Just a few days ago, we hit a major milestone on TikTok! One of our posts received over 159,000 views (as at the time of writing this), 6,000+ likes, and a flood of comments, shares, and saves. To put it into perspective, we have been posting actively on TikTok for the past one year, and our previous best was around 3,000 views on a single post.
Now, the term “viral” is pretty relative, right? What might be viral for one person could be just another post for someone else. For us, 159k+ views was huge!
In this post, we’re breaking down the strategies and tactics we used to go viral on TikTok in Nigeria. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just getting started, we want you to learn from our experience so you can boost your TikTok game and maybe even go viral too!
1. Create Relatable Content
This was the ‘secret’ ingredient that made the biggest difference in our viral video – Creating relatable content. It’s really that simple. When people can see themselves in your video or relate to the message, the engagement follows naturally.
It doesn’t have to be some grand idea. Sometimes, the simplest concepts hit hardest. Think about how people react to content that reflects their everyday lives—funny situations, common struggles, or moments everyone can connect with. That’s where the magic happens.
Want to take it up a notch? Add a sprinkle of humor, and maybe even throw in a dash of controversy. A little twist or something unexpected will keep people talking. People love to comment, whether it’s agreeing, laughing, correcting something, or even challenging what you’ve said.
A comment section buzzing with conversation is the key to even more engagement, as this triggers the algorithm in your favour.
So, if you’re looking to go viral on TikTok, focus on creating content that resonates. Keep it real, keep it fun, and let the comments roll in.
2. Hook Them in the First 3 Seconds
If there’s one thing we learned, it’s that you’ve got just 3 seconds to grab someone’s attention on TikTok. With the short attention span we’re all dealing with (and honestly, I think it’s even worse in Nigeria), you need a hook to stop that scroll and make people want to stick around.
A hook can come in many forms – and it’s essential. It could be a bold statement that makes people think, Wait, what?! Or it could be something as simple as a text hook at the top of the video (which is exactly what we did in the post that went viral). We used a catchy phrase that piqued curiosity, and boom – people stayed to watch.
You can also use visual hooks – something eye-catching that instantly stands out. But whatever you choose, the goal is the same: capturing attention right away. If you don’t do that, chances are, people are going to scroll past your video in a heartbeat.
So, remember: The first 3 seconds are crucial! Make them count. Ask yourself, What’s the one thing I can do in the first few seconds to make people stop scrolling? That’s your hook.
3. Define Your Content Pillars
Sure, going viral is exciting, but if you want lasting success, you’ve got to think beyond that one moment of fame. You want people to stick around and hit that follow button. To do that, you need to give them a reason to come back. That’s where content pillars come in. At first, it might seem like an unnecessary step, but trust me, they’re key to building a loyal following.
After our viral video, it wasn’t just the views that went up, our followers increased too (our followers doubled actually). Why? Because when people came to our page, they saw more content that aligned with what they just watched. They could see that if they followed us, they’d get even more of what they liked, and that made the follow button an easy decision.
Content pillars are broad topics or themes you regularly focus on. They help you define what your audience can expect from you consistently. Without these pillars, you risk being all over the place, leaving followers unsure of what you’re about. But when you have a clear structure, people know exactly what they’re signing up for.
Having content pillars helped us stay on track and made it clear to our audience what they could expect from us. They also gave us a solid way to track which content resonated the most, which leads us to the next important step.
4. Do More of What People Love
When it comes to going viral on TikTok in Nigeria, one thing is clear: you have to give the people what they love. This doesn’t mean just posting random stuff and hoping for the best – it’s about understanding what your audience resonates with and delivering it consistently.
One way to do this is by hopping on trends, but be careful here. Trends can boost your chances of going viral, but not every trend will suit your brand. Before you jump on a trend, ask yourself, Does this align with what my audience expects from me? If the answer is yes, then it could be worth a shot. If not, it’s better to stay authentic to your brand and audience.
Another powerful way to give your audience what they love is by keeping an eye on your analytics. Your TikTok analytics will tell you exactly what content is performing well and what isn’t. One of our posts that got over 3,000 views was an office lifestyle video. The response was so great that it actually gave us the idea for the video that eventually went viral.
We posted a trending video about ‘Bringing random items to work’ for the first time, and people absolutely loved it. It even went kind of viral on YouTube (but that’s a whole other story!). Seeing that response, we did a Part 2, which also did really well. By the time we posted the third video which was inspired by this idea, it exploded.
The key takeaway? Watch your analytics and double down on what works. If something gets people talking, laughing, or sharing, it’s a sign that you’re on the right track.
5. Consistency – Show Up, Keep Going
Alright, I’m sure you saw this one coming, but I can’t stress it enough – consistency is key. You’ve probably heard it a million times, and there’s a reason for that: it works.
But here’s the thing – you don’t need to post multiple times a day like some people suggest (while that can work for some, it’s not always sustainable for everyone). What really matters is having a regular posting schedule that you can stick to. Don’t post and ghost!
Take our company for example: we didn’t get here overnight. We had been posting consistently for over a year before we saw that viral moment. It was definitely not an “overnight success” situation, but all that consistent effort paid off in the end.
You need to be showing up consistently, whether that’s by posting new content or engaging with your audience. Engage with others in your niche by liking, commenting, and sharing their posts. Respond to comments on your own videos. All of this helps tell TikTok’s algorithm that you’re an active user, and that will push your content out to a wider audience.
At the end of the day, consistency is about showing up every day, even when it feels like you’re not getting the results you want immediately. Keep posting, keep learning, and trust the process. One day, you’ll have your moment to shine, just like we did.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it! We’ve shared everything we did to go viral on TikTok in Nigeria, and we hope you’ve picked up some useful tips along the way. Remember, it’s all about value, capturing attention, and staying consistent. There’s no magic formula, but if you keep refining your approach and engaging with your audience, you’ll be well on your way to your own viral moment.
If you’re not already following us, make sure you keep up with us on socials @goaptiw on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter; and @Aptiw on YouTube so you don’t miss any of our updates.
Be sure to check out other behind-the-scenes content and updates about what’s happening within the company: Behind the Scenes of the First Cohort of Our Internship Program; Behind the Scenes: How The First Phase of Soutle Beta Testing Went.
Until next time!
Ciao!