I decided to write an updated post on Tik Tok tips, since the app has incrementally grown in users and its practices have evolved and changed in just a few months. (We can thank ((or maybe not thank)) quarantine and COVID19 for Tik Tok’s explosion in popularity!)

I joined Tik Tok just this past November (of 2019) — when it was on the rise but not super popular just yet (let’s be honest: Moms hadn’t joined Tik Tok yet!) and initially wrote a post about the app. That post seems more antiquated than ever — oh how time flies in the social media realm. In any case here are my updated tips.

My update on Tik Tok tips:

1. It’s not for a younger generation anymore!

This may have been true before March 15th (quarantine starts) but overnight everyone and literally their mother joined Tik Tok. It’s reported that they are living their best lives. Videos are going viral right and left and it’s no longer an app dominated primarily by teenagers.

2. Trends

This is still a main way of gaining traction on the app. If there is a dance or a challenge trending: it’s worth a try to see if yours makes it onto others “For You Page.” Popular ones recently have been the “Wipe it Down” challenge or a voice over of a Kardashian. Or try the ever popular feta pasta recipe — although I have heard that feta is hard to get your hands on at the moment! Any kind of trending recipe, dance, voice over, will surely get some traction.

3. Sounds

Use trending music or sounds to make up your own mini storyline. I used “Interior Crocodile” and it was a successfully viewed video.

3. Current Events

Take advantage of current events: maybe there is celebrity news going around or something that has to do with Covid19. My two best performing videos have been via current events. I posted a video about my first time flying since COVID — which garnered 8,900 views and more recently I posted about the show Glee, as it’s become mainstream again due to the sad news of Naya Rivera’s passing. The video is up to 23K views!

4. Trader Joe’s Videos and Food Videos

Wow do people like Trader Joe videos: every video on the topic has had a massive amount of views. I love them too — I watch to get inspired! So I made my own and it had a good amount of views (not like the Glee post) but it was significant. I also recently posted a tutorial on how to make avocado chips and it’s gained 17K views.

5. Repost Successful Videos

If a video does well: try reposting it a few weeks later. The algorithm works in a way that sometimes the first time around certain profiles don’t see your video and the second time around: it’s viewed by a completely different audience or may have become more relevant.

6. Don’t use the “For You Page” Hashtag

The “For You Page” hashtag is not the way to get recognized anymore. Initially, this was a good hashtag to use, however, using this hashtag makes it harder to get views, because so many people read it. Try using unique hashtags that pertain to your video — seems to be working much better.

7. Try a “duet” or “stitch”

Duet: this concept is when you make a video side by side with a video that is already on the app. By choosing a video that has already gone viral or from a popular user it will boost your video.

Stitch: this is when you take a clip of someone else’s video and “stitch” yours to it. Usually there is a prompt in the original video like: “Tell me really why you’re not dating right now…” Then you add in your answer. These can be funny or serious!

8. Learn how to use the app, via the app!

There are several accounts I follow that talk about how to actually made trending videos on Tik Tok and they also explain the best ways to use the app. It’s extremely helpful when you are creating your own content.

9. Edit videos outside of Tik Tok.

I use the app Splice: it’s a great app for video editing. I film all my videos on my phone, upload to Splice, edit, then upload to Tik Tok.

Most importantly: take stock of what’s working for your platform and then keep making those videos. See what works and what doesn’t. Also, remember to make videos that are fun for you: it’s not all about the views! But if you want to create a splash: sticking to the above Tik Top tips are a way to do so!