How to Use TikTok | A Beginner’s Guide
If you haven’t used TikTok yet, you might be passing up a big growth opportunity.
The app reached a significant milestone in June of last year: 700 million monthly users. Now, as that number increases, this is the ideal time to become familiar with TikTok.
This fast introduction will cover all the basics of how to use TikTok, from creating an account to uploading your first video!
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What Is Tiktok?
TikTok is a platform for mobile videos with a short duration. Users can create videos that are between five seconds and three minutes long, and they can quickly edit together bite-sized digital films using a large music library and entertaining effects.
However, what makes TikTok truly tempting for so many people is discovering material using TikTok’s carefully tuned algorithm, which goes beyond the fun of instantly filming and editing films from your phone.
The home screen of the app, TikTok’s ‘For You’ tab, continuously streams videos created by other users and learns over time what you enjoy. (Some users worry that it might even be too smart.)
TikTok resembles a customized TV station that plays content based on your preferences and our dwindling attention spans.
TikTok has become a marketing force thanks to its tremendous grip on the Gen Z demographic. Songs gain popularity (hello, Doja Cat!). Stars are created; a special mention goes to Addison Rae, who transitioned from a TikTok dance career to a lead role in He’s All That. Trends catch on like wildfire (remember the time you couldn’t find feta for the life of you?)
How to Set up Your TikTok Account
You must sign up for a TikTok account and become familiar with the app before getting started with the fun stuff, like posting videos.
Step 1: Register
Download TikTok from Google Play or the App Store. You’ll land on the “For You” screen (also known as TikTok’s homepage) when you first open the app.
From there, select the “Me” tab located in the lower right corner of the display. You’ll be asked to provide your phone number, email address, or pre-existing social network profiles while signing up here.
Once you’ve created an account, click “Edit profile” to modify your username, and bio, and, if applicable, add a link to your bio. You can also upload a profile photo.
These quick changes are excellent ways to upgrade your profile. Now, when someone visits your page, they will immediately learn important details about your company.
STep 2: Connect to Instagram
You can only message with someone on TikTok if you follow each other. To make it easier for fans and brands to message you, connect to your Instagram account.
On the edit profile page, click on Instagram, log into your account, and allow TikTok to connect.
Your profile will add the Instagram logo to your profile.
Step 3: Check Out the “For You” and “Discover” Pages
With TikTok, as on most social media platforms, trends change drastically over time. Acting quickly is, therefore, a smart idea if you want to profit from a trend.
The “For You” and “Discover” tabs are the best places to go to learn what’s popular each day.
Essentially, the videos you interact with, the accounts and hashtags you follow, your preferred region and language, and the kind of material you produce are all taken into account while constructing the “For You” tab.
TikTok’s algorithm, which finds trends for you, is used to curate the “Discover” page. Popular videos, hashtags, sounds, and effects can be found here. To view each trend’s top videos or save them for later, click on it.
Want to avoid seeing a specific type of TikTok in your feed? In the video, hard-press to expose the ‘Not Interested’ button.
Step 4: Connect with and Follow Similar-Minded Creators
Do you have a target market in mind? Consider the kinds of businesses, producers, and content that they are most likely to engage with and follow.
Check out the content those companies and creators are providing on their TikTok accounts after doing some research. Give them a follow if they connect with your brand!
This is a fantastic method to discover new trends, get to know your target audience, and become more familiar with the videos they want to watch.
Also, it’s a good idea to actively communicate with other creators in that community if you want to develop an engaged audience on your TikTok account.
Fortunately, TikTok makes things simple by providing a series of icons to the right of each video:
- You can follow a user by clicking on the first icon, which is a profile picture with a “+” underneath it.
- You can tap the second, which is a heart, to like a video.
- To post a remark, click or press the speech bubble.
- You can share TikTok videos to other platforms by using the arrow.
- Additionally, there is a rotating record button that displays the sound used in the video as well as other similar videos.
How to Create Videos/TikTok Content
When preparing to shoot your first TikTok video, don’t stress over the production quality.
Strong innovative concepts are far more crucial than mere creativity.
You don’t need to be an expert editor because TikTok is known for its honest, unpolished, and authentic material.
Record Your First TikTok Video
Simply click the “+” button in the bottom center of the screen to get started. Your camera will then be opened.
You can experiment with the recording speed, set up a self-timer, add a sound or filter to your video, and learn about TikTok’s numerous in-app effects by using the icons on the screen.
Effects, Duets, and Challenges
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can start adding effects, taking on challenges, and duetting with other well-known videos to make your videos more engaging.
The “Effects” button is located at the bottom of the recording screen. These effects are at the heart of many of TikTok’s top trends and issues.
When it comes to effectively completing challenges and using effects, there can be a little learning curve. Hence, don’t worry if it takes you a few attempts to get it perfect.
