TikTok blew onto the scene in 2016, but it really hit its stride in 2020, when the pandemic forced the world into lockdown. Faced with immense boredom, lack of face-to-face interactions, and a lot of stress, many people resorted to social media for communication and entertainment to fill the time.
Previously known as the musical.ly app, TikTok has become a household social media name where people upload short clips with special effects or filters - and makes for great entertainment for people of all ages!
What is TikTok?
Humorously entertaining content is one of the many kinds of short video clips (up to 10 minutes, depending on a few factors) you’ll find on TikTok! From friends to celebrities alike, TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps! The app has been around the social network block for a while now and rose to stardom in late 2019 when videos started circulating on social media channels. It is available both on Android and iOS devices, and making an account is super simple!
Not simply for the younger generation (we're talking tweens and teens), TikTok holds major popularity with a wide range of individuals. Social media influencers and local and international celebrities have all been drawn into the fun that the app holds!
How do you get it?
- Start by downloading the official app from your mobile app store.
- Open your app, allow notifications and click on the “Me” icon to access the sign-up option on the top right corner. You can use your email address, and cell phone number or even sign-up through Facebook, Google or Instagram. Follow the prompts depending on your choice of sign-up.
- The app assigns you a username which can be changed later along with other options like your profile image and privacy settings.
- Once your profile is ready, you’re good to go!
How do you TikTok?
Take your time to explore your feed and learn about other user accounts and the kind of content they post. You’ll find everything from DIY to funny vine videos and even pet-related content. Here's a guide to TikTok platform.
1. You can hop onto “TikTok” #challenges and follow other users' prompts and recreate their videos on your own. Much like Instagram and Facebook, a hashtag can create hype and attention on your videos especially if they’re popular topics.
You can find challenges by tapping on the search option which allows you to look for specific challenges, content creators or content. Your main feed works much like Facebook and Instagram with customised content to suit your tastes and your secondary feed with content that you might enjoy much like Facebook or Instagram Explore option, showing you content from different creators.
You’ll notice on every TikTok video, there will be a set of interactive buttons that allows you to go to the content creator’s profile (If you like their content, tap on the icon and give them a follow!), “Like” a video, comment and reshare it as well as view the music tracks used in each video.
2. Ready to film something? Creating videos on TikTok is the whole point! There are a few ways to create a video.
Just tap the plus sign at the bottom of the home page or view a song record from another content creator’s video and tap on “Use this sound”. Give the app access to your camera and microphone and you’ll be taken to a camera screen where your new adventures await! You can also duet with another creator, where you can film a reaction to their video.
Creating a video on TikTok gives you a host of different options and variety of filters and other cool bits of art to add to your video. The interface works much like Instagram where you’ll find options like uploading your own pre-captured video and adding additional pretend effects from the app. Did you know some of the most famous TikTokers can get up to 1 billion views and likes?
Click on the Effects button and explore! You can also access the selfie option by tapping on the little phone icon at the top of your screen. There are tons of other options along the right side of your screen: speed, beauty, filters, trim your video length and add music tracks to your video!
Click on the middle record button to record your video and tap the tick icon once you’re done in order to edit the draft you’ve just taken. Once you’re done, tap on Next and get your video posted!
Don’t forget to add video details like a description and select the video privacy options you wish to go with. Find all your videos, along with your favourite videos/hashtag/sounds on your “Me” option at the bottom of your mobile.
3. Don’t forget to jazz up your own profile by tapping on the “Me” option and changing up your username, profile image and adding a cool bio blurb for yourself. Link your channels like Instagram and YouTube and change your privacy settings.
4. Like all other platforms, you will receive an inbox feature that holds all interactions that people have performed on your videos and you can send and receive private messages from other users.
The trends and challenges of TikTok
TikTok is constantly coming up with new trends and challenges to keep its users entertained. Some of the most notable TikTok trends that have swept past us include the likes of the renegade dance, the Woah challenge, the hit or miss challenge, and more.
The app is also notorious for featuring creative lip-syncing videos set to popular songs which are often used in their own unique ways. The Renegade dance challenge was probably one of the most popular ones to come out of TikTok as it featured a specific dance set to the song “Lottery” by K Camp. Everyone from celebrities like Lizzo, Jason Derulo, and even Canada's very own Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, joined in on the fun!
While some trends and challenges come and go, others seem to stick around for a little longer. The lip-sync videos often last for about 15 seconds and are usually set to popular songs. You’ll find that a lot of people use creative filters and add their own humorous flare to these videos which is what makes them so entertaining to watch.
If you’re bored and looking for something fun to do, why not try your hand at some of these challenges? After all, they’re only limited by your imagination!
5 tips and tricks for making the best videos
Now that you know the basics of how to use TikTok and what some of the popular trends are, here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the best videos:
- Use natural lighting where possible as it makes for better videos. If you’re recording indoors, try and sit near a window.
- Be creative with your filters and don’t be afraid to experiment! Some filters can really change up the look and feel of your video.
- Add in some fun props or elements to make your videos more interesting. This could be anything from balloons to colourful wigs or even cute animals!
- Try lip-syncing to popular songs or dialogues from movies and TV shows - something many TikTok users love to do. Be creative with it and have fun!
- Use the editing features to cut out any bits that you don’t want in your video. This could be anything from bloopers to awkward silences. You can also this feature to combine different clips together - such as a before and after type of video.
- Make sure your videos are short, sweet and to the point. Remember, people have short attention spans so you want to make sure that your videos are entertaining enough to hold their attention.
With these tips in mind, go out there and start making some great videos! Who knows, maybe you’ll even end up going viral one day!
To TikTok or not?
Now that you know a little bit more about TikTok community and how to use it, you might be wondering if the app is actually worth your time. After all, there are so many social media platforms out there vying for our attention.
The answer is that it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re just looking to kill some time and have a little fun, then TikTok is definitely worth checking out. There’s no shortage of funny and creative videos to watch and you can even make your own if you’re feeling up to it.
However, if you’re not into lip-syncing, dancing videos, or just being a little cray-cray, then TikTok might not be for you.
5 reasons to get it
There are plenty of reasons to get TikTok, even if you’re not into the whole lip-syncing thing. Here are 5 reasons why you should download the app:
1. It’s a great way to kill time
If you’re ever feeling bored or just need a break from reality, TikTok is the perfect app to help you pass the time. There’s no shortage of videos to watch and you can even spend hours scrolling through the endless feed of content.
2. You can be creative
If you’re feeling creative, TikTok is a great platform to express yourself. You can make your own videos and lip-sync
to popular songs. You can even use the editing features to create some really cool effects, similar to Snapchat
3. It’s entertaining
TikTok is a lot of fun and can be really entertaining. There’s something for everyone on the app, whether you’re into funny videos, creative videos, or just want to watch people lip-sync to popular songs.
4. You can meet new people
TikTok is a great way to meet new people from all over the world. You can follow other users and comment on their videos. You might even make some friends along the way!
5. It’s free!
TikTok is completely free to download and use. There are no hidden fees or in-app purchases. You can also customise your privacy and safety settings or push notifications by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner and toggle around until your feed is filled with content you'll enjoy. So what are you waiting for?
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There we have it! Those are the basics that you need to get going on your TikTok journey!
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