You may know TikTok as “the lip sync app for kids” or “whatever other lip sync app for kids that Musical.ly has become.” In truth, TikTok has been downloaded over 1 billion times worldwide to date, making it incredibly popular.
If you are not of the younger generation, TikTok can be confusing. Is it a social network, video editing app, or a creative tool for authors? There’s a lot of things mixed in this app, but that’s what makes it so interesting.
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This beginner’s guide to TikTok will explain what it is and whether you should start using it.
What is TikTok?
TikTok originated in China and is owned by the Chinese company Bytedance (considered one of the most successful startups in the world
In short, TikTok is about creating short 15-second videos with music (from popular artist songs to short clips from movies and TV shows). 
TikTok
Surprisingly, that’s all. People create and share these videos on TikTok Of course, you can also add various filters, perform unusual edits, and get creative. But it really comes down to how easy it is to get started using TikTok
At the same time, the application, for all its simplicity, can seem rather confusing. It’s a gigantic mix of elements from other services like Vine, Snapchat and Spotify all rolled into one app.
Who is a typical TikTok user?
Aside from a fascinating backstory, TikTok also has an interesting demographic. According to statistics, the majority of users are women. But only 66% of all users are under 30.
This immediately makes TikTok an app that every parent should know about. If you think your child is too young for TikTok content, you might want to find ways to keep your smartphone safe from children.
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For now, TikTok is attracting more and more audiences outside of its expected 13-year-old lip-syncing profile. It grabs the attention of social media influencers, popular artists, comedians, and big brands.
Companies that have already started advertising in the app include Nike, Coca-Cola, and even Google. More sponsored content is popping up on the web and this is definitely a sign of growth.
TikTok is also extremely popular with millennials as it is the starting point for many popular memes and tasks.
How to get started on TikTok
The beauty of this network is that if you want to be part of it, it’s very easy to join. You don’t even need to create a video. You can simply use TikTok for your own entertainment, killing time watching funny (and sometimes nasty) clips.
If you just want to try TikTok and see what things you can find online, this is what you need to do:
- Download the TikTok app for iOS or Android
- Open the application.
- Start watching the video after the quick start guide.
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If you feel more inventive or inspired by the videos you find in the app, you can create an account and start sharing your videos.
How to create your own TikTok video
How to Create Your Own TikTok Video
Before you can share your videos, you need to set up your TikTok account. There are several ways to do this. You can use your phone number, email, Facebook or Instagram.
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After registration, go to your account page by clicking on the “Me” icon in the lower right corner of the screen.
Making your first TikTok clip is much easier than creating your first YouTube video, for example. Therefore, even if you have never encountered such content before, you should follow these steps:
- First, click the plus button at the bottom of the screen that says Tap create. Just like Snapchat, the camera interface will open.
- At the bottom of the screen, you can choose the duration of the clip (15 or 60 seconds).
- If you want to shoot a classic TikTok video, try adding music to it. Find the Sounds button at the top of the screen. There you can access an extensive collection of different clips to choose from. For lip sync videos, add audio before recording. Otherwise, just follow this step after.
- Other add-ons you can use include filters, beauty effects, changing the speed of your video or flipping an image.
- Hold recording. button to start recording. You can shoot your clip in one or more takes. To get different angles or points of view, press the record button several times. Just make sure you meet your chosen deadline (15 or 60 seconds).
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- When you’re done recording, you can edit the clip before publishing. Some of TikTok‘s post production tools include cropping videos, adding (and editing) sound, effects, stickers, and cover images.
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- Click Next and finish by writing a description of your video, adding hashtags and choosing your audience. This is it! You’re one click away from posting from your future TikTok star.
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Remember, this is a very simple TikTok video tutorial. In fact, there are many ways to entertain yourself in the app by creating truly interesting, fun and engaging content.
Take some time to explore TikTok, learn about the tools, and see what other users are sharing to experience the full potential of the app.
Should you use TikTok?
The big question is, should you start using TikTok or give it up? Well, it really depends on your goals with the app and how much free time you have.
While creating and sharing videos on TikTok doesn’t seem like a lot of time, you’ll soon find yourself mindlessly watching other people’s videos, whether you intend to do so or not.
TikTok definitely has a lot of potential as an advertising tool given its popularity. It also gives you the opportunity to become part of the community. You can complete challenges, earn coins, and interact with other users.
In the end, TikTok is what you want it to be for you. Most importantly, remember the original purpose of the app and just have fun.
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