13 Proven Strategies On How To Go Viral On TikTok
Is exploding on the “For You Page” on your TikTok bucket list? checkmark
It’s like catching lightning in a bottle, instantly putting your business in front of millions of eyes. The best part? TikTok’s algorithm rewards creativity and trends, so if you play your cards right, you can ride that viral wave. Whether it's a trending sound or a challenge, going viral gives you the chance to reach a massive audience and make your brand the talk of the internet!
Here is what 13 thought leaders have to say.
Leverage Trending Sounds
Feature Your Team in Videos
Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
Create Educational DIY Videos
Utilize User-Generated Content
Reimagine Time-Travel Trends
Adopt Your Audience's Perspective
Emphasize Authenticity
Offer Exclusive Discounts
Debunk Industry Myths
Join Trending Challenges
Craft Catchy, Relatable Videos
Focus on Content Volume
But First, Let’s Get Our Priorities Straight
Here's the thing—going viral sounds great, but unless your product is as universally loved as Duolingo, it might not be the best move. After all, who doesn’t love a giant green owl that harrasses you on the daily to practice Spanish?
Sure, a million views is flashy, but if none of them are from your target audience, what's the point? Instead, focus on quality over quantity. We'd take 10k impressions from potential customers over 1M from randoms any day. Remember, it's not about how many people see your content, it's about getting the right people to see it. Keep it strategic, and you'll see better results in the long run.
That said, increasing impressions and going “mini viral” as we call it is a great move. Here are 13 ways to do it:
wondering how to go viral on tiktok? Read more ↓
#1. Ride The Trending Sound Wave
Our all-time favorite way to increase impressions on TikTok is to leverage trending sounds and challenges. By aligning your content with what's popular on the platform, you can tap into the organic discoverability that TikTok's algorithm is known (and loved) for.
The key is to create engaging, on-brand content that incorporates these trending audio clips or participates in viral challenges. This not only increases the likelihood of your video landing on users' For You Pages (FYP) but also significantly boosts your chances of reaching a wider audience—think of it like catching a viral wave.
Chelsea Scott Flower, Founder & CEO, Scott Social
#2. Feature Your Team in Videos
Include your team members in the videos. Show their personalities and skills to connect with viewers and make your brand feel more relatable. This helps people get to know us better and makes our content more engaging.
Andrew Merrick, Owner & CEO, Aquasoltech
#3. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
Share behind-the-scenes content to give your audience an inside look at your business. Capture and share authentic moments from your daily operations, product creation process, or team activities. Create a narrative that resonates with your audience, making them feel connected to your brand. Engage with viewers by responding to comments and questions to build a community around your brand.
Slavko Kovacevic, Head of SEO, Health Link SEO
#4. Create Educational DIY Videos
Making short DIY videos is a strategy that I've seen work to help a business go viral on TikTok. These kinds of videos are great because they teach people something new and interesting, which naturally leads to interactions like direct messages and reposts. There's almost always a great DIY topic that fits with your business, whether it's recipes, home-styling tips, or something else useful.
Positioning yourself as an expert or authority in your niche through these videos helps keep your brand, products, and/or services top of mind for viewers. For example, if you run a travel brand, you could create videos showcasing must-see attractions, offering restaurant recommendations, or sharing travel tips. This approach not only engages your audience but also gives them valuable content they'll want to share, increasing the chances of your content going viral on TikTok.
Patrick Beltran, Marketing Director, Ardoz Digital
#5. Utilize User-Generated Content
To make a business go viral on TikTok, utilize user-generated content (UGC) along with strategic influencer partnerships. This combination enhances authenticity, broadens reach, and boosts community engagement—all essential for achieving virality, especially in affiliate marketing. UGC, created by users instead of the brand, feels relatable and trustworthy, making it an effective tool on platforms like TikTok.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
#6. Reimagine Time-Travel Trends
The "Time-Travel Trend" can be a game-changer for your business on TikTok. Think of it as blending the old with the new, where you revisit iconic TikTok trends but reimagine them with your product or service at the center. This approach works because users already have strong memories connected to these past trends. By giving them a fresh spin, you not only attract their attention but also make your content irresistibly shareable.
For instance, if there was a popular dance challenge from a couple of years ago, recreate it using your product in a fun, unexpected way. Say you run a coffee shop; you could integrate your baristas performing the dance while showcasing new coffee drinks. This taps into viewers' nostalgia while presenting your brand in a new light, making it more likely to capture their interest and go viral. Ultimately, it's about striking a balance between familiarity and innovation, connecting with your audience on an emotional level while promoting your offerings.
Casey Meraz, CEO, Juris Digital
#7. Adopt Your Audience's Perspective
It's all about relatability. Humor helps, but if your audience can't relate to the scenario you're presenting, they're less likely to laugh along.
I'm a recruiter—most people aren't. So, posting funny memes or videos about my own industry won't go far. My partners and competitors might find them hilarious, but I'm not drawing in the audience I need and want.
So, I more often adopt the perspective of candidates. Everyone can relate to the exhausting and sometimes inane practice of modern job-hunting.
