Everything You Need to Know on How to Use TikTok

Are you curious about how to use TikTok? 

TikTok has taken the world by storm, captivating audiences of all ages. Whether you’re looking for fun storytime videos or humorous dance moves, the power of TikTok is undeniable!

At its core, TikTok provides an exciting and creative platform to express yourself through video format; no matter your interests, there’s something for everyone on this vibrant network.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basics of using TikTok so that you can confidently join in on the fun!

Read on as we cover the following:

• What is TikTok?
• 1.) Getting Started with TikTok
• 2.) Wandering Tiktok
• 3.) Create Videos on TikTok
• 4.) Start Posting Videos on TikTok
• 5.) Joining TikTok Challenges
• 6.) Exploring TikTok Duet and Stitch
• 7.) Earning in TikTok
• 8.) Growing Your TikTok Audience
• 9.) Understanding TikTok Analytics
• Additional Tips to Become an Advanced TikTok User
• Final Thoughts on How to Use TikTok
• Frequently Asked Questions on How to Use TikTok

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a Chinese-owned app that allows users to create and share short videos. The app was known as Musical.ly until Bytedance purchased it and renamed it TikTok in 2016.

TikTok has become one of the quickest-growing social media platforms, with a scaling of 1 billion active users monthly. In the last quarter of 2021, it achieved over 160 million installs.

Although most TikTok users are between 10-29, there has also been an increase in older users. The platform became particularly popular during the pandemic when people sought entertainment while being stuck at home.

1.) Getting Started with TikTok

Making a TikTok account

To begin, access the Google Play or App Store and download TikTok. Once downloaded and opened, the app will immediately begin displaying videos. It is optional to make an account to browse videos on TikTok.

But to start recording and sharing videos, you need to make one.

To sign up for TikTok, connect your Facebook, Gmail, or Twitter account or create a new account with your phone number or email and a standard username and password.

If you provide your phone number on TikTok, your username will be generic (example: user1234567). However, if you provide your email address, you can personalize your ID.

TikTok will direct those under 13 to the correct age-appropriate experience in the US, allowing guardians to supervise their online activity.

Editing your TikTok profile

After you make your account, you can change it. Tap the button at the bottom that says profile.

The Profile tab will show your picture, how many people you follow, how many people are following you, and how many likes your videos got. It also shows which videos you posted and liked.

Click the “Edit Profile” button to start editing. You can put a picture or video of yourself.

Change your name and username, write a short description that is 80 characters long, and link any other social media accounts you have, like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

If you already have a lot of followers on other platforms, one way to get more people to follow you on TikTok is to show that it’s the same account as your other accounts.

Linking them makes it easier for people to see your TikTok videos across different sites.

Every TikTok accounts are public by default, meaning anyone can view the videos you post and your profile.

However, you can change this setting by selecting the Settings and Privacy option after clicking on the three lines in the top right corner of your profile.

By toggling the Private Account option, you can make your account private but keep in mind that you will need to manually approve each user request to follow you.

Alternatively, you can set individual videos’ privacy settings to private when posting videos.

2.) Wandering Tiktok

Browsing videos

The algorithm on TikTok is both intuitive and powerful. On the main page, there are two feeds: “For You” and “Following.”

The “For You” tab displays a constant flow of random videos from TikTok users worldwide.

TikTok uses your viewing history to recommend videos it thinks you will enjoy, creating a diverse and endless content selection. The more you watch, the more similar videos will appear.

The “Following” tab displays videos uploaded by TikTok users you have decided to follow.

A magnifying glass next to these tabs allows you to search for user accounts to view their videos.

Every time you watch a video, you will see five icons on the right side:

• A circle with a photo
• A Heart icon
• A speech bubble icon
• An arrow pointing to the right icon
• A spinning record with emanating music notes

The first icon displays the profile picture of the creator and includes a plus sign at the bottom, allowing you to follow them easily. Following a creator will enable you to see more of their videos on the “Following” tab.

The “heart” option displays the number of users who have liked the video. Liking a video will inform TikTok of your preferences and prompt the app to display similar videos.

TikTok now allows you to send gifts to your preferred creators through comments. But only those comments that contain the gift icon will enable this feature.

Furthermore, you’ll need coins to buy virtual gifts for your favorite creators.

TikTok’s early method to attract more users was to simplify sharing content on other platforms. Users can access the Sharing Settings by clicking the arrow icon under the comment section.

You can send the video to other TikTok users or share it on other social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, or Telegram.

You can share the video link on any platform or download the video. There are also options to use the video as wallpaper or add it to your favorite collection.

