How to Start on TikTok with No Followers

Starting on TikTok with zero followers feels like shouting into a void, but it’s actually a superpower. Without an existing audience, you have complete freedom to experiment, find your voice, and let the algorithm do the heavy lifting for you. This guide will walk you through a step-by-step strategy to launch your TikTok account, find your audience, and build momentum from your very first video.

Ditching the Follower Count for the For You Page

First, let’s get a huge misunderstanding out of the way. On platforms like Instagram or X, your content is primarily shown to people who already follow you. Success is built on an existing audience. TikTok broke that model. Its power lies entirely in the For You Page (FYP), an endless, algorithmically-curated feed of videos from creators you don’t follow. Literally anyone’s video can land on the FYP of millions.

Your follower count is an outcome, not a requirement. When you have zero followers, you are a blank canvas for the algorithm. It has no preconceived notions about your content. Every single video you post is a new opportunity to tell the algorithm who you are and what audience you want to reach. Think of yourself as an algorithm trainer, not just a content creator.

Step 1: Set Up Your Profile for Your Future Audience

Before you post anything, optimize your profile. It's the first thing people see when they discover your video and tap through to decide if you're worth a follow. Make that decision easy for them.

Choose a Clear Niche

You can’t be everything to everyone. The fastest way to grow is to become the go-to person for something specific. Your niche is the intersection of three things:

• What you're passionate about: What could you talk about for hours? You’ll need this passion to stay consistent.
• What you have expertise in: What do people ask you for advice about? This could be professional (e.g., marketing, finance) or a hobby (e.g., sourdough baking, thrifting).
• What people are searching for: What problems can you solve or what questions can you answer for an audience on TikTok?

Instead of "food," go for "easy vegan recipes for college students." Instead of "fitness," try "at-home workouts for busy moms." Specificity gets you discovered faster.

Craft Your Profile Elements

• Username: Make it simple, memorable, and easy to spell. If possible, have it reflect your niche (e.g., @cassies.book.corner instead of @CassieG1997). This also helps with searchability.
• Profile Photo: Use a clear, high-quality headshot where your face is visible. People connect with people, so avoid generic logos unless you’re an established brand.
• Bio: You have a tiny space to make a big impact. Use this structure:
  • Line 1: I help [your audience]... (e.g., "I help first-time homebuyers navigate the market.")
  • Line 2: ...by [how you do it]. (e.g., "Simplifying real estate with daily tips.")
  • Line 3: Call to Action (CTA). (e.g., "👇 Follow for home-buying hacks.")

Step 2: Create a Content Strategy for Your First 10 Videos

Your first 10-15 videos are purely for data collection. You're giving the algorithm clues about your niche and teaching it who to show your videos to. Don't stress about going viral just yet, focus on consistency and finding a rhythm. The goal is to post once a day for the first two weeks if you can.

How to Find Unlimited Content Ideas

• Use TikTok's Search Bar: Type keywords related to your niche and see what TikTok's autocomplete suggests. These are things people are actively searching for. Make a video answering each suggestion.
• Study Similar Accounts: Find 5-10 other creators in your niche (both large and small). Don’t copy them, but identify their best-performing video formats, topics, and sounds. What questions are people asking in their comments? Make videos that answer those questions.
• Mine Other Platforms: What questions get asked on Quora or Reddit related to your niche? What blog post headlines perform well on Pinterest? These are all proven concepts that can be turned into short-form videos.

The Four Pillars of Foundational TikTok Content

To get started, try creating a mix of these four proven content types. As you get data on what works, you can lean into the winners.

