If you’ve been wondering how to use TikTok but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place.
From setting up your account to mastering the top editing tools and navigating the app like a pro, we’ll walk you through it step by step.
Think of this as a beginner’s guide to everything TikTok. Let’s jump in.
Key takeaways
- TikTok is algorithm-driven. The For You Page decides what people see, so creating content that feels “made for TikTok” is key.
- Add filters, effects, and audio to your videos. TikTok gives you everything you need to make engaging content without extra software.
- Getting started is simple. Setting up an account, creating videos, and using built-in editing tools can all be done directly in the app.
- Platforms like Hootsuite let you schedule TikTok content in advance and measure performance alongside your other social channels.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a short-form video platform where users create and share videos between 5 seconds and 10 minutes long.
The platform comes with built-in editing tools, effects, and a massive music library, making it easy for anyone to create engaging content.
What makes TikTok downright irresistible for so many people is its algorithm. The For You Page (aka, the home screen) delivers a personalized stream of videos based on what you watch, like, and engage with — and it gets smarter as time goes on. (Maybe even too smart, some users would say.)
Source: Tini
TikTok’s grip on Gen Z is part of what sets it apart. About 33% of its global audience is between 18–24, which explains its major cultural pull.
That pull has turned TikTok into a marketing powerhouse. Songs go viral. TikTokers become mainstream celebrities. Trends spread like wildfire (remember when you couldn’t find feta to save your life?).
In short, TikTok is an algorithm-driven, culture-shaping video platform. For brands, it’s a place to show personality, tap into trends, partner with influencers, and reach new audiences organically — especially younger demographics.
Bonus: Get a free TikTok Growth Checklist from famous TikTok creator Tiffy Chen that shows you how to gain 1.6 million followers with only 3 studio lights and iMovie.
How to set up a TikTok account
To set up a TikTok account, download the app, create a profile, and choose your sign-up method. The process only takes a few minutes.
Follow these steps:
1. Download TikTok from the iOS App Store or Google Play.
2. Open the app.
3. Tap Profile.
4. Choose a method to sign up.
Psst: If you need help deciding what type of account to create, check out our guide to choosing between TikTok business and personal accounts.
How to create a TikTok
To create a TikTok, tap the Create (+) button, record or upload your video, edit it with sounds and effects, and then publish it with a caption and hashtags.
Here’s how to get started:
1. Tap the Creator (+) button at the bottom of the screen.
2. Before you start recording, use the menu on the right side of the screen to adjust your video settings.
You can flip to your front-facing camera, toggle the flash on or off, change the layout, apply a retouching beauty lens, play with different filters, or set up a self-timer.
3. At the top of the screen, tap Add sound to incorporate sound clips and music.
This will open a library of songs, trending audio, and more. You can search for a specific song or explore different categories.
4. To start recording, hold down the red button in the bottom center to record video, or tap it once to snap a pic.
To upload a video or photo from your camera, tap the Upload icon to the right of the record button. You can upload multiple videos or photos at once.
5. If you want to record another video clip, press and hold the record button again. Repeat until you’ve captured all your clips.
6. Tap the checkmark icon to move to editing.
7. Use the editing tools on the right side of the screen to customize your video.
From this menu, you can add text, stickers, effects, filters, and captions, and record a voiceover.
8. When you’re happy with your video, click Next. On the posting screen, write a caption and add hashtags. You can also tag people, add a location, choose a cover image, and adjust your privacy settings (Public, Friends, or Only me).
9. Tap the Post button to publish your video!
How to schedule a TikTok
You can schedule a TikTok using Hootsuite for any time in the future. (TikTok’s native scheduler only allows users to schedule TikToks up to 30 days in advance.)
To schedule a TikTok with Hootsuite, follow these steps:
1. Record and edit your video in the TikTok app. Add sounds and effects as needed.
2. When you’re done editing your video, tap Next in the bottom right corner of your screen. Then, select More options and tap Save to device.
