Blink twice, and this article could be out of date.
Learning how to get more views on TikTok means constantly keeping up with the latest on the platform.
But don’t worry.
We’ll do our best to keep the strategies here both relevant and sound, so you don’t have to refresh every day. Instead, just keep this guide bookmarked for when (not if) TikTok makes algorithm updates or adds new features.
In order to provide you with concrete frameworks that have been proven to work and will prove to work, we’ve brought in an expert.
Talia Datt is the CEO and founder of The Social CliQ, a full-service digital marketing agency with a social media first approach to online platforms. They leverage their group of 3,000 TikTok creators worldwide, via their sister agency The Content CliQ, to help plan, create, and execute, so founders can easily harness the fastest-growing social media platform in the world. In 2022, Datt was also named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia.
We chatted with Datt to learn six strategies that have worked for her clients to get more views on TikTok so you can grow your TikTok account and your business.
Table of Contents
Why Your Brand Needs to Be On TikTok
Why Views Will Grow Your TikTok Account
How to Get More Views on TikTok in 8 Ways
Quick Hacks to Get More Views on TikTok
Why Your Brand Needs to Be On TikTok (If It’s Not Already)
The reputation of TikTok as just a platform for teens is over. TikTok is for everyone, so your business and brand need to be on it.
80% of TikTok users are between the ages of 16 and 34, which means the platform is adding more users of all ages and demographics. Specifically, the Millennial generation is all-in on TikTok, which is a good sign for brands because that generation is now the biggest spending generation.
“There is a place for every sort of brand and every sort of product,” Datt says. “Where kids are, their parents eventually flock to.”
If that doesn’t convince you enough, Datt says that growing your TikTok account will help you achieve three things.
- TikTok will help you find your niche.
- TikTok will help you to build your community.
- TikTok allows you to meet your audience.
Because of TikTok’s ability to narrow in niche trends like #booktok, #fashiontok, and #foodtok, you’ll be able to surgically connect to your target market faster and easier than any platform before it. And the good news is that if you start now, you’re still a semi-early adopter, especially if you’re in an industry that tends to be slower at arriving to new platforms. Datt says.
“[TikTok] is never-ending, and now it’s a core part of building a business.”
Talia Datt, CEO and founder of The Social CliQ and The Content CliQ.
Why Views Will Grow Your TikTok Account
One of the reasons for its dramatic growth is TikTok optimizes content for views, and it doesn’t matter how many followers you have.
Unlike Instagram, whether you have zero or 500K followers, you both have an equal chance of appearing on the “For You” page. This is because the “For You” page on TikTok recommends content that the algorithm thinks you’ll enjoy the most, which means as a creator, you have the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of viewers organically.
That’s why focusing on optimizing for views needs to be your priority.
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How to Get More Views on TikTok in 8 Proven Ways
1. Consume Content
So, how do you generate content that can get seen on the “For You” page? Datt says,
“The best way to generate content is to consume content.”
Here’s what she advises if you’re starting on the platform and looking to generate content to get views on TikTok.
- Find ten brands that are doing well on TikTok.
- Scroll through their content and favorite the ones you like.
- Review the pieces of content, and see what’s getting views.
- Does their target market align with yours?
- If yes, then replicate similar concepts relevant to your product(s).
Datt says you should spend 15 minutes daily consuming content on your “For Me” page or researching on Trend Tok to see what themes are trending on the platform. Here are trends to look out for:
- Song trends
- Soundbite trends
- Headline trends
- Challenge trends
- Stitch trends
Talia says you must be a consumer first to drive content creation decisions.
Pro Tip: Use audio that has 20K or fewer views. Datt says they are at the start of the algorithm boost, and you can jump on a trend early.
2. Be Relatable
The secret to TikTok’s rise to the top of the social media food chain is relatability. TikTok is not about curating a profile or increasing your followers at all costs. Instead, the platform rewards engaging content that connects to an audience. In many ways, TikTok’s algorithm is a closer relative to YouTube.
So, as a founder, content creator, or business leader, you must focus on making your brand relatable on the platform. That doesn’t mean you need to surrender your mission and vision or delete your brand standards PDF, but you need to adapt to speak the language of TikTok.
“The most cost-effective way would be for founders to get in front of the camera themselves and create the content,” Datt says.
“TikTok loves relatable types of content, which can only come from a founder.”
Above all else, Datt says being relatable on TikTok means your content:
- Inspires
- Educates
- And above all else, it entertains
Pro Tip: Datt suggests making a TikTok handle named after your brand but featuring founder content first–people respond to people. As your audience grows, you can learn what type of content resonates with them and double down on what’s generating the most views.
- Isabella Biffi, Talent Manager at The Social Cliq .
3. Create Proactive and Reactive Content
For clients, Datt and her team create a mixture of proactive and reactive content every week.
Proactive content is content that you can plan out on a monthly basis that’s relevant to your brand and business goals.
Reactive content is generating content based on TikTok trends and applying them to your brand.
With proactive content, you can plan, film, and edit your content every month. The content can align with your brand’s overall strategy or marketing campaigns. Datt suggests using tools like CapCut and Maker Ai to easily edit your content to fit TikTok trends, transitions, and visual styles.
Reactive content will require you to continue practicing the first strategy of consuming content daily. Then, you can adapt the trends you’re seeing for your brand and benefit from what Datt calls the “hype cycle” of TikTok views.
