How to Get Noticed on TikTok

Getting your content seen on TikTok can feel like shouting into the void one minute and going viral the next. The difference isn't luck, it's strategy. This guide gives you the clear, actionable roadmap to creating videos that the algorithm loves and viewers can't stop watching.

Understand the For You Page (FYP) Algorithm

Before you create anything, it helps to understand who you're creating for: the TikTok algorithm. Its only job is to show users content they genuinely want to watch. It's not a mysterious gatekeeper, it's a personalized curator. To get noticed, you need to send it the right signals.

The algorithm prioritizes content based on several key interactions:

• Watch Time &, Completion Rate: This is arguably the most important factor. If users watch your video all the way through, that's a good sign. If they watch it multiple times (a loop or re-watch), that's an even better one. The algorithm interprets this as high-quality, engaging content and pushes it to more people.
• Engagement: Shares, comments, and likes are powerful indicators. Shares are particularly valuable because they show that a user found your video so good they wanted someone else to see it. Comments signal that your video started a conversation.
• Video Information: The algorithm also analyzes information within your video, including captions, trending sounds or music, and relevant hashtags. Using these elements correctly helps TikTok understand what your video is about and who the right audience for it is.
• Follows: When a user follows you after watching your video, it's a huge positive signal. It tells the algorithm your content was compelling enough to create a new fan.

Everything you do on the platform should be focused on improving these metrics. Don't try to "hack" the algorithm. Instead, focus on creating videos that people genuinely want to share, comment on, and watch again.

Find Your Niche (and Your Unique Angle)

Your "niche" isn't just a category, it's the specific community you want to serve. Generic content gets lost in the noise. Specific content finds its people.

Don't Just Pick a Topic, Find an Angle

Many people get stuck on broad categories like "fitness," "cooking," or "marketing." These are too competitive. To get noticed, you need to go a level deeper and find a unique angle that makes you stand out.

Consider these examples:

• Instead of "cooking," try "one-pan dinners for busy weeknights."
• Instead of "fitness," try "apartment-friendly workouts with zero equipment."
• Instead of "home decor," try "renter-friendly DIY projects on a budget."

This specificity does two things: First, it helps the algorithm find your ideal audience faster. Second, it gives viewers a clear reason to follow you. When someone lands on your page and sees you're the go-to source for a problem they have or an interest they're passionate about, hitting "follow" is an easy decision.

Master the First Three Seconds

On TikTok, you don't have five seconds to make an impression - you have one or two. If you don't grab a viewer's attention immediately, they're gone with a swipe. This initial moment is called the "hook." Your hook is a promise of what the viewer will get if they keep watching.

Here are three types of hooks that work exceptionally well:

1. The Question Hook: Start your video by asking a question your target audience cares about. For a marketing account, it could be "Are you still using these hashtags in 2024?" For a skincare account, "Do you have this one ingredient in your moisturizer?" This immediately qualifies your viewer and makes them want to know the answer.
2. The Result First Hook: Show the amazing final result before you explain the process. A baker could show a shot of the perfectly decorated cake right at the start, then cut to how they made it. A designer could show the stunning final room makeover before the "before" shot. This visual promise makes people stick around to see how you achieved it.
3. The Bold Statement Hook: Use text on the screen to make a bold, intriguing, or even controversial statement. Something like "Three 'healthy' foods that are actually killing your progress" or "I quit my 9-to-5 because of this simple side hustle." Viewers will stop to see what you mean or to disagree with you in the comments (which is still engagement!).

Create Content People Actually Want to Watch

Once you have your niche and a strong hook, your content needs to deliver on its promise. Every video you create should aim to do one of three things for your audience: educate, entertain, or inspire.

Provide Real Value

"Value" isn't just about sharing complicated tips. It's about solving a problem, answering a question, or making someone's day a little better. You can do this by:

• Teaching Something: Share quick tutorials, how-to guides, or industry insights. Break down a complex topic into simple, digestible steps.
• Answering Common Questions: Think about the questions you get asked all the time in your field. Turn each question into a short, impactful video.
• Creating Relatable Content: Use humor and storytelling to tap into shared experiences. A video that makes someone say "that's so me" is highly shareable.

Leverage Trending Sounds and Audio

Using trending audio is one of the easiest ways to increase your visibility. The algorithm often prioritizes content using sounds that are currently popular. However, don't just use a sound for the sake of it. The key is to adapt it to your niche.

To find trending sounds, look for the little music note icon in the bottom right of videos on your FYP. If you see the same sound over and over, that's your cue. Tap the sound to see how others are using it and save it for future use. The best trend videos take a popular format and apply their unique industry perspective to it.

Tell a Story

Humans are wired for stories. Even a 15-second video can have a beginning, middle, and end. Whether it's showing the transformation of a messy room, documenting your journey in starting a business, or telling a short anecdote about a customer service experience, storytelling creates an emotional connection that tutorials can't match.

Polish and Optimize Your Videos

How your video looks and how you frame it matter just as much as what's in it. A few technical optimizations can make a huge difference in performance.

Write Smart Captions and Use CTAs

Your caption should add context to your video and encourage engagement. A great way to do this is by ending your caption with a question. Instead of just describing what's in the video, ask, "What's the one thing you struggle with when it comes to X?" or "Have you ever tried this? Let me know!" This prompts users to leave a comment.

A CTA (Call to Action) guides your viewer on what to do next. It can be as simple as "Follow for more daily tips" written in the caption or on the screen at the end of your video.

Develop a Smart Hashtag Strategy

Hashtags help categorize your video and show it to relevant audiences. The "spray and pray" method of using dozens of random hashtags doesn't work. Instead, use a mix of broad and niche tags. A good formula is:

• 2-3 Broad Hashtags: These relate to your overall industry (e.g., #marketing, #smallbusinesstips).
• 2-3 Niche Hashtags: These are ultra-specific to the content of your video (e.g., #contentstrategytips, #igreelsideas).
• 1-2 Trending Hashtags: Only if they're relevant to your video. You can often see these on the Discover page.

Post Consistently (Without Burning Out)

TikTok rewards consistency. When you post regularly, you're building momentum with both the algorithm and your growing audience. However, "consistency" does not mean you need to post five times a day. What matters is finding a realistic schedule you can stick to. For most creators, posting 3-5 times a week with high-quality content is far more effective than posting 10 low-effort videos.

Engage With Your Community (and Beyond)

Building a presence on TikTok is a two-way street. Don't just post your video and leave. Your engagement strategy is just as important as your content strategy.

Respond to Comments

When people comment on your videos, respond to them - especially a few hours after you post. This interaction creates a conversation loop, which boosts your video's engagement metrics. You can answer their question, thank them, or ask a follow-up question. Even better, use the "Reply with video" feature to turn a great comment into a new piece of content.

Engage with Others in Your Niche

Spend 15 minutes a day actively engaging with your community. Find other creators in your niche and leave genuine, thoughtful comments on their videos. Don't just say "nice post!" Add to the conversation. This gets your profile in front of their audience - people who are already interested in what you have to say.

Final Thoughts

Getting noticed on TikTok is an achievable goal when you move from guessing to strategy. It all comes down to understanding the platform, providing genuine value for a specific audience, staying consistent, and engaging like a real human. Focus on creating for people first, and the algorithm will follow suit.

We know that planning content and sticking to a consistent schedule is often the most challenging part of this entire process, especially when you're managing multiple platforms. That’s why we built Postbase from the ground up for the realities of modern social media. Our visual calendar makes it easy to see your entire content plan at a glance, and with a platform designed for today's short-form video formats, you can schedule your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts reliably without any hassle.