You can identify the music used by TikTok creators through a spinning record icon at the bottom right of every video. Click on the icon to view other videos using the same sound.

Using this feature can include the same sound in your video creation.

Discovering more videos

In addition to the main feed, TikTok provides five options at the bottom of the app to easily discover other video content:

• Home
• Discover
• A plus sign
• Inbox
• Profile

The Home icon appears on the main page with the For You and Following feeds. TikTok has also begun showing Live videos.

You can locate the Live option at the left of the Home page. Using this option opens a new stream of videos. You can watch a user and interact with them in real-time.

The Discover icon lets you see trending hashtags, sounds, and effects on TikTok. Furthermore, the Discover icon is also where TikTok advertises ongoing and upcoming Challenges you can participate in.

The plus icon opens your camera and lets you begin recording a TikTok video.

TikTok lets you send private messages to other TikTok users as long as you follow each other. These messages will show in the inbox.

The profile icon shows your profile and videos you’ve done and liked.

3.) Create Videos on TikTok

Navigating the record interface

To start recording a TikTok video, click on the plus icon at the center of the screen.

The plus icon will open your phone’s camera. You can create a video up to 15 seconds, 60 seconds, or 3 minutes long.

You can also pick the “Quick” option to quickly record a video or the Template option to use pre-made templates for photo slideshows.

In the top right are several icons to help enhance your recording experience. There’s a flip option at the top to help you use your back or front camera. The other icons are:

• Speed: Helps you record slow-motion or fast-forward videos.
• Filters: This lets you use filters for your video.
• Beauty: An AR filter that lets you enhance skin blemishes, add makeup, and even adjust the shape of your face.
• Timer: Let’s set an auto-record countdown to help you film hands-free.
• Reply: This shows comments or questions you reply to with the video.

Using music and effects

TikTok has the odds over other social media platforms due to its extensive collection of popular music that you can use for lip-syncing, dancing, or background music. Music is an integral part of TikTok’s identity, and using a popular song can enhance the chances of your video going viral.

However, TikTok doesn’t have unlimited music and mostly only snippets of sound you can’t edit. Additionally, this may be a problem if you’re looking for a specific portion of an uncommon song.

A workaround is to use the song on an external device while recording. TikTok will add this as an original sound. A warning, though–using this way can result in copyright violations.

When you want to add sound to your video, tap the middle of the top part of the recording screen. You will see a list of sounds; some are in categories, some are popular, and some are for you.

Editing your video

After recording your original video, you can use TikTok’s editing tools before publishing it. Post-recording, TikTok lets you do the following:

• Insert text overlays, stickers, and more effects
• Insert filters
• Change the clips’ length
• Insert a voice-over and apply voice effects to it

When satisfied with your edited video, click next to see a post interface similar to Instagram.

4.) Start Posting Videos on TikTok

Now that you’ve done recording, it’s time to post videos on the TikTok community. You can add captions and hashtags on the posting page and mention other users in your videos.

By using hashtags, your video has a higher possibility of being found. Joining in with popular hashtags can help your video reach a bigger audience faster.

Also, mentioning popular users can increase your video’s visibility. In addition, it is possible to include a link to one of your existing videos in the caption.

On TikTok, a feature lets you add other people to your video. You can tag them instead of writing their name.

Before posting your video, you can control a few more settings.

• You can control the privacy settings by picking who can watch your video.
• You can turn comments on or off.
• You can let a duet or stitch of your video.
• You can pick to share your video on your other social media platforms.

When you’re ready, tap post and the video will automatically be published. Posted videos are downloaded on your device by default.

5.) Joining TikTok Challenges

On TikTok, people can do challenges together. Everyone can make or join in a challenge. The challenge might be to do something special and use a certain hashtag.

Challenges can be from regular people or brands. Brands create challenges to get more people interested in their products. They might give prizes to users who join their challenge and do it the best.

Anyone can start an organic challenge. People join in for fun, even if there is no winner.

If you join in on challenges on TikTok, more people can see your videos, and you might get more followers. Go to the Discover section to find challenges and hashtags that are popular right now.

6.) Exploring TikTok Duet and Stitch

A TikTok duet is when you join another user to make a video. Find the other person’s video and tap the share icon to do a duet. Then select duet.

You will see two videos side by side, and their video will start playing as soon as you press record. You can use the same tools to record and edit your part of the duet.

TikTok Stitch is good for making reaction videos. To use it, tap the share button on the video and then select Stitch. You can cut up to 5 seconds of the original video for your own.

Tap next, and you can make a new ending for the video. People can make fun ideas with TikTok Duet and Stitch that might get them famous quickly!

