If you have a personal or creator account, TikTok’s Creator Search Insights is a goldmine for content ideas.
Creator Search Insights shows trending searches and content gaps, aka opportunities for new videos and topics with low competition. Using these insights, you can create videos that TikTok users want to see.
Who this is for: Creators
How to implement: Once you find a topic, use the exact phrasing in your captions, hashtags, and in-video text to optimize your content for search and reach
Hashtags are key to helping your content get discovered on TikTok. When selecting hashtags, choose trending hashtags that are relevant to your content.
Not sure where to start? Research the hashtags used by successful creators in your niche and use them as a starting point to experiment with.
Who this is for: All brands & creators
How to implement: Choose 3-5 hashtags and test them on a few posts to see which ones get more For You Page reach
hershesons grungy 90s haircut
Check out how this local hair salon’s TikTok account uses popular hashtags. They use hashtags, such as #hairinspo, #hairtransformation, and #90shairstyle, to get a wider reach for their hair-inspo content.
Robinson is a full-time creator. One of her main income streams is brand partnerships, and she’s worked with brands such as Adobe, Meta, and Liquid I.V.
Robinson advises creators looking to collaborate with brands: “Don’t wait for opportunities to come knocking. If you use a brand daily and talk about it all the time, let them know! Being bold is one of the best ways to land partnerships and create lasting relationships.”
Who this is for: Aspiring & up-and-coming creators
How to implement: “Reach out to creators you admire or brands you love in DMs, comments, or by tagging them in your posts,” says Robinson.
SKIMS didn’t sponsor this post, but Robinson tagged them because she is a genuine fan of their products and hopes to work with them.
Even though TikTok doesn’t have a chronological feed, posting when your audience is most active increases their chances of seeing your video. The best times to post on TikTok vary by day and industry - you’ll have to experiment to see what works best for your audience.
Tools like Hootsuite’s post scheduler make it easy to schedule your content, so you don’t need to be glued to your phone. Moreover, Hootsuite recommends the best times to post based on your own data.
Who this is for: Brands & creators that want to save time
How to implement: Use TikTok analytics and/or best time to post recommendations to determine when to schedule your posts
Like your business strategy, your TikTok marketing strategy should be guided by what your audience wants, not what you think they want. The question is: how do you find out what kind of content your audience desires?
According to Nelson-Case, it’s simple: “Ask your audience what topics, formats, or answers they would like to hear about more from you. The more you talk to your audience, the easier it’ll get — hang out with them in the comments, and don’t be afraid to ask for direct feedback.”
Who this is for: TikTok creators & brands with conversational brand voices
How to implement: Ask a question in your video (at the end) or add it in the post caption
Working Day In My Life as a brand founder living in New York City
Don’t be shy to ask your audience what type of content they want to see, like this creator.
We all know that attention spans are short, and on social media, you have to capture and hold that attention. According to Robinson, storytelling is critical to grabbing attention and engagement on TikTok.
“Storytelling transforms content from ordinary to unforgettable. Whether sharing your personal journey, demonstrating a product, or crafting relatable moments, weaving a strong narrative captivates your audience and leaves a lasting impression.”
Who this is for: All brands & creators
How to implement: “Try experimenting with day-in-the-life videos, sharing personal experiences, or breaking down advice in a conversational tone”
Robinson starts this video with “Ok, storytime…” which pulls the viewer in to hear the whole thing.
Adding captions and visuals to your TikTok videos serves two purposes: keeping viewers engaged and making your content accessible.
You can use video editing tools like Capcut to add visual elements, such as stickers or subtle animations. For longer videos (longer than 60 seconds), adding elements other than captions to keep viewers watching is essential.
Who this is for: All brands & creators
How to implement: Use apps with speech-to-text features to automatically generate captions
Home office financial overview video
I mention tons of numbers in this video, so I added them as manual captions to help viewers follow along.
