10 TikTok Tips and Tricks To Go Viral

If you want to go viral, TikTok is the place to do it.

With an algorithm that can boost videos from creators, no matter their following size, TikTok is an incredible platform for reaching new viewers. Add the right combination of interesting content and great post-production editing, and you can turn a regular video into an overnight sensation.

Whether you’re starting out as a creator or scaling up from your first thousand followers, following the right TikTok tips can make or break your experience. Here’s our comprehensive guide on how to be successful on TikTok and make studio-grade videos without expensive equipment.

10 of the Best TikTok Tips and Tricks

It might seem like total luck when a video is successful on TikTok — someone turns on a camera, tells a funny story, and gets millions of views. Behind the scenes, though, there’s a lot more planning involved to create engaging content. Try these 10 tips and tricks to make the best videos possible and grow your following:

1. Define Your Niche

Building a successful TikTok account is all about crafting a unique and consistent identity that viewers enjoy or relate to. Think about where your strengths lie and what your content could deliver. Do you have impressive knowledge about embroidery or knitting? Are you a cleaning machine who could share tips on removing tough stains? 

Regardless of what you’re best at, define your niche to attract viewers who share that interest. Try to make videos around the same topics every time — whether it’s fitness, crafting, or beauty — so people understand who you are and what you bring to the table. 

If you’re constantly jumping between topics, you might lose people’s interest. People who followed you for budgeting tips might not care to see TikToks about your workout schedule, so be prepared for lower engagement or unfollows if you post content outside of your norm.

2. Use the Right Hashtags

Hashtags are popular words and phrases that you can use by placing a hash (#) symbol before each one. Including them in the description of your video tells TikTok what your video is about so the video shows up for people searching for that topic. The algorithm shows users content related to that search since they’ve shown interest in it. You’ve probably experienced this when searching for something like “tofu recipe” and then seeing dozens of recipes in your For You Page (FYP) in the following days. 

You can also use popular or trending hashtags to boost your chances of ending up on someone’s FYP. Say you're making a dance video. A few popular hashtags may be #DanceChallenge or #TikTokDance. Use these alongside more specific hashtags like #80sDanceMoves to reach a more targeted audience.

3. Hop on Trends

Look for trending challenges and audios, and try participating when possible. People actively search for trends and interact with the latest challenges, so taking part can land your content in front of more viewers. 

Put your unique spin on a popular challenge and join the trend with its hashtags and music. Adding a twist or personal flair can help you stand out from similar content or draw in viewers who like how you completed it.

4. Add Captions 

Captions or subtitles provide on-screen text for those who are hard of hearing or scroll without sound. That way, a broader audience can access and enjoy your content, giving them more chances to stay and watch your video instead of scrolling away. 

AI-driven tools like Captions are perfect for adding captions to your TikToks, with tons of customization options to complement your visual style. The app analyzes the words you’re saying and generates clear and accurate captions in seconds. Plus, you can add emojis and symbols within the Captions app to emphasize key points in your videos.

5. Post at the Right Time

TikTok has an "Analytics" section within its "Creator tools," which lets you check your audience's peak active hours and schedule posts for when they’re online. This way, your content appears on more feeds, leading to better visibility and engagement. Even if you’re posting videos for fun, you can experiment with posting time to see if it helps earn more views. 

For example, if your target audience is high school students, you might find you should post after school hours or on the weekends when they're most active. 

6. Post Regularly

Posting frequently and consistently keeps your viewers interested and the TikTok algorithm happy. This tells the algorithm you're an active creator posting relevant content, encouraging the platform to push your videos out to more people. 

If you're struggling with consistency, try creating a publishing schedule that works with how often you can realistically create content. Maintain a content calendar to plan, organize, and execute your ideas without working too hard. It’s okay if posting twice a day is too much. Start small and find your best rhythm.

7. Create Tutorials and “How-To” Content

If you're a guitar teacher, an experienced home cook, or a talented DIY-er, consider sharing your expertise through informative "how-to" videos. Whether it's a tutorial or a life hack, providing value to your audiences by teaching them a skill establishes you as an authority in your niche. People will see you have something to teach them, and they’ll come back to see more of your valuable content.

