Tiktok

Derivation Logic

TL;DR

Part 1: The First 3 Seconds

Hook Patterns

## Visual Hooks (No Speaking)

1. **Action Start** — Begin mid-action, no intro
2. **Text Overlay** — "Wait for it..." or question
3. **Pattern Interrupt** — Unexpected visual
4. **Face Close-Up** — Eye contact with camera
5. **Movement** — Walking towards camera

## Spoken Hooks

1. "Stop scrolling if you..."
2. "POV: [scenario]"
3. "This is your sign to..."
4. "I need to tell you something..."
5. "Nobody talks about this but..."
6. "The one thing that changed everything..."
7. "You're doing it wrong. Here's why..."
8. "3 things I wish I knew..."
9. "[Controversial statement]"
10. "Replying to @[commenter]..."

What Kills Hooks

## Don't Do This

❌ "Hey guys, welcome back to my channel..."
❌ Long intro explaining what you'll cover
❌ Asking them to like/follow first
❌ Slow movement or static opening
❌ Low energy or boring tone
❌ Waiting to show the payoff

Part 2: Trending Sounds

Finding Trending Audio

## Discovery Methods

1. **Scroll FYP** — Note sounds on viral videos
2. **Search Tab** — Check "Trending" sounds
3. **Discover Page** — Featured sounds section
4. **Creator Search** — Filter by recent, note sounds
5. **External Tools**
   - TokBoard (tokboard.com)
   - TrendTok
   - Tokcount

## Sound Categories
- Original audio → Your voice/sound
- Trending music → Lip sync, dance
- Trending voiceovers → Overlay your content
- Viral sounds → Remix/duet potential

Using Sounds Strategically

## Best Practices

1. Use trending sounds within 24-48 hours of trending
2. Match sound mood to your content tone
3. Use sound even if muted (algorithm still recognizes)
4. Create original sounds for brand recognition
5. Save sounds for later when you discover them

## Sound-First Workflow
1. Find trending sound
2. Think of content that fits
3. Create within 24 hours
4. Post at peak time

Part 3: TikTok Hashtags

Hashtag Strategy

## The Formula

3-5 hashtags total:

1. **Niche Tag** (#startuptok, #techtok)
2. **Trend Tag** (#fyp, #viral)
3. **Topic Tag** (#[your topic])
4. **Challenge Tag** (if applicable)
5. **Sound Tag** (if applicable)

## Example
#techtok #entrepreneur #ai #fyp #buildingpublic

Hashtag Research

## Finding Tags

1. Search your topic → See related hashtags
2. Check competitor posts
3. Note hashtags on viral videos in your niche
4. Use TikTok's autocomplete
5. Rotate hashtags to test what works

Part 4: FYP Algorithm

How It Works (2025)

## Algorithm Signals

**Positive Signals:**
- Watch time (most important)
- Rewatches
- Shares
- Comments
- Follows from video
- Profile visits

**Negative Signals:**
- Skip past your video
- "Not Interested" clicks
- Low completion rate

## The Feedback Loop
1. Shows video to small test group (~500)
2. Measures engagement metrics
3. Good metrics → Larger audience
4. Repeat until engagement drops

Optimizing for FYP

## Tactics

1. **Front-load value** — Best content in first 3 sec
2. **Keep it short** — 15-30 sec performs best initially
3. **Loop potential** — End leads back to beginning
4. **Text hooks** — Add captions for retention
5. **Reply to comments** — Algorithm loves creator engagement
6. **Post consistently** — 1-3x/day ideal
7. **Engage with niche** — Comment on others' content

Part 5: Best Posting Times

## 2025 Peak Times (EST)

**Highest Engagement:**
- 7:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM

**Best Days:**
Tuesday - Thursday

**When to Test:**
- Check your Analytics → Followers → Most Active
- Test different times for 2 weeks
- Double down on what works

## Timezone Strategy
- Most US audience: Post EST
- Global audience: Post multiple times
- Test your specific audience

Part 6: Video Types

Content Formats

## High-Performing Formats

1. **POV Videos**
   "POV: You're a dev who just discovered..."

