Use TikTok: A Step-by-Step Information

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 simply 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 write down this submit as a result of I’ve needed to spend a lot of it on TikTok, which inherently results in distraction (don’t fear, I obtained 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 top of 2024.

For comparability, in keeping 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 apparent, 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 a number of steps, with pictures, to stroll you thru organising your profile, filming your first video, including particular results, and utilizing challenges or duets to interact 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 appropriate individuals.

Desk of Contents

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 submit flattering pictures of myself!

So, what was the purpose?

What I’ve realized over time is that TikTok has many use instances — whether or not you might be a person social media consumer 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.

Not too long ago, 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 infinite slew of choices close to me. How was I to determine?

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 probably the most optimistic opinions 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 good instance of how you need to use TikTok to shortly acquire details about a distinct segment matter. I may have searched “greatest 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.

Generally, you simply need recommendation from a daily, native individual whom you’ll be able to wholeheartedly belief.

2. Sustain with present tendencies.

As a 27-year-old girl, I’m advised I ought to all the time be “within the know.” Nonetheless, I nonetheless discover myself, at occasions, behind on the most recent development.

Whether or not 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 continuing turnover in content material that may make it really feel inconceivable to remain knowledgeable.

Nonetheless, probably the greatest elements about TikTok is how straightforward it’s to find what’s trending. Your “For You Web page” (also referred to as FYP) simply analyzes what you’re thinking about and targets you with related content material. Whereas this can be worrisome for some individuals, it does make it lots simpler to curate the content material you view.

It’s also possible to simply seek for tendencies 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 development.

3. Create content material to assist develop your following.

Whereas TikTok has many beneficial makes use of merely as a consumer, you’ll be able to acquire much more alternatives as a creator. I’ll dive extra deeply into this later, however probably the greatest methods to make use of TikTok is to create content material that may attain your audience and assist develop your following.

Collaborating in tendencies and challenges is an effective way to make partaking content material, however there are different methods you’ll be able to make use of, corresponding to constantly posting and utilizing the right hashtags and collaborating with different creators or manufacturers.

For example, one among my favourite recipe developer creators, Justine Doironm, lately posted a greeny tahini egg salad sandwich recipe on TikTok that was a paid partnership with Important Farms, an organization that ethically sources eggs, butter, and ghee.

Now that you just’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 organising an account.

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 organising a brand new take a look at one for this submit.

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 dropped at 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 will 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.

If you happen to’re a enterprise, this may very well be a useful option to promote your different visible platforms. Improve your profile to a enterprise account if you wish to market what you are promoting on TikTok.

It is a sensible concept since 61% of entrepreneurs use TikTok for influencer advertising and marketing initiatives.

To do that, go to your profile and faucet the horizontal strains 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 what you are promoting profile to non-public. Nonetheless, I’ve the choice to set my private account to non-public. After tapping Settings and Privateness, I’d faucet Privateness and toggle the Non-public 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 Residence tab by clicking the “Residence” 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 take a look at TikTok, the app sends me random trending movies slightly than any content material created by accounts I comply with.

As I start following and interacting with extra individuals, my feed will change into extra customized to my pursuits and the accounts I comply with.

4. Like, remark, or share movies you get pleasure from.

Once I discover a video I like, I can faucet the guts to love it or the speech bubble to touch upon it.

To share the video, I’d press the ahead signal beneath the remark image to see my sharing choices. These symbols are all positioned alongside the appropriate facet of the video.

If I like a video and need to see if the consumer has extra posts I would get pleasure from, 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 have a look at the phrases and names under the search bar to see movies by trending matter.

For example, after I wrote this submit, the Paris 2024 Olympics have been in full swing. Thus, you will notice that every one my trending subjects 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 below my Saved tab. The Saved tab can get messy shortly, 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 begin a group. 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 carried out this, however you can too create a group of your favourite sounds, results, and hashtags, which is useful to tug from for future movies.

7. Observe customers.

As soon as I need to begin maintaining with individuals on TikTok on my new account — whether or not they be my favourite model, fashionable content material creators, or my greatest pal — I can comply with them by urgent the icon with their profile image and a plus signal.

I can particularly search TikTok accounts or individuals I need 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 huge (though it’s additionally completely acceptable to need 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 shortly. It is a really perfect choice if I run into an adoring fan in one that desires to comply with me (kidding).

To seek out my TikCode, I can go to my profile and click on the three horizontal strains 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 will be positioned in your merchandise, storefronts, menus, and so on., to make it straightforward for shoppers to seek out what you are promoting TikTok.

Submit on TikTok

9. Arrange your shot and pick 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 need 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 need 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 file my video in gradual movement or velocity it up (which is a good 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 Digital camera and Template tabs. The digital camera permits me to file 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 observe icon with “Add Sound” subsequent to it. I can faucet this to decide on the tune or sound impact I need to overlay on my video.

On the underside of the digital camera, there’s an Results icon to the left and an Add button to the appropriate if I’d slightly use movies I’ve already recorded outdoors of the app.

Professional tip: When you have a enterprise account, you may solely have entry to sounds which might be pre-cleared for industrial use.

Once 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 pick a video overlay-styled filter right here, just like the Pink Love Pink butterfly impact I added under.

10. Report the video.

Now that I’ve added all my essential results and filters, I’m able to file. To start, I’ll press and maintain the purple file button.