If you're good at photography, you can create a tutorial on capturing the perfect shot. When you turn complicated processes — like framing, depth, and lighting — into easy-to-follow instructions, your content immediately becomes more valuable and shareable.

8. Leave CTAs on Your Videos

A call-to-action (CTA) is a statement that invites viewers to like, comment, or share your video, which boosts your engagement. A well-placed CTA can make the difference between someone scrolling away from a video or sharing it with a friend to increase your reach. CTAs shouldn’t feel forced or pushy, so end videos with a friendly invitation. 

Statements like, "Double tap if you agree," "Comment your favorite part below," and "Follow my account for more content!" are common on TikTok because they’re friendly and casual. You can also try to make it video-specific — “Follow me to make sure you don’t miss the reveal” — to add a direct incentive to your CTA.

9. Respond to Comments

Foster a sense of community among your followers by actively responding to their comments. When you answer questions or agree with what they say, your audience will see that you care about them, and you’ll build a stronger relationship. If they feel connected to you, they’re more likely to watch and engage with your content.  

Respond with humor and positivity, even if you receive criticism. A kindly worded response could turn a hater into a follower. You can also take the opportunity to provide extra information or direct them to related content on your profile that answers the question. 

10. Make Duets

TikTok Duets lets you post a video beside another creator’s video, which is great for reactions and collaborations. You could sing a two-part song, do an acting challenge, or just react to the other video. The best part is you don’t have to actively collaborate with the other creator. As long as you both have public accounts, you can Duet without back-and-forth communication. 

By co-creating videos, you can expand your audience and draw more attention to your profile. Add your own twist to the video to showcase your creativity and identity, and include CTAs so people know where to find you.

How to Make Good TikTok Videos

Now that you know some tips and tricks to go viral, follow these best practices to make your TikToks stand out:

• Use a catchy hook — With people scrolling from video to video, you only have a few seconds to grab a viewer's attention. A strong opening hooks audiences and sets the tone for the rest of the video, whether it's an intriguing question, a striking statement, or a silly dance move.
• Record in good lighting — You don't need studio lights to film a high-quality TikTok. Natural light from your window is enough for a clear, well-lit video. If you can't use natural light, experiment with artificial lighting to avoid awkward shadows. People don’t want to watch a video if they can’t see what’s happening.
• Plan your video — Plan out what you want to film or say before you start recording. An outline or video script to follow keeps you on track, reduces awkward pauses, and ensures your message is clear and makes sense.
• Use creative transitions — Creative and seamless transitions between clips add flair and pique interest. Jump cuts, morphs, and loops are all fluid transitions you can use to elevate your content and make it look more professional.

FAQs

If you’re still unsure about the ins and outs of creating great TikTok content, here are some frequently asked questions:

What Is Considered Viral on TikTok?

A video is viral on TikTok when it gets a high number of views, likes, and shares in a short time. However, it depends on how many followers you already have. Someone with a million followers might get a million views, and if that’s normal for them, that wouldn’t really be viral. If someone with 100 followers gets a million likes on a video, that means people are watching and the algorithm is boosting it, which is a better indication of virality.

What Are TikTok Challenges?

TikTok challenges typically follow trends encouraging users to create and share videos around a specific topic or with a specific sound. These trends often come from brands, influencers, or random users who go viral. Doing challenges is a good way to get the algorithm to boost your account and reach more users.

What Are the Best TikTok Editing Tips?

The best editing tips include transitioning seamlessly between clips, using sound effects and music, and exploring external apps like Captions to add unique stickers and effects. Putting effort into your editing can transform a mediocre video into one that’s snappy and interesting to watch.

Can You Earn Money From TikTok?

TikTok's Creator Fund, Creator Marketplace, and Gifts are a few ways to monetize your videos and create a steady flow of revenue for your creative efforts. Once you have enough followers and high engagement, you can also try to land brand deals and sponsorships.

Use AI To Supercharge Your TikToks

Being successful on TikTok takes lots of trial and error, especially if you’re trying to grow your account fast. Whether you’re trying to drive revenue or grow your brand, the Captions app provides AI-powered features to help you make studio-grade videos fast. From video compression to eye contact correction, Captions has all the tools you need to create the content you and your followers love.