How To Use TikTok: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Businesses in 2024

TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms, where users can create and share short, engaging videos.

Whether you’re new to TikTok or want to improve your experience, this guide will help you understand the app’s features and make the most of your content. You’ll learn how to create an account, how to use filters on TikTok, and explore the different effects available to make your videos stand out.

From personal use to business strategies, this guide has everything you need to become a TikTok pro.

Key Takeaways

TikTok is a social networking app where users create and share short videos. It has become very popular, with millions of downloads.
Download TikTok from Google Play or the App Store, and set up your profile with a valid email and phone number.
Create a TikTok Business account by switching to a Business Account in settings and selecting the right category.
Learn how to use TikTok filters, explore TikTok effects, and use templates to make your videos better.
Comment, like, share videos, join challenges, and find friends by syncing contacts or connecting with Facebook friends.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social networking website where users may create and share short films. It has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing how people consume and create material. This has resulted in a boom in TikTok downloads across multiple App Stores.

How to Use TikTok

Whether you’re new to TikTok or looking to improve your experience, this guide will help you get started and make the most of the app’s features. From creating an account to using TikTok for business, we’ve got you covered.

You’ll also learn how to use filters on TikTok and how to explore the different TikTok effects available. Additionally, we’ll answer common questions like “How old do you have to be to use TikTok?” and provide tips for creating engaging TikTok videos.

How to Create a TikTok Account

Get TikTok from Google Play or the App Store.
Open the app.
Select Profile in the bottom right corner.
Select a method for signing up.

It’s important to make sure your email and phone number are correct, as these are required for login and password recovery.

Please keep in mind that you must be 13 years or older to have a TikTok account.

How to Use TikTok for Business

To use TikTok for business, you’ll first need to create a TikTok Business account. Here’s how:

Download the TikTok app to your phone and create a new account.
Open your profile and select the menu in the upper right corner.
Go to Settings & Privacy → Manage Account.
Switch to Business Account.
Select the category that best fits your business.

How to Use TikTok Templates

Tap the plus sign at the bottom of the screen to upload a new video.
Select Templates at the bottom – it’s next to the Story label.
Select a template that fits what you’re looking for and tap Upload photos.
At the bottom, it will tell you how many photos you need to upload to fit the template.
Press Ok.
You then have the option to either upload the video on your story or press next to upload the video to your public profile.

How to Create a TikTok Video

To create a TikTok video:

From the home screen, hit the plus sign at the bottom.
Before recording, choose your preferred video length: 15 seconds, 60 seconds, or 3 minutes.
Tap the red Record button to start recording your video.
When you’re finished recording, click Adjust Clips in the right-hand menu to shorten your clips.
You can add music by tapping the button at the top of the screen. You might use the search bar to find more music or sound effects, but TikTok will recommend tracks that are relevant to the topic of your video.
Choose an option from the menu on the right to add effects, stickers, or text.
To modify which still from your video displays on your profile, click Select Cover.
Toggle options such as Allow Duet (which allows viewers to create a split-screen TikTok with your video) and Allow Stitch.
Hit the Post button.

How to Use a TikTok Filter

In the TikTok app, select the Add Post + button at the bottom.
Select Filters from the side panel (the magic wand icon).
Choose the filter you want to use. You can apply filters before and after shooting or uploading your video.
Use the slider above the filters panel to preview different filter strengths.
Tap anywhere to return to the camera screen and record using the filter.

How to Schedule a TikTok

To schedule a TikTok, you need a Business Account or a Creator account. You can only access the feature on the web upload page on the desktop.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Log in to your TikTok account on a web browser.
Tap the Cloud icon in the top right corner of your feed.
You can then upload your video as usual – add captions, alter cover images, configure privacy settings, etc.
Click the Schedule option and select a date and time for your post. The default time zone is the one specified by your computer.
Click Schedule to schedule your post!

With this option, you can schedule your video anywhere from 15 minutes to 10 days in advance.

