15 Proven Ways to Get More Followers on TikTok 

Last Updated on August 13, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

TikTok is more than just viral dances; it’s a top platform to build your brand, grow your business, and go viral. With 1.59 billion monthly users, it offers huge chances to connect and grow. Success comes from combining follower growth with smart content and marketing.

In this blog, you’ll discover 15 practical and proven ways to get more TikTok followers and how to make that growth work for your goals.

Why Should You Care About Growing Your TikTok Followers?

Let’s be real, growing your TikTok following isn’t just about likes, it can lead to real income. With around 10,000 followers, you can earn through TikTok’s Creator Rewards, TikTok Shop, or affiliate links. Even smaller accounts can attract brand deals and monetization opportunities.

More than half of TikTok users, around 58% make purchases directly through the app. That means your content doesn’t just entertain, it influences buying decisions. 

Whether you’re a content creator, small business owner, or side hustler, a strong follower base gives you the power to reach more people, build trust, and turn your content into real impact.

Now, here are the 15 tested steps to make you stand out and thrive on TikTok.

Step 1. Pick a niche and target smart

The first step is to choose a niche that genuinely interests you and that you can commit to for the long term. The most successful TikTok creators grow by being intentional. They choose a specific niche and speak directly to a well-defined audience. 

The most successful TikTok creators grow by being intentional; they:

• Choose a specific niche.
• Speak directly to a well-defined audience.

This clarity helps the TikTok algorithm:

• Categorize your content
• Show it to people most likely to engage

When your content follows a consistent theme, your account becomes more recognizable and trustworthy. People follow when they know what to expect; a clear niche boosts your brand, engagement, and visibility on the “For You” page.

For instance, take this successful TikTok creator @thekoreanvegan. They gained a massive following by consistently posting plant-based Korean recipes paired with personal storytelling.

Why It Works:

• She stays focused on a specific theme: Korean vegan cuisine and personal narratives.
• This consistency helps TikTok’s algorithm categorize her content and recommend it to the right audience.

Step 2. Post Consistently (But Don’t Spam)

The platform rewards creators who show up regularly because it gives the algorithm more content to evaluate and push to the right viewers. However, more is not always better quality still trumps quantity. Posting too frequently without offering real value can overwhelm your audience and even cause them to unfollow.

What Makes This Effective?

• Consistent posting builds momentum and trains the algorithm to recognize your content style and topic.
• It keeps your profile active, which increases your chances of landing on the For You page.
• Viewers begin to expect and look forward to your content, strengthening your relationship with your audience.

Use Outfy to schedule your TikTok posts in advance, stay consistent with your content, and reach your audience during peak times without the daily hassle.

Step 3. Jump on Trends Quickly

TikTok trends move fast, and timing is everything. Getting in early on a trend can boost your visibility by up to 30-50%, dramatically increasing your chances of going viral.

The algorithm favors content that aligns with current popular formats, sounds, or hashtags, especially when you add your unique twist. How it helps:

• Trendy content is prioritized by the algorithm because it’s what users are currently engaging with.
• Viewers are more likely to interact with familiar formats and sounds it feels timely, fun, and part of a larger conversation.
• Early adopters often get the most reach, while latecomers may get lost in the noise once a trend is saturated.

Brands like @ryanair have become case studies for riding trends: by applying popular sounds and memes to their brand voice early, they amassed millions of followers. Using TikTok’s Discover page and Creative Center ensures you’re never lagging behind viral opportunities.

Step 4. Use Viral Sounds and Music

TikTok’s algorithm favors videos that use trending audio because these sounds are already capturing users’ attention. 

When you incorporate popular sounds or music into your videos, you tap into existing trends, increasing your chances of being featured on the For You page and gaining more views. How this helps:

• Trending sounds are actively searched for and shared by users, giving your video built-in exposure.
• Videos with viral audio often get prioritized by the algorithm, leading to higher engagement and reach.
• Using familiar sounds makes your content feel current and connected to TikTok’s community culture

How to Find Viral Sounds:

• Check the “Add Sound” feature for trending audio marked with rising arrows.
• Monitor TikTok’s Discover page to spot popular sounds early.
• Follow trend-focused accounts that highlight rising sounds in your niche.

Step 5. Use the Right Hashtags and SEO Terms

Hashtags and keywords aren’t just for discovery; they’re essential for helping TikTok’s algorithm understand and categorize your content. Think of them as the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) of TikTok.

TikTok now functions like a search engine. Users search for content using keywords in the search bar, and the algorithm pulls results based on:

• Hashtags
• Caption keywords
• On-screen text
• Spoken words (yes, TikTok can transcribe audio)

Videos with relevant hashtags can see up to 40% more reach, especially when using niche-specific tags.

