The Best Time to Post on TikTok?
Does the time I post my videos on TikTok affect their performance? Could I improve my video’s performance by posting at a specific time? If you’re trying to boost your brand on TikTok, these questions have probably crossed your mind. Well, the answers are yes! But to what extent? While timing your posts on TikTok is an effective strategy, it’s also not some magic beans that’ll grow your TikTok account overnight.
Used correctly, this strategy could take your videos to the next level. So let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what makes TikTok tick and why it might be a good idea to keep your eyes on the clock.
Why timing matters
For an app called TikTok, it’s no surprise that timing plays a role in your success. As I mentioned before, it’s important to remember that while it’s a useful strategy, it’s only a strategy nonetheless — it’s not going to make or break your videos. With that being said, it makes sense why timing matters. To make your timing count, the key is to find the best time to post that suits your audience. Here’s why…
Your goal on TikTok is to have your followers watch and engage with your videos soon after posting. TikTok is more careful about what content hits the FYP these days and it needs to see “proof” that your content is good enough to put on the FYP. Therefore, if you don’t get enough follower engagement you are less likely to get pushed out onto the FYP.
If you post a TikTok at 2 am, while the majority of your audience is sleeping, by the time they wake up, your video may be swallowed and forgotten by loads of new content posted between you and their alarm. Whereas, if you have a 9-5 type audience, what better time to catch your audience on their phones than at lunchtime? As soon as they open the app, your video will be patiently waiting for them to enjoy — ripe and ready!
By randomly posting videos at different times, you increase the chances of your video being missed, and you lose the opportunity to boost your views and engagement by interacting with active users. Be intentional about the times you post, and you can give your videos the push they need to get them to your followers and onto the For You Page (FYP), growing your business on TikTok one video at a time!
And that my friends, is why timing matters!
How to find the best times for your business
Essentially, the key is to know your audience and know when they’re most active. Here’s how you do it:
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Head to TikTok’s analytics by going onto your TikTok profile, clicking the menu, then Creator tools, and lastly, Analytics
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Navigate to the Followers tab
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Here, you’ll be able to see the times and days your followers are most active
Here’s the real trick! Because the TikTok algorithm is a bit delayed, you want to post your video 15-30 minutes before the times your followers are most active. This gives the algorithm enough to process your video and send it to the right people — your target audience.
Bonus Tip! Check your analytics for patterns. You may notice that your best time to post is different on weekends compared to weekdays.
Additionally, you can do some experimenting of your own. With constant algorithmic changes testing is always key. Try out different times and days, using TikTok’s analytics as a guide, and see which ones really work for your audience — not just the ones that theoretically should work based on stats. AND if you really want to geek out on data you can also test how long it takes your videos to hit the FYP by monitoring where your likes are coming from. However this is time consuming and you must do this for a while so you can average your data.
Why timing on TikTok isn’t the only thing that matters
All in all, it’s important to remember that the best times to post on TikTok aren’t cut and dry, and more importantly, aren’t your golden ticket to a successful TikTok account.
If you want to give your videos the best chance at reaching your audience, helping you expand your business on TikTok, here are some other things that matter (maybe even a bit more than timing):
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Keep the focus on the quality of your content, because no amount of good timing can save a bad video
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Cater your videos for your audience, as they are the ones watching it
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Focus on building a powerful community — going viral might be nice, but it won’t lead to sustainable growth in your business
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Optimize your hashtag game to give your videos the best chance of reaching the right people
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Recreate the latest trends within your niche and cater them specifically to your audience (stay ahead of the hottest trends by subscribing to the Inside Scoop!)
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Maintain a healthy mindset and relationship with TikTok — your value does not lie within your TikTok account, and here are some affirmations to remind you!
As you can see, timing is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to an effective TikTok strategy for your business. Get your timing just right, and you’re one step closer. Tick all the other boxes, and your business will be on a trajectory toward success in no time.
