TikTok 101: A Guide to Getting Started as Creator

Are you new to TikTok and feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the basics of TikTok and help you become a confident user in no time.

TikTok Getting Started Guide

1. Creating Your TikTok Account

To begin your journey in this TikTok getting started guide is to create your account.

Head to either Google Play or the App Store and download the TikTok app. Once installed, the app will start showing you videos right away. While you can browse videos without an account, you’ll need one if you want to record and post your own content.

Creating an account on TikTok is a breeze. You can either connect your existing social media accounts like Facebook, Gmail, or Twitter, or you can create a unique username and password using your email or phone number.

If you choose your phone number, TikTok will assign a generic username like “user1234567.” Opting for an email address gives you a personalized ID, and don’t worry; you can change your username later. TikTok will also ask for your birthday, as users must be at least 13 years old to use the app. If you’re younger than 13, you’ll be placed in a Younger Users experience where guardians can monitor your online activity.

2. Editing Your TikTok Profile

Once your account is set up, you can edit your TikTok profile. Tap the Profile icon at the bottom right corner to access your profile, where you can view your photo, the number of users you’re following, your followers, and the total likes your videos have received. You’ll also find the videos you’ve posted and liked.

To edit your profile, tap the Edit Profile button. From there, you can upload your photo or a profile video, change your name and username, write an 80-character bio, and link your Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter profiles.

If you’re an influencer with a following on other platforms, linking your accounts can boost your TikTok presence and make it easier to share your videos across different social media channels.

By default, TikTok accounts are public, meaning anyone can see your profile and videos. You can change this by clicking the three lines in the top right corner of your profile, selecting the Settings and Privacy option, and toggling the Private Account option. When you have a private account, you’ll need to manually approve each user’s request to follow you. Additionally, you can set individual video privacy settings to private when you start posting.

Filming TikTok Videos

1. Navigating the Recording Interface

The second things you need to learn on this TikTok getting started guide is to record your first content.

To start recording a TikTok video, click the plus icon at the center, which opens your phone’s camera. You can create videos with durations of 15 seconds, 60 seconds, or 3 minutes. There’s also a Quick option for fast recording and a Template option for pre-made photo slideshow templates.

In the top right corner, you’ll find several icons to enhance your recording experience:

• Speed: Record slow motion or fast forward videos.
• Filters: Apply filters to your video.
• Beauty: Use an AR filter to correct skin blemishes, apply makeup, or adjust facial features.
• Timer: Set an auto-record countdown for hands-free filming.
• Reply: View comments or questions to reply to in your video.

2. Using Music and Effects

Music is a vital part of TikTok, and the app boasts a vast library of popular songs to choose from. You can lip-sync, dance, or use music as background accompaniment in your videos. Using popular songs can increase the chances of your video going viral.

Keep in mind that TikTok has only snippets of songs and not full-length tracks, which can be a challenge if you’re looking for a specific part of a less common song. One workaround is to play the desired song on an external device while recording; TikTok will recognize it as original sound. However, be cautious, as this may lead to copyright violations.

To add music to your video, tap the top center of the recording interface to see the list of available sounds categorized by genre, trending status, and recommended sounds for you. When browsing videos, you can also click on the spinning record icon to find other videos using the same sound. Add your favorite sounds to your list for future use or click “Use This Sound” to go directly to the recording screen.

TikTok offers a wide array of effects, ranging from subtle to grandiose, including effects tailored for cats and dogs.

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3. Editing Your Video

After recording your video, you can make final edits before publishing it. TikTok allows you to:

• Add text overlays, stickers, and more effects
• Apply filters
• Adjust clip lengths
• Add a voice-over and apply voice effects

Once you’re satisfied with your edited video, click “Next” to access the post interface, which is similar to Instagram.

4. Publishing Your Video

When you’re ready to share your masterpiece with the world, it’s time to publish it. On the post page, you can add captions, hashtags, and mention other users. Adding hashtags increases the chances of your video being discovered, while mentioning popular users helps attract attention. You can even include a link to another of your TikTok videos directly within the caption.

TikTok recently introduced a feature that allows you to tag other users in your video, keeping the caption clean and clutter-free.

Before publishing, you have several settings to consider:

• Privacy settings: Choose who can watch your video.
• Comments: Enable or disable comments.
• Duet or stitch: Allow others to duet or stitch with your video.
• Share to other platforms: Choose to share your video on other social media channels.

Once you’ve made your choices, click “Post,” and your video will be published automatically. TikTok saves posted videos on your device by default.

Growing Your TikTok Audience

Now you’ve learned all the basics, so what’s next? The last thing in this TikTok getting started guide is to grow your audience.

A large and engaged audience is vital for TikTok monetization. Fortunately, TikTok’s algorithm favors quick discovery, making it easier for your videos to reach a broader audience. Here are some effective ways to get more followers on TikTok:

1. Know your target audience: Create content that resonates with your ideal viewers.
2. Participate in TikTok trends: Joining challenges and using trending hashtags can boost your visibility.
3. Create and join TikTok challenges: Engaging with popular challenges helps attract followers.
4. Collaborate with other TikTok influencers: Partnering with influencers expands your reach.
5. Post consistently and strategically: Regularly posting quality content keeps your audience engaged.
6. Use relevant hashtags: Appropriate hashtags increase discoverability.
7. Cross-promote your TikTok videos: Share your TikTok content on other social media channels.
8. Engage with other videos: Interact with other users’ content to build connections.
9. Utilize TikTok Promote: Consider paid promotion for wider exposure.

Knowing your target audience allows you to tailor content that appeals to them, attracting more followers. Participating in challenges and using trending hashtags helps your videos get discovered by a wider audience. Collaborating with other influencers increases your exposure, especially with features like TikTok Duet and Stitch.

Consistency is crucial in building an audience. With users spending a considerable amount of time on TikTok daily, posting regularly ensures your content stays visible.

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Conclusion

That’s all about this TikTok getting started guide.

TikTok is a dynamic and engaging platform that can seem overwhelming at first, but fear not! This guide has provided you with all the essential information to get started and become a confident user.

From creating your account and editing your profile to filming captivating videos and growing your audience, you now have the tools to succeed on TikTok. Remember to stay consistent, engage with others, and participate in trends to maximize your reach.

So, get ready to unleash your creativity, share your unique content, and make your mark in the TikTok community.