How to Get an English Audience on TikTok

Imagine waking up one day to see your TikTok video going viral, but it’s not your typical audience that’s engaging with it—it’s English-speaking users from all around the world. That thrill, that rush of excitement is exactly what you want, but you’re unsure how to get there. TikTok's algorithm seems elusive, and growing an English-speaking audience feels like climbing Everest without a guide. But let me tell you, it's absolutely achievable, and you don’t need a viral dance challenge to make it happen.

Start with Relatable Content

At the core of TikTok’s success is its ability to connect people across borders through universal themes—humor, education, music, and challenges. If you're creating content that speaks to these themes, you’ve already won half the battle. However, the trick lies in crafting your content in a way that resonates with the English-speaking community.

Think about this: What do people in English-speaking countries find funny or informative? A sarcastic joke about "Mondays" might not hit the same way across different cultures, but in the U.S. or U.K., it’s gold. You want to find that sweet spot where your content naturally engages an audience familiar with English language humor, trends, or social commentary.

For instance, skits about everyday awkward moments or life hacks that seem oddly specific tend to perform well. Make your content universally appealing while still infused with cultural nuances that English speakers will relate to.

Master the Language

This may sound obvious, but to capture an English audience, you need to speak their language—literally and figuratively. Fluency helps, but don’t stress about perfect grammar or accent. What matters most is clarity and authenticity. Even if you’re not a native speaker, your audience will appreciate your effort if you're genuine and easy to understand.

Captions and subtitles are your best friend here. TikTok’s auto-caption feature is useful, but manually inputting captions ensures they’re accurate. Plus, captions make your content more accessible to users who might be scrolling without sound or are hearing-impaired.

Timing is Everything

Posting at the right time can be a game changer when targeting English-speaking audiences. There’s no point in releasing your content at 3 AM EST if you want to engage people in New York or London. Research when your target demographic is most active on the app. For the U.S., early morning (6–9 AM) or late evening (8–11 PM) typically sees high engagement. Utilizing analytics tools will help you pinpoint the best time slots for your audience.

Play to TikTok Trends

Ever heard of the saying, "If you can’t beat them, join them"? In TikTok’s world, trends reign supreme. By jumping on trending sounds, hashtags, and challenges, you can ride the wave of popularity to greater visibility. But don’t just copy trends blindly. Instead, find a way to tailor them to your niche and make them unique to your personal brand.

Hashtag strategy plays a pivotal role here. You don’t want to overdo it with generic hashtags like #fyp or #viral. Instead, combine trending hashtags with niche-specific ones that cater to English speakers. For example, if you're into fitness, don’t just use #fitness. Incorporate hashtags like #UKFitness or #USAGymLife to specifically attract viewers from those regions.

Build a Community

Engagement is key to TikTok success, but it goes beyond likes and shares. To grow a strong English-speaking following, you need to interact with your audience consistently. Respond to comments, create content based on their feedback, and even collaborate with other English-speaking creators.

One brilliant tactic is to go live and chat with your followers. This gives you an opportunity to engage in real-time with English-speaking users, creating a personal connection that can strengthen loyalty. Lives can also offer insights into your audience's preferences and thoughts on future content ideas.

Create a Content Schedule

Consistency is the backbone of any successful social media strategy. For TikTok, posting 3-5 times per week is the golden ratio for maintaining relevance in the English-speaking market. However, ensure that you’re not sacrificing quality for quantity. Stick to a schedule that works for you and gives you time to produce high-quality, engaging content. The goal is to stay visible without overloading your audience.

Create theme days to keep your content fresh and aligned. For example, you could do “Tuesday Tutorials” if you’re an educator or “Funny Fridays” for comedic relief.

Collaborate with English-Speaking Influencers

One shortcut to reaching an English-speaking audience is to collaborate with creators who already have an established following. It’s not about piggybacking off their fame but rather tapping into their audience by providing value. A well-timed collaboration can introduce your content to thousands of new viewers who wouldn’t have discovered you otherwise.

Choose influencers whose values align with yours. If your content is family-friendly, seek out creators who share that ethos. If you’re focused on humor, find someone whose comedic style complements yours. The key is to build authentic relationships with influencers and not just focus on transactional collaborations.

Run Ads or Promotions

If you're serious about breaking into the English-speaking market, you might consider investing in TikTok ads. Paid promotions can target specific regions and demographics, ensuring your content reaches users in English-speaking countries. With the right ad strategy, you can grow your following faster than relying on organic reach alone.

TikTok allows for multiple ad formats: In-Feed Ads, Branded Hashtag Challenges, and TopView Ads (which appear when users first open the app). While ads cost money, they can be a great way to kickstart growth in new markets, especially if you have quality content that just needs more visibility.

Leverage Other Platforms

TikTok is powerful, but don’t underestimate the value of cross-promotion. Share your TikTok content on other platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to direct followers from these sites to your TikTok page. English-speaking audiences are often active across multiple social media platforms, so use that to your advantage. A viral post on Twitter or a clever Instagram Reel could funnel users to your TikTok profile.

Make sure your content is tailored for each platform’s audience, but stays consistent with your brand identity.

In the end, growing an English-speaking audience on TikTok isn’t just about going viral once—it’s about building a lasting connection through consistent, relatable, and engaging content. With the right strategy, dedication, and understanding of your audience’s preferences, you can capture the attention of English speakers and keep them coming back for more.