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Keywords and Post Times to Drive Engagement

In the world of social media, TikTok is a game-changer. As someone who loves to engage with all of you and the broader community, I’ve found that TikTok offers an incredible platform for sharing content and connecting with others. To truly make an impact on TikTok, you need to focus on two key factors: the use of relevant keywords and the timing of your posts. Keywords and post times drive engagement. By mastering these elements, you can boost your visibility and engagement. Let me share some insights and data from my own TikTok account, @outdoorteacherWA, to show you how it works.

The Power of Keywords on TikTok

Keywords are crucial for getting your content noticed on TikTok. They function similarly to how SEO works on search engines. By incorporating the right keywords into your content, you can significantly increase the chances of your videos being discovered.

Why Keywords Matter

  1. Increased Discoverability: Keywords help categorize your content, making it easier for TikTok’s algorithm to recommend your videos to users interested in specific topics.
  2. Targeted Reach: Using relevant keywords ensures that your content reaches the right audience, who are more likely to engage with your videos.

How to Use Keywords Effectively

  • Captions: Integrate keywords naturally into your captions. This not only helps with searchability but also provides context to your viewers.
  • Hashtags: Use popular and relevant hashtags. Research trending hashtags within your niche to stay current and increase the chances of your videos being featured.
  • Sound and Music: Even the choice of sound or music can act as a keyword. Trending sounds often come with built-in audiences.

According to Social Media Examiner, successful TikTok accounts often have a well-researched keyword strategy, using a mix of high-traffic and niche-specific terms to broaden their reach while maintaining relevance.

Optimal Post Times for Maximum Engagement

Timing is another crucial factor in driving engagement on TikTok. Posting when your target audience is most active can significantly increase the visibility of your videos.

Key Findings on Post Timing

  1. Peak Hours: TikTok’s global audience means that peak hours can vary, but studies suggest that early mornings and late evenings often see higher engagement rates.
  2. Consistency: Posting consistently at the same times can help build an audience that knows when to expect new content from you.

Data Analysis from @outdoorteacherWA

Over the past two weeks, I experimented with various posting schedules on @outdoorteacherWA and tracked the performance metrics. Find detailed week 2 results on my tactics page.

  • Early Morning Posts (6 AM – 8 AM): These posts received a moderate amount of engagement, mostly from local followers who were active before starting their day.
  • Afternoon Posts (12 PM – 2 PM): Surprisingly, these posts saw the lowest engagement, likely due to followers being occupied with work or school.
  • Evening Posts (7 PM – 9 PM): This time slot consistently garnered the highest engagement rates. Followers were more relaxed and had more time to engage with the content, resulting in higher likes, shares, and comments.

By analyzing this data, I adjusted my posting schedule to focus on evening slots, which led to a noticeable increase in overall engagement.

Combining Keywords and Timing for Maximum Impact

To truly excel on TikTok, combining a strong keyword strategy with optimal posting times is essential. Here are some tips:

  1. Research and Plan: Use tools like TikTok Analytics to understand when your audience is most active and what keywords are trending.
  2. Experiment and Adapt: Don’t be afraid to try different times and keywords to see what works best for your audience. Continuously monitor and adjust your strategy based on performance data.
  3. Engage with Trends: Stay updated with TikTok trends, as incorporating trending keywords and posting during peak trend times can boost your visibility.

In conclusion, the strategic use of keywords and the careful timing of posts are critical to driving engagement on TikTok. By studying the successful practices of accounts like @outdoorteacherWA and leveraging insights from social media experts, you can enhance your reach and build a more engaged audience.

TikTok Content Quality Over Timing

Tiktok Content King

Content in King over Timing

When I first started posting on TikTok, I was convinced that timing was the single most important factor in growing my followers. After all, many experts and articles suggest posting during peak traffic times to maximize visibility. However, my recent experience and further research have shown me that TikTok content quality over timing is far more important to success on TikTok.

Discover the Data

Let me walk you through my recent experiment. For a week, I posted daily TikTok videos exactly at the identified times suggested by the TrendTok app, hoping to see a significant growth in my followers. Here’s how it went:

Monday’s Post: “Pop Culture & Teaching Geography” (3:00 pm)

  • Views: 141
  • Likes: 0
  • Followers added: 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0

Tuesday’s Post: “Outdoor Trivia – Clue #1” (2:55 pm)

  • Views: 184
  • Likes: 1
  • Followers added: 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0

Wednesday’s Post: “Outdoor Safety” (3:05 pm)

  • Views: 264
  • Likes: 1
  • Followers added: 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0

Thursday’s Post: “Teacher Triumphs” (2:30 pm)

  • Views: 218
  • Likes: 3
  • Followers added: 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0

Friday’s Post: “Forrest’s Introduction” (3:15 pm)

  • Views: 233
  • Likes: 1
  • Followers added: 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0

Saturday’s Post: “Explore, Discover, Wander” (4:00 pm)

  • Views: 30
  • Likes: 0
  • Followers added: 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0

As you can see, despite posting at optimal times, the results were underwhelming. This led me to question the validity of timing as the crucial element for growing my TikTok presence.

Research Supports Content over Timing

Upon researching further, I came across insights that validated my experience. According to HubSpot, content quality, engagement, and consistency often outweigh the importance of posting times. They emphasize that understanding your audience and creating content that resonates with them is far more important than just the timing of your posts .

