TikTok Account Journey Starting From Zero

[Williamsonsondvn]

What type of videos do you make? Like is it you or a person talking/dancing/singing??? Is there a human in the video at all?

or is it a video like a picture and it has captions??? And it reels through a few slides/pics?

I have multiple accounts, non-original content (reposting) and original content.

Original content = all with a person in it.
Non-original content = without a person in it.


Just to give you an example of some of my current niche areas:

- business talk / money talk (original)
- self development (original)
- comedy (original)
- animals (non-original)

I do think that 'slideshows' could work, but I've honestly not tested those enough to say for sure. I've only helped 1 account doing it that way (a cooking niche account).
It works for them. It also worked for some of the quote accounts I've helped set up. But personally, I prefer video. That's just personal taste.

 

[RastaMouse]

1. Quantity only matters if you follow the high quality approach that caters to what the algo favours. Rather create 1 video that the algo prefers than 20 the algo doesn't. You don't need to post 3 times (or more) a day to grow. You can definitely grow into 10k range and all the way up to 25-50k and possibly* even 100k range during 2020 by just posting once a day, or even just a few times a week, given that what you post at least somewhat caters to what the algo prefers.

I am just talking about: if you want 10k+ followers in a week, then you want to be posting 3 times a day.

Also: you are limiting your upside by already saying that your niche is hard to post. I don't know what your niche is, but you are the subjective factor limiting the creation process. What niche is it? If you don't feel comfortable mentioning here, just PM me. But I can tell you this: it doesn't matter what niche you are in, you can always post more with minimal effort. You just have to create a system and process for yourself. You don't have to be 100% creative every single video. You could literally do a 3-part video and have that as 3 separate videos each day. That's 3x the output for about the same input.

2. Your first video is 100% the most important video. I don't know the exact numbers, but I'm guessing it's goes somewhere 5-10x (minimally) compared to other videos. Also much quicker growth ratio.

To answer your question: a new account depends... it depends on what you are trying to do. If you posted a video that didn't go really viral, you could repost the same video and see what happens. You could try with a new account.
I always put the most time in the first video of a new account and aim usually at 50k-500k views for said video. If it performs less, I'll start over again by posting a second video, or worst case scenario, new account. But so far, that hasn't happened yet (the need for a new account due to low performance).

3. Don't use bots. Period. This isn't Instagram. I ran experiments on multiple accounts for this. F/UF is useless for TikTok. The system doesn't favour it, it just doesn't work. And you add additional risk of being shadowbanned or banned altogether. You can grow much quicker than bots if you focus on viral videos.

You've got great research on this app! Check your inbox when you've got a minute.

I see what you're saying, I'm gonna review my strategy and see if I can spread out my videos somehow as that would help.

I saw what you recently put in regards to sticking to a niche and while that does make perfect sense, it almost feels like the creators of this app are not completely sure what they're doing with TikTok just yet. For example, what if you were someone who just wanted to do the daily hashtag challenges that come up on the discovery page? These are not niche specific which would make it difficult to grow yet they want people to partake in the challenges...

Well my first video was literally a random video. I had no idea about the organic reach, the first post boost or how vital sticking to a niche was and I believe that's where I really messed up my current profile. I didn't plan my first vid to give it the best chance to go viral and I did a video different to my original niche which I noticed my reach drop significantly after I put the next video up of the niche I was originally doing. I get the feeling that I won't be able to pull this account into viral mode as I feel I've blown my chance. My vids get roughly 150 views. I feel like I would have to make something really special to make that jump up and let my videos really grow going forward.

Just one more thing, do you think if I was to open a new account now to try and get the boost again. Should I do it from a completely different device? I've heard some say your views can get blocked if you have more than account per device (even though they actually allow it). Thanks

 

[blackb89]

Following! Definitely want to know where 's going

 

[Lukadruy]

Great journey OP, I would like to ask when you posting non-original content do you edit them as well, after editing or not do you send it to your phone and upload from there or what since I am new to this TikTok platform

 

[zenbazi]

Start over from zero. You're still small, you'll thank me later. Rather than continue like this for months and realizing you could have done it waaay quicker.

Follow these guidelines:

Figure out a NICHE before you start. Rather spent 1 week figuring the niche out than starting without a clear plan.
TikTok is very.. well.. strict. Let's say you post videos of dolphins. If it's just dolphins being cute, clearly.. it's liked by people who like dolphins. Or cute things.
If you then switch it up with, say.. furniture.. your reach will almost vanish.

Photography = is not a niche. That's 1 general broad category. Find a niche within that category.
Try to also be clear on what your end goal is. What do you want to get out of the account? Brand awareness? Reputation? Clients? Leads? Affiliate links?

