How to Get Your First 1,000 TikTok Followers

On TikTok a new account has a chance that other social networks don't offer: even your first video can get thousands of views. But for those views to turn into followers, you need a system. Here is a plan for your first 1,000.

Step 1. Pick one topic

TikTok shows videos to people interested in your topic. If today you post a recipe, tomorrow a car and the day after comedy, the algorithm doesn't understand who to show you to, and fewer people follow. Stick to one niche for your first 30-50 videos.

Step 2. Set up your profile

• Name and username with your topic: "Annie | 5-Minute Makeup".
• Bio: how the account is useful and how often new videos come out.
• Avatar: a face or a recognizable logo.
• Link: to Instagram, Telegram or a website, once it becomes available.

Step 3. Formats that bring followers

• Series: "Part 1, 2, 3", so people follow to see the continuation.
• Step-by-step guides under 30 seconds.
• Replies to video comments: TikTok has a separate button for this.
• Trends adapted to your topic, not just a repeat.
• "Before/after" and the result in the first seconds.

How TikTok decides who to show a video to is covered in the article how to get into TikTok recommendations.

Step 4. Post often

In the first weeks, at least one video a day. It is impossible to know which one will "take off", so the number of attempts matters. Analyze which videos are watched to the end and make more like them.

Step 5. Turn views into follows

A person follows when they understand that what comes next will be just as useful or interesting:

• say at the end of the video what is coming in the next one;
• pin your 3 best videos in the profile, a "storefront" for new visitors;
• reply to comments in the first hours.

Step 6. Starter trust

A profile with 15 followers and a video with a dozen views looks lifeless even to an interested viewer. A small starter number of followers, views and likes helps first viewers trust the account. But in recommendations a video is held up only by real people's reactions, so content first, boost second.

Step 7. Live streams and collaborations

• Once you have the follower count required for going live, stream regularly: lives retain an audience well.
• Arrange duets and joint videos with creators of a similar size.

What not to do

• Don't delete videos that got few views: they may "take off" later.
• Don't buy large volumes at once: a sharp jump looks unnatural.
• Don't use other people's videos with watermarks: TikTok lowers their reach.