TikTok is so popular because you quickly find videos that suit you, even if you follow only a few accounts. Short clips make it easy to watch for a moment. You can also create something yourself or join in with a familiar trend. The next time you visit, notice which video you watch to the end. What makes that particular clip interesting to you?
Below, you’ll read how these four reasons work and what you can do with them in your own videos.
1. TikTok recommends videos that suit you
On the For You page, you see recommended videos. So you don’t have to search for and follow all kinds of interesting accounts first. That makes it easy to discover something new.
According to TikTok’s earlier explanation of the For You page your actions, information about videos and account settings all count towards recommendations.
The system that uses this information to choose videos is called the algorithm. Suppose you enjoy drawing. You might come across a useful drawing tip from someone you don’t know yet. The topic catches your attention; then you discover who created it.
Also, TikTok’s help information about recommendations mentions your actions as an influence on what you see. It is therefore not clear how much each type of information currently counts.
If you create videos yourself, you can also reach viewers who don’t follow you yet. That doesn’t mean every video will reach many people. So show quickly what your clip is about. Then a viewer can decide whether they want to keep watching.
2. Short TikTok videos make it easy to watch for a moment
You can watch a short clip for a moment in between things, for example while waiting for the train. You don’t have to decide in advance that you want to spend half an hour on a topic.
Not every TikTok video is short. But in a compact clip, you can see an entire joke, answer or result. You quickly understand what the video has to offer.
Here’s an invented example: someone shows how to carefully loosen a stuck zipper. First you see the problem, then one action and then the result. This order makes the explanation easy to follow.
There is also a downside. One more clip may seem to take little time, but together those clips can turn into a long viewing session. If you only want to watch while waiting, decide in advance when you will stop, for example as soon as your train arrives.
3. Creating your own TikTok videos starts with one idea
You don’t have to film a complicated story. Think of your dog bringing its leash, a failed cake or a handy way to pack your bag. One relatable moment can already be a topic.
With your phone, you can start with something you already do anyway. You also don’t have to come up with a whole series of videos right away. First, choose one thing you want to show.
That can also work for a small shop. For example, a bicycle mechanic could show how to tell that a bike tyre is soft. The viewer then gets a useful answer instead of an advertising pitch.
Starting easily doesn’t mean you will automatically get lots of attention. First, make sure your subject is clearly visible and your explanation is easy to understand. That is something you can influence yourself.
4. TikTok trends give you an idea to join in
A trend is an idea that several people repeat in their own way. Think of the same kind of joke, a challenge or a set way of showing a change.
When you recognize the format, you quickly understand the idea. You may then become curious about what this creator does with it. If you create a video yourself, that familiar format gives you a starting point.
Imagine an invented trend in which people show what is in their everyday bag. A student shows school supplies, a parent shows things for the journey and a swimmer shows a towel with goggles. The idea stays the same, but each bag shows something different.
So choose a trend in which you can show something of your own. You don’t have to follow them all. Want to know how the app became well known? Read when TikTok became popular.
Why TikTok also appeals to people in the Netherlands and Belgium
These four reasons are not tied to one country. For viewers in the Netherlands and Belgium, familiarity from their own surroundings can add something. Think of a familiar accent, a home cooked dish or a situation at school.
For example, a video about cycling in the rain can feel relatable if you cycle every day. The creator then doesn’t have to explain the entire situation and can get to the joke or tip faster.
When thinking about your own video, don’t consider only the country where your viewers live. Also ask yourself: “Who would find this useful or fun?” They could be beginner runners, people with houseplants or students who make their own lunch. A shared interest gives you a clearer idea for your clip.
What you can learn for your own TikTok videos
Want to create a video yourself? Try this sequence for your next clip:
- Choose one topic. For example, show how you water a herb plant instead of explaining everything about caring for plants.
- Start with the question or result. Show the drooping leaves before explaining what you are going to do.
- Show the important action. Cut out a long introduction. But leave in everything the viewer needs to follow your explanation.
- Watch your video again as if you know nothing about the topic. Can you understand what it is about without extra explanation?
Lots of views do not automatically mean that viewers find your explanation useful. If you make videos for a shop, they also do not automatically mean that you will get customers. Buying followers or views offers no such certainty either.
Want to continue with your own clips? Read the tips to get more views on TikTok. Find more background in the explanation of what makes TikTok popular. If you also publish your own content, our TikTok services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
