Stuck about going viral on Tik Tok?
Doing this may be easier than you think.
Because recent data sheds light on how likely brands are to fly on TikTok.
Think about it. One billion weekly active users are watching TikTok for 20+ hours on an average. There’s a lot of attention to go around.
Tiktok’s tough audience presents a prime opportunity for your videos to pop off.
In this post, we’ll break down the basics of how to get views on TikTok, how to blow up on TikTok, and how to reach “viral” status.
7 effective tips to make your tiktok viral
Let’s be real: You can’t coerce your way to a million views.
Remember that viral marketing only works when it is organic, authentic and completely unexpected.
And so if you’re looking for “tricks” or “hacks,” you might be disappointed.
Much of the way your videos go viral on TikTok is about being in the right place at the right time. You are still at the mercy of the TikTok algorithm.
Context also matters when it comes to what “viral” looks like to you.
Maybe going viral means having 10x or 20x your normal engagement. Maybe that means exceeding a certain audience limit (think: 100,000+ or 500,000+, depending on the size of your audience).
now we’re talking! Given below are seven tips to go viral on TikTok, keeping realistic expectations in mind.
1. Create Videos with Viral Friendly Formats
Consider that some video formats are more likely to be found on TikTok than others. For starters, the following should be central to your content strategy.
,Did you know?” video
Food for thought: 49% of content searches on TikTok are driven by a desire to “learn something new”.
This reflects the popularity of edutainment-style content on the platform. Below is a great example from REI showing the commonly mispronounced products sold by the brand. light-hearted humor that teaches the audience some The perfect combo for ideas.
how-to videos
Speaking of teaching, how-tos and tutorials dominate TikTok for a reason. This is especially true in the midst of #BeautyTok.
Here’s a minimal example from Lashify. The video garnered over 8 million views, given that it doesn’t require a ton of production value to go viral on TikTok.
“Watch What Happens” Video
Given the scroll-heavy nature of TikTok, anything you can do to keep viewers engaged with your content is a plus.
That’s why content showing progress or “before and after” is so popular. People can’t help but want to find out what the final product looks like and will stick to the end of your video to find out.
For example, consider how recipe time passes. Here’s an example from Nespresso that earned 5+ million views.
Another great example is this home decor showcasing the transformation of a thrift store, raking in over 3.4 million “likes.” No editing tricks required!
What do these videos have in common? They include built-in hooks for people to watch till the end.
2. When in doubt, keep your video short (<15 seconds)
Hey talking about watching till the end!
Conventional wisdom says that short videos are ideal to go viral on TikTok. Unsurprisingly, the most popular videos on the platform rarely reach the minute or 30-second mark.
Also, we know that TikTok algorithm rewards videos with high completion rates. Short videos are a whole lot to watch, especially if they have a hook like we talked about earlier.
However, short videos are not the end of viral content. You should experiment for yourself to find out which video performs best for your target audience. Thankfully your TikTok analytics can give you clues.
3. Involve Real People in Your Content
According to TikTok, creators drive increased engagement on both paid and organic content. This explains the popularity of creator and influencer partnerships with brands on TikTok.
It is no coincidence that the majority of viral videos from brands are tied to creator accounts and not the brands themselves. Check out @makeupbytammi’s viral video for Rimmel London that got 18+ million views.
Authentic and relatable, creator content immediately defines any sense of a sales pitch for brands.
Also consider that creators have a strong pulse on what TikTokers want to see. Their insights can help brands tap into trends and content types that speak to their communities.
4. Piggyback on Popular Videos and TikTok Trends
Food for thought: 97% of video views on TikTok come from the “For You” page. There’s no better place to do some trendspotting and uncover what people are talking about.
trending audio. Skits and challenges. viral product.
It is important to track all of the above. Problem? material moves so early That most TikTok trends have a short shelf life.
But if you can piggyback on a relevant trend, you very well could go viral.
Here’s an example from Coach featuring recent trending audio no news, Earning 2.5+ million, this clip was a perfect match for his promotions in the 90s.
Brands should also pay attention to ongoing content trends and popular content formats. For example, the #ASMR hashtag on TikTok is 340. More than One billion (Yes, Arab) views.
See how Cheez-Its managed to rack up millions of views on the “tingly” audio bandwagon with its funny videos.
Tiktok and comedy go hand in hand. Fact: Humor represents the most effective form of messaging for modern customers. Note how brands like Duolingo have leaned so heavily into humor that almost All His videos have viral potential.
Comedy is not a guaranteed way to get more views on Tiktok. That said, humorous videos are more likely to showcase the personality that viewers want to see from brands.
5. Don’t Ignore Your Captions, Hashtags and Descriptions
Content comes first when it comes to going viral.
Still, you can do some fine-tuning to increase your video’s chances of earning reach. It also includes:
- caption. It’s no secret that many people watch social videos without sound. Showing captions in your videos means you can reach as many viewers as possible.
- Hashtags. Choose your TikTok hashtags wisely. Trending and community tags (#BeautyTok or #BookTok) can help you earn visibility and boost as a result.
- description. This is another opportunity to increase engagement. Questions and calls to action can do the trick. So do descriptions that encourage read-through to keep viewers on your video.
For example, check out the video below from the positive piece puzzle that went viral within the #selfcare hashtag. The description gives context to the video and the caption serves as a natural hook.
6. Focus on going viral in your community
Niche below to expand your reach.
Seems a bit backward, doesn’t it? Hear us!
TikTok’s audience is so massive right now that “generalist” videos are likely to get lost in the shuffle. On the other hand, getting down to specific communities and creating talkable content is a smart move.
Below is an example from a Barnes & Noble that went viral amid #BookTok, garnering over a million views. Bonus points for the humorous angle and featuring real people!
TikTok noted that hashtag classification resulted in a 151% increase in video views during 2021. Going viral within a community is a much less lofty (and more realistic!) goal than making an FYP overnight.
7. Publish consistently to keep your momentum going
Keep in mind that social media algorithms reward consistency. TikTok is no exception.
That’s why brands who post regularly earn reach on a regular basis. Check out the TikTok presence of Crumble Cookies as proof.
Frequent posting goes along with constant conversation and engagement. This helps to keep your account in good standing with the algorithm.
The more content you post and increase engagement, the more likely you are to know how to go viral. You can choose a content topic that moves and can keep up with the trend to maximize your viewership.
For example, Off Limits Cereal earned millions of views through its “Reverse Stealing” series. These videos involved him hiding his product in a store and then buying it himself. This series is one of the most popular content published by the brand.
How long does it take to go viral on Tik Tok?
Short answer? depends on!
No brand, agency or manufacturer can guarantee viral content. Reaching that level requires experimentation and consistency. Not to mention a little luck.
Taking the time to build and engage a community with trendy, topical content is the first step. Whether it takes weeks or months for this to happen really depends on you and your resources.
This highlights how important it is to not only post regularly but to track your progress along the way. For example, tools like Sprout Social’s TikTok Analytics can give you clues as to whether your presence is growing.
From your top content to watch time trends, these insights can uncover ways to fix your TikTok videos.
Do you have what it takes to go viral on TikTok?
Again, making your videos trending on TikTok is not a pipe dream.
Testing the tips above can set your videos up for greater reach. There is a reason why so many brands on TikTok stick to these best practices.
Still trying to navigate TikTok? Want to learn more about what “success” looks like with short-form videos? we’ve got you covered!
Check out our guide to TikTok for business for more insight and inspiration to grow your TikTok presence.
How This Post Go Viral on Tiktok: 7 Tips from Brands to Be the First to Appear on Sprout Social.