40% of Gen Z users now turn to TikTok instead of Google when searching for information or answers online. Example: (Instead of generic “#fyp,” use “#MorningYogaForBeginners” and “#WellnessTips2025.”)

So, when you optimize your content with the right hashtags and keywords, you increase your chances of being discovered not just on the For You page, but also in search results.

Step 6. Create High-Quality, Eye-Catching Thumbnails

Your video thumbnail (or cover image) is the first thing people see when they visit your TikTok profile, and it can make a big difference in whether they decide to click or scroll past. 

TikTok allows you to manually select a cover image from your video, giving you control over how your content appears in your grid. 

This is especially important if you’re building a recognizable brand aesthetic or using TikTok as part of a business strategy. Why It Matters:

• Attention-grabbing thumbnails make your account look more professional and trustworthy.
• Eye-catching thumbnails can increase profile engagement and follow-through rates.

Brand example: These brands use clever thumbnail tactics on TikTok to attract more views.

• @Duolingo embraces its playful and unpredictable brand personality by using spontaneous, unedited frames as thumbnails, matching the chaotic energy of their content.
• @La La Land Kind Cafe uses intentionally designed thumbnails with clear titles to organize their “Drive By Kindness” series, making it easy for viewers to follow episodes and know what to expect.

Step 7. Collaborate with Creators and Influencers

Collaboration is one of the fastest and most effective ways to expand your reach, build credibility, and tap into engaged, relevant audiences, especially on a platform like TikTok, where communities are tight-knit and niche-focused.

How it works: 

• When you collaborate with creators whose audience aligns with yours, you instantly get in front of potential followers who already trust that creator.
• TikTok’s algorithm favors collaborative content like Duets, Stitches, and tagged videos, which can multiply your exposure.
• Creator partnerships add social proof to your brand or content — making you look more legitimate and relatable.

Creator example: The eyewear brand @ Zenni Optical partnered with micro-influencers for a hashtag challenge, resulting in over 6 million views and a measurable sales lift. Even accounts with smaller budgets drive growth by collaborating with niche-relevant creators.

Step 8. Engage With Your Community

On TikTok, engagement isn’t just a metric; it’s a growth strategy. The more you interact with your audience and others in your niche, the more TikTok pushes your content to wider audiences. In short: TikTok rewards active creators.

Why Engagement Matters:

• TikTok’s algorithm favors creators who interact with their viewers, as it signals that your content is generating real conversations.
• High engagement = more visibility, both on your posts and across the platform.
• Building a community increases trust, loyalty, and repeat viewers — turning casual watchers into long-term followers.

Creators like @iamtabithabrown built loyal audiences by turning viewer questions into content through Authentic engagement, quick replies to comments, initiating duets, or creating video responses, signaling activity, and boosting discovery.

Step 9. Start a TikTok Challenge or Contest

TikTok challenges are at the heart of the platform’s viral culture. They’re fun, shareable, and highly engaging. 

Whether you’re a creator or brand, starting your own challenge can generate massive exposure, increase user-generated content (UGC), and build a stronger connection with your audience.

Why It Works:

• Challenges are made for participation. They naturally invite others to recreate, remix, or respond in exactly what TikTok’s algorithm loves.
• User-generated content creates momentum. Every person who joins your challenge promotes it to their followers, expanding your reach.
• Branded challenges can help establish identity and make your name stick, especially when paired with a memorable hashtag.

The #GuacDance challenge by Chipotle is an iconic example, leading to over 250,000 video submissions and record avocado sales. Asking users to participate increases reach and generates user content tied to your brand.

Step 10. Create Multi-Part Video Series

Instead of trying to cram everything into one video, break your content into a series of shorter, digestible videos. 

TikTok thrives on bite-sized content, and a well-executed series keeps people coming back, watching more of your content, and following you to stay updated.

Why Series Content Works:

• Boosts Watch Time: Short, focused videos increase completion rates — a key factor in TikTok’s algorithm.
• Encourages Follows: If viewers like Part 1, they’ll often follow to make sure they don’t miss Part 2.
• Improves Content Flow: You can go deeper into your topic without overwhelming the viewer.
• Creates Anticipation: Cliffhangers or teasers between parts keep your audience hooked and coming back.

For instance, @brittany_broski transformed a single viral video into a multi-part character skit series, leading to sustained follower growth as viewers returned for new episodes.

Step 11. Post at the Right Times

Timing can make or break a TikTok post; the moment your video goes live directly affects how fast it gains traction and whether it gets picked up by the algorithm early on. 

