A Millennial’s Guide to TikTok, from a Gen Z
Do you want to dip your toe into the viral world of TikTok but don’t know how to navigate the interface and all of its features? Well then this is the post for you! Let this be your manual when it comes to achieving your TikTok fame and going viral because the app favours creators who utilise all of the features they offer.
Video
Choose between recording for 15 seconds, 60 seconds or 3 minutes, but keep in mind you can always end your video early but can’t lengthen it once you’ve selected your duration! You can also play around with the different effects and filters available to make your videos more engaging for your viewers. Beauty filter is also an option to make yourself a little more photo ready, but be wary of overdoing it otherwise you might get #hate since TikTok users want to see your raw, authentic selves.
Photo
Uploading photos can be done using “video mode” or “photo mode”. If you want to increase your chances of going viral and avoid exposing your age, we suggest sticking to photo mode. As one of TikTok’s newest features, the algorithm is currently pushing out these static photo carousels to compete with Instagram. Sort of like how Instagram copied TikTok with short videos, but now the other way around… This is a great feature to recycle any photo dumps from your Instagram and the app will automatically sync the scrolling to the beat of the chosen sound to make your post seem even more perfect!
Story
Behold another feature TikTok copied from Instagram… This is a feature less utilised by creators yet still can be an effective, casual way to connect with your audience. Treat this how you would an Instagram Story and take your followers through your day-to-day life. Ask them what they want to see from you, post the drafts that didn’t quite make the cut, or behind the scenes of your aesthetic dance video.
LIVE
To access the LIVE feature on TikTok, you need to reach at least 1000 followers. This feature allows you to interact with your audience in real-time. Depending on the country you’re in, your viewers can send you diamonds as LIVE Gifts which you can obtain Reward Payments in the form of money or virtual items!