10X Your TikTok In 10 Minutes (With No Followers)
People & Blogs
Introduction
It can be disheartening to see high-quality content from talented artists on platforms like TikTok that fail to gain the organic reach and views they genuinely deserve. However, with one simple tweak in how you post your content, you can significantly increase your views on TikTok—potentially by 10 times!
Understanding TikTok's Algorithm
While TikTok is driven by engagement and likes, what it truly values is watch time. This means that the duration viewers spend on your content is crucial. Unlike YouTube, where users have multiple choices, TikTok operates on a simple premise: do you want to see another video or not? If a user swipes away, your engagement metrics take a hit.
Every video you post has an average view duration that TikTok tracks, which subsequently affects how your content is shown to others. For instance, if you create a 10-second video and it's watched for the full 10 seconds, your average view duration sits at 10 seconds. However, if viewers swipe up quickly afterward, that duration drops.
Current statistics show that the average view duration on TikTok is about 3.3 seconds. If your content can surpass this, even by just a few seconds, it could result in thousands of additional views for you. Yet, this isn’t easy; getting users to watch your TikTok for five or six seconds can be a real challenge.
Context is Key
The word "context" is vital in understanding why some videos may fail to engage. Many artists focus primarily on promoting their music, but the reality is that it's you—the artist—who should take center stage. When promoting music, shift the narrative so that the song is the superpower, but the artist is the superhero.
A common error is framing the song as the main attraction, often leading to an unsatisfactory experience for potential viewers. If you launch into a video simply by saying, “Here’s my new song,” viewers are left with unanswered questions that lead them to swipe away. Instead, start by promoting yourself, providing context, and then segue into your song.
The First Impression Matters
As creators, we often hope people will invest time to understand our content, but often, they will skim through and leave. In the realm of TikTok, the first second is crucial—it's the moment viewers decide whether they want to continue watching. To maximize watch time, you need to give immediate context about yourself.
A simple yet powerful way to achieve this is to add text at the beginning of your TikTok video. For instance, stating “Hi, I’m [Your Name], and I wrote this song when…” gives viewers immediate context.
Engaging Your Audience
The initial text can vary, but the key is creating curiosity. Phrases like "Have you ever felt...?" or "What happens when...?" engage viewers and encourage them to stick around for the answer. This technique transforms your viewers from passive observers into active participants in your story.
Moreover, asking questions like “Should I release this song?” or “My manager says I shouldn’t release this song, but I think it’s really good; what do you think?” invites them into your creative process and gives them a reason to engage.
Final Thoughts
Quality, production, and talent matter, but without context, your content may go unseen. Most viewers online are accustomed to a fast-paced flow of content, and unless they comprehend your message instantly, they will swipe away.
By making a minor adjustment—adding context in the form of on-screen text—you could significantly boost your watch time, and in turn, your view count. If you can achieve this, you’ll find that promoting yourself as an artist will lead to a wider audience.
Actionable Steps
I encourage you to create three pieces of content in different outdoor settings related to your music. Experiment with different pieces of contextual text and track the results. When you hit that big milestone—perhaps your first million views—be sure to send me the link!
And if you found this content helpful, please like and subscribe for more tips to enhance your TikTok presence. Best of luck with your TikToks!
Keywords
- TikTok
- Watch Time
- Engagement
- Context
- Views
- Content Strategy
- Artist Promotion
- First Impression
- Audience Engagement
FAQ
1. What is the most important metric for TikTok engagement?
Watch time is the most important metric TikTok uses to determine how your content is promoted.
2. How can I improve the watch time on my TikTok videos?
You can improve watch time by adding context to your videos through on-screen text and making it clear who you are and what you're presenting.
3. Why is context important in TikTok videos?
Context explains who you are and why viewers should care about your content, making it more likely for them to engage longer.
4. What are some effective phrases to use for grabbing attention quickly?
Phrases like "Have you ever felt...?" or "What happens when...?" can create curiosity, encouraging viewers to stick around.
5. Can a small change really make a big difference in views?
Yes, even a one-second increase in view duration can result in significantly more views for your content.