3. In Hootsuite, click the Create icon in the left-hand menu. This will open Composer.
4. Select the TikTok account you want to publish to.
5. Upload the TikTok you saved to your device.
6. Add a caption. You can include emojis, hashtags, and tag other accounts in your caption.
7. Adjust additional settings. Note that TikTok’s native privacy settings will override these options.
8. Preview your post and choose Post now or Schedule for later.
9. If you choose to schedule for later, you can manually select a publication date or pick from three recommended times for maximum engagement.
And that’s it! Your TikToks will show up in the Planner, alongside all of your other scheduled social media posts.
This workflow works on both desktop and in the Hootsuite mobile app.
How to use TikTok effects
To use TikTok effects, open the video editor, select an effect from the Effects panel, and record your video.
With built-in filters, AR effects, and visual tools, you can instantly transform your video — whether that means subtle lighting changes or full-on flames shooting from your eyes.
Here’s how to use TikTok effects:
1. Tap the + icon to create a new video.
2. Tap Effects in the editing menu.
3. Scroll to explore different subcategories, such as Trending or Visual. Tap any of the effects to preview how they’ll look on camera.
4. Once you’ve selected an effect, tap the record button to start filming. You can switch effects between clips.
Once you’ve gotten the hang of editing, check out our roundup of creative video ideas to get the juices flowing.
What are the most popular TikTok editing features?
The most popular TikTok editing features include green screen, on-screen text, transitions and cut tricks, Duets, and the cloning effect.
Not sure where to start on your editing journey? Let’s take a closer look at these popular editing features below.
Green screen effect
The green screen effect lets you place yourself in front of any image or video background, no physical green screen required.
You can find it in the Effects panel, or search “green screen” to explore its different variations. While the styles vary, they all layer your video over a selected image or clip.
Creators often use this effect to react to content or enhance their stories. For example, finance TikToker Your Rich BFF uses the Green Screen effect to break down the latest financial headlines directly on screen.
Source: Your Rich BFF
On-screen text and auto captions
It’s rare to find a TikTok video without text on it. You can add text manually or toggle on auto captions from the final editing screen.
If you want to add text that appears and disappears to a beat, we’ll walk you through it in our guide of the top TikTok tips.
Source: thatssoary
Transitions and cut tricks
Create seamless transformations by stopping and starting your recording between movements (like covering the lens or snapping). TikTok will stitch the clips together smoothly.
In the example below, creator Sabriena Abre shows off her hair transformation using smooth transitions and well-timed cuts.
Source: Sabriena Abre
TikTok duets
A TikTok Duet lets you create a split-screen video alongside another user’s content. You can even duet with your older videos, as shown in the example below.
Source: curtisroach
To use this feature, find a video you want to Duet with, then tap the Share arrow on the right side of the screen. Next, tap Duet from the list of options.
Cloning
Cloning effects make it appear as though multiple versions of you are in the same frame.
Some TikTok effects create this look automatically, while other creators manually record multiple clips and reposition themselves between shots.
Source: Big Sis Julia
Because TikTok regularly introduces new filters, AI effects, and visual tools, cloning-style trends are constantly evolving. Browse the Effects panel to see what’s trending.
You can navigate TikTok using the tabs along the bottom of the screen, which include Home, Friends, Create, Inbox, and Profile.
Here’s what each tab does, from left to right:
Home
Tap Home to scroll through videos.
- Click For You to see recommended content based on your activity.
- Click Following to see posts from accounts you follow.
- Click Shop to browse products, TikTok shops, and purchase items directly in the app.
Friends
Tap the Friends tab to see content from people you follow. This part of TikTok isn’t influenced by the algorithm.
Create (the + button)
Tap this button to create a TikTok! Scroll up for tips on how to create and edit TikTok videos, or dig into our 10 TikTok Tricks for beginners.
Inbox
The Inbox tab shows notifications about new followers, likes, comments, mentions, and more. You can also tap through TikTok Stories from accounts you follow.
