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:
- Focus on Quality Content: Ensuring my videos are high-quality, engaging, and relevant to my audience’s interests.
- Engage with Followers: Responding to comments and fostering a community feeling.
- Consistency: Posting regularly to build and maintain an audience.
- Experimenting with Trends: Leveraging popular sounds and trends to increase visibility.
- 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.