1. Educational Videos: Teach something valuable. These are "how-to" guides, quick tips, myth-busting content, or listicles ("3 tools I can't live without for..."). These position you as an expert.
2. Entertaining Videos: This is the content TikTok is known for. Use trending audio, create funny skits or relatable point-of-view (POV) videos that speak directly to your target audience’s daily experiences.
3. Empathetic Videos: Share a personal story, a struggle, a 'before and after,' or a motivational message. This type of content builds a deep, human connection with viewers.
4. Engaging Videos (Trend Surfing): Find a trending sound or video format and adapt it to your niche. This is one of the fastest ways to get early traction, as the algorithm is already pushing that sound into people's feeds.

Step 3: Make Your First Video (and What to Include)

The technical side of creating a TikTok is less important than the strategic elements. You don't need fancy equipment - your phone, good lighting (near a window is perfect), and clear audio are all you need.

The Anatomy of a High-Performing TikTok

Part 1: The Hook (Seconds 1-3)

You have less than three seconds to convince someone not to scroll away. Your hook is the most foundational part of your video. Fail here and the rest doesn’t matter.

Strong hooks often:

• State a BOLD claim: "You’ve been applying mascara all wrong."
• Ask a question to the target audience: "Are you a small business owner tired of creating content?"
• Promise a solution: "Here’s how to save $500 this month without even trying."
• Show a jarring or satisfying opening visual: The ending of a craft project, a messy room before it gets cleaned, etc.

Whatever you planned to be the "intro" to your video, cut it, and just start with the most interesting part.

Part 2: The Value (The Middle)

This is the core of your video where you deliver on the promise of your hook. Keep it concise. Use quick cuts and on-screen text to hold attention. If you’re giving tips, show them as visual bullet points on the screen. People often watch with the sound off, so text is your best friend.

Part 3: The Call to Action (The End)

Tell the viewer explicitly what you want them to do next. Don't assume they'll figure it out.

• "Follow me for more daily marketing tips."
• "Let me know your biggest struggle in the comments."
• "Save this video for when you need it."

Writing Your Caption and Choosing Hashtags

Your caption and hashtags provide more context for the algorithm.

• Caption: Keep it short. Reinforce the video’s hook or ask a question to drive comments. Comment activity is a powerful signal to the algorithm that people are interested in your content.
• Hashtags: Don't use spammy tags like #fyp or #viral. They’re useless. Instead, use a mix of 3-5 keywords that describe your video, your niche, and your target audience.

For a video on making sourdough, a good mix would be:

• Broad: #baking
• Niche-specific: #sourdoughtips
• Audience-specific: #bakingforbeginners

Step 4: Engage Like Your Growth Depends On It (Because It Does)

TikTok is a social platform, not a broadcast network. You can't just post your video and close the app. Engaging with the wider community signals to the algorithm that you're an active participant, and it helps get your profile discovered by real people.

Respond to Every Comment

In the beginning, you won't get many comments. Treat each one like gold. Reply to every single one, even if it's just an emoji. This doubles your comment count on the video and encourages more people to join the conversation.

Become an Active Commenter

Spend 15 minutes a day doing what TikTok calls "Targeted Engagement."

1. Find videos from larger accounts in your niche.
2. Scroll to the comments section and find a comment or question you can reply to with a helpful, insightful thought. Don't just say "nice video!" Add real value.
3. Leave thoughtful comments on the main videos too.

When you leave an interesting comment, other people who are interested in that niche will see it, tap on your profile, and potentially follow you. It’s one of the most underrated growth strategies for new accounts.

Final Thoughts

Starting on TikTok with zero followers isn't a disadvantage - it's a clean slate. Your only job is to create valuable content consistently, give the algorithm clear signals about who you serve, and actively engage with the community you want to build. Forget follower numbers and focus on making one great video at a time for your ideal viewer, the growth will follow.

As you build momentum, staying organized becomes more important. Planning your content ahead of time with a visual calendar can help you stay consistent, and scheduling tools can take the pressure off from having to post manually every day. We built Postbase to streamline this exact process, so creators can spend less time managing multiple platforms and more time doing what they love - creating. Our system is designed from the ground up for short-form video, ensuring your posts go live reliably right when you schedule them.