Learn How to Get Followers on TikTok

TikTok is more than dancing videos and viral trends—it’s a platform for brands to connect globally with millions of potential customers.

An effective strategy can boost visibility, engage audiences, and grow a following. This guide provides tips for beginners to use TikTok effectively for their business.

This guide offers actionable steps to get started for those aiming to increase views, attract followers, or strengthen their brand’s presence.

Importance of TikTok Follower Growth

Building a strong TikTok following opens global opportunities. TikTok’s algorithm makes growth accessible to everyone, even smaller accounts.

Why follower growth matters:

• Increased Reach: A more extensive audience ensures broader global visibility and boosts influence.
• Credibility: High follower counts establish trust and authority in your niche.
• Monetization: Brands seek influencers with substantial reach for sponsorships and collaborations.
• Community Building: Engaged followers create a loyal, interactive audience.
• Improved Insights: A more significant audience provides better analytics for content optimization.
• Competitive Edge: A strong following unlocks exclusive opportunities and collaborations.

A growing TikTok audience strengthens visibility on other platforms, enhancing global cross-promotion.

How to Create a TikTok Account

Creating a TikTok account allows users to join one of the most widely used social media platforms worldwide. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Download the TikTok App: 

• Available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).

2. Sign Up: 

• Open the app and tap “Sign Up.”
• Select a method: email, phone number, or social media account (Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc.).

3. Enter Information: 

• Provide the necessary details based on the chosen sign-up method.

4. Set Up Your Profile: 

• Pick a username that represents your brand or identity.
• Upload a profile picture, such as a logo or a photo.
• Write a bio to inform others about your content.
• Include a website link or social media handles, if applicable.

5. Post Your First Video: 

• Begin sharing content and engaging globally.

Your TikTok account is now active and ready for use.

How to Post on TikTok

Posting on TikTok involves a straightforward process, but creating content that resonates globally can help reach a wider audience.

• Tap the plus sign at the bottom of the screen.
• Record or upload a video.
• Edit the video using TikTok’s filters, effects, and music editing tools.
• Add a caption and hashtags, and choose the audience (public, friends, or private).
• Tap “Post” to share the content.

Once the video is live, it’s time to plan strategies for gaining followers. The following sections focus on effective methods to grow a global audience on TikTok.

1. Focus on Your Target Audience

TikTok attracts a diverse user base globally, with over a billion active users spanning various age groups and interests.

To grow followers effectively, focusing on a specific audience rather than creating random content is essential.

• Analyze Your Audience: Use TikTok analytics to identify patterns in the age, gender, and location of your followers. Determine their interests—are they teenagers into fashion or millennials passionate about travel? Tailor your content to what resonates with them.
• Create Relevant Content: Focus on topics that align with your audience’s interests. For example, if your followers are into fitness, post-workout routines rather than unrelated videos. Ask, “Will this content provide value or entertainment to my audience?”
• Test and Adjust: Experiment with different types of content to identify what garners higher engagement. Post a mix of styles, such as comedy skits and tutorials, to see which gains more likes, shares, and comments.
• Stay Updated: Monitor analytics regularly to adapt to changing preferences and platform trends. As the algorithm evolves, be prepared to adjust strategies to maintain engagement and relevance.

2. Participate in TikTok Trends

Trends are essential on TikTok and can boost videos to the For You page (FYP), expanding global visibility. Engaging early is key, as trends are time-sensitive.

Monitor the FYP, follow influencers, check trending hashtags, and use popular sounds. Focus on trends that fit your content, like turning a dance trend into a workout if you’re in fitness.

Stick to trends that match your brand’s values and skip those that don’t. While trends carry risks, the potential for more followers and engagement often outweighs them. Use them wisely to stay authentic and relevant.

3. Cross-Promote with Other TikTok Creators

Collaborating with other TikTok creators can expand your reach globally and introduce your content to new audiences. TikTok features like duets and stitches make collaboration straightforward. 

Duets allow side-by-side videos, while stitches let you integrate clips from another creator’s video into your own. These tools help creators connect and engage with each other’s audiences.

To ensure effective collaboration:

• Partner with creators who align with your audience and values.
• Research their engagement rates and audience demographics.
• Create a clear agreement on content goals and messaging.
• Always give credit to collaborators.
• Avoid partnerships that conflict with your brand identity.

A successful collaboration can lead to ongoing projects, such as joint content series, challenges, or cross-promotion of merchandise. These partnerships enrich content, attract new followers globally, and build professional relationships. 

Engaging in authentic collaborations boosts visibility and opens doors to future opportunities.

4. Start a Content Series

One-off videos can grab attention, but creating a content series on TikTok can build long-term engagement. A content series is a sequence of related videos centered around a specific theme or storyline. 

It could be as simple as a “Tip of the Day” series or as elaborate as an ongoing narrative. Consistency in tone, theme, and posting schedule is essential.

Steps to Create a Content Series:

• Plan the Series: Decide on the central theme and the number of videos. Outline key details, including the goal and the call to action. The content should engage viewers and encourage them to follow along.
• Establish a Hook: Keep viewers interested by including cliffhangers, unanswered questions, or challenges that prompt them to return for the next installment.
• Maintain Consistency: Post videos regularly, following a consistent schedule, such as daily or weekly, to keep your audience engaged.
• Adapt When Necessary: Use feedback and analytics to determine what works and make changes if needed. Adjust the series’ direction or pivot to something new if engagement drops.

