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How To Go Viral on TikTok: 5 Proven Strategies for Success

· 8 min read
Stephen Flanders
Stephen Flanders
Founder @ Raffle Leader

Going viral on TikTok is a top priority for brands nowadays. With 1.58 billion active users, TikTok ranks among the world's most popular social networks and has become essential for eCommerce, thanks to its ability to boost sales and brand awareness. However, knowing how to go viral can be a real challenge for creators and businesses. Strategies that work on other social networks might be less effective on TikTok. The upside is that the platform’s unique algorithm allows anyone to go viral, even if starting with a brand new account. To succeed, you must combine the right content ideas with effective social media practices that can significantly enhance your reach and engagement. In this article, we’ll explore the secrets to crafting viral TikTok content. You'll learn to tap into the latest trends and optimize your TikTok strategy to maximize your presence and increase your chances of going viral.

TLDR​

  • Stay updated on trends: Regularly explore the Discover tab, follow influencers, and participate in trending challenges to increase visibility.
  • Post regularly: Maintain a consistent posting schedule by using a content calendar, monitoring peak activity times, and batching content creation to keep followers engaged.
  • Engage with followers: Respond to comments, host live sessions, and use interactive tools like polls and Q&A features to build a loyal community and enhance engagement.
  • Grab attention instantly: Use eye-catching thumbnails, start videos with compelling hooks, keep content concise, and leverage trending sounds and high-quality visuals.
  • Cross-promote on other platforms: Share on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and more to expand your reach and drive more traffic to your TikTok profile.

How to go viral on TikTok: 5 tips​

Trends are the lifeblood of TikTok. Keeping up with them boosts your likelihood of going viral. But, if you don't like being terminally online, here are some practical tips to staying current:

  • Use the Discover tab. To increase visibility, regularly explore the Discover tab, follow influencers, and participate in trending challenges.
  • Follow influencers. Influencers often set trends. Follow big names and observe patterns in their content.
  • Participate in challenges. Challenges often go viral. Participate early on and add your own unique twist.
  • Use trending sounds. Trending sounds can enhance visibility. Incorporate them into your videos for greater impact.
  • Monitor your niche. Each niche has specific trends. Stay updated by engaging with content in your niche.

2. Post consistently and regularly​

Posting consistently and regularly keeps your audience engaged and eager for more:

  • Set a schedule. Plan your posts like a pro. Decide how many times to upload each week and stick to it. Trends suggest that posting 1-3 times daily brings the best results.
  • Use a content calendar. A content calendar organizes ideas and taps into seasonal trends. A visual plan helps you keep track of your posts and ensures you’re never scrambling for content.
  • Monitor peak times. Post when your audience is online to maximize engagement. TikTok Analytics lets you know when your followers are most active—use this information wisely.
  • Batch content creation. Create multiple videos in one go to save time. This way, you always have content ready to post, keeping your feed fresh and consistently active.
  • Engage with followers. Respond to comments, likes, and shares. Consistent interaction strengthens your bond with viewers and encourages them to stick around.
  • Stay adaptable. Adjust your posting schedule and content types based on performance. Analyze what works and tweak your strategy for better engagement.

3. Engage with your followers​

Engaging with your followers can really increase the popularity of your content.

  • Respond to comments. Engagement is key. Responding to comments demonstrates your commitment to your followers. Imagine creating a viral video only to ignore those wanting to connect—definitely not the way to go. Drop replies, sprinkle in emojis, and watch your interaction levels skyrocket.
  • Host live sessions. Going live is like hosting a mini-party on your profile. It's spontaneous and raw, allowing your followers to interact with you in real time. Answer questions, showcase behind-the-scenes content, or simply chat. Live sessions can create a deeper bond with your audience, making them more invested in your content.
  • Use polls and Q&A features. These interactive tools boost engagement. Ask your followers about their favorite trends, or let them decide on your next video idea. It's like handing them the microphone, making them an active part of your TikTok journey.
  • Share user-generated content. Show your followers some love by sharing their content. Whether it’s duets, reaction videos, or simple shoutouts, acknowledging their contributions fosters a loyal community. Plus, it shows that you value your followers’ creativity as much as yours.
  • Host challenges and contests. Nothing drums up excitement like a good challenge or contest. Create your own and invite your followers to participate. Make it fun and rewarding by offering a prize or featuring winners on your profile. These activities encourage interaction and can naturally increase your visibility. With tools like Raffle Leader, you can easily create beautiful viral giveaways, contests, and sweepstakes. Our platform allows you to customize every aspect, from entry rules to prize selections, ensuring your engagement efforts are effective and enjoyable for participants.

