Why Did One of My TikToks Get 7,000 Likes While the Others Flopped?

Let me just start by saying this: TikTok makes no sense. None… Not. One. Bit.

I post a video of my dog sitting on my children’s book like a furry little PR assistant and it gets 7,000 likes. I didn’t even brush her. I barely brushed myself. I uploaded the video in a bathrobe, didn’t add music, didn’t use a filter, and somehow, the algorithm gods smiled down and said, “Yes. This. This is what the people need.”

Cool, I thought. I’ve cracked the code. I’m officially one of the youths.

Spoiler: I am not.

Me embarrassing myself on Tiktok

Because every other video I’ve posted since then? Absolute crickets. I’m talking zero likes. Not even pity likes from my mom. One video stalled at four views for three hours. At that point I wondered if even I had seen it.

I try hashtags. I try no hashtags. I try voice-overs, music, captions, book flips, emotional appeals, sarcasm, my actual children (cute, chaotic), even snacks. Nothing. TikTok looks at my efforts and simply shrugs.

So here I am, asking you, dear reader: what the heck works on TikTok?
Is it vibes? Voodoo? Do I need to whisper my video ideas into a jar of moon water under a waxing crescent and chant “for you page” three times?

Please comment below and share your wisdom. Or your confusion. I’ll take both. Misery loves company.

And while I have your attention, if you’re here because you did see my dog’s viral moment and were wondering, “Wait, is that a children’s book?” — yes, yes it is. It’s called Anger Is My Monster and it’s part of my series helping kids manage big emotions like anger, sadness, and shame. My books are cheaper than therapy and don’t come with an office copay.

Check them out at ClaraHarperBooks.com. You can also subscribe to my newsletter for more behind-the-scenes chaos, questionable social media experiments, and updates on new releases.

I’m off to try another video. This time, I’m letting the toddler hold the phone and the dog wear sunglasses. That feels like a solid strategy, right? Maybe I’ll do a trend setting interpretive dance.

Right?

Anyone?

Here I am posing for the next winning Tiktok video guys! SUBSCRIBE!