How to Use TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide

I used to be a kind of Zillennials who averted getting began on TikTok for so long as doable. 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 standard time to jot down this publish as a result of I’ve needed to spend a lot of it on TikTok, which inherently results in distraction (don’t fear, I bought there ultimately).

TikTok had 1.5 billion monthly active users in 2023 and is anticipated to have 1.8 billion customers by the tip of 2024.

For comparability, in line with knowledge from a 2024 Kepios study, 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 quick, 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 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 correct individuals.

Desk of Contents

Methods to 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 publish 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 person or a enterprise. Under are three examples of the way you may make the most of TikTok for work or enjoyable.

1. Seek for recommendation or data on nearly any matter.

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 infinite 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 probably the most constructive evaluations and was the closest to my lodge. Inside 20 minutes, I had a scrumptious Ancho Potato breakfast burrito in hand and a smile on my face.

This can be a good instance of how you need to use TikTok to rapidly achieve 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 adverts and conflicting skilled opinions.

Generally, you simply need recommendation from an everyday, native particular person whom you may wholeheartedly belief.

2. Sustain with present developments.

As a 27-year-old lady, I’m instructed I ought to all the time be “within the know.” Nonetheless, I nonetheless discover myself, at instances, behind on the most recent pattern.

Whether or not or not it’s that viral overnight Korean face mask or U.S. girls’s rugby participant Ilona Maher’s hilarious Olympics content, social media permits for a continuing turnover in content material that may make it really feel unimaginable to remain knowledgeable.

Nonetheless, among the finest components 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 excited about and targets you with related content material. Whereas this can be worrisome for some individuals, it does make it rather a lot simpler to curate the content material you view.

You can even simply seek for developments by title in TikTok in the event you hear or see one thing talked about that you’re unfamiliar with. This may also help 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 may achieve much more alternatives as a creator. I’ll dive extra deeply into this later, however among the finest methods to make use of TikTok is to create content material that may attain your audience and assist develop your following.

Taking part in developments and challenges is an effective way to make participating content material, however there are different methods you may make use of, equivalent to constantly posting and utilizing the right hashtags and collaborating with different creators or manufacturers.

For example, one in every of my favourite recipe developer creators, Justine Doironm, not too long ago 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 just’ve learn 3 ways you need to use TikTok — past senseless scrolling — it’s possible you’ll 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.

Methods to 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 check one for this publish.

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 out 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 out 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 method to promote your different visible platforms. Improve your profile to a enterprise account if you wish to market your small business on TikTok.

This can be a sensible thought since 61% of marketers use TikTok for influencer advertising initiatives.

To do that, go to your profile and faucet the horizontal traces on the high 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 will solely have in-app entry.

You can not set your small business profile to personal. Nonetheless, 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 Partaking 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 check TikTok, the app sends me random trending movies somewhat than any content material created by accounts I comply with.

As I start following and interacting with extra individuals, my feed will grow to be 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 positioned alongside the correct 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 high 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 beneath the search bar to see movies by trending matter.

For example, after I wrote this publish, the Paris 2024 Olympics have been in full swing. Thus, you will note that each 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 rapidly, so I really 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 beneath 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 completed this, however you can too create a group 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 individuals on TikTok on my new account — whether or not they be my favourite model, in style content material creators, or my greatest 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 individuals 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 conceal 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 possibility 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 traces within the high 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 customers to seek out your small business TikTok.

Methods to 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 digicam.

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 popular 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 conceal blemishes and clean out my pores and skin.
• Filters: This lets me change the colour and aesthetic filters of the digicam.
• Velocity: I can report my video in gradual movement or pace it up (which is a good possibility 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 digicam permits me to report a video or take a photograph, and templates provide premade combos of music and results to make my video pop.

Sounds and Results

On the highest heart of the digicam display screen, there’s a music be aware icon with “Add Sound” subsequent to it. I can faucet this to decide on the tune or sound impact I wish to overlay on my video.

On the underside of the digicam, there’s an Results icon to the left and an Add button to the correct if I might somewhat use movies I’ve already recorded exterior of the app.

Professional tip: When you have a enterprise account, you will solely have entry to sounds which can be pre-cleared for industrial 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 beneath.

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 purple report button.

I can report my video suddenly, which I love to do after I’m telling one cohesive story, or in items, which is nice after I’m touring and wish to compile a number of photographs right into a compilation video.

If I wished to suit totally different photographs in every video or report it in items, I can maintain the report 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 somewhat not maintain down the report button all the time, I can arrange a timer earlier than coming into report mode. The timer would give me time to prop up my telephone 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 after I can add stickers and textual content overlays on high of the video.

After I’m completed, I can press Subsequent, which directs me to a web page just like Instagram’s publish web page, the place I can add a caption, relevant 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 publish 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 publish that I really 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 can 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” possibility on the underside row within the heart.