How to Schedule a TikTok — Source: TikTok for Business

How to Comment, Like, and Share a TikTok Video

It’s very easy to comment on, like, and share a TikTok video.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

To like a TikTok video, you just need to tap the heart on the right hand side of your screen when viewing a video.
To comment, tap the speech bubble right under the heart – then you can type out and leave your comment under the video.
To share, tap the arrow on the right-hand side of your screen – you’ll get options to share the video on different apps.

How to Use Text-to-Speech, Green Screen, and Duets

TikTok has several features that make your videos more interesting and creative.

Here’s how to use text-to-speech, green screen, and duets:

Text-to-Speech

Start by recording a video or uploading one from your gallery.
Tap the Text button at the bottom of the screen and type your text.
After typing, tap the text box and select Text-to-Speech. The text will be spoken aloud in your video.
Tap the text and choose “Set duration” to ensure the speech matches the right part of your video.

Green Screen

Tap the + button to create a new video and select Effects at the bottom left.
Scroll until you find the Green Screen effect, which lets you change your background.
Pick an image or video from your gallery to use as your new background.
Position yourself in front of the camera and start recording with your new background.
You can add different backgrounds by pausing and selecting new ones while recording.

Duets

Browse TikTok and find a video you want to duet with. Tap the Share button and select Duet.
The screen will split, showing the original video on one side and your recording on the other. Tap the red button to start recording your part.
After recording, add effects, text, and filters to your duet video.
Once you’re happy with your duet, add a caption and hashtags, then post it to your profile.

5 Popular TikTok Editing Features

TikTok offers many editing features that help users create fun and high-quality videos.

Here are some of the most popular ones:

Transitions

These effects smoothly move from one scene to another. Popular transitions include “Swipe,” “Spin,” and “Flip.” To use them well, plan your shots ahead and match the transitions to the music.

Effects

TikTok has lots of effects, like “Time Warp Scan,” “Green Screen,” and “Beauty Filter.” These can make your videos look better. Use effects carefully so you don’t overwhelm viewers.

Text overlays

Adding text to your videos can give context, highlight important points, or add humor. Make sure the text is easy to read and stays on screen long enough for viewers to understand.

Speed controls

You can speed up or slow down your video clips to create dramatic or funny effects. Use this feature to match actions with music or emphasize certain moments.

Filters

Filters change the overall look of your video by adjusting colors and lighting. Choose filters that fit the mood of your content.

Editing is very important for making engaging TikTok videos, since well-edited videos are more likely to keep viewers’ attention and get more likes, comments, and shares.

TikTok Challenges

TikTok challenges are a big part of what makes the app fun and engaging. These challenges usually ask users to recreate a dance, lip-sync, or activity, often set to a popular song or sound clip. Joining in on challenges is a great way to be part of trending conversations and get noticed on the platform.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to participate in a TikTok challenge:

Go to the Discover page or use the search bar to look for trending hashtags. Browse through the results to find a challenge that interests you.
Once you’ve found a challenge, watch a few videos of other users participating. This will help you understand what the challenge is about and how others are doing it.
Tap the + button to start creating your video. Follow the challenge’s theme, whether it’s a dance, a lip-sync, or another activity. Feel free to add your personal touch to make it unique.
When you’re ready to post, make sure to include the challenge’s hashtag in your caption. This will help your video get discovered by others who are following the challenge.

By following these steps, you can join in on TikTok challenges, have fun, and potentially increase your reach on the platform.

How to Find Friends on TikTok

To find friends on TikTok, you can sync your phone contacts to your TikTok account. You can also get suggestions for friends’ accounts on TikTok because you’re friends with them on Facebook.

Here’s how to connect with more friends on TikTok:

Tap Profile in the bottom right.
Tap the three-line icon in the upper right corner.
Select Settings and Privacy.
Under Privacy, select Sync contacts and Facebook friends.
To alter how accounts are offered to you, tap the toggle icon next to Sync contacts or Sync Facebook friends and switch it on or off. You can also delete previously synced contacts.

The Bottom Line

TikTok is a dynamic platform that offers many features to help users create engaging and creative content. Learning how to use TikTok filters and exploring different effects can greatly enhance your TikTok videos.

For businesses, TikTok provides a unique chance to reach a wider audience and connect creatively with potential customers. By following the steps in this guide, you can make the most of TikTok’s features and create standout content on the platform.