TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. For brands and content creators, it presents a huge opportunity to reach a large and engaged audience. However, creating successful TikTok content requires an understanding of what works well on the platform. This article provides a detailed guide on how to produce and create viral content for TikTok.
Table of Contents
Know Your Audience and Find Your Niche
The first step is understanding TikTok’s core demographics. Around 41% of TikTok’s audience falls into the age group of 16-24 years old. The platform also skews female, with over 60% of users being women. When creating content, keep this young, female audience in mind.
You also need to identify a specific niche that you can dominate on TikTok. As a platform built on communities with shared interests, you need to cater your content to a particular target audience. Some popular niches include comedy, dance, life hacks, fashion, beauty, food, pets, DIY, and more. Select 1-2 niches to focus on.
Analyze Trending Content
Spend time analyzing trending sounds, hashtags, effects, and video formats on TikTok. This will help you identify the type of content that resonates best with users. You can then model your videos based on viral trends while adding your own unique spin.
Some of the currently popular TikTok trends include:
- Dance challenges
- Reaction/duet videos
- Prank videos
- Product reviews
- Cooking tutorials
- Transitions/effects videos
Use Attention-Grabbing Thumbnails
The thumbnail is the first thing viewers see when scrolling through TikTok. Having an eye-catching thumbnail can grab attention and entice people to click on your video. Some best practices for thumbnails:
- Use bold colors that stand out
- Include text overlays
- Feature a central focus point
- Use close-up face shots
- Experiment with different layouts
Keep Videos Short and Snappy
Attention spans are lower on TikTok, so you need to convey your message quickly. The ideal video length is between 15 to 60 seconds. For longer content, consider splitting it into multiple parts.
Hook the viewer within the first few seconds using attention-grabbing openings. Maintain energy and pace throughout so users stay engaged. Rapid transitions and effects help keep videos dynamic.
Leverage Trending Sounds
Sounds are a core part of the TikTok experience. Using popular songs and audio clips allow your content to be more discoverable. You can browse trending sounds on the Discover page and see which ones best fit your brand.
The key is to creatively reuse sounds instead of just lip-syncing. Put your own spin by using sound at unexpected moments or combine multiple trending sounds.
Including hashtags allows your content to be found by people interested in those topics. Identify hashtags related to your niche, content style, and target audience. Combining niche hashtags and broadly popular hashtags can help increase reach.
Research the number of video views for different hashtags using sites like TikTok Analytics. Prioritize hashtags that are popular but not oversaturated.
Encourage Engagement
Asking questions, running polls and contests, etc can spur user-generated content and shares. You want to actively encourage comments, duets, stitches, and shares. This signals to the algorithm that your content is engaging.
Respond to comments and incorporate user suggestions into your content. Collaborating with influencers via duets or stitches can also help expand your reach.
Analyze Performance
Use TikTok analytics to identify your top-performing content. See which video styles, sounds, hashtags, etc are generating the most engagement and views. Then double down on what works and phase out what doesn’t.
Continuously test out new ideas and iterate based on performance data. This agile approach allows you to create content that caters to your audience’s preferences.
Promote Outside TikTok
While you want to organize content consumption within TikTok, you also should promote your videos outside the app. Share TikTok links and embeds on your other social media profiles. Collaborate with creators on other platforms.
Use multi-platform campaigns to maximize reach. This allows you to convert external audiences into TikTok followers.
Go Live Frequently
Live videos allow for real-time interaction with your audience. It helps strengthen relationships with viewers and can lead to viral moments.
Go live to preview upcoming content, showcase behind-the-scenes footage, or chat with your audience. Use screen-sharing features to display content and enable gifting.
Partner With Influencers
Influencer marketing can provide a big boost when starting out on TikTok. Relevant creators can promote your content to their follower base leading to more discoverability.
Hashtag challenges are a popular tactic where influencers create their own videos around a branded hashtag. The goal is to spur UGC while spreading brand awareness.
Promote Your TikTok Presence
Let your audience on other platforms know that you have a TikTok account. Promote it on your Instagram bio, YouTube descriptions, website banners, email newsletters, and more.
Offer incentives for checking out your TikTok or for following your account. Cross-promoting across channels helps migrate external audiences.
By following these tips, you can develop an effective TikTok content strategy tailored to your brand and audience. Analyze trends, encourage engagement, promote cross-channel, and track analytics to iterate quickly. This approach will lead to more video views, followers, shares, and conversions.
