I used to be a kind of Zillennials who prevented getting began on TikTok for so long as potential. It’s not that I don’t love social media — belief me, I do. It simply took me a very long time to just accept that TikTok, not like Vine, was right here to remain.
Sadly, my opinion has modified, and it has due to this fact taken me double the same old time to put in writing this put up as a result of I’ve needed to spend a lot of it on TikTok, which inherently results in distraction (don’t fear, I acquired there ultimately).
TikTok had 1.5 billion month-to-month lively customers in 2023 and is anticipated to have 1.8 billion customers by the tip of 2024.
For comparability, in accordance with knowledge from a 2024 Kepios examine, TikTok is the 4th largest social media platform by month-to-month lively customers. Fb has greater than 3 billion, YouTube has greater than 2.5 billion, and Instagram has 2 billion.
To state the plain, TikTok is dominating the social media panorama as a gold mine of brief, snackable content material. Whereas that sounds thrilling — how are you going to get began?
I’ve included just a few steps, with images, to stroll you thru establishing your profile, filming your first video, including particular results, and utilizing challenges or duets to have interaction with different customers.
You’ll additionally get a crash course on rising your viewers and monitoring analytics to make sure you’re creating content material that reaches and resonates with the suitable folks.
Desk of Contents
How you can Use TikTok
The very first thing that originally turned me off from TikTok was that I considered it as a glorified Instagram, besides that I couldn’t even put up flattering images of myself!
So, what was the purpose?
What I’ve realized over time is that TikTok has many use instances — whether or not you’re a person social media person or a enterprise. Under are three examples of the way you’ll be able to make the most of TikTok for work or enjoyable.
1. Seek for recommendation or data on nearly any matter.
Just lately, I went to Los Angeles for a Nickelodeon enterprise journey, and I used to be staying in Santa Monica. One morning, I desperately craved an notorious LA breakfast burrito.
I checked Google Maps and was met with an countless slew of choices close to me. How was I to resolve?
I instantly opened TikTok and searched “breakfast burrito santa monica” and was met with dozens of native suggestions sharing their favourite tried-and-tested spots.
After watching 4 TikToks, I settled on Alfalfa, because it had essentially the most optimistic critiques and was the closest to my resort. Inside 20 minutes, I had a scrumptious Ancho Potato breakfast burrito in hand and a smile on my face.
It is a excellent instance of how you need to use TikTok to rapidly achieve details about a distinct segment matter. I may have searched “finest breakfast burrito Santa Monica” on Google, however I’d in all probability have been met with a number of sponsored advertisements and conflicting skilled opinions.
Typically, you simply need recommendation from a daily, native individual whom you’ll be able to wholeheartedly belief.
2. Sustain with present traits.
As a 27-year-old girl, I’m instructed I ought to at all times be “within the know.” Nevertheless, I nonetheless discover myself, at occasions, behind on the most recent pattern.
Whether or not it’s that viral in a single day Korean face masks or U.S. girls’s rugby participant Ilona Maher’s hilarious Olympics content material, social media permits for a relentless turnover in content material that may make it really feel inconceivable to remain knowledgeable.
Nevertheless, the most effective elements about TikTok is how straightforward it’s to find what’s trending. Your “For You Web page” (often known as FYP) simply analyzes what you’re excited by and targets you with related content material. Whereas this can be worrisome for some folks, it does make it quite a bit simpler to curate the content material you view.
You may also simply seek for traits by title in TikTok for those who hear or see one thing talked about that you’re unfamiliar with. This can assist you uncover movies that includes or describing the pattern.
3. Create content material to assist develop your following.
Whereas TikTok has many beneficial makes use of merely as a person, you’ll be able to achieve much more alternatives as a creator. I’ll dive extra deeply into this later, however the most effective methods to make use of TikTok is to create content material that may attain your target market and assist develop your following.
Taking part in traits and challenges is a good way to make participating content material, however there are different methods you’ll be able to make use of, reminiscent of constantly posting and utilizing the proper hashtags and collaborating with different creators or manufacturers.
For example, considered one of my favourite recipe developer creators, Justine Doironm, lately posted a greeny tahini egg salad sandwich recipe on TikTok that was a paid partnership with Very important Farms, an organization that ethically sources eggs, butter, and ghee.