If your niche is 'portraits', spent some time researching what other photographers on the platform do and take a look at how to make your videos stand out as well.
Look at the different aspects in their videos.

Honestly, you can literally post a video of an egg and have it go semi-viral or full viral. As long as you stick to the right criteria.

So if after figuring out your niche and end goal, you still want to do portraits of people. Then sit down and ask yourself the following questions:

- how can I grab attention in the first micro-second
- what CTA (call to actions) can I add through text or captions
- what effects can I add to keep attention high
- can I keep the videos between 8 to 10 s
- and so on ... (the list is long)​

If you just post videos without thinking of the ^above, then you're just going based off luck.

Can you grow your account by just doing whatever and sometimes being 'lucky'? Yes. But the question should be: what is the minimal input strategy to get the maximal output?


I've helped people grow their accounts from 0 to 10k in less than 7 days by posting 1-3 times.
And I talk to people who have been posting for 10 times a day since November and now have 10-20k.

Sure, the latter have as many followers. But they had to post... 10x90-120 days? That's a crazy input for the output they're getting.

Thank you so much for the write up!

Just created a new account on my same iphone and did an hour of organic browsing. shortening all of my tik toks to 10 seconds and will post 1-2 per day starting tomorrow evening ! Thanks for the input!

 

[TheWeekndXO]

Will definitely be following this. I'm very much uninformed about TikTok, but I cannot deny it's reach with the youth.

 

[aragates]

https://www.blackhatworld.com/members/williamsonsondvn.1360886/ shares superb ideas including all things that should be very helpful for everyone. Keeps all about very straightforward. Thanks for posting

 

[Infinite Dream]

Do you think of content yourself or do you recreate viral videos in your niches?

 

[brembar]

- business talk / money talk (original)
- self development (original)
- comedy (original)
- animals (non-original)

From your experience, can you say that original content accounts perform better than non-original?

And one more question, how many accounts you have per device and IP

 

[Williamsonsondvn]

You've got great research on this app! Check your inbox when you've got a minute.

I see what you're saying, I'm gonna review my strategy and see if I can spread out my videos somehow as that would help.

I saw what you recently put in regards to sticking to a niche and while that does make perfect sense, it almost feels like the creators of this app are not completely sure what they're doing with TikTok just yet. For example, what if you were someone who just wanted to do the daily hashtag challenges that come up on the discovery page? These are not niche specific which would make it difficult to grow yet they want people to partake in the challenges...

Well my first video was literally a random video. I had no idea about the organic reach, the first post boost or how vital sticking to a niche was and I believe that's where I really messed up my current profile. I didn't plan my first vid to give it the best chance to go viral and I did a video different to my original niche which I noticed my reach drop significantly after I put the next video up of the niche I was originally doing. I get the feeling that I won't be able to pull this account into viral mode as I feel I've blown my chance. My vids get roughly 150 views. I feel like I would have to make something really special to make that jump up and let my videos really grow going forward.

Just one more thing, do you think if I was to open a new account now to try and get the boost again. Should I do it from a completely different device? I've heard some say your views can get blocked if you have more than account per device (even though they actually allow it). Thanks

The content doesn't always have to be the same. The audience has to be. Meaning.. one person can like funny cat videos and also funny dolphin videos. Doesn't mean it always has to be dolphins or cats.
And there's always exceptions, like trends and hashtag challenges.

If you want a new account, you can do it on the same device if you plan to remove the old one and it hasn't been affected by ban/shadowban.

If your previous account on the same device was negatively affected or perceived negatively by the TikTok algo, then you need a new device.

Your views will not be blocked for having multiple accounts on one device. I don't know who's spreading this BS, but it just isn't true. Yea, if you violate guidelines on one account on the device, most likely the other accounts will also get flagged. But unrelated to the number of accounts you have.

Great journey OP, I would like to ask when you posting non-original content do you edit them as well, after editing or not do you send it to your phone and upload from there or what since I am new to this TikTok platform

Non-original content downloaded - edited/cut in video editing software on PC - downloaded to Phone - uploaded to TikTok - add effects/text/whatnot

Williamsonsondvn shares superb ideas including all things that should be very helpful for everyone. Keeps all about very straightforward. Thanks for posting

Thanks!

Do you think of content yourself or do you recreate viral videos in your niches?

Both, I check what does well. Sometimes copy 100% with a personal twist. Sometimes find ideas and do something completely new. Sometimes both. Whatever works, that I do.

From your experience, can you say that original content accounts perform better than non-original?

