Why is it SO HARD to get followers on TikTok?

I feel your pain.

It’s horrible when all you want is to get your ideas out there, yet every time you post a video it gets barely any views.

It’s even worse when everywhere you look, people are talking about how easy it is to get views and followers on TikTok.

It’s very difficult to get followers on TikTok because the platform is oversaturated with content and the algorithm has strict guidelines for what videos get views. If you want to increase your views and followers, you need to pay attention to your analytics and improve your content.

In this article, I’m going to explain why it’s so hard to get growth on the platform, what you can do about it, and because I feel like we’re both in the mood for this: I’m going to complain about how annoying all of this is.

Everyone Hates You And Your Content

Obviously, this statement is intense and hyperbolic. Additionally, I do not recommend having a negative attitude most of the time, they’re unpleasant, unrealistic, and unhelpful.

However, I find when you’re straining against the wall of just not understanding why your videos aren’t reaching more people, it can be helpful to think about things from this perspective for a little bit.

If you’re posting on social media, you want something.

On one end you have business owners who are literally trying to sell people products. On the other hand, we have someone who’s just posting snippets of their life for fun.

However, both of these people and everyone in-between wants something: they want you to watch their videos.

In the back of our minds, when we post a video, a lot of times there is a thought like this:

“Maybe this is it. Maybe this is the video that starts me on my path to superstardom.”

But in order for that to happen, a lot of people will have to watch, like, and engage with your content.

So even if you’re not asking someone to spend money, you’re still asking them to pay with seconds and minutes out of their one life on this planet.

And people can tell.

Now, there are a bunch of other reasons why people resent influencers like the fact that it reminds people of capitalism, it creates an unpleasant strain and uncanny valley of authenticity, and jealousy.

But remembering this fact: that when people don’t know you and you pop up on their screen they are instantly a little bit against you, is important groundwork for overcoming that immediate distrust.

You’re Not Adding Enough Value

Think about the night before a tv show’s series finale, or the night before a hugely anticipated product launch.

If you somehow had early access and could show people the final minutes of Succession before anyone had seen it – do you think it would matter what social account you posted on?

Do you think a low follower, new, or shadowbanned account would matter if it posted the hottest, most desirable content imaginable?

No. That content would instantly go viral and spread across the internet, because everyone who saw it would want to engage with it, and the algorithm would pick up on that.

Although it’s infinitely tempting to blame platforms and algorithms for our hardships, and those things are evil and bad, there’s plenty of blame in the reverse direction as well.

If your content isn’t being circulated, it’s because the viewers and the algorithm have decided that your content doesn’t bring enough value to their platforms and lives.

So start thinking: what will people want to see? How can I edit my content to keep people more interested?

But What I’m Doing DOES Have Value!

I agree, probably. First of all, if it has value to you, it has value. If one person watches your video and takes anything away from it, it has value to other people as well.

There are so many amazing accounts that post thousands of videos and never get very many views.

There are many amazing accounts where if the algorithm decided to lower its bar for just a second and let that creator’s content through, that the creator would go viral and get a ton of views.

But we’re not talking about actual value in the world, or value to yourself.

We’re talking about the cold-hearted value, immediate, and extremely harsh judgement that social media viewers and the algorithm will test your content with.

Being seen in front of thousands and millions of people isn’t a right, or something anyone inherently deserves.

It’s a technological possibility because of the internet and social media, and it has strict, back-breaking rules.

Stop Comparing Yourself To Other Accounts

We’ve all done it.

You’re scrolling and you find content that is undeniably worse than yours.

Then you check the views, and it’s in the many millions.

Your next thought probably sounds a little like this:

Wow, so if I can make content as good or better than that, I’ll also get millions of views!

Then, you do exactly that and your video gets almost no views. And it happens again, and again, and again.

While comparing yourself to other accounts is helpful for certain things, it’s not helpful if doing this is causing you to ruminate in frustration.

There are many reasons, fair and unfair, why mediocre people have more views than you. Here are just a few:

They started on the platform earlier than you when it was less competitive
They had an audience from another platform and got an immediate boost
Most people are mediocre and something about this mediocre person resonates with the masses
Underneath their mediocre personality is someone who really understands how to get internet views
They got really, really lucky

Whatever the reason, here they are, making mediocre content you know you can be better than.

I suggest you do everything in your power to stop focusing on the fact that this happens and move on to working on things.

This doesn’t mean you ignore this fact, but if you find yourself on your 10th hour of wondering why someone bad has views, remind yourself that now you’ve lost 10 hours you could have spent trying to get views for yourself.

Turn Your Luck Around By Changing Your Content

When you’re ready to be unstuck and start changing your content, here are some places to start:

Use popular music trends and songs in your videos.
Follow TikTok trends and challenges to stay relevant.
Utilize viral hashtags to increase discoverability
Keep your videos short and concise (around 15-60 seconds).
Start your video with a strong hook to grab viewers’ attention.
Use text overlays to add context or captions to your videos.
Incorporate humor or comedy into your content.
Show your unique personality and be authentic.
Collaborate with other TikTok creators for cross-promotion.
Engage with your audience by replying to comments and messages.
Use special effects and filters to enhance your videos.
Experiment with different video formats, such as stop motion or time-lapse.
Incorporate storytelling into your TikToks.
Use popular meme formats and templates.
Show behind-the-scenes content or sneak peeks.
Create tutorials or how-to videos related to your niche.
Utilize transitions to create smooth and visually appealing videos.
Create a series or recurring theme in your content.
Optimize your video description with relevant keywords.
Post consistently to maintain engagement and visibility.
Share your TikToks on other social media platforms for cross-promotion.
Experiment with different camera angles and perspectives.
Create attention-grabbing introductions or teasers.
Showcase your talents or skills in your videos.
Use creative props or costumes to make your videos stand out.
Film in interesting or visually appealing locations.
Utilize the green screen effect for creative backgrounds.
Analyze your TikTok analytics to understand what works and adapt your content accordingly.

Remember, the key is to experiment, stay consistent, and engage with your audience to grow your TikTok following and increase views. Good luck!