Now that you simply’ve learn 3 ways you need to use TikTok — past senseless scrolling — you could be able to lastly give the favored social media platform a shot. In that case, learn on for a step-by-step information on establishing an account.
How you can Set Up Your TikTok Account
1. Obtain the app and enroll.
First, I went to the App Retailer to obtain TikTok (non-Apple customers can go to Google Play). Whereas I have already got a private TikTok, I walked by way of the motions of establishing a brand new check one for this put up.
Whereas I used to be given the choice to immediately enroll with Fb, Gmail, or Twitter, I made a decision to enroll by including a username and password in order that my different accounts wouldn’t be linked.
After confirming my account login data, I used to be delivered to a display screen that instructed me to pick my pursuits. That is how TikTok can start curating movies.
2. Arrange your profile.
As soon as logged in, I used to be instantly proven a feed of movies that have been curated by my chosen pursuits, I am going to clarify extra about how this works in step three.
To edit my profile, I tapped the icon within the decrease proper nook of the display screen that appears like an individual’s define,
There, I then tapped the “Edit profile” button, to pick a profile photograph or video. That is additionally the place I may add username and bio data.
If I so selected, I may hyperlink to my Youtube and Instagram pages to indicate off my different social media profiles.
For those who’re a enterprise, this may very well be a useful approach to promote your different visible platforms. Improve your profile to a enterprise account if you wish to market your corporation on TikTok.
It is a sensible concept since 61% of entrepreneurs use TikTok for influencer advertising initiatives.
To do that, go to your profile and faucet the horizontal traces on the prime proper nook of the display screen. Then faucet Setting and Privateness, faucet Account, and faucet Swap to Enterprise Account.
You‘ll have entry to TikTok’s full vary of downloadable analytics with a enterprise account. With a private profile, you may solely have in-app entry.
You can not set your corporation profile to personal. Nevertheless, I’ve the choice to set my private account to personal. After tapping Settings and Privateness, I might faucet Privateness and toggle the Personal account tab.
Discovering Movies and Participating with Customers
3. View your video feed.
Now that I’ve arrange my profile, I toggled again to the House tab by clicking the “House” button within the backside left nook.
Consider this like your X feed, however the place the video is the first content material. Since I’m not following anybody on my new check TikTok, the app sends me random trending movies quite than any content material created by accounts I comply with.
As I start following and interacting with extra folks, my feed will turn into extra customized to my pursuits and the accounts I comply with.
4. Like, remark, or share movies you take pleasure in.
After I discover a video I like, I can faucet the center to love it or the speech bubble to touch upon it.
To share the video, I might press the ahead signal beneath the remark image to see my sharing choices. These symbols are all situated alongside the suitable facet of the video.
If I like a video and wish to see if the person has extra posts I’d take pleasure in, I can swipe left to toggle to their profile.
5. Seek for movies.
To entry the app’s search space, I can click on the magnifying glass on the prime proper nook of the display screen. On this tab, I can seek for accounts or movies or take a look at the phrases and names under the search bar to see movies by trending matter.
For example, once I wrote this put up, the Paris 2024 Olympics have been in full swing. Thus, you will note that every one my trending matters are associated to the Olympics.
6. Arrange your saved movies with Collections.
As soon as I begin “liking” movies, I’ve the choice to rewatch them beneath my Saved tab. The Saved tab can get messy rapidly, so I like to prepare my favourite movies by class — or, as they’re referred to on TikTok, Collections.
To entry Collections, I can click on on the bookmark icon under the remark icon and press “Handle” to start out a set. Afterward, I can title my collections to maintain them so as.
On my private TikTok, I’ve categorized a few of my favourite saved posts by recipes, skincare, books, health, and comedy.
I haven’t performed this, however you can too create a set of your favourite sounds, results, and hashtags, which is useful to drag from for future movies.
7. Comply with customers.
As soon as I wish to begin maintaining with folks on TikTok on my new account — whether or not they be my favourite model, standard content material creators, or my finest good friend — I can comply with them by urgent the icon with their profile image and a plus signal.