7.) Earning in TikTok

TikTok influencers can make money. They can earn from $200 to $5000 every month, depending on how many followers they have.

TikTok has ways for these top creators to turn their accounts into money-makers. Here are some of the ways to make money on TikTok:

• Connect to the TikTok Creator Fund and TikTok’s Creator Marketplace
• Create sponsored content
• Become a brand ambassador
• Sell influencer merchandise
• Accept virtual gifts
• Place affiliate links

If you have 10,000 real followers and 100,000 total views on TikTok within 30 days, you can join the TikTok Creator Fund.

TikTok Creator Fund is for people that make great videos and get more people to watch them. If you want to work with brands and get sponsored opportunities, join the TikTok Creator Marketplace.

You require to meet specific requirements before you can join this.

Outside of TikTok, you can make money with brands. Brands want people to talk about their products and post positive messages.

You can also make and sell your merchandise to people who follow you. You can also become an affiliate for products you like and add links in your bio and video captions.

On TikTok, people can give gifts to their favorite creators. They can do this through Live or the comments section.

The gifts are like virtual money but can be exchanged for real money you can take from your account.

8.) Growing Your TikTok Audience

Having a substantial number of followers is crucial for monetizing your content on TikTok. The good news is that TikTok’s algorithm facilitates rapid discovery of your videos. Here are some techniques to increase your followers on TikTok.Know your target audience.

• Join in TikTok trends.
• Make and participate in TikTok challenges.
• Unite with other TikTok influencers.
• Post videos at the right time.
• Use the right hashtags.
• Promote your TikTok videos to your other platforms.
• Engage with other videos.
• Use TikTok Promote

9.) Understanding TikTok Analytics

You can find out who viewed your profile or followed you on TikTok. You can use Analytics Tools from the Creator Tools settings even if it is a new account. These tools will tell you how many people have seen your videos.

• Overview of your overall engagement
• Per Content Metrics
• Follower Demographics
• Live Video Analytics

You can look at the data from your videos to see how well they are doing.

Additional Tips to Become an Advanced TikTok User

Upload videos recorded outside TikTok.

Sometimes, you record and edit a video on your phone with video editing software. You post this video on other social media platforms and want to do the same on TikTok. To accomplish this:

1. Tap the plus icon to open the recording screen.

2. Select the Upload button beside the record button.

3. You’d open your phone’s gallery, and you can insert more than one video by choosing the first video, then tapping Upload and adding another.

4. When you’ve chosen all the videos you want, tap next and proceed to edit the video using TikTok’s editing tools.

Create engaging photo slideshows using Templates.

When you use the recording screen, swipe to find the Templates option. Choose a slideshow template to tell you how many photos you must pick. Your phone’s gallery will open and let you pick your photos.

The order of your photos in the slideshow will be the same as the order you picked them. When finished selecting, click OK at the bottom of the screen to move on to editing.

Delete your TikTok videos.

If you’ve accidentally posted a video, you can still remove it. Just go to your profile and tap the video. Tap the three dots below the Share option and tap the delete button.

Create GIFs from any TikTok video.

You can turn videos into GIFs and share them with others. Tap the arrow on the right side of the video and choose “Share as GIF.” Then you can edit how long it is.

When done, press “Generate” to make your GIF. People like to use TikTok for making fun memes, so creating GIFs is a great way to join in.

Share your profile with your TikTok QR code.

When you sign up for TikTok, you get your QR code. To find it, go to your profile and tap the three dots at the top right corner. Select the QR code and save it. You can post this on other social media.

To scan someone else’s QR code, use Scan on the right of the main screen on TikTok.

Final Thoughts on How to Use TikTok

Whether you’re an individual or a business, learning to use TikTok is key to taking advantage of its many benefits.

Don’t be overwhelmed by investing time and money to create on-trend content; focus on what makes sense for your brand and ensure it resonates with your audience.

Partner with our top-notch TikTok advertising agency to achieve your company goals and elevate your brand to the next level!

Is your company seeking to enhance its marketing strategies? AdvertiseMint, the premier social advertising agency, can assist you.

Check out AdvertiseMint’s user-friendly marketing guides and the related articles section of this blog post.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Use TikTok

Why is TikTok easy to use?

Undoubtedly, TikTok has a user-friendly interface. Its theme is visually appealing, yet it also includes simple components that are easy to use.

How important are the TikTok followers?

The more followers, views, and likes you gain on TikTok, the greater the impact on the growth of your brand on the platform.

How and why do people use TikTok?

Users can create and share short videos on TikTok that are usually 15-30 seconds long with their followers within the app.

Related Articles

Does TikTok Advertising Work?

Comments

comments