Think about how your own business can do the same. For example, a retail store owner might play the role of a customer. A doctor might put themselves in the shoes of a patient. Framing your advice or information this way increases your potential reach greatly.
Rob Reeves, CEO and President, Redfish Technology
#8. Emphasize Authenticity
One key tip is to focus on being authentic. Viral content often comes from videos that feel real and genuine, rather than overly polished. TikTok users, especially Gen Z, can quickly spot when they're being marketed to, so it's better to keep things natural.
While it's tempting to aim for a highly-polished look, those videos might not perform as well on TikTok. Instead, concentrate on creating content that feels true to your brand. If you have a budget, don't hesitate to explore paid ads or services that can give your content an extra push.
Consistency is important on TikTok, but make sure not to compromise quality just to post frequently. The algorithm tends to favor videos that genuinely engage viewers, so aim for content that resonates. Engaging with your audience through comments or live sessions helps as well.
Simon Brisk, Founder & SEO Strategist, Click Intelligence
#9. Offer Exclusive Discounts
Provide value to your customers. You need to provide value to your audience or followers. Give your users exclusive discounts and incentives, especially for significant events. This will not only inspire your clients to make purchases, but they will also share it with their contacts, making them pleased as well. Make brief videos to educate your audience on the potential benefits of your services. At the same time, you can show them how to utilize a certain product to maximize its advantages.
Rebecca Xing, CEO, Trustana
#10. Debunk Industry Myths
One tactical tip to help a business go viral on TikTok is to create content that challenges common misconceptions in your industry. We've had success with a series of "Solar Myth Busters" videos. In these short clips, we dramatically stage a popular solar energy myth, then quickly debunk it with a simple, visually striking demonstration.
For instance, one of our most successful videos addressed the myth that solar panels don't work on cloudy days. We filmed a solar panel on a bright day, then used a smoke machine to create artificial clouds. As the "clouds" rolled in, we showed real-time energy production data, revealing that the panels still generated significant power.
The key to this tactic's success is the combination of entertainment and education. By presenting information in a surprising or counterintuitive way, we've managed to capture viewers' attention and encourage them to share the content with others who might hold these misconceptions. This approach not only helps our videos go viral but also positions our brand as a trusted source of solar information.
Ben McInerney, Founder and Director, GoSolarQuotes
#11. Join Trending Challenges
One effective way for a business to go viral on TikTok is by leveraging trending challenges while staying true to the brand’s identity. In my experience, participating in these challenges can significantly boost visibility and engagement, as they are already popular with TikTok’s audience. We once joined the "Wes Anderson" challenge, creatively portraying a day at the office in a stylized, cinematic way. This approach not only aligned with the trend but also allowed us to showcase our brand's personality, leading to strong engagement and positive feedback.
Acting quickly is essential since TikTok trends can be short-lived. From what I’ve seen, the best results come from balancing speed with authenticity—jumping on a trend while ensuring the content feels genuine and true to your brand. This helps in building a meaningful connection with your audience. Exploring the TikTok Creative Center to find current trends and then creatively adapting them to your content can be a powerful strategy for achieving viral success.
Ervin Kalemi, Founder & CEO, Publer
#12. Craft Catchy, Relatable Videos
Make catchy videos. It's pretty obvious, but to draw people in, your videos need to be interesting and captivating. No matter what your content is about, always find a fresh angle and a unique way to deliver your message. Since TikTok thrives on organic content, I suggest making high-quality videos that don't look overly professional (even if they are). The TikTok crowd really values authenticity and relatability, so keep your videos down-to-earth.
When making videos, I always include text overlays. Stats show that users prefer videos with text because it helps them follow along and grasp the message. Plus, someone might need to watch without sound, maybe in a boardroom, so text overlays are crucial for keeping them engaged. This also makes your content more accessible to those who are hearing impaired.
Don't forget to craft a thoughtful caption and use relevant hashtags for SEO when posting your videos. A well-written caption helps TikTok's algorithm index your video properly and serve it to the appropriate audience. Avoid random wording—aim for a catchy, SEO-friendly caption to ensure your video reaches those who will appreciate it most.
Precious Abacan, Marketing Director, Softlist
#13. Focus on Content Volume
The best way to effectively go viral on TikTok is to focus on volume. Putting out more content not only increases your number of chances for serious success, but it also helps your marketing team to hone their skills and learn the nuances of creating TikTok content. It's a very self-referential platform, and the memes and in-jokes can change in a hurry. If you aren't on trend, you aren't going to go viral.
Nick Valentino, VP of Market Operations, Bellhop
Wanna Go Viral On TikTok? We’re Your Gals.
Ready to take your TikTok game to the next level? Whether you're here to leverage trending sounds or join the latest viral challenges, Scott Social has your back! Let's create scroll-stopping content that gets your business the attention it deserves. Shoot us a message today, and let’s make your brand the next big thing. ✨
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WRITTEN BY:
Chelsea Evans-Flower
Founder + CEO