I can file my video abruptly, which I love to do after I’m telling one cohesive story, or in items, which is nice after I’m touring and need to compile a number of pictures right into a compilation video.

If I wished to suit totally different pictures in every video or file it in items, I can maintain the file button for every section, then let go, and press and maintain it once more after I’m prepared for my subsequent shot.

If I’d slightly not maintain down the file button your complete time, I can arrange a timer earlier than coming into file 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 last 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 after I can add stickers and textual content overlays on prime of the video.

Once I’m carried out, I can press Subsequent, which directs me to a web page just like Instagram’s submit web page, the place I can add a caption, related hashtags, location, hyperlinks, and extra.

That is additionally the place I’d 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 submit but, I can press the Drafts button on the backside left to reserve it for later.

12. Duet with different customers.

Generally, I’ll see a musical submit that I like a lot, I need to take part with the one who made it. In any case, I’ve been a educated 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 need to touch upon it or infuse my very own humor and character into it.

To make use of this former Musical.ly function, I’d discover a video I need 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’d press file and sing alongside, dance, touch upon, or mimic the video I’m duetting.

To indicate you what a completed product seems like, here is an incredible instance from Gordon Ramsay.

If I submit 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 function is a superb option to take part in viral challenges, encourage audiences to work together along 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 submit, firm, or individual encourages customers to movie themselves doing one thing oddly particular — just like the 12345678 problem.

Members then movie themselves doing the motion and hashtag the problem title of their submit captions.

There often are not any winners in a TikTok problem, however hashtagging it may assist me get extra followers or views as individuals 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 will be refreshing for shoppers to see.

Utilizing TikTok Analytics

14. Monitor submit insights.

TikTok gives analytics for creators that may assist me perceive how my content material is acting on the platform with insights corresponding to video views, follower demographics, likes, and feedback.

This data can assist me perceive who my viewers is and accordingly create content material that can goal that viewers and enhance my analytics.

To entry this function on TikTok, I can go to my profile and faucet the horizontal strains 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.

Beneath 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 take a look at TikTok account, it informs me that I must submit a minimum of one video earlier than accessing analytics.

Professional tip: You may 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 instrument.

If I need to double-check my numbers on a second platform, I may additionally use a instrument outdoors of TikTok to trace analytics.

I personally want Sprout Social, which is a robust social media administration instrument that permits customers to automate engagement techniques, plan social publishing, observe analytics, carry out social listening, develop attain, and handle influencer advertising and marketing campaigns.

Different fashionable instruments embody Socialinsider, Pentos, and Exolyt.

I’d suggest these instruments extra for companies who need to handle their TikTok posts, campaigns, and influencer methods, slightly than for particular person creators wanting to trace their very own insights.

For creators, TikTok Analytics will doubtless be the best and best choice.

Develop Your TikTok Viewers

16. Perceive who your viewers is.

If what you are promoting does any type of advertising and marketing, you already know that some of the necessary elements of promoting your model is advertising and marketing it to the appropriate individuals.

The identical goes for TikTok.

In such a crowded market, it’s important you’re posting content material that resonates along with your viewers and results in larger 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 depend.

For example, one of many principal sorts 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 any case, 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 to be 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 audience was and created a filter and problem on TikTok that they knew would attraction to that Gen Z viewers in a pure manner. In any case, 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 doubtless 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 world ambassador in January 2024. Julien Bouzitat, model normal supervisor for Laneige US, defined how influential the partnership was in a press launch:

“An awesome instance of the magnitude of our partnership with Sydney could be our social follower development. Because the first announcement of Sydney as our U.S. ambassador in spring 2022, we skilled a direct 227% surge in TikTok followers and 53% development in Instagram followers.”

In keeping with 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 an effective way to make cash on social media, in addition to develop your following.

You might contemplate partnering with manufacturers throughout the identical trade, which might doubtless make sure you’re focusing on the appropriate viewers whereas constructing a powerful relationship with an in any other case competitor.

Alternatively, you possibly can companion with a model in a unique trade and are available collectively for a particular collab services or products that will 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 unbiased 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 corresponding to “Essentially the most unimaginable collab,” “WHAT A COLLABBBB,” and “OBSESSED.”

92% of TikTok customers take motion after watching a video on the platform, which implies there’s a number of actionable worth in creating the appropriate content material for the appropriate 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 offer you much more alternatives for robust content material creation and reference to customers.

Listed below are a few of my greatest ideas and methods for navigating TikTok:

• Use TikTok to construct model consciousness and introduce what you are promoting to customers because of TikTok Store. In any case, 30% of each 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 numerous methods to boost your video, and audiences on TikTok count on it. So, mess around and experiment with them.
• Embrace the music. Most movies on the platform have a tune or sound impact within the background.
• Movie a number of 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. Folks 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 submit caption so your video reveals up when individuals seek for it.
• Do not forget that customers’ consideration spans are brief, and persist with a number of shorter movies slightly than a pair longer ones.
• Proceed to look at 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 continually evolving platform, and one of the best ways to make use of it’s to be keen to comply with the modifications.

That reveals your viewers you’re keen to repeatedly adapt to their pursuits and keep related, which is one of the best factor you’ll be able to hope for from a enterprise you belief.

Editor’s observe: This submit was initially printed in August 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.