From dance challenges to viral memes, TikTok is the social media app of the moment. And given its steady growth over the past few years, it’s proven itself as more than a fad.
Today’s average TikTok user now spends more time watching TikTok videos than YouTube users do watching YouTube videos. What’s more, people spent 38.6 minutes on TikTok — a full four minutes longer than they spend on Facebook.
Perhaps the truest sign TikTok should be taken seriously are the moves its competitors have made. Both Instagram and YouTube have fired back with Reels and Shorts, their respective versions of TikTok’s short-form video format.
So, what else do you need to know about TikTok? And how do you get started with your first TikTok video? Read on to find out.
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What is TikTok?
TikTok started out as Musical.ly, a video sharing platform where people could film short 15-second clips of themselves dancing or lip-syncing to music. It relaunched as TikTok in 2018, and it’s been gaining users ever since. The app passed the 1 billion monthly user mark just three years later, in fall 2021. Today, the app boasts over 50% market penetration in the United States, with 53% of its users in the highly coveted 18-24 demographic.
TikTok videos can be up to 10 minutes long, but most range from 5 seconds to a few minutes. Given its huge library of effects, filters, and music, you can think of TikTok as a video editing software on your phone. And indeed, you can edit videos on there without ever publishing them (but where’s the fun in that?).
TikTok videos often make use of a filter or a sound, which can come from the Spotify library or by using the audio from another TikTok video. You can also “stitch” TikTok videos together, which allows you to play a short clip from another video right before your video begins. TikTok memes are audio or visual in nature, whether it’s the use of a popular soundbite or song, or taking on a particular challenge, like a dance move or filter.
How to make a TikTok
Ready for your TikTok debut? Here’s how to make a TikTok video.
- Download the TikTok app and create your account.
- Tap the + sign at the bottom center of your screen.
- Film a video using the TikTok camera, or select a video in your phone’s library.
- Add filters or special effects using the icons on the right or bottom of your screen.
- Press the Record button to start filming.
- Tap the check mark icon when you’re done.
- Make your final edits and add sound.
- Fill out your caption, add hashtags, or @mention a friend.
- Review your post settings.
- Click the red Post button when you’re done.
3 quick tips for a tiptop TikTok
Nervous about your first TikTok? Don’t be. Follow these rules of the road.
- Add hashtags. Like any social platform, hashtags help your videos get discovered. Add the #fyp tag to make sure it shows up on the For You Page (TikTok’s main feed).
- Get into the groove. While you don’t have to dance on TikTok, music is popular. Lots of songs go viral on TikTok, so why not use some music to give your video a boost?
- Don’t stress. TikTok is where amateur videos shine. Think of it as the opposite of Instagram, a place where you can be candid, relaxed, and natural — even if the lighting isn’t perfect.
TikTok stardom, here you come
TikTok is the hottest social media app right now. Your customers will be looking for your brand on TikTok, so make sure you’re there for them to find. Expand your reach with TikTok ads and a strong social media strategy. Looking for expert advice? Talk to Your Marketing People.
