You’ve heard TikTok can grow your brand fast, but no one’s hitting that follow button. What’s missing? In this blog post, Mega Digital will break down 20+ expert tips on how to get followers on TikTok quickly! These are practical advice to help you grow with purpose, not just chase views. So let’s get started!
Top 21 Hacks to Get More Followers on TikTok
Want to grow your TikTok followers without relying on luck or a one-time viral hit? Here are 21 proven TikTok tips that will help you get more followers on TikTok for free and boost your visibility faster than ever!
#1 Use Hashtags Strategically
First of all, hashtags are one of TikTok’s main ways of categorizing content. They help the algorithm understand your video’s topic and push it to the right audience, especially on the For You Page (FYP). But that doesn’t mean stuffing every post with random trending tags. Here’s how to use hashtags the smart way, according to my experience:
- Mix popular and niche tags: Popular ones like #fyp, #tiktokviral, or #trending can increase exposure, but niche-specific tags (like #makeupforbeginners, #finance101, or #parentingtips) help you reach the right viewers who are more likely to follow.
- Use 3–5 focused hashtags: Too many can confuse the algorithm and clutter your caption.
- Research and reuse: Look at similar creators in your niche and keep a list of hashtags they use in viral posts.
However, you need to remember that hashtags won’t guarantee virality, but used right, they boost discoverability and help you get more followers on TikTok fast, especially when your content is already engaging.
>>> Read more: Best TikTok Hashtags to Skyrocket Your Video Views [2025]
#2 Cross-Promote Your TikTok on Other Platforms
If your main focus is to grow your audience, don’t rely on TikTok alone. If you already have a following on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, or even a newsletter, bring those followers to your TikTok!
But don’t copy-paste content blindly. Instead:
- Post Reels and Shorts: Reuse your TikTok videos as Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts (just remove the watermark using tools like SnapTik or SaveTT).
- Share on Stories: Use link stickers or swipe-up features (if available) to send traffic directly to your TikTok profile.
- Mention TikTok in bios: Add your TikTok link in your Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter bios.
By promoting TikTok where your audience already hangs out, you can attract free followers who are more likely to engage because they already trust your brand or content style.
#3 Post When Your Audience is Most Active
Even the best video can flop if you post it when your audience is asleep or inactive. Posting at the right time boosts visibility and improves your chances of getting followers.
You can follow these steps to figure out your optimal time:
- Switch to a Business or Creator account on TikTok to access Analytics.
- Under “Follower Activity,” check what time of day your followers are most active.
- Post 30–60 minutes before that peak to ride the wave of engagement.
TikTok’s algorithm favors videos that perform well quickly, so timing really matters if you want to show up on the FYP and grow fast.
>>> Read more: When Is The Best Time To Post On TikTok In 2025? [Proved]
#4 Know Your Audience
You can’t attract followers if you don’t know who you’re trying to reach. The more specific your audience profile is, the better you can tailor your content to match their interests, habits, and humor.
To know your audience, ask yourself:
- Who are they? (Teen gamers? Millennial moms? Budget travelers?)
- What are they looking for on TikTok? (Entertainment, tutorials, advice?)
- What tone and format do they prefer? (Trendy edits, slow-paced storytelling, or fast how-tos?)
Once you know this, your content becomes way more relatable and relatability is the secret sauce to getting loyal TikTok followers.
#5 Make Attention-Grabbing Videos
TikTok is fast-paced. If your video doesn’t hook viewers in the first 2–3 seconds, they’ll scroll past, and you lose the chance to earn a follower, so here are my tips to make your video more interesting and keep your audience engaged:
- Start with a hook: Use bold text or a question like “Here’s what no one tells you about skincare.”
- Keep it visually dynamic: Use quick cuts, zooms, or sound effects to keep energy high.
- Add closed captions or on-screen text to make your message easier to follow, even with the sound off.
These small changes improve watch time, and better watch time often leads to higher reach and more new followers.
#6 Analyze Your Competitors
How to get free followers on tiktok fast? If you’re not sure what kind of content to make, you can look at what’s working for others. Studying successful TikTokers in your niche can give you a blueprint to follow (and improve upon). This helps you avoid guesswork and make content that aligns with your audience’s expectations while still standing out.
So, how to do it?
- Search keywords related to your niche and watch top videos under those hashtags.
- Analyze what makes them work by looking at video length, hook, editing style, captions, and CTAs.
- Don’t copy, just adapt and add your twist.
