How to Use TikTok: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Start using TikTok by setting up your profile, exploring relevant content, and creating a first video. This guide covers the basics: recording, editing, sounds, and ways to respond to other creators.

For a brand team, the goal is to establish a clear identity and learn which ideas interest your audience. Use the steps below to prepare your account and first posts, with time for content and rights review before publication.

For a video introduction, watch Viral Nation’s TikTok guide. Interface details may differ from older demonstrations.

What Is TikTok?

TikTok lets people create, discover, and respond to videos and other posts. For brands, start by exploring the topics and communities relevant to your audience.

Use TikTok’s recording and editing tools to test a clear idea, then review how viewers respond.

How Does TikTok Work?

TikTok personalizes recommendations using signals such as viewer interactions, information about the content, and user settings. The For You feed helps people discover content, while other feeds and search offer additional ways to explore.

For creators and brands, this makes audience relevance worth testing. Publication alone does not guarantee views or follower growth. Review how viewers respond and use those observations to inform your next post.

See TikTok’s explanation of recommendations and our TikTok content tips for more context.

Beginner’s Guide to TikTok Culture

Explore relevant communities and notice the questions, stories, and formats that prompt discussion. Choose ideas your brand can contribute to credibly, then test how viewers respond.

TikTok Music

TikTok encourages the use of music. Music is a powerful force that brings back memories and keys into deeply rooted parts of our psyches. Beyond the music, you could be drawn to an article of clothing that you’d like to wear or a place you’d like to visit. The moment you like, comment, or share a video, you’ve interacted with the content.

Pay attention to how viewers respond to the story, sound, and information in your video. Use those observations to decide what to test next.

TikTok Authenticity

A major buzzword in social media is authenticity. On TikTok, viewers are looking for honesty and credibility. They want to trust you. The audience isn’t there just for entertainment, they want a real person they trust to recommend products or movies, teach them skills or life hacks, or just make them feel like you’ve got something in common. Many creators who play characters in their videos also make behind-the-scenes content where they’re open about themselves or their process.

Plan how your team will respond to viewers with support from Viral Nation’s community management services.

How to Create a TikTok Account

For a video run down on how to find, install, and create your account on TikTok, check out this installment of The Digital Creator Guide YouTube series by Viral Nation.

Install TikTok from your device’s official app store and open the app. Choose a sign-up method available to you and follow the on-screen prompts.

Provide the requested account information and complete any verification steps. The choices shown may vary by device, account, and region.

Open your profile and complete the available profile fields, including your image and bio. Review the account settings before creating your first post.

Explore the For You feed and use search to find relevant topics and creators.

How to Make a Strong TikTok Profile

Your profile is as important as the videos you make for TikTok. Because once someone likes your content, you want them to swipe to your profile, love what they see, and follow you. You want your audience to come to your profile and know exactly what you’re doing right out of the gate.

How to change your profile picture on TikTok

Open Profile, choose Edit profile, and select the option to change your photo. Choose or take an image, adjust it, and save.

Use a recognizable image that represents your brand. Preview the crop so the important details remain visible.

How to edit your TikTok profile

In Edit profile, update your bio with a concise description of what the brand shares. Follow the character limit shown in your app.

Think of your TikTok profile as your company website. It’s your business, your brand, and all of that should have personality. What are its quirks, its likes, and dislikes? Figure out your company’s personality and use that to build its profile.

Your TikTok Username

Choose a username that is easy to remember. TikTok permits letters, numbers, underscores, and periods, although a period cannot appear at the end. You can change your username once every 30 days; changing it also changes your profile link. See TikTok’s username guidance.

Usernames have to be unique, so you might not be able to get exactly what you want, but you might be able to get close. If you’re active on other social media platforms and you can match your name from there on TikTok, that’s the best way to go. You always want to make it as easy as possible for your audience to find you on one platform or across all platforms.

Your handle appears on your video, so try to avoid using too many special characters. If you’re not using your real name or some version of it, use a handle that speaks to your brand.

How to Make a TikTok Video

Filming on TikTok really couldn’t be easier. The “plus” button opens the video creation page. This will be your most important button, and also where you can have the most fun.

1. Open TikTok and tap Add post (+) at the bottom of the screen.
2. Choose a recording length shown in your app, or use Upload to select footage from your device.
3. Record your video and review the clips. Use the available editing controls to trim or remove unwanted material.
4. Add text, effects, or permitted audio where they help communicate the idea.
5. Preview the finished video, then continue to the posting screen.
6. Write the caption and review the available audience and interaction settings.
7. Tap Drafts on the posting screen to save your work. Publish with Post only after your team completes its review.