And one more question, how many accounts you have per device and IP

If you apply creativity and the right metrics/criteria, both can do well. I do prefer original content because you never violate community guidelines. There's always the risk of being banned or shadowbanned permanently and nothing you can do about it. If you can go for original content, do it. If you cannot, non-original is fine. Think about your long term game. Just think about IG shutting down all those meme accounts without warning. That's a lot of work down the drain.

If the accounts do not violate community guidelines, I have 3 accounts per device (max limit)

If the accounts do possibly violate community guidelines, I only have 1 account per device to prevent 1 account being blocked from affecting other accounts.

Each device has separate VPN connections, no SIM, ...

 

[BimTop]

Very good journey

 

[Lukadruy]

Non-original content downloaded - edited/cut in video editing software on PC - downloaded to Phone - uploaded to TikTok - add effects/text/whatnot

I see thank you, thought there was an automation tool like tailwind for TikTok

 

[RastaMouse]

The content doesn't always have to be the same. The audience has to be. Meaning.. one person can like funny cat videos and also funny dolphin videos. Doesn't mean it always has to be dolphins or cats.
And there's always exceptions, like trends and hashtag challenges.

If you want a new account, you can do it on the same device if you plan to remove the old one and it hasn't been affected by ban/shadowban.

If your previous account on the same device was negatively affected or perceived negatively by the TikTok algo, then you need a new device.

Your views will not be blocked for having multiple accounts on one device. I don't know who's spreading this BS, but it just isn't true. Yea, if you violate guidelines on one account on the device, most likely the other accounts will also get flagged. But unrelated to the number of accounts you have.





Non-original content downloaded - edited/cut in video editing software on PC - downloaded to Phone - uploaded to TikTok - add effects/text/whatnot




Thanks!




Both, I check what does well. Sometimes copy 100% with a personal twist. Sometimes find ideas and do something completely new. Sometimes both. Whatever works, that I do.






If you apply creativity and the right metrics/criteria, both can do well. I do prefer original content because you never violate community guidelines. There's always the risk of being banned or shadowbanned permanently and nothing you can do about it. If you can go for original content, do it. If you cannot, non-original is fine. Think about your long term game. Just think about IG shutting down all those meme accounts without warning. That's a lot of work down the drain.

If the accounts do not violate community guidelines, I have 3 accounts per device (max limit)

If the accounts do possibly violate community guidelines, I only have 1 account per device to prevent 1 account being blocked from affecting other accounts.

Each device has separate VPN connections, no SIM, ...

Thanks for taking so much time to help us all out man. One other thing, do you believe the camera quality can improve your reach? I.E if I record a video on a DSLR camera will that get a bigger push as it seems like a high quality video?

 

[OnMGrind]

I have multiple accounts, non-original content (reposting) and original content.

Original content = all with a person in it.
Non-original content = without a person in it.


Just to give you an example of some of my current niche areas:

- business talk / money talk (original)
- self development (original)
- comedy (original)
- animals (non-original)

I do think that 'slideshows' could work, but I've honestly not tested those enough to say for sure. I've only helped 1 account doing it that way (a cooking niche account).
It works for them. It also worked for some of the quote accounts I've helped set up. But personally, I prefer video. That's just personal taste.

It makes me wonder about conversion rates being that tik tok is more of a video relay platform as apposed to say Instagram, where each “post” can be visual, video, or even a slideshow and not be penalized. I’m new to the tik tok game... my niece used to use musicaly but that was before it blew up to what tik tok is today.

but even if tik tok doesn’t have an algo to actually penalize slideshows, I think the expectations of video will cause the slideshows on tik tok to have a lesser chance of going viral because it will be deemed as lesser quality(?) or less personal.

maybe there are exceptions if you use art and voice... relaying something controversial or emotional. I dunno

Has anyone made money yet? What are conversion rates on tik tok(original content with person in video advertising a product) vs Instagram influenced with average conversion rate

 

[SamAnton]

Hey, thank you for providing such valuable informations.
what do you think is the best way to create a US based account?VPN?

 

[Astronin]

following good luck mate

 

[smillwith]

did you experience any negative effets of adding text to non original content? Some of my videos get 0 views when i add a text like "follow for more" or a question so people can answer it in the comments. I feel like as soon as you ask the viewer to do something the videos get less reach or just simply arent shown at all. Did you experience anything similar?

 

[Williamsonsondvn]

• Day: 16 (08/03)

• Followers: 10200+

• Total Videos: 30

Changes I made:

1) increasing frequency of posting to 4 times a day (recent TikTok algo changes have caused me to post more, as the system rates content differently than before)
2) had to manually adjust the account because a swarm of Indians started following me, and I don't want my following to be 99.99% Indians only.