• Posting when your audience is most active increases your chances of landing on the For You Page and maximizing views.
• TikTok’s algorithm monitors initial engagement likes, comments, shares, and watch time in the first 30–90 minutes after posting.
• If you post when your followers are online, you’re more likely to get that quick boost of engagement TikTok looks for.
• The faster your video gains momentum, the more TikTok will push it out to wider audiences.

Step 12. Use Clear and Compelling Calls to Action

A good video gets views, a great video gets engagement. That’s where your Call-To-Action (CTA) comes in. If you don’t tell your audience what to do next, most won’t take action even if they enjoyed your content.

CTAs guide your viewers to engage, follow, comment, or share, which in turn boosts visibility and signals value to the TikTok algorithm.

CTAs Work as they :

• They create intentional engagement getting users to take simple actions that increase your reach.
• They encourage followers to return for future content, especially with cliffhangers or ongoing series.
• TikTok rewards videos with high interaction (likes, shares, comments, saves) by pushing them to more people.

Step 13. Post Storytimes or Personal Content

TikTok isn’t just for trends it thrives on authenticity and human connection. Sharing your real-life experiences, struggles, lessons, or even funny mishaps helps people see the person behind the content, which builds trust, relatability, and loyalty.

People don’t just follow content; they follow people they feel connected to.

Why It Works:

• Humanizes You: Emotions drive engagement and connection.
• Boosts Watch Time: A strong hook keeps people watching till the end.
• Sparks Interaction: Stories prompt comments, shares, and tags.
• Builds Trust: The more people know you, the more they trust you — key for brand growth.

An example is @Addison Rae, whose rise to TikTok stardom has been fueled not only by dance trends but also by sharing relatable, personal moments, behind-the-scenes content, and stories from her life. 

This authenticity helps followers feel that they know her well, driving deeper engagement and long-term loyalty.

Step 14. Avoid Buying Followers

While it may be tempting to buy followers for quick growth, it’s one of the worst mistakes you can make on TikTok or any social media platform. 

Fake followers may inflate your numbers, but they don’t engage, don’t support your content, and can harm your account in the long run.

Why Buying Followers Backfires:

• Fake followers don’t interact, so the algorithm stops pushing your content.
• Hurts Your Credibility: Gaps like having 50k followers but barely 200 views can make both audiences and brands question your authenticity.
• Fake followers don’t comment or care, so you lose out on real feedback and growth.
• TikTok may reduce your visibility or even ban your account for fake growth.

Step 15. Monitor Analytics and Double Down on What Works

Creating content is just half the game; the other half is analyzing what’s working. TikTok’s free Pro account gives you tools to track your performance and improve.

By tracking the right metrics:

• You can spot patterns, improve future content, and grow faster by doubling down on what works.
• The algorithm responds to performance signals like watch time, shares, and saves. 
• Knowing what your audience likes lets you create more of it smarter, not harder. It helps you avoid wasting time on content that doesn’t move the needle.
• How long do viewers stay engaged? Hook strength can be tracked by first-3-seconds retention benchmarks.

Final Thoughts

Growing your TikTok following doesn’t have to be a mystery. By using the steps above and staying true to your unique voice, you can attract more followers faster than you think.

So start posting, keep experimenting, and most importantly, have fun with it.

Final Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Analyze successful accounts for inspiration, but always put your own spin on the content.
• Try different video lengths from quick clips to storytelling to see what your audience responds to.
• Share authentic, behind-the-scenes, or relatable moments to build real trust with your followers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to grow followers on TikTok?

It depends on your consistency, niche, and content quality. Some users see growth in days with a viral video, while others grow steadily over weeks or months.

2. Do I need to post every day to grow on TikTok?

Not necessarily. Consistency matters more than frequency. Aim for 3–5 quality posts per week rather than posting daily without value.

3. Do hashtags help?

Yes when used smartly. Combine trending, niche, and descriptive hashtags to boost discoverability.

4. What type of content works best?

Engaging, short-form content with strong hooks. Trends, tutorials, storytimes, and relatable videos perform well.

5. Do I need a niche, or can I post about anything?

Sticking to a niche helps the algorithm categorize your content and attract a loyal audience. It’s fine to experiment, but consistent themes perform best long-term.

6. Can small accounts still go viral on TikTok?

Yes! TikTok’s algorithm favors content over follower count. A single well-crafted video can go viral, even with zero followers.

7. Are video thumbnails really important on TikTok?

Absolutely. Thumbnails make your profile grid more appealing and organized, encouraging visitors to watch more of your content.

8. Should I buy TikTok followers to grow faster?

No. Buying followers hurts your engagement rate, damages credibility, and may lead to shadowbanning or account suspension.