2. **Tutorial/How-To**
   "How to [result] in [timeframe]"

3. **Day in the Life**
   "A day in my life as a [role]"

4. **Storytime**
   "That time I [dramatic story]..."

5. **Trend Remixes**
   Take trending format + your niche

6. **Duets/Stitches**
   React to others' content

7. **Before/After**
   Transformation content

8. **Ranking/Tier Lists**
   "Ranking [things] from worst to best"

Length Optimization

## Video Length

**7-15 seconds:** Quick tips, hooks, memes
**15-30 seconds:** Tutorials, storytime teasers
**30-60 seconds:** Detailed how-tos, stories
**1-3 minutes:** Deep dives, storytimes
**3+ minutes:** Series content (harder to viral)

## Rule
Shorter = higher completion rate = more FYP push
Only go long if content demands it

Part 7: Duets and Stitches

Stitch Strategy

## How to Stitch

1. Find viral video with discussion potential
2. Tap Share → Stitch
3. Record your reaction/addition (up to 5 sec of original)
4. Add your value/take

## Stitch Ideas
- "I disagree, here's why..."
- "Adding to this..."
- "Here's the full story..."
- "Let me explain..."

Duet Strategy

## Duet Types

1. **Reaction Duet**
   React in real-time to content

2. **Add-On Duet**
   Your content plays alongside

3. **Tutorial Duet**
   Show how to do what they're doing

## Finding Duet Opportunities
- Videos asking for responses
- Controversial takes
- Tutorials you can add to
- Challenges

Part 8: AI Tools for TikTok

## Creation Tools

| Tool | What It Does |
|------|--------------|
| CapCut | Video editing (free, TikTok-owned) |
| Opus Clip | Long video → Short clips |
| ElevenLabs | AI voiceover |
| Runway | AI video generation |
| Canva | Thumbnails, text overlays |
| ChatGPT | Script writing |
| Descript | Auto captions, editing |

## Workflow
1. Script with ChatGPT
2. Record or generate video
3. Edit in CapCut
4. Add captions (auto)
5. Add trending sound
6. Post with hashtags

Part 9: Caption Overlays

## Text Best Practices

1. **Large, readable font** — Mobile-first
2. **Contrasting colors** — White text, black outline
3. **Position safely** — Avoid bottom (buttons) and top (handle)
4. **Sync with speech** — Auto-caption tools help
5. **Add hook text** — First frame grabs attention

## Caption Styles
- Subtitle style (spoken word)
- Highlight style (key words pop)
- Full screen text (no speaking)
- Emoji-enhanced

Part 10: Analytics

## Key Metrics

| Metric | What It Means |
|--------|---------------|
| Views | Reach |
| Watch time | Content quality |
| Completion rate | Hook + retention |
| Shares | Viral potential |
| Comments | Engagement |
| Follows | Value delivered |

## What to Optimize

Low views → Weak hook
Low completion → Content not engaging
Low shares → Not shareable/relatable
Low follows → No clear value add

## Analytics Access
Profile → Menu → Creator Tools → Analytics

Checklist

- [ ] Niche defined
- [ ] Content format chosen
- [ ] Trending sounds saved
- [ ] Hashtag sets ready
- [ ] Posting schedule set
- [ ] CapCut/editing tool ready
- [ ] First 5 videos planned
- [ ] Analytics tracking enabled

Resources

• TikTok Creator Portal: https://www.tiktok.com/creators/
• CapCut: https://www.capcut.com
• TokBoard: https://tokboard.com
• Opus Clip: https://opus.pro

Related Skills

• content/social/SKILL.md — Overall strategy
• content/instagram/SKILL.md — Reels crossover
• content/youtube/SKILL.md — Shorts crossover
• content/viral/SKILL.md — Trend sourcing