I can particularly search TikTok accounts or folks I wish to comply with within the search bar after which press the “Customers” filter.
8. Share your TikTok utilizing TikCode.
Now that I’ve edited all of the settings on my new TikTok, it is time to share it far and extensive (though it’s additionally completely acceptable to wish to cover behind an nameless TikTok account, too!).
One of many best methods to take action is with a TikCode.
A TikCode is a QR code distinctive to my profile that others can use to entry my profile rapidly. It is a super choice if I run into an adoring fan in one that needs to comply with me (kidding).
To search out my TikCode, I can go to my profile and click on the three horizontal traces within the prime proper nook of the display screen. There, I can click on “My QR code,” which opens my distinctive code.
What I like: Your model’s QR code could be positioned in your merchandise, storefronts, menus, and so forth., to make it straightforward for customers to seek out your corporation TikTok.
How you can Submit on TikTok
9. Arrange your shot and select particular results.
It’s time for me to create my first video! To do that, I can faucet the plus signal tab on the backside heart of my display screen to enter the digital camera.
The app robotically brings me to the Picture setting, however since I wish to make a video, I can toggle between the 15s, 60s, and 10m choices instantly above the shutter button.
As soon as I’ve chosen my most well-liked size, I can look to the highest proper facet of the display screen to see icons for the next:
- Flip: Flip between the back and front cameras.
- Flash: Choose if I wish to use the flash throughout your shot.
- Timer: I can set an auto-record countdown to movie hands-free.
- Retouch: A filter that may cover blemishes and easy out my pores and skin.
- Filters: This lets me change the colour and aesthetic filters of the digital camera.
- Velocity: I can report my video in gradual movement or pace it up (which is a superb choice for longer movies).
- Voice: I can add a voice impact to the video.
On the backside of the display screen, I can see the Digicam and Template tabs. The digital camera permits me to report a video or take a photograph, and templates provide premade mixtures of music and results to make my video pop.
Sounds and Results
On the highest heart of the digital camera display screen, there’s a music be aware icon with “Add Sound” subsequent to it. I can faucet this to decide on the music or sound impact I wish to overlay on my video.
On the underside of the digital camera, there may be an Results icon to the left and an Add button to the suitable if I might quite use movies I’ve already recorded exterior of the app.
Professional tip: If in case you have a enterprise account, you may solely have entry to sounds which might be pre-cleared for business use.
After I faucet the Results button, I can see a large lineup of AR filters and different particular results that may increase my face or environment.
That is additionally the place I can select a video overlay-styled filter right here, just like the Pink Love Pink butterfly impact I added under.
10. Document the video.
Now that I’ve added all my crucial results and filters, I’m able to report. To start, I’ll press and maintain the crimson report button.
I can report my video all of sudden, which I love to do once I’m telling one cohesive story, or in items, which is nice once I’m touring and wish to compile a number of pictures right into a compilation video.
If I wished to suit totally different pictures in every video or report it in items, I can maintain the report button for every phase, then let go, and press and maintain it once more once I’m prepared for my subsequent shot.
If I’d quite not maintain down the report button the complete time, I can arrange a timer earlier than coming into report mode. The timer would give me time to prop up my cellphone and pose in entrance of it earlier than it begins robotically recording.
11. Make ultimate edits and add a caption to the video.
After recording the video, I can nonetheless add a musical overlay, filters, and different major particular results. That is additionally once I can add stickers and textual content overlays on prime of the video.
After I’m performed, I can press Subsequent, which directs me to a web page just like Instagram’s put up web page, the place I can add a caption, related hashtags, location, hyperlinks, and extra.
That is additionally the place I might set the video’s privateness, flip feedback on or off, edit the duvet photograph, and permit duets or reactions.
If I’m not able to put up but, I can press the Drafts button on the backside left to reserve it for later.
12. Duet with different customers.
Typically, I’ll see a musical put up that I like a lot, I wish to take part with the one who made it. In spite of everything, I’ve been a skilled singer since age 7!
Fortunately, TikTok permits customers to answer with a Duet video. Many customers these days even create movies which might be particularly meant to be duetted.
