You are reading 3Bits & Change, Joseph's email about building a direct to consumer business on the internet and an occasional Web3 issue. Today’s email was written birds chirping in the trees and the wind blowing.
Good afternoon,
I’ve finally observed the TikTok algorithm in action. It was nothing crazy; under 5000 views. However, they came really fast and it has me even more interested. Here are three bits about how I’m approaching the app/network/attention tool.
Bit #1 • The set and character
I’m aiming for some repeatability in viewer feeds so that folks can see and then see another video later and identify with it. This was a tip from Tim and Greg. Thanks guys.
“Hey, I’ve seen that guy before.” The thinking goes folks will be more likely to engage with an account on the 3rd or 7th time seeing some content from the same person. Toward that end I needed to get comfortable with my look and face (Character) in the videos. I also needed to get a standard type set in place.
So, I hold the phone in the right hand either at the sharpening bench, because it looks cool, or in the kitchen making food or unboxing things because we’re a kitchen adjacent brand. And, I think I look better with sunglasses and it seems easier to watch later too. Call it the zoom effect or something. Digital eye contact, even after years of increased intensity, is still off in some profound way.
We’ll see how this goes over time.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Bit #2 • On a run…
After a list of videos over four infinite scrolls long on a desktop view, the account has 57 followers, 488 likes, is following 56 accounts.
The account started in August of ‘21. The first videos had 500 or so views. Then the views dropped to under 200 and sometimes even worse. I would post here and there over the months but it was not until I recently decided posted 4 a day for a week that we’ve seen two videos go over 1000.
This one is just over 4000 views. Those views all came in about an hour. The likes came in that time too. Boy things move fast when the algo decides to promote your video.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Bit #3 • It’s getting easier
The more videos I make the easier it’s getting. Some of this is about the tool. Some of it is about content momentum.
I’ve committed to creating four toks a day on most days. My approach is to merge topics with documentation and trend. Some days I’ll post two and keep the others in draft for later. Other days I’ll post all four I make.
I’ve also found that those trending songs really do make a difference in views and speed. I think it’s because they go straight to the song feed vs waiting for the algo to put them in front of folks. This one grew because the song was trending at the time of posting. The likes and profile follows are the bonus.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
And, people watch unboxing videos too. However, while this video has over 700 views it only has 5 likes. Ha.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Sum
Want to work with TikTok? Great. Go play. Make lots of content and learn the tool from the inside. You’ll develop instincts. The content will be better.
We’re still young at this, but getting better.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Change
Do you happen to be looking for some dinged up All Clad stuff. Maybe stuff without a box? Check their factory event for the next 3 days. Link We’ve obtained two separate non-stick pans through this channel and they are wonderful. Let there be eggs.
On Your Way
Go smell the trees!
Follow Vivront.com on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Follow @josephrueter on Instagram or Linkedin.
Order knives sharpened, or subscription so a package just shows up on a schedule, or a gift at Vivront.com.