Moreover, research from Later emphasizes that the algorithm on TikTok prioritizes content that keeps viewers engaged over a longer period, rather than just when it’s posted. This means videos that are liked, commented on, and shared frequently tend to get more exposure, regardless of the time they are posted .

From my own experience and these insights, I’ve learned that creating engaging content is key. Here are a few strategies I’m adopting moving forward:

  1. Focus on Quality Content: Ensuring my videos are high-quality, engaging, and relevant to my audience’s interests.
  2. Engage with Followers: Responding to comments and fostering a community feeling.
  3. Consistency: Posting regularly to build and maintain an audience.
  4. Experimenting with Trends: Leveraging popular sounds and trends to increase visibility.
  5. Analyzing Performance: Continuously reviewing analytics to understand what works and what doesn’t.

In conclusion, while posting at optimal times can contribute to visibility, it’s not the silver bullet for growing your TikTok followers. Focusing on quality content, engagement, and consistency are far more impactful strategies. My week-long experiment has taught me that timing is just a small piece of the puzzle. By prioritizing content quality and audience engagement, I’m confident I’ll see better results moving forward.

The TikTok Magic

The Wizardry Behind the Curtain: How the TikTok Algorithm Works its Quirky Magic!

At it’s core, the TikTok algorithm is a mischievous maestro…. of short-form content tailored just for you.

Ah, the mystical enigma that is the TikTok magic! Ever wondered how this digital sorcerer conjures up the perfect mix of cat videos, dance challenges, and life hacks to keep you endlessly entertained? Join me on a whimsical journey as I delve into the heart of TikTok’s enchanting algorithmic realm.

Deciphering TikTok’s Magic

At its core, the TikTok algorithm is a mischievous maestro orchestrating a symphony of short-form content tailored just for you. It’s like having a personalized fairy godmother who knows your deepest desires—whether that’s a craving for adorable animal antics or a penchant for mind-bending illusions.

Tailored Entertainment

So, how does this magical maestro work its spell? It begins with a sprinkle of data dust. Every time you double-tap that heart button or linger a little longer on a video, the algorithm takes note. It’s like feeding breadcrumbs to a digital gnome, guiding it on a quest to unearth the content treasures that will capture your imagination.

But wait, there’s more to this spellbinding saga! The TikTok algorithm isn’t just a passive observer; it’s a voracious learner, constantly evolving based on your interactions. It’s like having a quirky sidekick who’s always one step ahead, anticipating your next move before you even know it yourself.

Influence of Hashtags and Sounds

And let’s not forget the secret ingredients: hashtags and sounds. These magical incantations help the algorithm weave its web of wonders, connecting you with like-minded souls who share your passion for #DIYCrafts or #RetroGaming.

But beware, dear traveler, for the TikTok algorithm is a fickle friend. Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, it may throw you a curveball—a video so bizarrely brilliant that it leaves you scratching your head in wonder.

So, embrace the mystery, my friends, and let the TikTok algorithm whisk you away on a fantastical journey filled with laughter, inspiration, and the occasional dose of sheer absurdity. After all, in the whimsical world of TikTok, anything is possible!

The “How”

Teacher Forrest contemplates his tiktok journey upon a log

Now that we know the “why“. Let’s get scientific. I am no scientist. In fact, I openly admit that science really is not my strong suite. So to be embarking on a scientific-like experiment is really a stretch. I tell you this, not for some sort of sympathetic pass if the data doesn’t exactly align with current standards. Instead its more of my attempt at transparency early on in teacher Tiktok journey. I will share my process to crack the Tiktok algorithm in the time given me as a teacher for my summer vacation, but no guarantees this will be a beauty Ansel Adams black and white from a majestic hill top in Washington.

The Process

If you were ever to take a class from me then you almost certainly would have heard me talk about the importance of predictable routines in the learning process. My process for this quest to build a thriving TikTok community will follow the same core pillars each week.

Pillar One

Each week I will post a daily TikTok to my account @outdoorteacherwa. Sundays will be my “unplugged” day and no digital activity will happen.

Pillar Two

I will use only free resources available on the world wide web or physical books (which I will share) to help guide me and make adjustments to my posting strategy.

Pillar Three

I will use only analytics provided in TikTok’s creator tools within the app.

Pillar Four

I will use the TrendTok app to help identify trends, sounds, and hashtags to include in my daily posts.

The “Why”

Follow along as Forrest shares his journey to crack the tiktok algorithm over summer break

Let me first begin by introducing myself. My name is Forrest McKinnis and I am a project-based high school Physical Education and Career & Tech Ed teacher in the state of Washington. For most of my students I am late to the game when it comes to social media, but I am certainly not ashamed to admit a guilty pleasure for the mindless scrolling offered me through TikTok.

Most of you are aware, and possibly a little jealous that teachers get a few weeks off in the summer to rejuvenate and fill our cups with passion projects and maybe a few DYI “honey do’s” around the house.

The idea behind starting this blog came to me while I was out powering through (maybe even limping) a jog around the neighborhood. I wondered “how” all of those Tiktokers do it. How do they take a simple platform like TikTok and grow it to a flourishing community of likeminded people by the thousands. That essential question (PBL terminology from a PBL teacher) has become my “why” for this blog.

The goal is simple. To fill my cup with intrigue during my summer vacation and crack the algorithm to grow a TikTok account from zero followers to a flourishing community using only the free resources made available on the world wide web and maybe a few inexpensive paperback books along the way.

Feel free to follow me along this journey. Add your expertise. Adopt my tips or simply tell me I’m doing it all wrong.