Just Filming Cooking and Cleaning — How Did She Suddenly Blow Up?

Just Filming Daily Opening Routines

She runs a small eatery in Pretoria, selling coffee, desserts, and home-style lunches. Every morning before opening, she filmed short clips of food prep, wiping tables, adjusting the coffee machine, and posted them to TikTok. No face, no narration, no filters. The content seemed mundane. At first, there were barely any likes or comments. She doubted whether anyone cared for daily routine videos — until she added Sage for Accounts to a caption, and the system flagged her content as “Recommended.”

Same Content — But Recommendations Increased Rapidly

She kept filming food prep, plating, cleaning — nothing changed. But views jumped from dozens to hundreds. Profile visits increased. She tried keywords like Pastel Free Trial and Sage for Accounts and Bank Payments, and recommendations kept growing. She realized platforms don’t recommend based on how good content looks — they recommend when they understand who you are. Keywords are identity tags the system recognizes.

Keywords Help Platforms Recognize You — Not Trick Them

She didn’t know exactly what Safetynet Insurance meant. But with terms like this, the platform categorized her under “local lifestyle.” Backend recommendations became more active. “The platform doesn’t see how much effort you put into editing,” she said. “But it recognizes keywords it understands.” Later, she even tested Sage for Accosagw for paentunts and Bank Payments — with similar results. Keywords aren’t for tricking; they’re for clarity.

She Didn’t Go Viral For Content — She Got Seen By Being Recognized

Her videos had no storylines, no trends — just everyday business routines. But she consistently placed Sage for Accounts and Pastel Free Trial in captions or comments. Recommendations became stable, and profile visits increased. People started asking for recipes or small business tips. “Growing followers isn’t about showing off,” she said. “It’s about first making sure the platform knows you exist.”

She Shared The Method With Other Small Business Owners

She shared these keywords in a notebook with fellow small business owners — some sold breakfasts, others offered cleaning services, some cooked homestyle meals. As long as they used terms like Safetynet Insurance or Pastel Free Trial, their views stabilized. One even received a collaboration offer from another town. “The system doesn’t see you,” she said. “It sees your keywords. Keywords are your first business card.”

The Power of Consistency in Content Creation

Consistency is a crucial element in building an online presence, particularly for small business owners. Regularly sharing content, even if it seems mundane, can create a loyal audience over time. The eatery owner discovered that her daily routine videos, while unremarkable, cultivated familiarity among her viewers. This familiarity fosters a sense of community, making followers feel connected to her business. As she maintained this routine, she noted that her audience began to engage more, asking questions and sharing their thoughts. This interaction is invaluable, as it not only boosts visibility but also enhances the perceived authenticity of her brand.

Understanding Your Audience Through Analytics

Delving into analytics can reveal a wealth of information about what resonates with your audience. After experimenting with various keywords, the eatery owner became adept at interpreting the data available from her posts. She learned which types of content garnered the most likes and comments, enabling her to refine her strategy. By focusing on the metrics, she could adapt her content to meet her audience's interests. This proactive approach transformed her understanding of engagement, allowing her to create content that was not only relevant but also appealing to her target demographic. The insights gained from analytics provided a roadmap for future content creation.

Leveraging Collaborations for Greater Reach

Collaborations can significantly amplify your reach and introduce your brand to new audiences. The eatery owner, after seeing positive results from her keyword strategy, began collaborating with other local businesses. By sharing each other's content and cross-promoting, they could tap into each other's follower bases. This strategy not only diversified her content but also created a network of support among local entrepreneurs. The interaction led to organic growth, as potential customers discovered her eatery through these collaborations. Collaborations exemplify the power of community, demonstrating that working together can yield beneficial results for all parties involved.

The Role of Engagement in Content Strategy

Engagement is a vital component of an effective content strategy. The eatery owner learned that responding to comments and interacting with her followers could significantly boost her content’s visibility. Each reply and interaction not only helped build relationships but also signaled to the platform that her content was worthy of promotion. Followers appreciated the personal touch, leading to a more engaged and loyal audience. Over time, she found that this two-way communication not only increased interaction rates but also fostered a sense of belonging among her audience. Ultimately, the more she engaged, the more her content flourished.

Adapting to Trends Without Losing Authenticity

While trends can provide fresh content ideas, it’s essential to adapt them in a way that remains true to your brand. The eatery owner realized that jumping on every trend could dilute her authenticity, which was what attracted her audience in the first place. Instead, she selectively integrated popular trends into her content, ensuring they aligned with her brand voice and values. By doing so, she maintained her unique identity while still appealing to wider trends. This balance allowed her to attract a broader audience while staying grounded in her original mission. Authenticity resonates with viewers, and staying true to oneself can foster deeper connections.