Profile
The Profile tab leads to your profile. You can tap the Edit button to make changes, or tap on the three horizontal bars in the top right to access the settings and privacy menu.
Search
Looking for a specific creator, video, or hashtag? Use Search.
You can find Search by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the top of the Home screen. This opens a search bar where you can type in keywords. You’ll also see:
- “You may like” recommendations based on your activity
- Popular LIVE videos happening now
- Trending topics
That makes Search a powerful tool for discovering trending content on TikTok.
How to change your TikTok username
To change your username, follow these steps:
- Go to the Profile tab.
- Tap Edit.
- Type in your new username and tap Save.
Note: You can only change your TikTok username once every 30 days, so double-check the spelling before saving. Changing your username will also update your profile URL.
(And if you want help coming up with a new TikTok username, check out our free AI username generator!)
How to find friends on TikTok
You can find friends on TikTok by syncing your contacts, searching usernames, or scanning a QR code.
Method 1: Sync your contacts
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the human-with-a-plus icon in the top left corner.
- Choose to sync with your phone’s contact list, or with Facebook.
- To turn off contact sync, you can always go back into your phone’s privacy settings and turn off TikTok access.
Method 2: Search by username
Go to Search and type your friend’s username or name. Tap their profile to follow them.
Method 3: Scan a TikTok QR code
Each TikTok account has a unique QR code. Scan your friend’s code using your phone’s camera to go right to their profile, no pesky tapping or typing required.
How to engage with other users on TikTok
You can engage with other users on TikTok by liking videos, leaving comments, following creators, and more. Each video includes built-in icons that make interaction simple.
Here’s what each icon does:
- Profile: Tap the profile icon to visit the creator’s profile. You can also tap the plus sign to follow them.
- Heart icon: Tap the heart icon to like a video. This gives the creator props and signals to TikTok what type of content you want to see more of.
- Speech bubble icon: Tap the speech bubble to leave a comment or read comments from other TikTok users.
- Bookmark icon: Tap the bookmark icon to save the video to your Favorites. You can organize saved videos into Collections so they’re easier to find later.
- Share arrow icon: Tap the share button to share it, download it, Duet it, stitch it into your own video, turn it into a GIF, or add it to your TikTok story.
- Spinning record icon: Tap the spinning record to see which sound is used in the video and explore other content using the same audio.
Source: Chelsea Vaughn
Interacting with other users doesn’t just make TikTok a more engaging place to be — it’s also a huge part of any successful social media marketing strategy.
If you’re ready to take your brand’s TikTok strategy to the next level, we’ve got more in-depth guides and tutorials that tackle everything from TikTok analytics to strategies for making money on the platform. Dig into our whole library of TikTok resources here.
FAQ: How to use TikTok
How do businesses use TikTok for brand awareness and growth?
Businesses use TikTok to build brand awareness by creating engaging content that feels natural to the platform. Instead of polished ads, brands should lean into trends, storytelling, and personality. When done well, this drives organic reach, community growth, and even sales.
What core features should every marketer understand before using TikTok?
How should enterprises build a TikTok strategy from scratch?
Enterprises can build a TikTok strategy from scratch by starting with clear goals, such as brand awareness, lead generation, or conversions. Then, define audience segments and content pillars before scaling. Governance and approval workflows should be built in from the start.
How do you measure success and ROI on TikTok?
You measure success and ROI on TikTok by setting goals and then tracking relevant metrics, such as reach, watch time, video views, engagement rate, follower growth, and conversions. The key is tying platform metrics back to business outcomes like traffic, leads, or revenue.
What are common mistakes brands make when learning how to use TikTok?
Brands also struggle when they focus too much on follower count instead of genuine engagement and community building.
Grow your TikTok presence alongside your other social channels using Hootsuite. From a single dashboard, you can schedule and publish posts for the best times, engage your TikTok audience, and measure performance. Try it free today.