A well-executed content series can strengthen your TikTok presence, boost engagement, and attract a loyal global audience.

5. Use Hashtags and Captions Strategically

Hashtags are a key component for boosting visibility and engagement on TikTok. They help the right audience discover your videos and increase your chances of gaining new followers.

Tips for Using TikTok Hashtags Effectively:

• Use 3 to 5 hashtags per post. Combine general, niche-specific, and trending hashtags.
• Create branded hashtags to strengthen your identity and encourage user-generated content.
• Focus on relevance. Select hashtags that match the content and target audience.
• Monitor trends and participate in challenges that align with your niche.
• Avoid spamming captions with irrelevant hashtags or reusing the same set repeatedly.

Using hashtags and captions can enhance discoverability and expand your reach globally.

Consistently applying these methods can help attract a broader audience and drive follower growth.

6. Add Closed Captions to Videos

Closed captions are an effective way to enhance the reach and impact of TikTok content. They improve accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community while boosting video engagement and visibility globally.

Statistics show that over 1.5 billion people worldwide experience hearing loss, and approximately 430 million require rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss.

Adding captions makes videos accessible to a broader audience, improving inclusivity and engagement.

Closed captions can also increase video watch time, a factor TikTok’s algorithm uses to prioritize content. Additionally, captions enhance searchability, improving TikTok SEO.

How to Add Closed Captions

• Manually input captions while editing the video or use apps that generate captions automatically.
• Ensure captions are accurate and synced with the audio or visuals.

Tips for Effective Captions

• Keep text concise and straightforward to match TikTok’s short format.
• Sync captions perfectly with audio or video actions.
• Use readable fonts and avoid distracting colors or styles.

Adding closed captions is a small but powerful step to make content more engaging and accessible while improving visibility worldwide.

7. Publish Videos at Optimal Times

Posting at the right time plays a significant role in maximizing the reach and performance of TikTok videos. Publishing when the target audience is most active can boost engagement and increase the chances of a video going viral.

For a global audience, managing time zones is essential. Generally, mid-week between four and five PM works for many audiences, but experimenting with posting times is recommended to identify optimal engagement periods.

TikTok’s algorithm favors content that quickly gains engagement, so timing your posts to align with your audience’s activity can amplify visibility.

• Analyze TikTok analytics to identify peak engagement hours.
• Test posting similar content at various times and days to find what works best.
• Monitor how quickly videos gain views and engagement after posting.

Additional Tip

Consistency is key. A reliable posting schedule is more valuable than hitting the perfect time occasionally.

Posting at the correct times is a simple yet effective way to expand a video’s reach and improve overall TikTok performance. Use analytics and experimentation to find the sweet spot and maximize results globally.

8. Adjust the Length of Your Videos

TikTok videos range between 15 seconds and 3 minutes. The ideal length depends on your content and audience.

• Short videos (15-30 seconds): These are quick, highly engaging, and ideal for beginners or straightforward content.
• Medium-length videos (30-60 seconds): A balance between short and long, suitable for delivering complete ideas while retaining attention.
• Long videos (3-10 minutes): Best for tutorials, storytelling, or in-depth topics. These require engaging content to maintain viewer interest.

Experiment with different lengths to understand what works. Use TikTok analytics to track engagement and watch times to optimize content.

Tips for Effective Video Lengths:

• Grab attention in the first few seconds.
• Maintain natural pacing throughout the video.
• Conclude with a clear call-to-action or memorable moment to encourage interaction.

9. Use Trending Music and Sounds

TikTok’s extensive music and sound library is key to boosting engagement and visibility.

• Trending music: Popular tracks often come with built-in audiences. Using these can align your content with existing trends.
• Algorithm benefits: TikTok favors videos that use trending sounds, improving visibility on the ‘For You’ page.

How to Identify Trending Music and Sounds:

• Browse the ‘For You’ page for trends.
• Use TikTok’s music discovery feature to find popular tracks.
• Follow influential creators to stay updated on trending sounds.

Tips for Using Music Effectively:

• Match music to the tone of your content.
• Balance volume to ensure clarity if speaking in the video.
• Stick to TikTok’s licensed library to avoid copyright issues.

Incorporating trending music and sounds enhances engagement and increases your content’s chances of going viral.

10. Share User-Generated Content (UGC)

Sharing user-generated content builds community and adds authenticity to your profile. Highlighting followers’ contributions can boost interaction and foster loyalty.

• Boost engagement: Sharing UGC shows appreciation for your audience, encouraging others to interact.
• Showcase positive feedback: Sharing user endorsements builds credibility and strengthens relationships.

Utilizing UGC is an effective way to connect with your audience while reinforcing your TikTok presence globally.

Conclusion

Boost TikTok growth effectively using Buffer’s strategies. Utilize TikTok’s analytics tools to monitor development, engagement rates, and content performance. Tracking these metrics regularly highlights successful tactics and identifies areas for improvement.

Avoid buying TikTok followers, as it can harm account performance over time. Growth requires consistent, high-quality content and a strategic approach. 

Focus on creating engaging videos and maintaining a steady effort to achieve meaningful results. Aim for sustainable growth and attract genuine followers globally.