Get ready to smile for the camera! It’s time to help your dental practice go viral on TikTok. If you’re new to this social media platform, you may be wondering how to create social media videos, how to boost views, and what kind of content your audience wants to see. Luckily for you, there are some tried-and-true tips and tricks for dental TikTok marketing that will elevate your content, and get your practice out there for the world to see.

If you want to know how to go viral on TikTok, read on!

The TikTok algorithm takes several things into account when deciding which videos to push out to individuals. In general, all videos are “scored” based on how many likes and comments they receive, and how long people spend watching the video. Video length, caption, hashtags, audio, quality, and language are all factors that can determine whether or not your content goes viral. But one thing the algorithm favors consistently is trending content.

The first step on how to go viral on TikTok is to use  trending content to your advantage. TikTok is unique because it introduced a new way to create trending content. Instead of coming up with something totally original for every post, users can duplicate an existing trending formula. Whether it’s a dance, a skit, or just text on the screen, trends vary wildly and change constantly. Some trends peak in popularity after just a few days, while others persist for months at a time. TikTok no longer has a Discovery page, but there are several ways to figure out what type of content is trending at the moment.

Searching TikTok directly for trending topics is a great way to gauge the type of content your practice should create. The search feature is located in the top right corner of the app and can be used to find specific creators, hashtags, or keywords.

For example, if you want to make a video about dental restoration work, try searching for those terms and see which viral videos pop up. The top videos will appear first, but you can also select hashtags on the top right menu and see which terms are trending as well. 

Top users will show up in your search as well. Browsing successful TikTok dentist accounts can give you great insight into what kind of content works, and how to incorporate trends into your practice. You’ll want to follow these dentists because they’ve learned how to go viral on TikTok.

Another way to hop on trending content is to explore trending effects. To find what’s popular at the moment, select the create TikTok feature in the middle of the app menu, and select “Effects” in the bottom left corner. A selection of trending filters will appear for you to browse, typically with a pre-determined audio attached. Remember, not all videos need to be polished and professional. It’s okay to have fun with dentist marketing on TikTok!

Probably the easiest way to spot trends is to scroll TikTok regularly. As soon as you see a video format pop up more than once, it’s time to hop on the trend. Vanessa Peña, an expert in TikTok orthodontic marketing pointed out that multiple people in your practice should be scrolling TikTok for trends at the same time because everyone’s For You Page is different. If multiple people are seeing a trending video pop up, that’s further confirmation that your team should act fast and make a similar video before its popularity fades.

As you’re scrolling for trends and searching for content on TikTok, you’ll likely hear the same songs used over and over again in several videos. Trending songs are a huge part of creating viral content on TikTok because they are so versatile. 

To browse songs and audio clips on TikTok, open the create video feature in the app and select the “Add sound” icon at the top of your screen. In this section, you can search for specific songs or artists (the most popular songs will show up in your search results), or browse suggested songs. Popular sounds will be listed in the “Recommended” and “Playlist” sections, and then in categories like “Love,” “Hip-Hop,” and “Featured” as you scroll further down.

Check out these examples of two different dentists using the same trending song in totally different ways:

Once you’ve found trending videos you’d like to replicate or viral songs you want to use, you can either ask staff members to participate or have patients join in on the fun. Just be sure to follow HIPAA guidelines and receive signed consent before using any footage (or story) that includes patients.

If you’re starting from scratch on TikTok and aren’t sure where to begin, download this TikTok & Instagram Reels ebook created specifically with dental and orthodontic practices in mind. It will help you to get started on how to go viral on TikTok.

Along with posting your own take on viral trends, it’s important to create original content for the algorithm as well. You never know when you might be the one to start a viral trend! Including a mix of the types of content you post will diversify your page and make your practice more likely to show up to a wider audience. 

Try to come up with concise content ideas based on things you’re passionate about, and that come off as genuine to your viewers. Some ideas for original content include:

• Before and after dental transformations
• Dental hygiene tips
• Funny patient interactions (with their permission to share)
• Demonstrations
• Stitch or react to other videos
• Education on misinformation
• A look into your personal life as the owner of the practice (people love seeing multiple facets of personalities online!)

If you’re still struggling to come up with ideas, you might want to peruse this guide to social media stories and video content

Even with the perfect video, and the latest trends, the TikTok algorithm can still be a hard nut to crack, which is why the time of day you post matters as well. 

Typically, TikTok users check the app at several different times throughout the day, so you may have success posting in the morning (before people start work), around lunchtime, or in the evenings (when people are off work and winding down for the day). One study found that the best time to post on TikTok for maximum engagement is Thursdays at 7 p.m. Try posting at different times of day to see when you receive the best response from your audience. 

With 113 million users logging on in the United States alone, there are millions of opportunities to connect with future patients and followers of your dental practice.

Just like Dory, sometimes you have to “just keep swimming” in the sea of content creation. Be consistent, post often, and don’t let your page go dormant if you can help it. If you don’t have a dedicated staff member for social media marketing, it may be time to hire some help or delegate those responsibilities to someone with the bandwidth. 

The more you post, the more likely you are to go viral on TikTok. And sometimes, when you least expect it, a random video will take off. Learning how to go viral on TikTok is not a guaranteed process. There isn’t a tried-and-true method. It requires time and persistence. 

The most important things to remember about going viral on TikTok are to leverage trends, create original content, and stay consistent. Be authentic and engaging, and let other viral videos do a lot of the work for you! 

If your practice hits the TikTok jackpot and you find out how to go viral on TikTok, try to keep up the momentum by responding to commenters, making similar videos, and engaging with your audience as much as possible. Their feedback can help you determine what other types of videos will be a success. Over time, your community will begin to recognize the value of your content, and your practice will grow.