Like many other users, I originally joined TikTok as a joke to pass time during lockdown. I quickly became addicted to scrolling through videos and eventually started making some of my own. I was discouraged when my videos were not getting many likes since TikTok was already reaching 500 million users when I joined and continues to grow. Although I am still a rather small account, I have figured out a pattern in the videos on my page that get more likes. There are hundreds of videos on YouTube that will promise you that if you follow certain steps you will “blow up” and get thousands of likes. I can’t promise that. All I can do is speak from experience. Here are some tips I figured out through trial and error through my many posts on TikTok:

Post EVERYDAY. You have to be consistent and constantly adding new videos to your page. Not every video is going to “blow up” but it is important that you are constantly creating content.

Stay updated on the trends. I know you spend hours scrolling through your feed everyday watching videos. Pay attention to what other people who have lots of followers and likes are posting about, and try recreating that in your own way.

Use trending hashtags. If you are a small account, a good way to get your videos on someone’s FYP is through hashtags. Remember that TikTok also likes to group people by interests, so trying using hashtags that are relevant to your content as well. For me that means using hashtags like #LGBTQ+ #Lesbian #Gay #Pride and occasionally my favorite hashtag of all time #Lesbean.

Use trending audios! Whether you are lip syncing, doing a dance trend, or maybe even doing your makeup, using trending audios is a good way to get your videos seen by other users. Basically try to follow all the trends.

Find a Niche a try to stick to it. Do you like to sing? Dance? Are you funny? Do you like Fashion? What makes you different? Consistency is important.

Make sure your videos have good lighting. People want to watch videos that look “professional.” That doesn’t mean you need to invest in a fancy camera, your iPhone will do. There is a reason so many users make TikToks in the bathroom: the lighting is AMAZING in there. Try to use a background that is simple and not distracting. Make sure we can see you!

After you reach 1,000 followers try going live! It’s a good way to connect more personally with the followers you already have, as well as gain some new ones.

Do you make music? TikTok has become a place where many teens are finding their new music, as shown in the article “Songs that trend on TikTok immediately take over Spotify’s top charts.” Many of the songs that become trending audios on TikTok are from smaller artists who don’t have established careers yet. It is very possible as a small artist to find your song on the charts because of TikTok users.

Once one of your videos blow up, you have to keep going! Followers will quickly forget about you and move on to the next trending video.

The best part about TikTok is that you don’t have to have an established career online to blow up. Many TikTok creators who now have millions of followers weren’t anyone of notoriety before. Most are just regular teenagers who now have the power to influence millions of young minds. It is dangerous in a way for young people who aren’t prepared for fame to now have their every move watched and scrutinized by the internet. Make sure that you are always careful about what you are putting online, and know that it is forever.