How to make a TikTok: The beginner’s guide

TikTok is more than just a platform for entertainment.  It inspires purchase decisions, helps with product research and gets consumers closer to brands.

In fact, according to the latest TikTok stats, 30% of Gen-Z social media users choose TikTok for researching products. Additionally, 49% of users made a decision on what to buy because they saw the product promoted or advertised on TikTok.

But, perhaps most importantly: The majority of TikTok users feel closer to brands that are creating authentic and human content on the platform.

Need we say more about the value of using TikTok for your business?

Let’s get into the details of how to make a TikTok so you can start building a strong brand presence on the platform.

Table of Contents

• How to make a TikTok account
• How to record a TikTok video
  • How to make a TikTok
  • How to make a TikTok using pre-recorded videos
  • How to add pictures to TikTok
  • How to make a sound on TikTok
• Get creative with TikTok

How to make a TikTok account

If you’re completely new to the TikTok app, you have to first create an account. If you already have an account, skip this section and get right into how to make a TikTok.

Here’s how you can create a TikTok account for your brand:

Step 1: Go to the App Store or Google Play and download the TikTok app.

Step 2: Open the app on your phone and tap on the “Profile” button. You’ll find this button in the right-hand corner at the bottom of your screen.

Step 3: Choose the most suitable method to sign up. You can sign up using your phone or email or use your existing accounts with Facebook, Google, Apple (for iPhone users), Instagram or Twitter.

For this example, we’ll select the option to sign up using email. Keep in mind that you’ll need to use your brand’s official email address to complete the signup. This will create less confusion if you ever face login issues and need to recover your password.

The other options will automatically link the new TikTok account with your chosen social media, Apple or Google account. If you plan on using any of them, make sure you’re selecting your official brand account.

If you’re using the phone signup option, the number should be valid and linked to your brand. You’ll receive a 6-digit code to verify the number and complete your signup.

Step 4: Next, enter a password to use for your TikTok account. This should be secure but also memorable and closely associated with your brand so it’s easy to remember.

Step 5: You’ll now have to select a username for your account. This step is crucial as this name will show up prominently at the very top of your TikTok profile page. It also serves as your TikTok handle.

Ideally, you should be using your official brand name to make it recognizable. This helps your audience recognize your brand on the platform. Plus, it helps them differentiate your official account from an imposter account.

After choosing your username, tap on “Sign up”.

Step 6: Since you’re creating a brand account, you’ll want to switch to a business account. Go to your “Profile” page and tap on the “…” button at the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Select the option to “Switch to Business Account” and choose the right category for your business.

Make sure you carefully select the category that best fits what your brand does because this will tell TikTok what your account is all about. This could eventually influence how the TikTok algorithm ranks your content in relevant search results and “For You” pages.

How to record a TikTok video

Now that you have your account set up, it’s time to start creating videos. The process of creating videos on TikTok is pretty similar to that of Instagram Reels. Both platforms allow you to add videos and pictures from your camera roll or record a new one. Plus, they both offer features like adding effects and audio to customize your video.

So if you’re familiar with Instagram Reels, you should have no trouble getting started with creating a TikTok video. Either way, here’s a detailed guide on how to make a video for TikTok.

How to make a TikTok

Step 1: Tap on the “+” icon at the bottom of your screen. You’ll find this button right in the middle. This will open up the camera so you can start recording.

If this is your first time creating a video, you’ll need to give the app access to your camera, photos and microphone.

Step 2: Select the video length you want from the scrollbar above the record button. By default, you can record up to 15 seconds of video. The app has since updated its recording option to allow up to 60 seconds of video. This will combine four 15-second videos into a longer 60-second video.

Step 3: Use the different tools from the right-hand panel to customize your recording. You can set the speed, add effects and filters or even set a timer to self-record.

You can also choose a sound from the TikTok audio library to include in your video. We highly recommend adding music to your video as it could improve your video visibility on relevant “For You” pages. In fact, when we tested our TikTok marketing strategy we found that the least popular video lacked music.

On that note, make sure you’re regularly checking your TikTok analytics to see what’s working with your audience. This will help you to fine-tune your strategy and build a strong presence on the platform.

Step 4: Hit the red record button at the bottom of the screen to start your recording. You can also join multiple clips together so they follow a coherent sequence. Just hit the record button again to start a new clip.

Step 5: Once you have your recording, select the checkmark to preview the video. The preview page will let you customize the video further to create something original and entertaining. You have the option to add text, sounds, effects, voiceovers, voice effects, stickers and captions.

Step 6: After customizing the video, tap the “Next” button. On the next screen, you can add a video description and change the settings. You can even include relevant and trending TikTok hashtags to improve your video visibility. Then hit “Post” to publish your very first TikTok video.

How to make a TikTok using pre-recorded videos

So now you know how to make a video natively within the app, but did you know you can also make TikTok’s with the awesome content you already have saved on your phone? Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Tap on the “+” icon at the bottom of your screen and select the “Upload” option next to the record button. This will open up your camera roll, allowing you to choose the pre-recorded video you want to upload.

Step 2: Choose the video/videos you want to upload.

The good thing about this option is that you can upload over 60 seconds of video. In fact, TikTok recently increased its maximum video length from 3 minutes to 10 minutes. That’s great news for brands that are all about informative long-form video content. Keep in mind that Duet and Stitch features are currently not available for videos longer than 60 seconds.

Step 3: After uploading the video or videos that you want to use in your TikTok, you’ll have the option to customize it just as you did before. Use the tools from the right-hand panel to add text, stickers, voiceovers, filters, voice effects, captions and effects to the video. You can also add a sound to the video from the TikTok audio library.

Step 4: Once you’re done editing the video, tap the “Next” button. Then add a description and change the settings before hitting “Post.”

How to add pictures to TikTok

TikTok also lets you create videos using pictures. There are several options for this:

Option 1. Combine multiple pictures (and videos) together using the upload option.

Option 2. Insert a picture in your video from the “Effects” button at the bottom of the screen. Then select “Insert Photo” and choose the picture you want to add to the video. You can also tweak the position and strategically place it in the video where you want it.

Option 3. Switch from the “Camera” tab to the “Templates” tab. Choose the template you want to use and select the pictures you wish to upload.

How to make a sound on TikTok

When you record a video on TikTok, the recorded sound automatically becomes an original sound. Go to your uploaded video and tap on the audio icon at the bottom of the screen. Then hit “Use this sound” to use the sound in a new video.

Get creative with TikTok

Now you know exactly what you need to do to start making a TikTok video. Make the most of the tips we’ve shared to get creative and share highly entertaining videos with your audience.

Once you feel comfortable, review our tips for designing TikTok marketing campaigns to learn how to better use TikTok for your brand.

Now that you know how to make a TikTok, be sure to check out Sprout’s TikTok integration to learn how you can schedule your TikTok videos with optimal send times for maximum engagement.

How to Record a TikTok FAQ

How do I record a TikTok?

If you’re recording a TikTok video from your phone:

1. Hit the + button at the bottom of your screen
2. Select the video length from the scrollbar above he record button.
3. Customize your recording with the tools in the right-hand panel.
4. Hit record!
5. Preview your recording and further customize with effects, sounds and captions.

Our guide above walks you through these steps more in depth.

Can I screen record a TikTok video?

Yes, it is possible to screen record a TikTok through the built-in iOS or Android screen record feature. However, if you’re looking to stitch on TikTok, there are more efficient ways of doing so.