Duets aren’t only for songs anymore, although. I can duet any kind of video I like if I wish to touch upon it or infuse my very own humor and character into it.
To make use of this former Musical.ly characteristic, I might discover a video I wish to duet with, press the Share button to see sharing choices, then press the “Duet” choice on the underside row within the heart.
My digital camera display screen will then seem subsequent to the video. I can change the positioning of my digital camera within the duet by clicking totally different templates. From there, I might press report and sing alongside, dance, touch upon, or mimic the video I’m duetting.
To point out you what a completed product appears like, here is an important instance from Gordon Ramsay.
If I put up a video and don’t desire anybody to duet with me, I can faucet the “Duet/React Off” button on the Submit web page earlier than publishing.
Greatest for: The Duet characteristic is a superb approach to take part in viral challenges, encourage audiences to work together together with your model, companion with influencers, or reply questions on your services or products.
13. Take part in a problem.
Like different social media platforms, I sometimes see movies with hashtags for “challenges.”
A problem is when a video put up, firm, or individual encourages customers to movie themselves doing one thing oddly particular — just like the 12345678 problem.
Individuals then movie themselves doing the motion and hashtag the problem title of their put up captions.
There often are not any winners in a TikTok problem, however hashtagging it may assist me get extra followers or views as folks would possibly discover my video when looking the hashtag.
I additionally suppose it’s a straightforward manner for manufacturers to indicate they’re culturally related and have a playful facet, which could be refreshing for customers to see.
Utilizing TikTok Analytics
14. Monitor put up insights.
TikTok offers analytics for creators that may assist me perceive how my content material is acting on the platform with insights reminiscent of video views, follower demographics, likes, and feedback.
This data can assist me perceive who my viewers is and accordingly create content material that may goal that viewers and enhance my analytics.
To entry this characteristic on TikTok, I can go to my profile and faucet the horizontal traces on the prime proper nook of the display screen.
There, I click on “TikTok Studio” to entry all of the creator instruments, together with Analytics, Creator Rewards Program, TikTok Store for Sellers, Artist Hub, and extra.
Underneath Analytics, I can click on the “Get Began” button. Then, faucet “Flip On” to permit TikTok to start monitoring my insights.
Since I haven’t but posted a video on my new check TikTok account, it informs me that I must put up a minimum of one video earlier than accessing analytics.
Professional tip: You’ll be able to seek the advice of the TikTok for Enterprise Starter Information, which is a personalised information that may assist your model produce the strongest customized content material to your objectives and viewers.
15. Use an exterior analytics device.
If I wish to double-check my numbers on a second platform, I may additionally use a device exterior of TikTok to trace analytics.
I personally want Sprout Social, which is a strong social media administration device that permits customers to automate engagement ways, plan social publishing, observe analytics, carry out social listening, develop attain, and handle influencer advertising campaigns.
Different standard instruments embody Socialinsider, Pentos, and Exolyt.
I might advocate these instruments extra for companies who wish to handle their TikTok posts, campaigns, and influencer methods, quite than for particular person creators wanting to trace their very own insights.
For creators, TikTok Analytics will probably be the best and most suitable choice.
How you can Develop Your TikTok Viewers
16. Perceive who your viewers is.
If your corporation does any type of advertising, you already know that one of the vital vital elements of promoting your model is advertising it to the suitable folks.
The identical goes for TikTok.
In such a crowded market, it’s important you’re posting content material that resonates together with your viewers and results in greater engagement from them. Which is already extra potential on TikTok, since it is the social platform with the best engagement at a fee of two.65% per follower rely.
For example, one of many major kinds of manufacturers I comply with on TikTok are skincare manufacturers, together with Laneige.
Again in 2020, Laneige wished to succeed in Gen Z clients in a extremely aggressive skincare market. In spite of everything, as of 2024, 43.7% of all TikTok customers are between ages 18-24, and present Gen Z people are between ages 12-27.
The model used a Branded Hashtag Problem on TikTok to construct product consciousness and share its pores and skin hydration values.
The Branded Impact allowed customers to see on TikTok what their pores and skin may appear like earlier than — uninteresting and dry — and after making use of Laneige — radiant and hydrated.
