Published on

19 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started TikTok

Introduction

A lot of people believe that you have to get lucky in order to be successful on TikTok. They think the algorithm randomly picks people to go viral and there's nothing a creator can do to be successful. I used to think the same. I'd create videos that were stuck at 200 views, knowing they were good and helpful, yet the algorithm wasn't picking them up.

Eventually, I realized it wasn't the algorithm, but my lack of understanding of TikTok's nuances. Once I figured it out, my growth soared. Today, I'm breaking down what I believe are the most crucial aspects for TikTok growth, even if you're a complete beginner. Grab a notebook and let's dive into it.

1. Post Every Day

Consistency is key. Posting daily builds momentum, helps you learn and fail forward quickly, and proves you're a committed creator.

2. Consistent Topics

Consistency doesn’t just mean posting daily; it means consistently posting about the same topic. Niching down can drastically improve your success as it helps your audience know what to expect and aids the algorithm in understanding your content.

3. Research Is Essential

Research is crucial. Look at what competitors are doing, analyze their successful videos, topics, hooks, and lengths. Jump on trends to get an extra boost.

4. Post More Often

While you don't need to post 3-5 times a day, doing so can speed up your growth. Each post is an opportunity for a viral video.

5. Take Imperfect Action

Don’t wait for perfection. Post regularly and learn from your successes. Focus more on what works rather than stressing over things like posting times and hashtags.

6. Adjust Your Mindset

Understand that TikTok’s algorithm isn’t against you. It’s a game of improvement and learning what works.

7. Choose the Right Account Type

Switch to a Creator account rather than a Business account. Creator accounts can use trending sounds which are crucial for growth.

8. Optimize Your Profile Settings

Turn off suggestions to friends and contacts. This forces the algorithm to show your content to people who care about it.

9. Use TikTok Tools

Leverage TikTok’s tools like auto captions and text overlays with rich keywords to help the algorithm understand your content better.

10. Craft Good Ideas

A good idea is the cornerstone. Use research to find what works, focus on improving your hook in the first 3 seconds.

Jump on trending sounds and themes to get that initial boost.

12. Create Two Types of Content

Growth content for virality and trust-building content for engagement and conversions.

13. Focus on Your Audience

Create content that your audience wants, not just what you feel like creating.

14. Consume to Create

Consume content to refuel your creativity and find new ideas. Make sure to maintain a balance – creation should come first.

15. Algorithm Tips

Use the right hashtags, descriptions, and auto captions to signal to the algorithm what your content is about.

16. Optimize Creation Process

Don’t waste time on irrelevant details. Focus on the substance and keep improving.

17. Evaluate and Iterate

Evaluate your successful videos and create more around those successful themes.

18. Prioritize Watch Time

The watch time metric is crucial – shorter videos can boost your watch time percentage.

19. Balance Content Types

Use growth content to drive views and trust-building content to convert those views into followers or sales.

Keywords

  • Consistency
  • Niching Down
  • Research
  • TikTok Algorithm
  • Creator Account
  • Audience Engagement
  • Trending Sounds
  • Watch Time

FAQ

What’s the most important factor for growth on TikTok?

Consistency in both posting and topic.

Should I post multiple times a day?

Posting more often can accelerate growth, but it's crucial not to sacrifice quality or research.

How important is video length for watch time?

Video length is vital; shorter videos generally achieve higher watch time percentages.

Should I use a Creator or Business account?

A Creator account is preferable for its access to trending sounds.

How do I optimize my TikTok profile settings for growth?

Turn off account suggestions to friends and contacts to allow the algorithm to find the right audience for you.

Read More