To choose the thumbnail, tap Select cover on the posting screen, select a frame, and save it. Choose a frame that makes the subject clear.

Find saved drafts in the videos tab on your profile. Keep a separate copy of your original footage: TikTok says drafts may disappear after reinstalling the app or switching devices, and they cannot transfer between accounts. See TikTok’s editing and draft guidance.

Before your brand posts its first TikTok

• Check that your profile image, username, and bio identify the brand clearly.
• Choose one audience question or idea for the video.
• Preview the edit and check that text is readable and audio is clear.
• Confirm that your team has permission to use the music and other content.
• Review the caption, audience settings, and interaction permissions.
• Save the draft until the required brand review is complete.

TikTok Filters and Effects

On TikTok, filters and effects are both tools that allow users to enhance or modify their videos.

Filters are overlays that alter the appearance of the entire video. They can change the color and tone of the video, add a vintage look, or apply a specific visual style. Filters are often used to create a specific mood or aesthetic for the video.

Effects are animated features that can be added to specific parts of the video. They can include animations, graphics, and transitions, and can be used to add visual interest to the video. Effects are often used to create a specific visual effect or to enhance the content of the video.

Despite their differences, TikTok filters and effects do the same thing: enhance your posts, and make them more entertaining. Filters and effects can be applied to the video during filming or editing. Effects are mostly placed over the video, and you can have them active for the entire video, or only for a few seconds or less.

Play around with the visual and audio effects. They’ll enhance your content and give you ideas for new videos, characters, or even entire storylines.

How to Use TikTok Sounds

For content that promotes a brand, product, or service, TikTok recommends music from its Commercial Music Library. Access to a trending sound does not establish permission for commercial use. If you choose music outside that library, confirm the necessary rights before publishing. See TikTok’s commercial music guidance.

1. Tap Add post (+), then Add sound at the top of the recording screen.
2. Preview a sound and confirm permission for your intended use before selecting it.
3. Review the video with the sound. Check that viewers can hear speech clearly and adjust the audio using the controls available in your editor.

See TikTok’s sound instructions for the current options.

TikTok Stitches

A Stitch incorporates part of another creator’s video into a new video. Availability depends on the original video’s permissions and your account settings.

Stitches can be a good way to add perspective or give an opposing perspective. However you use a stitch, the key is to add value to the original video.

1. Open the source video and tap Share, then Stitch.
2. Select the portion you want to include and tap Next.
3. Choose an available recording length. Record your response, then tap Continue (✓).
4. Edit and preview the combined video. Tap Next to add a description and review privacy settings.
5. Choose Drafts while your team reviews the content, or Post once approved.

If Stitch is unavailable, choose a video whose creator permits it. See TikTok’s Stitch instructions.

TikTok Duets

A duet allows you to be on screen at the same time as the original video. Duets are great for real-time reactions or collaborating with other creators.

1. Open the source video, tap Share, and choose Duet. Swipe through the options if needed.
2. Use the available camera tools to prepare your shot, then record your part and tap Continue (✓).
3. Edit the result and check how your response works alongside the original video.
4. Tap Next, add a description, and review privacy settings.
5. Save with Drafts until review is complete. Use Post when ready to publish.

Not every video permits Duet. If the option is unavailable, choose another source video. See TikTok’s Duet instructions.

Frequently asked questions

What should a brand include in its TikTok profile?

Use a recognizable profile image, a memorable username, and a concise bio that explains what viewers can expect. Keep the identity consistent with the brand's other channels where practical.

Can brands use any trending song on TikTok?

No. TikTok recommends its Commercial Music Library for promotional content. Music outside that library requires the necessary rights for the intended commercial use.

What is the difference between a TikTok Stitch and a Duet?

A Stitch incorporates part of another video into your own. A Duet places your video alongside another creator's video. Both depend on the original video's permissions.

Get Started on TikTok

Start with a clear profile and a video focused on one useful idea. Experiment with formats that suit your brand, listen to viewers’ responses, and use what you learn to plan the next post. Complete your content and rights checks before publishing.

For more examples, watch Viral Nation’s video on TikTok culture.

For help developing a brand program beyond account setup, explore Viral Nation’s TikTok marketing services.