Duets, a feature that is popular on TikTok, can also be filmed. A duet video allows you to record a video alongside other videos from other creators on a split screen. Tap the arrow on an existing video, then select “Duet” to create a duet.
Uploading Your Content
The last step is to hit “Post” after adding a caption to your finished video. By using relevant hashtags and figuring out when to post videos, you can broaden your audience as well.
TikTok Data
TikTok provides the best data of any social media platform. You can see what’s working and use it to improve your videos.
Using TikTok to Promote Your Brand
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: millions of TikTok users like discovering fresh, interesting, entertaining, and educational content. Nevertheless, numerous businesses are already providing these users with sponsored material.
The sponsored material on TikTok that usually performs the best is based on the kinds of videos that typical users upload; videos that take advantage of trends and feel genuine.
Businesses like The Washington Post and Chipotle have 842,000 and 1.4 million followers on TikTok, respectively, by using this style.
However, to succeed on TikTok, you don’t need to be a well-known, large brand with a huge fan base.
If enough people find the content compelling, even an account with no followers can become popular.
Join a challenge (or start your own), provide behind-the-scenes content to humanize your business, or get into the life hack craze by making how-to films.
The best approach to learning how to use TikTok, like any other social media, is to explore; don’t be scared to attempt new things. Now that you know these basics, you’re prepared to go.
How to Create a Slideshow Using Photos
In addition to letting you submit videos from your gallery, TikTok also enables you to upload a collection of images to make a slideshow. At the bottom of the screen, select the similar + sign icon. You’ll notice options for your video’s length, as well as one labeled “Templates.” Select images after selecting a template with a swipe.
You are then sent to your gallery where you can choose several pictures to include in a slideshow. It’s a good idea to edit your images using one of these user-friendly photo editing apps for beginners if you’re a new photographer.
Just keep in mind that the slideshow’s order of images depends on the order in which you select them. To go to the editing stage after you’re done, click OK in the bottom right corner of the screen.
How to Remove Your Own Videos from TikTok
Don’t worry if you post a video by mistake — you can still take it down. Select the video you wish to delete by going to your profile. To open a menu, click the three dots on the right side of the screen. Swipe through these choices before selecting Delete.
Keep in mind that TikTok doesn’t like this and will suppress your account if you delete too many videos.
How to Convert TikTok Videos into GIFs
Why not convert a video you enjoy into a GIF when you find it? Select the arrow button on the right side of the screen after clicking the chosen video. There are other sharing options available, including one that reads “Share as GIF.”
When you choose that option, TikTok takes you to a screen where you can change the GIF’s duration. When you’re finished, click Generate to produce a GIF. Then, you can message it to someone or post it on other social networking websites.
How to Set a Timer to Record Videos
It’s annoying to have to keep pressing the record button to make videos. You never know when you’ll need to use both hands during the video. As a result, using the timer option greatly simplifies recording.
To begin creating your video, select the + icon at the bottom of the screen. However, click Timer on the right side of the screen rather than continuing to depress the large red button. You can select the stopping point for your video with this. When you use the slider to choose a time, TikTok will show a three-second countdown before it begins recording.
How to Use a Song from Someone Else’s TikTok
In order to find songs on TikTok, you don’t need to use one of these music recognition programs. Select the video you wish to use from someone else’s video, then click the vinyl record icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Furthermore, TikTok will show the song’s title and any videos uploaded by other users who have used it. When starting to record, choose ‘Use This Sound’ to include it in your video.
How to Create Lip-Syncing Videos on the Video Sharing Platform
TikTok is famous for its huge selection of lip-syncing videos. You could have had a hard time getting your lips to match the song’s lyrics if you’ve ever tried to make your own. If so, you can use TikTok’s editing features to create the ideal lip-syncing TikTok video.
The song you’re lip-syncing to can be added to your video after it has been recorded by clicking the ‘Sounds’ button at the bottom of the screen. Then, click the scissors button in the Sounds menu’s upper right corner.
The song’s start time can then be adjusted by dragging the slider at the bottom of the screen. When you’re finished, click the checkmark icon, and the song should sound just like your lips.
How to Use TikTok QR Code
When you register for a TikTok account, you are given a QR code that connects to your profile. Go to your profile, press the three dots in the top-right corner, click Settings and Privacy, and then choose QR Code to access it.
After that, you’ll be able to view your QR code, download it, and share it by text message, Instagram, or Snapchat. Press the Scan button in the top-right corner of the screen, and point it at the QR code to scan it.
Learn How to Use TikTok with These Tips – Download TikTok Now
There you have it, then. You now understand how to use TikTok.
You shouldn’t have any trouble using the TikTok app once you get the hang of it, downloading videos, or posting your own original content. Given its appeal, TikTok appears to be here to stay.
You should be able to master TikTok with the help of these hints and tips. Please share a link to your new TikTok channel so we can be the first ones to follow you and help make a video go viral.