You've posted several videos on TikTok, hoping to gain a following. So far, followers have been trickling in at a slower rate than you expected. Which has left you wondering, how can you get more TikTok followers in a short amount of time?

Popular TikTok users didn't magically gain millions of followers overnight. Earning a following that big requires a lot of work. But, luckily for you, we're here to help by revealing the various ways you can get followers on TikTok.

1. Post Original Content

If you post the same type of content as everyone else, you won't get many followers. You need to find a way to make yourself stand out on TikTok, whether it's what you wear, how you act, or the skits you perform. Injecting your own unique personality into each video is sometimes enough to gain more followers.

2. Upload Videos on a Daily Basis

This point speaks for itself. If you don't post content often enough, how are people going to find your TikTok videos? While you don't necessarily have to post videos every day, you need to come up with a schedule. Posting every other day or once a week is a good way to start.

When people follow your account, they expect to see more content. If you haven't posted in months, you'll lose TikTok followers.

TikTok is built on music. The app gives you an entire library of songs at your fingertips, so why not use it? You might enjoy listening to The Beatles or heavy metal, but unfortunately, those types of songs usually don't fly on TikTok.

Since TikTok thrives on trends, it's helpful to use the trendiest songs in your videos. Scroll through the For You Page on TikTok to see what types of songs other users incorporate. If you like one of the songs, you can click the vinyl record icon in the corner of the screen to identify it. For those not familiar with the inner workings of TikTok, you should learn how TikTok works first.

Songs, and other sounds, that have been used thousands of times by other users will help your video get noticed.

4. Perform Duets

Teaming up with other TikTok users is a great way to expand your following, as well as help your content reach new groups of people. TikTok's duet functionality allows you to perform with another user without having to meet face-to-face.

It's best to perform duets with users that have a similar amount of followers. If you have 50 followers, you should try collaborating with another user who has about the same. As you gain more followers, you can start performing alongside more popular users.

5. Learn From the Experts

Before you start creating your own videos, you should once again browse the For You Page. Some of these videos will have hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of likes.

Ask yourself: what makes these videos good? Maybe it's the skill or even the personality of the user. Either way, take note of their performance, along with any special effects or props they used. You can use this knowledge to improve your next video.

Just like Twitter and Instagram, TikTok uses hashtags to signify the trendiest topics. A great way to grow your engagement on TikTok is by participating in the latest trends while adding your own original twist to them.

Brainstorm ways to make a trending topic different from the rest. The trends are constantly changing on TikTok, which is great for frequent posters, but it also means you need to make sure you post your video before TikTok moves on to the next trend! And don't forget to add a few relevant hashtags to help your video land with the right audience.

7. Upgrade Your Equipment

A man sitting in front of a backdrop with cameras and lights pointed at him

You'll notice that popular TikTok users don't film their videos in a messy bedroom or with dark lighting. Some users actually use professional equipment to make their videos look perfect.

Since your friend isn't always available to film your videos (and might not have a steady hand), invest in one of the best phone tripods for your videos. Lighting gear also isn't a bad idea. You can buy a ring light from a variety of different price ranges, and instantly upgrade the quality of your video.

Smartphone cameras don't have the greatest sound quality, and they often pick up background noise. If you don't have the money to invest in a microphone, you can try out TikTok's noise reducer feature while you are editing, which drowns out background noise. You can also try downloading a third-party app to remove background noise from a video.

8. Gain Followers by Following Others

Simply following other users is often enough to expand your network. When you follow someone else, that prompts them to check out your profile. To increase your chances of a follow back, try finding profiles that are similar to yours.

Interacting with similar profiles and content will help you dive deeper into your own TikTok community. Building upon your TikTok community will improve your engagement.

To keep building a strong TikTok community, you can learn how to use the Friends Tab on TikTok.

9. Brush Up on Your Photography Skills

To make videos like famous TikTok users, you'll need to learn photography basics and improve your camera skills (even if you're just using your smartphone). By fine-tuning your skills you can start shooting more professional-looking videos.

Before you start filming, make sure you get rid of any distractions in your location. That means cleaning up your room or moving to a quieter area.

A girl taking a video with her phone of the sky looking pretty

10. Share Your TikTok Profile on Social Media

If you have a large following on another social media platform, you should definitely take advantage of that. Your followers on that platform already know you, which makes them more likely to follow you on TikTok as well.

Share your TikTok profile on all of your other social media accounts. Not only does this attract the following that you already have, but it can also introduce you to a new audience.

11. Pay Attention to What Content Performs Well on Your Account

To build your TikTok following, you should pay attention to what your followers enjoy. Examine which of your videos performed the best, and what makes them different from your other videos. Make more content like that.

A good way to keep making similar content is by replying to comments on one of your successful videos with a video reply. This is a good way to get the large audience from the first video to find the next.

Going Viral on TikTok

These tips may not make you an overnight TikTok sensation, but you can still use them to work towards your goal. You'll have to spend a lot of time and effort to make your videos stand out. Soon, all your hard work will pay off, and you'll rack up hundreds (and someday millions) of followers.