made available to more and more people. If you create most of your content in-app, you will reach a wider audience.
4. Make useful content
Many people turn to TikTok for ideas and inspiration. It’s a free way to learn about various topics, sometimes straight from the mouths of experts.
One way to gain TikTok followers is to share knowledge. Any brand or business can do this. Consider your niche, then brainstorm topics your audience might want to know more about.
Here’s an example from pet stores PetSmart that shares a helpful tip for when you clip your pet’s nails too short. In only 20 seconds, the brand shares something practical from which any pet owner could benefit.
Or, take this example from Planet Fitness, a large fitness club franchise. They’re sharing a video with tips on staying motivated at the gym.
5. Jump on trending sounds and challenges
When a sound or challenge trends on TikTok, millions of people view and interact with videos that use that particular sound or participate in that challenge. Creating content based on trends gets your account in front of new people and helps you gain new followers.
New sounds trend all the time on TikTok, but they often fade away just as quickly as they rise in popularity. Stay up to date on trending sounds as you create new content. Posting a video with a sound that is no longer trending won’t generate as much interaction as it would during the peak of its popularity.
Pay attention to TikTok challenges, too. People love to participate in new, fun dances and activities such as this workout challenge. Get your whole team involved! These types of videos can also be great for internal company bonding.
To help you start creating content, we’ve curated this list with the top TikTok trends for 2024 as well as a helpful guide on how to find the hottest trends every day.
6. Share user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) is peer-to-peer content that brands use to build trust with their followers. It’s budget-friendly and highly engaging.
Using UGC on TikTok is a great way to support small creators, share relevant videos, and keep your company account active — even when you’re not producing original content.
Use TikTok’s “repost” feature to share user-generated content with your company’s followers. This feature allows you to put content on your followers’ feeds without adding the video to your company’s page.
7. Partner with TikTok creators
Remember, TikTok is a social media platform, so be social! It is good practice on any social platform to interact with other like-minded accounts.
For starters, you can like and comment on other user’s videos.
Additionally, try the TikTok “stitch” and “duet” features. These are essentially video replies and are great ways to increase engagement to your brand or business’s account.
When you stitch a video, you take a clip from another creator’s content and add your own segment to play in sequence. For example, you might take a clip of a news story and add your opinion or commentary afterward.
When you duet a video, you create a split-screen format where your content plays alongside the original video. This is often used for reactions, collaborations, or adding complementary actions. For example, a musician might duet with a popular song cover, adding harmonies or instrumental parts.
8. Partner with brands
If you have a smaller following on TikTok, partnering with brands can help you reach their audience and gain followers quickly.
Brand partnerships can include product reviews, advertisements, affiliate marketing opportunities, simple shoutouts, and more.
To find brands to partner with, you can search for brands that align with your interests and values and have a similar target audience. Once you’ve identified potential brands, contact them directly via TikTok. Some companies might even have their DMs open, allowing you to reach them easily without having to search for contact information on their website.
Be sure to highlight the benefits of partnering with you, such as the opportunity to showcase their products or services to a new audience.
9. Try different videos lengths
TikTok allows users to make videos from 3 seconds to 10 minutes long. As you plan content for your account, create videos with varying lengths to test which ones get the most views and interactions.
For some creators, such as fitness instructors or chefs, long-form videos (5-10 minutes) suit them better because they allow for more in-depth instruction or demonstration. Other creators, such as pop culture news outlets, may find their audiences interact more with short, snappy videos that are easy to consume.
10. Analyze your performance
It’s never a good idea to spend valuable time and resources on a marketing tactic that doesn’t yield results. To ensure this doesn’t happen, use data analytics to drive your TikTok marketing efforts to ensure this doesn’t happen.
TikTok business accounts have a built-in suite of analytics tools. While these built-in options are effective for some accounts, many companies who wish to grow their TikTok following opt for more advanced options.
In particular, the TikTok analytics tool from Keyhole gives users all the tools that TikTok provides in-app, plus much more:
- Track hashtags by engagement, ensuring you don’t miss a valuable trending opportunity.
- Seamlessly identify top posts in seconds and view the full report of your company’s performance.
- Receive recommendations catered to your company profile that will help you grow your TikTok following and get new interactions with each post.
- Identify which trends worked for your company so you have a framework for future campaigns.
- … and more!
11. Try Tiktok video ads
Like most social media platforms, TikTok users can pay for advertisements and campaigns via TikTok for Business. If you’ve already got experience with Facebook ads, here’s how they compare to TikTok ads.
TikTok ads reach followers and non-followers alike and are highly effective for accounts wanting to expand their reach.
If other marketing tactics don’t work — or you simply wish to do even more to grow your business, paid advertisements are a surefire method to get your content in front of potential customers.
For a successful TikTok video ad, use a hook to grab viewers’ attention and jump on popular trends or add relatable storytelling to keep them engaged.
Big Takeaway: Gaining TikTok followers takes time and consistency
Because of its immense popularity, TikTok is one of the most powerful social media platforms available today.
Find your company’s niche and focus on how to get more followers on TikTok by posting consistent, creative, and useful content that entertains or informs your audience.
Also, learn about TikTok’s algorithms, functionality, and trends. Collect data about views and interactions, among other quantitative information, to inform marketing decisions.
Finally, don’t be afraid to run a paid ad or two — or multiple! Like any social media marketing strategy, driving success on TikTok can take time. Stick with it, and be consistent.
Author Bio
Radostin Anastasov is a Content Specialist at SE Ranking. He has acquired his marketing and PR experience across various industries, such as AI, finance, and communications. When he’s not busy writing, he plays basketball to rock music.
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TikTok Analytics Guide 2024: Essential Metrics & Tools To Track
How To Get More Views on TikTok – 11 Proven Tips & Tricks
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is TikTok easy to get followers?
Getting followers on TikTok is not always easy. While any video has the potential to go viral, converting views into followers requires consistent, engaging content and interaction with your audience. Success on TikTok isn't just about views; it’s about building a loyal following through regular, quality posts and engagement.
2. Why am I not getting followers on TikTok?
Not getting followers on TikTok can be due to several factors, including not understanding how the platform's current algorithm works. Hashtags, music choices, and even your location can influence your visibility. To gain followers, it's important to consistently create engaging content, use trending hashtags, and interact with your audience to improve your chances of being discovered.
3. How to grow TikTok likes?
To grow TikTok likes, focus on creating engaging videos that your audience can relate to. Maintain a consistent posting schedule, use trending sounds and hashtags, and engage with your audience on a regular basis. This approach will boost your chances of getting more likes and growing your TikTok presence.