Examples of Proactive TikTok Content to Get Started
- Testimonials: Kylie Cosmetics
- Product Explainers: HiSmile
- Day in the Life: Naked Harvest
- Unboxing: Frank Green
- ASMR: Andrews Choice
- Applications/How-Tos: Frank Body
- Education: Lucent Globes
- Seasonal/ Sale periods: Tropeaka
- Tips and Tricks: Sistema Plastics
Examples of Reactive TikTok Content
Unlike Proactive content pillars, reactive content tends to fall into one category: on-trend content. This is content taking advantage of something happening right now on social media: a trending sound, or maybe a dance that’s gone viral.
Because of this, reactive content is far harder to do well — by the time you’ve spotted the trend, it could very well be over. However, the reason it’s worth paying attention to is because if you do find something highly viral, you have a chance to see your content skyrocket.
Here’s an example of capitalizing on the “corn kid” trend that hit TikTok last year:
Pro Tip: Datt says that you should produce 2-3 pieces of reactive content every week and post content a minimum of 5x per week.
4. Always Start with a Hook
You have less than three seconds to capture a user’s attention on TikTok, so your “hook” must be captivating.
“If someone watches your content for more than three seconds, you’re winning.”
Here are some examples of catchy hooks that Datt’s seen work on TikTok.
- Is it just me or…
- I wish I knew about [BLANK] sooner
- You need this for…
- Is anyone else feeling [insert feeling]?
- If you’re [BLANK], you need to try [BLANK]
- I found out today that…
5. Showcase User-Generated Content (UGC)
To get more views on TikTok, you need to get more faces and personalities involved. That’s where user-generated content can grow your TikTok account beyond just a brand play to a sales driver.
“User-generated content helps you take advantage of native style content, using creators that do this as their full-time job and understand what works to create content that will work on the “For You” page,” Datt says.
Here are three ways Datt suggests getting access to UGC:
- Manually reach out to creators and influencers. However, this takes the most amount of time to find a good match with your brand.
- Use TikTok’s Creator Marketplace. Connect with top-tier creators in TikTok’s ecosystem. But it will come at a high sticker price.
- Partner with an agency. Because of the level of opportunity, and commitment, to maximize TikTok’s potential, partnering with an agency that knows the ins and outs of the platform can free you up to focus on the other aspects of your business.
Pro Tip: Datt says because TikTok’s algorithm levels the playing field, the platform rewards relatable, not aspirational, content. That’s why focusing on creators, NOT influencers, will help you generate engaging content and ultimately save you money.
6. Create Interactive Content
Interactive content is another way of building engagement with your audience! A few options include:
- Share BTS
- UGC
- Use hooks
- Strong CTAs
- AR experiences- through filters
Here’s some more examples of brands fostering engagement with their audiences:
- TikTok responding to comment’s with content.
- CeraV’s poll content with options for whether you want to see the AM or PM routine.
- Brand collaboration giveaways (tagging in comments for engagement).
7. Use Relevant Hashtags, Captions, and SEO
Engaging video content on TikTok reigns supreme in getting more views, but hashtags, captions, and SEO still matter. Here’s what Datt recommends to optimize your content on TikTok.
- Hashtags: Unlike Instagram’s early days, the more niche you are with your hashtags, the better. Datt says there’s no perfect number of hashtags, but start with three in the caption and then up to 10 in the first comment.
- Captions: Like TikTok videos, the captions must be short and punchy or encourage audience participation.
- SEO: To rank higher in TikTok’s algorithm, embed keywords in the on-screen text, captions, hashtags, sound effects, and music.
8. Founder and Behind-the-scenes Content
It may feel uncomfortable at first, but getting in front of the camera as a founder will help you connect with your audience at a deeper level. Plus, TikTok as a platform encourages content will lower production and simplicity, so don’t feel like you need a full makeup team and perfect lighting. Just hit record and share what you’re feeling!
But the strategy is ultimately good for business, at Datt explains:
“It creates a direct connection from those behind the brand and those using the brand and the products.”
If you’re still not comfortable in the spotlight, get your team members to record behind-the-scenes content or “day in the life” content. This will make your audience and customers feel like they’re part of the team and the growth of your brand.
Here are some examples of BTS and founder content:
Quick Hacks to Get More Views on TikTok
Datt says that because TikTok is changing so rapidly, new strategies to get more views on TikTok are discovered all the time.
“We’re in its infant stages,” Datt says. “We need to expect that there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
As Datt does with her clients, you must be open to testing and trying new approaches as the platform offers new features. Here are some emerging hacks Datt’s used:
- Use Spark Ads to boost high-performing content.
- Share your content with people and get them to watch the videos until the end.
- Notice what’s the best time to upload. For The Social CliQ, it’s in the morning or at lunchtime.
- Interact with others using your brand TikTok account.
- (Not proven) but some say that editing within the app is best. Although, this is not scalable.
Common Mistakes on TikTok
Sometimes, it’s easier to know what not to do on TikTok. Below is what Datt says to avoid if you’re trying to learn how to get more views on TikTok.
- Producing content that looks like an ad.
- Content that is too overproduced or feels like a publication.
- Not having a hook or taking too long to get to it.
- Overly product-focused content.
- Content that is too long.
Keep Learning: How to Make Money on TikTok
Monetize Your Social Media Following
Learn how to leverage TikTok views for ecommerce growth in Datt’s foundr+ course Social Media Monetization. You’ll learn what it takes to not only skyrocket your brand’s reach on TikTok and Instagram but also engage followers and turn them into loyal customers.
