How Katie Fang Mastered The TikTok Algorithm And Built A Following Of 7 Million

Anybody can go viral on the TikTok algorithm. Before Katie Fang was a content creator with over 7 million followers, she was an overworked and miserable restaurant server. In 2023, she filmed herself crying while getting ready for yet another long shift—a video that unexpectedly went viral. People came for the relatability but stayed for Fang’s makeup tips and unfiltered personality. Now Fang, who is still an undergrad at NYU, raked in an estimated $4 million in earnings last year as a beauty influencer. Her fellow sophomores probably marvel at her doing brand deals with the likes of Dior, becoming the face of skin care company Cetaphil’s campaigns or appearing on billboards for cosmetics brand Kosas. What’s her growth strategy? “My brand is all about being unapologetically yourself and not being afraid to show the raw emotions,” she says. “I don’t plan my content; that feels too curated. I film when I’m in the moment and have something to say.

00:00 - Introducing Katie Fang
00:40 - How Crying On Camera Sparked A Career
04:52 - Balancing Content With College
05:36 - How Fang Lands Major Brand Deals
10:48 - A Day in the Life of a Top Creator
13:41 - How To Game The Algorithm

Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/20...

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