Generate Engagement With These Viral TikTok Challenges

Brands are embracing TikTok challenges for the purpose of Gen Z content marketing and capitalising on the platform’s popularity among younger users. Yet TikTok’s unique culture and content rules present branding challenges. Navigating TikTok can be tricky, even with influencers, as genuine engagement is crucial.

TikTok challenges boost visibility, engagement, and brand awareness while fostering creativity and community. In this blog, we’ll explore trending TikTok challenges to enhance your brand’s reach.

TIPS FOR GOING VIRAL ON TIKTOK

Find your niche

Engaging with existing communities is crucial on social media, and TikTok takes it up a notch. Unlike other platforms, where users mostly stick to their followers, TikTok’s “For You” page is where most of the action happens, with 70% feeling part of a community.

To reach your target audience, join existing communities or niches; it’s simpler on TikTok since they often revolve around hashtags.

Hook users from the start

TikTok is a fast-paced app. Skip intros and get right to the good stuff in your video. Hook viewers from the start by showing why it’s worth watching in those first few seconds. Remember, those initial two seconds are crucial for people to recall and recognize your brand.

Optimise SEO search

TikTok SEO is the new trend. The deal is to make content with keywords and hashtags folks are searching for. This way, you reach people looking for your stuff instead of just the FYP scroll.

Now, TikTok gives you more expression with 2,200-character captions. Find keywords in TikTok’s Creative Center. Remember, keywords can pop up in your voiceover or text overlay too.

Upload high-quality videos specifically optimized for TikTok

Create high-quality content on TikTok using your smartphone with good lighting and consider trending sounds. Keep videos above 10 seconds but not too long for better engagement. 

Film vertically (9:16) and use TikTok’s effects and text treatments to align with the platform’s style for better visibility on For You pages.

Share content when your audience is most active

This is crucial on all social media platforms, especially TikTok, where active engagement triggers the algorithm. Use TikTok Analytics in the ‘Creator Tools’ to discover your audience’s peak activity times.

Engage with other TikTok users

TikTok recommends the “3 Rs” strategy: react to trends, respond to questions/prompts, and remix ideas with creators. 

Using stitches allow you to integrate other tiktokers’ content into your own, while duets let you comment alongside another creator’s video. Video responses allow you to create new content to users’ comments on existing posts.

Use relevant hashtags

For trending hashtags, visit TikTok’s Creative Center. Click on Analytics beside a trending hashtag to view its popularity details, including audience demographics and related interests.

Keep an eye out for challenge-related hashtags—they bring fresh content ideas and are favoured by the algorithm. 77% of TikTokers appreciate brands that embrace trends and participatory challenges. For precise audience targeting, use TikTok’s Audience Insights tool to identify their top 10 hashtags.

Trending sounds & music

When aiming for the For You page, participating in any kind of trend can be very beneficial. Regularly checking your For You page can help to identify trending sounds. For more specific insights, visit the TikTok Creative Center to discover trending songs by region. This section provides analytics on audience demographics and related interests, but keep in mind it focuses solely on songs, not user-generated original sounds.

HERE ARE THE MOST VIRAL TIKTOK CHALLENGES TO COME OFF OF THE PLATFORM SO FAR

“Core Memories”

The “Memories Challenge” urges TikTokers to capture nostalgic life moments, making it perfect for holidays or graduations.

For older brands seeking younger audiences, this TikTok challenge taps into nostalgia and can boost TikTok views and engagement.

@tennistv

A day he’ll never forget ? #corememories #tennis #sports

♬ Ride x Love Lies x High Hopes – carneyval

Take a pic of yourself with ___

With this TikTok challenge, people snap photos of themselves with a specific item, creating marketing opportunities. Influencers can promote the product, employees can showcase favourites, and anyone can participate. These challenges boost desirability as people envision themselves with the item, especially when many join in.

@julianburzynski

Always stay true to who you are, you are beautiful! Love you! ??❤️

♬ original sound – Satisfying OG

Be Kind to Everyone

This trend promotes goodwill on TikTok. It inspires acts of kindness, from assisting elders to supporting bullied individuals. These gestures may seem small but carry immense value and often go unnoticed. Engaging in such acts not only fosters a positive image for your brand but also has a lasting impact on society.

@bikedasher

Work Hard Be Kind Live Life #food #delivery #doordash #ubereats #bekindtoeveryone #work #fyp

♬ original sound – BikeDasher

In 2023, I Will Challenge

The “I Will” challenge encourages users to share their 2023 goals, whether it’s travel or career changes, in a short TikTok video. This TikTok challenge is versatile for both branding and community-building. Brands can leverage it to promote positive messages, as seen in Dove’s beauty discussions. While mentioning your brand is fine, the focus should remain on inspiring and connecting with the community.

@darkoo106

I’ll drop shayo & meet the loml…gonna be an amazing year #fyp #viral

♬ Shayoo darkoo – Darkoo

Trying New Things

TikTok challenges often push individuals to embrace new experiences and break out of their comfort zones. They encourage users to explore unfamiliar territories and learn from others participating in the challenge. Beyond boosting engagement, challenges can inspire people to try products or use them differently. It’s all about taking risks for potential rewards.

@mattpeterson_

Reply to @mattpeterson_ Accepting a new challenge.. trying one new thing every day that I’ve never tried before! #challenge #newthing #tryingnewthings #nyc #newyorkcity #foryou #doubledecker #viral #storytime

♬ Footloose – Kenny Loggins

Share Something that Makes You Happy

This simple TikTok challenge offers a way to engage with your audience effortlessly. Just share something that brings you joy, and there’s no obligation to link it with your brand. While you’ll post each challenge on your TikTok profile, not everything needs to be promotional.

@joshwoshyy

What Makes you Happy? #spreadkindness

♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

Our Influencer marketing agency and Social agency are located worldwide, with our agency network based in the USA, UK, UAE and China.

If you want to receive our industry insights, visit our Influencer Marketing & Social Media blogs here.

@ Socially Powerful