This helped pave the best way for the #ThirstForLife Branded Hashtag Problem marketing campaign, which resulted in 25 million video views throughout 9.5K video submissions, together with this one.
Laneige understood who their target market was and created a filter and problem on TikTok that they knew would enchantment to that Gen Z viewers in a pure manner. In spite of everything, there’s nothing I hate greater than dry pores and skin!
17. Accomplice with influencers or celebrities.
A good way to develop your model’s viewers on TikTok is by collaborating with individuals who have already got an even bigger viewers.
When you’ll probably want to speculate a fairly penny into the collaboration — the precise quantity will rely upon their degree of celeb — it may be an funding price spending.
Returning to my Laneige instance, the model introduced Sydney Sweeney as its official international ambassador in January 2024. Julien Bouzitat, model normal supervisor for Laneige US, defined how influential the partnership was in a press launch:
“A terrific instance of the magnitude of our partnership with Sydney could be our social follower development. For the reason that first announcement of Sydney as our U.S. ambassador in spring 2022, we skilled a right away 227% surge in TikTok followers and 53% development in Instagram followers.”
In response to the press launch, one behind-the-scenes video of Sydney on a LANEIGE manufacturing set went viral “thrice over, accumulating 72 million views throughout TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. That’s the kind of affect and attain Sydney has.”
18. Collaborate with different manufacturers.
Partnering with different manufacturers is a good way to generate profits on social media, in addition to develop your following.
You possibly can take into account partnering with manufacturers throughout the similar trade, which might probably make sure you’re concentrating on the suitable viewers whereas constructing a robust relationship with an in any other case competitor.
Alternatively, you can companion with a model in a special trade and are available collectively for a particular collab services or products that might assist bridge your audiences and produce a surprise-and-delight impact.
Two of my absolute favourite manufacturers lately partnered for a enjoyable summer season collaboration that had the feedback part in buzz.
Fishwife, a woman-owned premium tinned fish model, and Lisa Says Gah, a woman-owned impartial clothes boutique collaborated on a limited-edition tinned fish, Fishwife-inspired t-shirt, nail sticker sheet, and jewellery.
Whereas it might appear unusual how a tinned fish firm and a clothes boutique may presumably come collectively, the feedback included sentiments reminiscent of “Probably the most unbelievable collab,” “WHAT A COLLABBBB,” and “OBSESSED.”
92% of TikTok customers take motion after watching a video on the platform, which implies there may be loads of actionable worth in creating the suitable content material for the suitable viewers.
TikTok on Lock
As a late bloomer to the platform, I can utterly relate to the intimidation of getting began on TikTok.
Whereas it has many options and instruments that may come throughout as difficult, they really give you much more alternatives for robust content material creation and reference to customers.
Listed below are a few of my finest ideas and tips for navigating TikTok:
- Use TikTok to construct model consciousness and introduce your corporation to customers because of TikTok Store. In spite of everything, 30% of every day TikTok customers have engaged with TikTok Store, and 71.2% of TikTop Store customers have made a purchase order after viewing a product of their feed.
- Have enjoyable with particular results. There are a lot of methods to boost your video, and audiences on TikTok anticipate it. So, mess around and experiment with them.
- Embrace the music. Most movies on the platform have a music or sound impact within the background.
- Movie just a few movies with a number of pictures at totally different angles. It will make the video really feel extra lively and interesting.
- Be happy to indicate a lighter facet or a humorousness. Individuals come to this platform to be entertained, and comedy can go a good distance.
- Use fashionable hashtags and check out a problem video. Then, embody related hashtags in your put up caption so your video reveals up when folks seek for it.
- Keep in mind that customers’ consideration spans are brief, and follow a number of shorter movies quite than a pair longer ones.
- Proceed to observe movies in your FYP and seek for new movies. This can assist you see what different manufacturers and creators are doing and spark inspiration to your technique.
Most of all, be open to alter. TikTok is a always evolving platform, and the easiest way to make use of it’s to be prepared to comply with the modifications.
That reveals your viewers you’re prepared to constantly adapt to their pursuits and keep related, which is the very best factor you’ll be able to hope for from a enterprise you belief.
Editor’s be aware: This put up was initially revealed in August 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.