5 tips for boosting engagement on TikTok in 2024
If you are a small business looking for some effective engagement tips for TikTok, then you are in the right place. Here are some practical tips that you can use to boost engagement on TikTok.
Tip 1: Optimise your videos for SEO
Always include relevant keywords in your TikTok videos - this includes captions, the description, and any text on the video. It’s good practice to use captions on all videos as this will help with accessibility and SEO.
Why is this important? More people are now using TikTok as a search engine, especially Gen Z: nearly 40% of this demographic prefers searching for info on TikTok and Instagram over Google.
Good SEO can help you to get found by your audience and grow your reach. You can find relevant keywords in the TikTok Creative Centre, or by typing in the search box on TikTok itself, which will bring up an ‘others searched for’ section, which can help generate some ideas.
Tip 2: Start your videos with a ‘hook’
The first 3 seconds of your video are crucial - this is all the time you have to get your audiences’ attention and convey what value your video will offer them. Why should they watch your video? What’s in it for them?
You could start the video by saying something like ‘stop scrolling because…’ or ‘you need to hear this,’ for example. You can also try a visual hook to grab attention for example starting the video standing up and then sitting down, putting on make-up, or drinking a cup of tea. Next time you are making a TikTok, think about what your hook is and make sure it’s obvious in the first few seconds.
Tip 3: Be personal and authentic
Show behind the scenes, a day in your life, packing orders, problems, things you struggle with as a small business owner. Be yourself and show the human side of your brand. Vulnerability is rewarded on TikTok - people like to see real people they can relate to and hear real stories and struggles.
Your content should ideally look and feel like it’s coming from a user, and not a brand, to ensure maximum engagement.
Tip 4: Use the TikTok app to film and edit your videos
Use the TikTok app to film and edit your videos and ensure they are good quality, well lit, vertical, and super snappy but not too ‘professional’ looking as these will look out of place.
The TikTok algorithm prioritises content that is made within the app itself, rather than third party apps like CapCut. And real, authentic content that is unpolished usually performs better.
Tip 5: Create a series!
TikTok series are the future! If you can, think of something related to your business that you can create a series of videos for that will provide value to your audience and keep them coming back for more.
The hashtag #TikTokseries has had +2000% YoY growth according to TikTok who say, ‘TikTok creators are making longer form content and creating unique series to keep their audiences coming back for more. Creators have the freedom to create a series on any audience query.’ (TikTok, 2024)
In 2024, TikTok are rewarding and encouraging longer form content as this is the direction that the platform is going. What educational, longer form videos can you create that will add value to your audience, preferably as part of a series?
I hope you found this tips useful, for more engagement tips for TikTok you can take my TikTok strategy course for free here - TikTok Marketing Strategy: Grow Your Small Business on TikTok.
Happy learning!
Louise
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