It’s happened to all of us: You’re having a nightly doomscroll on TikTok while thinking, I could do that. And you know what? You’re probably right. The fickle nature of TikTok means that any one of us is just one algorithmic move away from instant fame. But how does one really get famous on TikTok? Consider this your guide to TikTok stardom.
1. Make an account.
Of course, to get famous on TikTok, you need to have a TikTok account. But beyond just having the account, make sure your profile says a little bit about you and what you bring to the table. Spend some time deciding what kind of content you want to create, as the most successful TikTokers usually have a strong POV. There are generally two kinds of TikTok influencer accounts:
- Personal: The most common account type for actors is a personal account, which relies on the user’s personality to keep things interesting. Many actors, such as Cara Rose DiPietro, JJ Niemann, and Jesse Lynn Harte, have entire accounts dedicated to the ins and outs of their lives as performers. If you’re interested in marketing yourself as the main attraction of your TikTok account, make sure to choose a recognizable profile picture and put a little bit about yourself in your bio (even if it’s as simple as where you live and what you do).
- Branded: Branded accounts are those in which the owner relies less on themselves as the product and more on selling their expertise about a certain subject. Accounts like these might be dedicated to reviews, how-tos, or gossip. In the theater-influencer sphere, branded accounts usually focus on current theater news (such as Broadway Ben) or theater reviews and discourse (such as Mickey Jo Theatre).
2. Create engaging content.
Whether you decide to make well-edited aesthetic videos or more casual get-ready-with-me clips, you need to produce content that grabs people’s attention and holds it. While it’s important to pick a style you resonate with, it’s equally important that you feel you can consistently churn out that style, since the algorithm seems to prefer accounts that post regularly. Plus, the more videos you have, the higher the odds that one of them will go viral.
3. Figure out the hashtag game.
While a certain amount of TikTok fame is just luck (how does the algorithm work, anyway? more on that later), there are a number of ways you can try to make luck work in your favor. One of the most accessible ways is by using hashtags. Browse TikTok’s trending hashtags and create content that relates to them, or explore the hashtags that accounts similar to yours are using and having success with. Either way, since hashtags just sit quietly at the end of a video’s description, there’s no harm in trying out a couple (or 10).
4. Interact with similar accounts.
Follow similar accounts and like or comment on their content—as long as you can do it in a way that feels natural and not forced. We don’t recommend just spamming other accounts to get clicks on yours. It’s best to actually engage with the content by leaving thoughtful comments. If you’re looking for a more involved approach, you can always try in-person collabs, especially if you can find a connection that feels organic. If you have a friend who is trying to make similar content, why not make a few videos together? Two accounts are greater than one!
5. Participate in trends.
TikTok is very cyclical by nature, with new trends appearing, monopolizing your news feed for a week or two, and then immediately disappearing, never to be seen again (remember the Apple Dance, anyone?). While the fleeting nature of the TikTok trend might make it seem impossible to keep up with, creating new content using trending sounds or participating in trending challenges can help you to reach an audience beyond your existing followers. And let’s face it—they can be pretty fun, too.
6. Try to game the algorithm.
TikTok’s algorithm seems to reward videos that people engage with by liking, commenting, or sending to someone else—and that they watch all the way through. While there’s nothing you can do about who TikTok decides to show your videos to (end up on the football corner of the Internet and your theater review TikTok probably isn’t going to do so well), you can always make sure that your video is likely to make people want to keep watching, with a good initial hook and interesting content throughout.
Understanding TikTok's Algorithm: Here's How to Go Viral7. Cross-post on other platforms.
Just because you’re hoping to be TikTok famous doesn’t mean you should ignore the other social media platforms out there. Building a following across other platforms can ultimately help your TikTok following, and depending on what platform you choose, it may not even mean any additional work on your end. Many TikTok creators also post their content on Instagram Reels without any additional edits—two birds, one stone.
8. Create stuff you like.
As important as it is to make content that holds the attention of others, it’s most important that you create content that holds your attention. The road to TikTok stardom can be a long one, so it’s important that you enjoy the content that you make so that you can avoid burning out or giving up. Remember: It’s supposed to be fun.
9. Stay the course.
For every TikTok star who became a household name practically overnight with one random well-received video, there’s a dozen more who grew their following from the ground up with steadily increasing engagement. So, don’t give up! You never know when the algorithm will decide to be your friend.
Already on the path to TikTok success and looking to use that fame to get your next gig? Check out our content creator callboard today.
