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Why use TikTok?

TikTok is a video sharing and social networking platform with an expanding user base worldwide.

It allows users to create, watch and share short-form videos. TikTok is targeted at a younger age group but has users of all ages.

The video content shared on the platform is primarily for entertainment and includes anything and everything from sporting tricks and challenges to training tips, dancing, and lip-syncing.

TikTok functions

Posting
Videos of under 60 seconds that include trending hashtags and sounds that are recognisable to users tend to do best. TikTok offer users different sound effects, music-clips and filters to use with their videos.
Stitch or duet
Stitches and duets allow users to record themselves reacting to other videos. This offers a good way to vary content, collaborate and promote partnerships and community links.
Comment
Users can comment on videos and tag other users in the comments sections.
Hearts
Users engage with videos using hearts which are the same as likes.
Following
Users can follow each other.
Searching
TikTok has a Discover function which enables you to search for videos by keywords and hashtags.
Sharing
TikTok offers users the option of sharing content with others.
TikTok Ads
You can pay to use TikTok ads to drive the promotion of your organisation with the platform's audience.
Personal and Business Accounts
TikTok personal accounts can be created by individuals. Business Accounts are designed for organisations and give access to insight and analysis and support tools.

Get set up

To set up your TikTok account and begin posting your content, follow these steps:

  • Go to the TikTok website or download the TikTok app on your mobile device.

  • Sign up using your organisation's number, email, username or other online accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Apple or Google).

  • Once you have created and verified your account, click the '+' button. From here you can upload or take a video, edit and post the content you want. To find out more on how to do this, visit TikTok’s 'Creating your first video' page.

  • To create a business account, sign in and go to settings and privacy, account and switch to business account or go to www.tiktok.com/business/en-GB and create an account.

Things to consider

  • TikTok's largest user groups are people aged 18-25 and 25-34.

  • TikTok gives users the ability to showcase their activities, participants and volunteers in a creative way, but the type of content used by the platform is limited to short-videos.

  • TikTok is newer to the market than other social media platforms.

  • Be cautious of inappropriate content or language in comments or videos.

TikTok only lets businesses use music in their royalty-free library, other royalty-free sounds, or user-created sounds and songs, so be aware that not all sounds are available to use.