My digicam display screen will then seem subsequent to the video. I can change the positioning of my digicam 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 indicate you what a completed product seems to be like, here is a terrific instance from Gordon Ramsay.

If I publish a video and don’t need anybody to duet with me, I can faucet the “Duet/React Off” button on the Submit web page earlier than publishing.

Finest for: The Duet characteristic is a wonderful method to take part in viral challenges, encourage audiences to work together together with your model, associate 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 publish, firm, or particular person encourages customers to movie themselves doing one thing oddly particular — just like the 12345678 challenge.

Individuals then movie themselves doing the motion and hashtag the problem title of their publish captions.

There often are not any winners in a TikTok problem, however hashtagging it may assist me get extra followers or views as individuals may discover my video when looking the hashtag.

I additionally suppose it’s a straightforward method for manufacturers to indicate they’re culturally related and have a playful facet, which will be refreshing for customers to see.

Utilizing TikTok Analytics

14. Monitor publish insights.

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

This data may also help me perceive who my viewers is and accordingly create content material that can 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 high 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 check TikTok account, it informs me that I must publish at the very least one video earlier than accessing analytics.

Professional tip: You’ll be able to seek the advice of the TikTok for Business Starter Guide, which is a customized information that may assist your model produce the strongest customized content material on your targets and viewers.

15. Use an exterior analytics instrument.

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

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

Different in style instruments embrace Socialinsider, Pentos, and Exolyt.

I might advocate these instruments extra for companies who wish to handle their TikTok posts, campaigns, and influencer methods, somewhat than for particular person creators wanting to trace their very own insights.

For creators, TikTok Analytics will possible be the simplest and most suitable choice.

Methods to Develop Your TikTok Viewers

16. Perceive who your viewers is.

If your small business does any type of advertising, you already know that one of the vital vital components of selling your model is advertising it to the correct individuals.

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 increased engagement from them. Which is already extra doable on TikTok, since it is the social platform with the very best engagement at a rate of 2.65% per follower depend.

For example, one of many fundamental kinds of manufacturers I comply with on TikTok are skincare manufacturers, together with Laneige.

Again in 2020, Laneige wanted to reach Gen Z customers in a extremely aggressive skincare market. In spite of everything, as of 2024, 43.7% of all TikTok users 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 — boring and dry — and after making use of Laneige — radiant and hydrated.

This helped pave the way in which 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 method. In spite of everything, there’s nothing I hate greater than dry pores and skin!

17. Companion with influencers or celebrities.

A good way to develop your model’s viewers on TikTok is by collaborating with individuals who have already got a much bigger viewers.

When you’ll possible want to speculate a fairly penny into the collaboration — the precise quantity will rely on their stage of celeb — it may be an funding price spending.

Returning to my Laneige instance, the model announced Sydney Sweeney as its official global ambassador in January 2024. Julien Bouzitat, model normal supervisor for Laneige US, defined how influential the partnership was in a press release:

“An excellent instance of the magnitude of our partnership with Sydney can be our social follower progress. 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% progress in Instagram followers.”

In keeping with the press launch, one behind-the-scenes video of Sydney on a LANEIGE manufacturing set went viral “3 times 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 money on social media, in addition to develop your following.

You might think about partnering with manufacturers inside the similar business, which might possible make sure you’re focusing on the correct viewers whereas constructing a robust relationship with an in any other case competitor.

Alternatively, you could possibly associate with a model in a distinct business 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 not too long ago partnered for a fun summer 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 could appear unusual how a tinned fish firm and a clothes boutique may probably come collectively, the feedback included sentiments equivalent to “Probably the most unbelievable collab,” “WHAT A COLLABBBB,” and “OBSESSED.”

92% of TikTok users take motion after watching a video on the platform, which implies there’s a number of actionable worth in creating the correct content material for the correct 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 sophisticated, they really offer you much more alternatives for sturdy 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 your small business to customers because of TikTok Shop. In spite of everything, 30% of daily TikTok users 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 various 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 tune or sound impact within the background.
• Movie a number of movies with a number of photographs at totally different angles. This may 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 great distance.
• Use fashionable hashtags and check out a problem video. Then, embrace related hashtags in your publish caption so your video reveals up when individuals seek for it.
• Keep in mind that customers’ consideration spans are quick, and keep on with a number of shorter movies somewhat than a pair longer ones.
• Proceed to look at movies in your FYP and seek for new movies. This may also help you see what different manufacturers and creators are doing and spark inspiration on your technique.

Most of all, be open to vary. TikTok is a continually evolving platform, and one of the simplest ways to make use of it’s to be prepared to comply with the modifications.

That reveals your viewers you’re prepared to repeatedly adapt to their pursuits and keep related, which is the perfect factor you may hope for from a enterprise you belief.

Editor’s be aware: This publish was initially revealed in August 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.