If you are looking to increase your brand’s social media presence, it may be time for you to learn how to use TikTok. TikTok is quickly becoming one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. This is especially true among the younger millennial and Generation Z demographics. It is becoming so widely used in fact that the number of US adult TikTok users grew by 5.5 times in less than 18 months. TikTok continues to see enormous growth, so it is important that you learn how to use TikTok so your brand is not left behind.
How Do I Set Up A TikTok Account?
Before you truly start to learn how TikTok works, you must first create an account. All you need to make an account is a phone number or an account on a third-party platform like Facebook. TikTok will automatically give you a random username when you sign up, however this can be changed.
To change your username on TikTok, select the edit profile button from the top right corner. If you are creating an account for a brand, make sure that you are choosing an appropriate brand name. You want consumers to be able to easily tell that the account is for your brand. If your brand name is taken, you should use a close variation of your name. For example, you could add the year you were established to the end. If you would rather have the name itself, you can always attempt to purchase the username from whoever currently has it. This may not work if the user has a private account, so you might have to be prepared to slightly tweak your brand’s name when making an account.
How to Use Your Personalized TikCode
If you are looking for a way to easily share your TikTok, you should consider learning how to best utilize your TikCode. Every creator is given their own TikCode when they sign up for an account. A TikCode is essentially TikTok’s version of a QR code.
To view and share your TikCode, simply go to your profile and tap the icon with 4 squares. This will be located in the top left next to the icon with 3 dots. Next to the search bar, you will see a square icon. If you select this icon, a camera will appear. You can hold up the camera to the TikCode and it will take you to the user’s profile. If you only have a screenshot of the TikCode, do not worry. TikTok allows you to access your photos and can scan the TikCode based on your photos. Sharing your TikCode instead of your username on social media sites can make it easier for consumers to find your TikTok content. This is why utilizing your TikCode often is a popular TikTok tip for new users.
Understanding TikTok’s For You Page
When you are first learning how to use TikTok, the first thing that might stand out to you compared to other social media websites is the “FYP,” or for you page. This is where you will see the content TikTokers you follow have posted in addition to the TikToks the algorithm recommends for you.
One of the most unique aspects of TikTok is how the algorithm recommends videos to consumers. At first, TikTok will recommend the most popular TikToks to you. But once the algorithm figures out what type of videos you tend to engage with the most, it will recommend similar content to you. This is why you might see users saying they are on a “certain side” of TikTok. The more users that join the platform, the more niche interests it is able to recommend. The FYP is a great tool for marketers because it increases the likelihood that consumers who want to see content from your brand are actually exposed to it.
How to Create a TikTok
So now that you are becoming comfortable using the platform, you might want to learn how TikTok works on a deeper level by creating your own TikTok.
To do this, you will need to go to the bottom center of the app, where you will see a white plus sign. Once you have selected the plus sign, TikTok will ask for you to approve the use of your microphone and camera. This can be changed at any time in the settings of your phone.
Here, you can either start filming something new or you can upload a previously recorded video. And from there you can start filming content. The only restriction is that your video has to be anywhere from 15-60 seconds. If this seems like too short of a time to get your point across, do not worry you are not alone. TikTokers that feel they need more time will often make a series of videos and label them as parts. This is also a great way to increase the engagement on your account, encouraging people to come back to see the next post.
Creating a “Sound” on TikTok
If you are looking for basic TikTok tips to help elevate your brand’s account, you should consider adding a sound to your videos. If you are new to TikTok this might confuse you. After all, don’t all TikToks have sound? On TikTok, using a sound could mean that you are using a popular audio clip or song clip.
To add a sound to your TikTok, you must tap the “select sound” option in the top right corner. From there, you can search for sounds by popularity, playlist, or even hashtags. Then you can add whatever sound you have decided on by selecting the red checkmark. If you want, you can trim the sound if you want to only utilize a certain aspect of it.
The advantage of using sounds on TikTok is that it can actually get your video more exposure. This is because any time someone clicks on a sound, they can see the top users of the sound. Additionally, it can help your brand stay relevant by following trends.
Using Video Effects on Your Videos
When you are looking up how to use TikTok for dummies, you will likely see tips on how to use the various effects that the platform offers. TikTok effects can do a wide variety of things from changing the speed of the video to adding beauty filters.
When you are filming a TikTok, you will notice there is an effects icon to the right of the upload button. The various effects you can use will be sorted by trending, new, face, world, and animal. Many of these categories are self-explanatory and are best understood through using the app. It is important to note, however, that if you are looking to follow a popular TikTok trend, that searching the filters that are trending could be a good resource to use. The effects on TikTok are one of the many things that make the platform stand out as a whole. That is why it is important to learn how to use them when you are researching how to use TikTok.
How to Duet with Other Users
Another aspect that makes TikTok unique as a platform is that you can duet other users. Duetting allows users to join in on another user’s video. This is great if you see a user’s video and you want to add another point or join in on what they are saying. Additionally, the duetting feature is often used when users sing along to videos.
To duet with another TikTok, simply find the video you want to duet with and press the share button. Once the sharing options are available, select the duet option. The video will appear next to the video you are filming. This is convenient especially if the video you are duetting relies on timing. That is all there is to it. Luckily, this aspect of TikTok is very user-friendly and easy to understand once you have utilized it for the first time. However, it is important to note that duetting has to be turned on by the person who posted the original video. Not every TikTok will be able to be duetted. Similarly, if you do not want users duetting your videos, you can always select the “Duet/React Off” option.
Following TikTok Trends
Now that you have a better understanding of how to make different types of TikToks, you might not be sure where to start. Typically, when you search how to use TikTok for dummies, many sites will recommend that you follow whatever trends are currently popular. This is for a good reason. Following a trend can be a fun and easy way to make content when you are first starting out. It can also help you get on to more TikTok user’s FYPs which will help grow the amount of TikTok followers you have. However, as with any social media platform, you should only participate in trends that are appropriate and relevant to your brand.
FAQs:
- What kinds of people use TikTok?
- How do you set up a TikTok account?
- What are some good TikTok tips?
- How do you create a TikTok?
- How does the For You Page work?
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