How did I approach this?
I started manually following target accounts in US & EU (with high followback ratio, so only recently active in last 24 hours and within target group niche)

I'll continue to do this until my 'follower metrics' look more desirable.

Currently growing at 250-300 followers per day. It's decent, but I'm not satisfied with the results.
I will start looking into monetisation & conversions within the next 14 days for this first account.


On top of that: TikTok is making more and more changes. Although followers didn't matter that much before, it's becoming even more irrelevant.
It's almost going the complete opposite way of IG. Which is.. fascinating really.



Lastly:

I'll be launching a second niche account within the next week.

 

[Williamsonsondvn]

Thanks for taking so much time to help us all out man. One other thing, do you believe the camera quality can improve your reach? I.E if I record a video on a DSLR camera will that get a bigger push as it seems like a high quality video?

I don't think camera quality matters. Actually, overproduction might backfire because of the 'spontaneous nature' of the platform. It's becoming the anti-Instagram in many ways. So the opposite of pretending on IG.. is rawness.

Of course, if it's within a photography niche and whatnot.. that is different. But don't feel like you NEED it.

Good lighting is recommended, though.

It makes me wonder about conversion rates being that tik tok is more of a video relay platform as apposed to say Instagram, where each “post” can be visual, video, or even a slideshow and not be penalized. I’m new to the tik tok game... my niece used to use musicaly but that was before it blew up to what tik tok is today.

but even if tik tok doesn’t have an algo to actually penalize slideshows, I think the expectations of video will cause the slideshows on tik tok to have a lesser chance of going viral because it will be deemed as lesser quality(?) or less personal.

maybe there are exceptions if you use art and voice... relaying something controversial or emotional. I dunno

Has anyone made money yet? What are conversion rates on tik tok(original content with person in video advertising a product) vs Instagram influenced with average conversion rate

I'm unsure about how well slideshows & pics do versus videos. I also don't know if the algo favours one or the other.

All I can say: try it, test it and collect data.

I mean, I don't see why it wouldn't do well. There's many accounts doing well.

I start monetisation & conversion soon.

Hey, thank you for providing such valuable informations.
what do you think is the best way to create a US based account?VPN?

Option 1) get US number & data plan
Option 2) use clean device, no sim, force-mode VPN (works 75% of the time) - once flagged in your region, the device will continue to be flagged as said region

did you experience any negative effets of adding text to non original content? Some of my videos get 0 views when i add a text like "follow for more" or a question so people can answer it in the comments. I feel like as soon as you ask the viewer to do something the videos get less reach or just simply arent shown at all. Did you experience anything similar?

No negative text, only positive actually. It becomes 'more original' than just plain. I add captions and CTAs to almost EVERY video.

Side note: I personally believe that TikTok is shifting their copyright content approach. There has been a lot of outside (read: Western) pressure on how they approach some aspects.
With the things going on with China as well (China-US) and TikTok trying to build a name for itself outside of China.. I think it's conforming quicker than expected.

It wouldn't surprise me that it will be harder to have non-original accounts on TikTok than it was on Instagram.

 

[OnMGrind]

I don't think camera quality matters. Actually, overproduction might backfire because of the 'spontaneous nature' of the platform. It's becoming the anti-Instagram in many ways. So the opposite of pretending on IG.. is rawness.

Of course, if it's within a photography niche and whatnot.. that is different. But don't feel like you NEED it.

Good lighting is recommended, though.





I'm unsure about how well slideshows & pics do versus videos. I also don't know if the algo favours one or the other.

All I can say: try it, test it and collect data.

I mean, I don't see why it wouldn't do well. There's many accounts doing well.

I start monetisation & conversion soon.








Option 1) get US number & data plan
Option 2) use clean device, no sim, force-mode VPN (works 75% of the time) - once flagged in your region, the device will continue to be flagged as said region








No negative text, only positive actually. It becomes 'more original' than just plain. I add captions and CTAs to almost EVERY video.

Side note: I personally believe that TikTok is shifting their copyright content approach. There has been a lot of outside (read: Western) pressure on how they approach some aspects.
With the things going on with China as well (China-US) and TikTok trying to build a name for itself outside of China.. I think it's conforming quicker than expected.

It wouldn't surprise me that it will be harder to have non-original accounts on TikTok than it was on Instagram.

So if I were to take a compilation video... cut it up into each part(clip) and make a different video with the pieces randomized will they catch it?

any experience making compilation with clips that have different filters? Like 1 video with 20-30 tiktok clips... then for kicker add different filters on each to throw off algo?

What’s a good video editor for android or laptop? I want to be able to ad emojis and stuff and my current only allows regular text