4. Grab your audience's attention​

Getting your audience's attention on TikTok isn't just about dancing trends or lip-syncs. It's about hooking viewers in those critical first few seconds. Attention spans are short, so your content must shine from the start.

  • Use eye-catching thumbnails. Thumbnails must be visually appealing to attract clicks. A compelling thumbnail piques users' curiosity even before they hit play. Incorporate vibrant colors, bold text, or expressive faces to grab attention instantly.
  • Start with a bang. Dive straight into the action. Skip long intros and get to the exciting part immediately. If you’re doing a prank, show the reaction upfront. If it’s a cooking hack, reveal the final dish in the first few seconds.
  • Keep it short and sweet. Videos should be concise. TikTok videos between 15 and 30 seconds long perform better. Pack your message into a bite-sized clip to keep viewers watching till the end.
  • Leverage trending sounds. Using popular sounds boosts visibility. TikTok’s algorithm favors videos that use trending sounds and songs. Check the Discover tab to find and integrate the latest hits into your content creatively.
  • Hooks and teasers. A solid hook can make viewers stay. Use questions, surprising facts, or quick previews of what's to come. Phrases like “Wait till you see the ending!” or “This hack changed my life” hooks viewers in.
  • Add captions and text. Many TikTok users watch videos on mute. Captions ensure that your message gets across even without sound and work as an additional layer of engagement. Highlight key points or punchlines with eye-catching text overlays.
  • Engage with emojis. Emojis aren't just cute—they draw attention and convey emotion quickly. Sprinkle in relevant emojis to amplify your points.
  • Lighting and quality. Great lighting makes your videos look professional. Natural light or affordable ring lights enhance video quality. High-quality visuals signal that your content is worth watching.

5. Promote your TikTok content on other social media platforms​

Sharing TikTok videos on other social media platforms boosts visibility and engagement.

  • Share on Instagram stories and reels. Instagram stands out as a highly effective platform for sharing TikTok content. Reels featuring short dance clips or amusing skits resonate well with the Instagram audience. Sharing directly to Stories enhances engagement further—tap the share button on TikTok and choose Instagram. Don't forget to include relevant hashtags to boost discoverability.
  • Post on Twitter and Facebook. Keep it simple yet effective. Share your TikTok video links directly on Twitter and Facebook with captivating descriptions. For instance, “Explore my latest TikTok dance challenge!” Additionally, leverage Facebook groups aligned with your niche for maximum impact.
  • Use YouTube Shorts. YouTube Shorts is an untapped goldmine for TikTok users. Uploading your TikTok videos as Shorts attracts a different audience segment. Ensure the videos are vertical and within 60 seconds. The Shorts platform provides excellent SEO benefits through YouTube’s search algorithm.
  • Leverage Pinterest. Pinterest presents unique opportunities. Transform your TikTok videos into engaging pins showcasing DIY tips or beauty hacks. Crafting compelling pin descriptions enhances discoverability. Drive traffic to your TikTok profile by including direct video links in your pins.
  • Utilize Snapchat Spotlight. Snapchat Spotlight offers a vibrant platform for video content. Sharing your TikTok videos here connects with Snapchat's youthful audience. Spotlight supports quick, engaging content, allowing you to upload directly within the app.

Achieving viral social media success requires more than luck—it demands strategy and consistency. You can significantly enhance your chances of going viral on TikTok by keeping up with the latest trends, maintaining a regular posting schedule, actively engaging with your followers, and prioritizing high-quality content.