f I got handed the keys to a TikTok account, the first 30 days is all about figuring out what actually sticks. I wouldn't just post random stuff. Here’s my plan, broken down.

First Two Weeks: The Listen-and-Test Phase

I’d spend the first few days just lurking, honestly. Scrolling through the comments on the account already, seeing what competitors are doing, and finding the hashtags our people actually use. Not the big, generic ones, the niche ones.

Then I’d post a few different types of videos to see what gets a reaction:

1. The “Real Reaction” Video: Just me or someone opening/unboxing the product or trying the service for the first time on camera. No fancy script, just genuine first impressions. People trust that more.

2. The “Quick Fix” Video: Find one small, annoying problem the audience has, and show exactly how the product/service solves it in under 20 seconds. Straight to the point.

3. A Trend, But Make It Relevant: Pick a trending sound or format (like a GRWM or a transition trend) and twist it to fit the brand. Example: “Get ready with me to tackle this task or try this product then use an audio to explain a feature.

Next Two Weeks: The Double-Down Phase

By now, I’d see which videos got more saves, shares, or comments. Did the “real reaction” get people talking? Did the “quick fix” get shared a lot? I’d do more of what worked.

Then I’d try:

1. The “How This Actually Gets Made” Video: A behind-the-scenes look. Could be how a decision gets made, packing orders, or just a team brainstorm. Makes the brand feel human.

2. The “Talk Back” Video: A video that’s literally asking the audience a question, using a poll, a “stitch this,” or just asking for their tips in the comments. Goal is to start conversations, not just get views.

3. The “Let Me Explain” Video: Taking the most common question from the “Talk Back” video and making a clear, fun 60-second explainer. Use lots of text on screen and fast cuts to keep it moving.

The Overall Vibe:

It’s not about selling hard. It’s about showing we’re paying attention and we get their world. The hooks gotta be in the first second, the captions need to encourage a comment, and I’d always use the text-on-screen thing because so many people watch without sound.

The goal after a month is to have a clearer idea of what our audience actually likes, to have a few videos that did pretty well, and to start building a little community that feels like they can talk to us. It’s all about testing, learning, and then doing more of what works.

I don't just scroll mindlessly anymore. I follow the actual creators and strategists who break down why a trend works, not just what it is. I mute the people who just annoy me.

I've set up a few private lists on Instagram, one for innovators, one for analysts, one for meme pages. I check those for 20 minutes in the morning instead of drowning in my main feed.

And honestly? I lurk in the weird corners of the internet. Comment sections on TikTok, niche Reddit threads, those weirdly specific Instagram fan pages. That's where stuff starts, not on the official brand pages.

It’s work, but I try to make it fun. If I see a new format, I'll mess around with it myself, even if I don't post it. You don't really get it until you try to make it.

How creative and analytical it can be at the same time. I am someone who likes to figure things out and make stuff work better, maybe even fix what’s broken.

It’s also fast-moving, so if I get bored easily, there’s always something new to learn or test. Plus, I can actually see results from what I do, which is pretty satisfying.