While the exact formula for going viral on TikTok remains a mystery, one thing is sure: going viral is all about timing and fostering social affiliation, a.k.a hoping in the trends and finding your niche.
When and for whom are you creating? Is it purely for entertainment or do you aim to deliver content that adds genuine value to your audience's experience?
Discover how to go viral on TikTok with easy but actionable tips. Join us in creating your fail-safe viral formula to get a million views! 🙂
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What’s a Viral Video on TikTok?
Before getting into our tips, let's pause and define our target: what exactly qualifies as a “viral TikTok video”?
There is one vital element to identifying a viral video: rapid and organic growth within a short period of time. A viral TikTok video doesn’t need promotion as it grows by itself in a matter of days.
Yet, a truly viral video is not only about views. A TikTok viral video is shared, recreated and talked about shaping the next set of trends. 😎
Now, you will want to become the next trendsetter and we are helping you out.
How to Go Viral on TikTok in 7 Steps
Here at Submagic, we are experts, so we like to follow other experts.
The following 5 steps were proven in 2022 by a group of scientists that collected and labeled 400 TikTok videos to understand the viral features. We read and simplified the conclusions just for you.
Step 1: Be Popular
It’s not rocket science. Having a bigger fanbase makes it easier to go viral on TikTok.
Cultivating popularity is at the core of TikTok's virality. Building a loyal following and establishing credibility within the TikTok community are key factors for success.
But what if you still need to become popular? How to go viral on TikTok with less than 10,000 followers? 🚀
To kickstart your social media popularity, focus on authenticity and consistency. Share content that reflects your genuine interests. Leverage trending hashtags and participate in challenges to increase your visibility.
For a deeper dive into strategies to grow your TikTok audience, check out our blog post to know how to boost TikTok views.
Step 2: Scale for Impact
In video production, the scale refers to the size of the subjects within the frame in relation to the composition. Nowadays, it’s one of the secrets to understanding how to go viral on TikTok.
The three primary scales in video production are:
- Wide Shot (WS): This scale captures a broad view of the scene, showing the entire subject and its surroundings.
- Medium Shot (MS): This scale frames the subject from the waist up, providing a closer view while including some of the surrounding environment.
- Close-Up (CU): This scale focuses tightly on a single subject, typically showing only the head, face or a specific detail.
Highly viral content often utilizes close-up or medium-shot scales, allowing heightened emotional impact. However, you can play strategically with these scales to learn how to go viral on TikTok and enhance the visual appeal of your social media videos. 👍
Step 3: Timing is Key
In life and on TikTok, timing is everything.
Our scientists agree that TikTok videos' lifespan is less than 100 days, with a staggering 98% achieving viral status during this time.
Data by Trendpop shown above matches this conclusion. Even though you can expect the highest video growth rates within the first 24-48 hours after posting, your video will continue to attract a small number of new views for up to 90 days. 😉
A vital tip to understand how to go viral on TikTok is to stay attuned to trending topics and capitalize on hashtags and challenges.
Step 4: Give Power to Text, Add Captions
Yes! You can add closed-captions on TikTok. But, what if I told you there is a faster way to do it?
Keep your videos close, but your captioned videos even closer!
Trust us. At Submagic, we are the captions experts.
Captions are a powerful tool to guide viewers and amplify the impact of your content quality. Studies show that text-enhanced videos are significantly more likely to go viral. 67% of viral content incorporated textual elements.
Thoughtfully integrate text to convey your message, evoke emotion, or prompt action, which maximizes the viral potential of your TikTok video content. 🔥
Step 5: Embrace the Second Point of View
This is one of the best hooks for videos! A great way to hack the code of how to go viral on TikTok.
The point of view (POV) refers to the position from which the camera captures a scene or the perspective from which the audience perceives the events within the frame. The chosen point of view significantly influences the viewer's engagement and emotional connection with the content.
Here are some common points of view in video production:
- First Person (1P or FPS): The camera becomes the eyes of a character, providing a direct view of the scene from their perspective.
- Second Person (2P): Less common in traditional filmmaking, this POV directly involves the viewer as a participant in the scene. This one is a great tip to know how to go viral on TikTok.
- Bird's Eye View: The camera is positioned above the scene, looking down. This POV provides an overarching perspective and is often used for establishing shots or to showcase the layout of a location.
Often using phrases like “you see” or “you do,” the second point of view enhances viewer engagement and increases the likelihood of going viral. 😉
Whether offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse, inviting viewers into your world or fostering a shared experience, adopting the second point of view can elevate your content and amplify its viral reach.
Step 6: Discover Your Niche
Now, we start with Submagic’s recommendations to understand how to go viral on TikTok.
Social affiliation plays a crucial role in going TikTok viral. Humans are inherently social beings, driven by a desire to connect with others with similar interests.
We seek communities to bond with like-minded individuals and build meaningful connections. A niche is your specialized corner of the digital universe where you meet your targeted audience. 👍
To discover your niche on TikTok:
- Identify your interests: What are you truly passionate about? Whether dancing, cooking, DIY projects or niche hobbies, start with what excites you.
- Evaluate your talents: Skills are your best secret to your own formula of how to go viral on TikTok. What are you good at? Your niche should align with your talents.
- Explore trends: Investigate current TikTok trends within your areas of interest. Blend your passion with trending topics to create authentic and timely content.
- Understand your audience: Consider who you want to connect with and tailor your content to meet their needs.
Step 7: Create and Post Consistently
Consistency is the backbone of success on TikTok. 🚀
A consistent posting schedule strengthens your connection with your followers and enhances your visibility on the coveted “For You” page. Yet, the timing of your posts is equally significant to understand how to go viral on TikTok.
Take, for instance, the niche known as “momtok.” In this niche, content finds its prime posting window at 7-8 pm. Why? Because that's when most moms are at home and actively engaging with the platform.
Every niche and audience has its unique rhythm—experiment with posting at different times and days to gauge audience response. Pay attention to your Creator Tools analytics patterns and adapt your posting schedule accordingly.
Get Insights of How to Go Viral on TikTok Using Captions
Discover the secrets of TikTok viral video using AI captions in our exclusive interview with Marco Thiollier, creator of the online media platform Onetime.
Dive into insights from this trailblazer creator as he shares how Submagic propelled him to 5 million views on shorts. Don't miss this captivating exploration of TikTok success!
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People Also Ask
Is there a trick to going viral on TikTok?
Following strategic steps is vital to go TikTok viral. Create niche-focused, post consistently engaging content and consider the time when you know your audience is active. Learning how to go viral on TikTok often lies in a blend of creativity, consistency and timely adaptation.
How many views do you need to go viral on TikTok?
There's no set view count for viral TikTok, but videos with hundreds of thousands or millions of views in a short period are considered viral. Focus on engagement and compelling content to increase your chances of catching the algorithm's attention.
How long should a TikTok video be to go viral?
TikTok videos that go viral vary in length, but most successful ones are concise and capture attention within the first few seconds. While TikTok allows up to 10 minutes, many viral videos are under 60 seconds. Focus on delivering your message efficiently.