How To Grow On TikTok In 2024 (Even with ZERO followers!)

The most likely reason you're not growing on TikTok is that people aren't binging your content when they discover your profile. TikTok's number one goal is to keep people on the platform as long as possible. If you're doing that, you'll get rewarded; if you're not, you won't. It's that simple.

It's Not About Posting Frequency

First things first, posting three times per day is not the answer to growing on TikTok. I often hear, "I'm posting two to three times per day, but I'm not growing." That’s not the point. It doesn’t matter if you're posting three times per day, using trends, or creating seven-second videos. Just doing these things isn't going to make you go viral on TikTok and grow your following. Doing it once and then asking why it didn’t work definitely isn’t going to cut it. You need to get clear on your marketing and messaging. That means getting crystal clear on what you want to be known for, who you're helping, and how you're helping them—not just in one video, but in all of your content. This way, when someone discovers you, they keep coming back for more.

Post Less, But Make It Count

Instead of trying to post three to five times per day, post less and post better. I still recommend posting a minimum of one video per day. Yes, increasing your posting frequency can increase your chances of going viral and growing your account faster, but only if it's a quality video. I would rather you spend more time doing your research, honing your message, and improving your videos, even if it means posting less.

Focus on Watch Time

TikTok rewards you for keeping people on the app watching your videos. This means that watch time is your most important metric. Posting three times per day to grow on TikTok isn't going to work if you're stuck at 200 views and not getting watch time. Making better videos that people watch longer is the only way to grow.

How to Stop the Scroll

This is the easiest thing you can do to improve your videos. It doesn't matter what type of creator you are—TikTok is not YouTube. Instead of relying on a title and thumbnail to catch people's attention, you have to yank their attention away from the mindless doom scrolling they’re doing. Here are three ways to grab their attention and stop the scroll:

Put Text on the Screen: This is TikTok 101. If you look at videos, you'll notice that successful ones often have space above the creator's head with a written hook that grabs people’s attention and makes them interested in watching the rest of the video.
Improve Your Hooks: Here are a few formulas:
- The Question Statement: Take a question your viewer is dealing with and make a statement about it, like "Why you're stuck at 200 views" or "How to grow on TikTok."
- The Symptom Call Out: Call out a frustration your viewer is dealing with. For example, "Have you tried every single diet and none of them seem to work?"
- The Question Call Out: Ask a relatable question in a conversational manner, like "Has anybody else noticed their views are down lately?"
- The Problem Statement: State the problem directly, such as "If you want to know how to grow on TikTok, this video is for you."
Get Right to the Point: Say your hook and dive right into the meat of your content. You have three seconds to get their attention and get them engaged, so don't waste time.

Types of Content

There are two types of content you should be creating to grow on TikTok: Discovery Content and Trust-Building Content.

Discovery Content: The purpose is to reach a new audience. This includes short-form content, trends, and seven-second videos with text on the screen. These videos are effective because they get a high percentage of watch time.
Trust-Building Content: This content provides value to the viewer and builds a relationship. These videos won't get as many views but help to create a loyal following. Examples include talking to the screen or educational-type content.

When you're first building your account from zero, focus on a two-to-one ratio, emphasizing discovery content more than educational trust-building content.

Consistency is Key

To grow on TikTok, the most important thing you can do is stay consistent. If you take too long of a break from TikTok, your views will tank. Here are some strategies to help you post consistently:

Always Leave One Video in the Tank: If you create four videos one day, don't post all of them. Leave one in the drafts for days when you might not feel like creating content.
Break Your Week into Theme Days: Have specific days for recording, content research, and video editing. This structure will make your workflow easier and less stressful, and help you create better quality videos.
Understand Creative Flow: Consuming and creating content are like the yin and yang of content creation. You need to consume content to fuel your creativity. Sometimes consuming content outside of your niche can spark new ideas.
Reposting: Use your best content over and over to grow on TikTok. Reposting your viral videos is a strategy many top creators use to supercharge their growth.

Conclusion

Pair these strategies with staying consistent, and you'll start to see growth on TikTok, even if you’re starting from zero. Don't forget to constantly improve your videos and make sure your content resonates with your audience.

Keywords

TikTok growth
Binging content
Marketing message
Watch time
Scroll stopping
Discovery content
Trust-building content
Consistency strategies
Reposting

FAQ

Q: Why am I not growing on TikTok? A: The most likely reason is that people aren't binging your content when they discover your profile. TikTok rewards creators who keep viewers engaged and watching for longer periods.

Q: Is posting three times a day helpful for TikTok growth? A: No, the frequency of posts doesn’t matter as much as the quality and watch time of your videos. It’s better to post fewer high-quality videos than multiple low-quality ones.

Q: How can I improve my video watch time? A: Focus on making engaging content that stops the scroll. Use hooks, put text on the screen, and dive right into the main point of your video to keep viewers interested.

Q: What are the two types of content for TikTok growth? A: Discovery Content, which aims to reach a new audience, and Trust-Building Content, which aims to build a relationship and loyalty among viewers.

Q: How can I stay consistent with my TikTok posting? A: Always leave one video in the tank, break your week into themed days, understand your creative flow, and use reposting strategically.

Q: What is the benefit of reposting on TikTok? A: Reposting viral videos can help you supercharge your growth by bringing in more viewers repeatedly and maintaining high engagement.

Q: How do I come up with content ideas? A: Consume content to refill your creative tank. Ideas can come from consuming not just TikTok but also content from other genres and fields.