#7 Jump on TikTok Trends (But Make Them Your Own)
TikTok trends spread like wildfire, and participating in the right one at the right time can explode your reach. But copying a trend word-for-word won’t win you followers. Instead, do this:
- Use trending sounds or challenges, but connect them to your niche. For example, if you’re in fitness, join a trending dance but in gym clothes with a caption like “How I warm up for leg day.”
- Add personality, whether it’s humor, commentary, or storytelling, to make the trend feel like you.
#8 Use Duet and Stitch to Collaborate and React
TikTok’s Duet and Stitch features let you piggyback on another creator’s video, adding your voice, humor, or insight. It’s a smart way to tap into their audience and introduce yourself to new people.
Ideas for Duet or Stitch:
- Add a funny reaction or response to a viral opinion or “hot take.”
- Stitch a tutorial with your own version or improvement.
- Duet a challenge or dance with your unique flair.
This strategy is especially helpful for new accounts because it lets you engage with trending content and attract free followers through creative interaction.
>>> Read more: TikTok Stitch vs Duet: Which Feature Works Best for You?
#9 Promote TikTok Shop Products Creatively
When product content feels more like storytelling or entertainment, viewers are more likely to watch, engage, and follow for more.
If you’re a creator or seller using TikTok Shop, don’t just post basic product videos. People scroll past ads, but they stop for value; therefore, turn your product content into a story-driven by:
- Sharing a before-and-after transformation (e.g., skin care, cleaning, fashion)
- Showing a real-life use case or problem/solution
- Telling a story like: “I bought this viral gadget so you don’t have to…”
#10 Use TikTok Promote to Boost Visibility
Want a faster way to grow your TikTok followers, especially when launching something? TikTok Promote is a paid tool that boosts your videos to a larger or more targeted audience.
So, have you ever wondered how Promote works? Here it is:
- You choose a goal (more followers, more views, or more website clicks)
- Select a budget and duration (as little as $5/day)
- Target by interests, gender, or location—or let TikTok auto-optimize
It’s ideal when you have a high-performing video you want to scale, or when you’re starting from scratch and want a push.
#11 Optimize Your TikTok Profile
Before someone hits that Follow button, they’ll likely visit your profile. Your TikTok profile acts like a landing page. If it’s empty or unclear, you’re missing out on easy conversions.
You can start by making your profile visually appealing and informative:
- Use a clear, recognizable profile photo (ideally your face or brand logo).
- Write a bio that tells viewers who you are and what you offer. Keep it short, specific, and value-driven. For example: “Sharing 60-sec finance tips daily”
- Add a clickable link (to a shop, YouTube channel, or Linktree).
The clearer and more branded it is, the more likely visitors will follow.
#12 Create a TikTok Series
If you’re wondering how to get a lot of followers on TikTok, one smart method is creating a recurring content series. Why? Because it keeps viewers coming back.
A series can be:
- A 5-part storytelling format
- A tutorial broken down into daily tips
- A “Day in the Life” or behind-the-scenes sequence
For example, a food creator might post: “5 Cheap Weeknight Dinners – Part 1.” This builds anticipation, boosts watch time, and encourages new visitors to follow so they don’t miss the next part.
#13 Tell Stories That Connect Emotionally
TikTok isn’t just about trends, it’s also about connection. Storytelling will help you build trust, relatability, and community, which in turn leads to more followers.
People follow accounts that feel real. When your content taps into human emotion, you create impact, and that’s exactly how to get more followers on TikTok in a meaningful way.
On TikTok, you don’t need to be a novelist, just start as simple as you are:
- Share a personal journey, lesson, or challenge
- Use voiceover narration to add depth
- Begin with a strong hook like “I almost gave up today, but then this happened…”
#14 Post Consistently (But Don’t Burn Out)
The TikTok algorithm loves consistency. Posting regularly increases your visibility and signals that you’re an active creator worth promoting.
But what does “consistently” actually mean?
- For growth: Aim for 1–2 posts per day if possible
- For sustainability: At least 3–5 posts per week
Batch-creating content can help you stay ahead without getting overwhelmed. More importantly, when people know they’ll get regular updates from you, they’re more likely to follow and stick around.
#15 Go Live on TikTok to Attract Followers
TikTok Live is one of the most underrated tools for building a following fast. Since lives feel more personal than pre-recorded videos. They build trust quickly, which is exactly what you want when trying to get free followers on TikTok.
When you go live, TikTok often promotes your session to users who don’t follow you yet.
