Are you trying to get out of a slump and want to know how to make a viral video on TikTok, but have no idea where to start? Maybe you’ve posted a few videos that didn’t even get 200 likes. Even if you try hard, there’s a good chance it’s your fault, did you know?

Every day, thousands of users share videos on TikTok aiming to become the next big thing. Among dozens of niches, if you don't know the strategies of the big TikTokers, you'll always be just another one counting on luck. So how about sending this flop away?

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TikTokers' secrets to going viral

You've probably seen a video of Khaby Lame. The influencer boasts over 160 million followers on TikTok, using humor but without saying a word. His videos easily get millions of views. What do you think he knows that you don't? 

There are some secrets that many TikTokers use to go viral, and they don’t just work in a specific niche. From topics about animals to law, they all apply one or more strategies to their content. And in this article, we’ll reveal these strategies. Are you ready?

5 seconds

Starting off our tips on how to make a viral video on TikTok, we have to talk about the five-second rule. After all, the first few seconds of your video are essential to capturing the viewer’s attention. Therefore, you only have five seconds to convince someone that your video is worth their time, so use that time wisely. 

In this sense, pay attention to three things: first, the visuals. No blurry or poorly lit videos. Next, the opening. Almost all good hooks start with a line. If it’s confusing or boring, the viewer will skip your video. Finally, the text. A cool text/title on the screen is a great way to grab attention.

No breaks

Remember, every second counts in your video. Did you grab their attention in the first 5 seconds? Now, you need to keep it that way. There can’t be a single pause in your video unless it adds something to the pace of your content. The story needs to be constantly moving forward.

So, cut out dialogue, remove any unnecessary pauses or spaces in the story. Also, try using dynamic subtitles to draw attention and avoid missing any words. As a bonus, this also makes the content accessible to people with hearing problems. 

Your content needs to have a reward

Continuing with our tips for how to make a viral TikTok video, every video should end by resolving the tension you created in the first 5 seconds. The moment you give people what they came for, they’ll move on to the next video. Consider a video with the hook: “Watch my boyfriend’s reaction to eating cat meat.”

When you share your boyfriend’s reaction, the viewer has already gotten what they came for and will move on to the next video, regardless of how good the rest of your content is. So make sure to keep this secret until the last 5 seconds to keep your watch time as high as possible.

Make people share

The ability to create identification or add knowledge is key to capturing people's attention. And that's exactly what makes people want to share your content. Whether it's telling a joke or showing the strangest animals in the world (which, curiously, are all in Australia).

When you receive a video from a friend, it instantly becomes credible. So what makes content shareable? You associate all the people you know with categories, whether it’s what they eat, their hobbies, their likes or dislikes. Then create something that will make people want to share your video with more people.

Make videos that allow you to repeat the formula 

“2 bucks or a mystery gift?” Have you ever seen a video like that? Creating viral content is great, but it won’t get you very far if you can’t recreate its success in some way. So, develop a visual and content identity to be your brand.

BUT BE CAREFUL: This doesn't mean you should always be making the same type of content, even though some creators do this and are very successful. Try to find some formats that work well on your profile and recreate videos in the same vein.

Now you're one step closer to making a viral video on TikTok 

The secret to creating a viral video on TikTok is a combination of compelling hooks, engaging narratives, quick rewards, identifying your target audience, and paying attention to technical details. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of success on the platform, make peace with the algorithm, and gain some fans as a bonus. 

So, when creating content on TikTok, remember to invest time and effort into every aspect of your video. TikTok is increasingly competitive and growing on it has become a challenge. However, this does not mean that you do not have a chance of becoming the next revelation on this social network. Remember: your viral video could be in the next post.