So, how can you make the most of it? Just follow these steps:
- Schedule your Lives and promote them in advance
- Engage with viewers by responding to comments and asking questions
- Offer something special like tips, giveaways, or behind-the-scenes access
#16 Start a TikTok Challenge
TikTok users love a good challenge, especially one that’s fun or showcases creativity. Creating your own branded challenge can help your content spread organically.
If you make it fun, easy to copy, and rewarding to join, your challenge could go viral, bringing attention (and followers) to your account. There are some ideas that I recommend:
- A dance or movement tied to your niche
- A “before vs after” transformation
- A challenge with a unique hashtag (e.g., #30DayDeclutter, #BudgetMealHack)
#17 Automate Your TikTok Posts (But Stay Authentic)
If you’re serious about growth, automation helps keep your posting schedule on track. You can try some tools like SocialPilot, Metricool, or Later, which let you schedule TikTok videos ahead of time.
The automated tools will help you maintain consistency without daily stress, free up time to focus on content quality and post during optimal hours, even if you’re unavailable.
Just remember that even if you automate posting, stay active in the comments. Engagement needs to feel real if you want to grow your follower base long-term.
#18 Use Trends with a Twist
You’ve probably heard “use trends” a hundred times. But here’s what most people miss: you don’t need to follow trends exactly as-is. In fact, twisting a trend to fit your niche is way more effective.
This strategy not only helps you go viral, but it also shows your unique voice, making your account follow-worthy.
Let’s say a meme trend is circulating:
- A beauty creator might use it to mock bad skincare routines.
- A teacher could adapt it to poke fun at student excuses.
- A brand could spin it into a product tutorial.
#19 Engage With Other Creators
Want more visibility? Start interacting since engaging with others in your niche can help you tap into new audiences and build your own community.
How can you connect with your audience? Don’t forget to:
- Leave thoughtful comments on viral videos
- Reply to comments with your own videos
- Follow and duet with creators you admire
When you show up consistently on others’ pages, people start to recognize you, and they’ll often check out your content in return. That’s an easy way to get more followers on TikTok for free.
#20 Collaborate With Creators in Your Niche
Collabs are a fast-track way to reach new audiences, whether it’s a duet, a skit, or a mini interview. Collaborations let both creators benefit from each other’s followers.
To make your collaborations effective, you can:
- Choose creators with similar or slightly higher follower counts
- Propose a win-win idea that’s fun and on-brand for both of you
- Tag each other and cross-promote
#21 Run TikTok Ads
The fastest way to grow your followers is through TikTok Ads, which pushes your content to those who might never find you organically. TikTok ads help you reach the targeted audience and promote your best-performing videos, thus quickly boosting visibility.
At Mega Digital, we specialize in running high-converting TikTok Ads for brands looking to grow strategically. Ready to scale your presence? Hit the contact button to receive support from our experts.
What to Avoid If You Want More TikTok Followers?
Gaining followers on TikTok isn’t just about doing the right things. It’s also about avoiding the wrong ones. Here are three common mistakes to avoid if you’re serious about building a real TikTok following:
1. Using banned or overused hashtags
Using restricted or overused hashtags is one of the most underrated issues. TikTok may limit your video’s reach if you use flagged or shadowbanned hashtags like #Adulting.
On the other hand, some hashtags may be too common, like #fyp or #viral. For example, fashion brands creating content only with hashtags #style or #outfit may get buried under millions of posts, while using more niche tags like #minimalstyle or #workwearideas helps attract more followers.
2. Buying fake followers
Buying followers for your profile gives it an impressive look. However, it brings you more harm than good.
TikTok algorithm focuses on engagement, not just follower count. If your follower lists are mostly inactive or fake accounts, you may end up with a very small engagement rate. This tells TikTok your content isn’t worth delivering.
For instance, if a creator buys 10,000 followers but gets only 50 likes per video, TikTok sees that as low-quality content and limits its reach to real users.
3. Ignoring TikTok Analytics
Ignoring TikTok Analytics is another big missed opportunity. Your analytics reveal many insights from your audience’s most active hours to which videos drive the most engagement.
Let’s say you consistently post at 10 a.m., but your analytics show your followers are most active at 8 p.m. -you’re likely missing out on better exposure and potential followers simply because of timing. Checking these metrics regularly helps you adjust and grow faster.
>>> Read more: How to Use TikTok Analytics for Analysis and Reporting
Wrap Up
Growing a loyal following on TikTok takes more than luck. It takes consistency and a clear understanding of what your audience wants.
By applying these 20+ expert tips, you’ll be in a much stronger position to get followers on TikTok and build lasting engagement. Start small, test what works for your niche, and don’t forget: real growth happens when you create with purpose!
