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TIKTOK - WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS, HERE'S HOW TO USE IT

The social network that is most popular at the moment, especially among the younger generations, is undoubtedly TikTok.

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The social network that is most popular at the moment, especially among the younger generations, is undoubtedly TikTok.

Its fundamental purpose? The creation of videos with lip and gesture synchronization. Its distinctive feature? The considerable potential, even in the field of web marketing. It is no coincidence that many internet stars and prominent influencers nowadays prefer the use of TikTok to more established social networks, such as Instagram.

But let's start with order. What is TikTok? How does it work? How can you best use it? By answering the aforementioned questions, we will try to present TikTok in the best possible way, so that you can know its main functions and try it out.

What is TikTok?

If you are among those who use social networks for mere fun, then TikTok is right for you, since it offers you the opportunity to make funny comic sketches or to sing in lip-sync, that is to say by moving your mouth in sync with a scene from a movie or with a piece of music.

Initially, the name of this good app, intended to create nice lip-sync videos was Musical.ly. Then, on 2 August 2018, ByteDance, in the role of developer, combined the Musical.ly and TikTok platforms, keeping the latter name. The basic intent revolved around increasing the number of members. The result of this strategy is that to date, the app, available in 34 languages, has more than 600 million users, also known as tik tokers.

What are the main functions of the TikTok?

We have already talked about lip-syncing videos, very fashionable is the inclusion of special effects, another of the most popular, particularly at the heart of many influencers, is certainly the change of clothes. But it is not the only one. The ability to create musicals, give presentations, kick off unforgettable duets, and produce short films are some of TikTok's coolest features.

It should not be forgotten that along the same lines as with Instagram, even in the case of TikTok, videos and photos can be stored in the phone's memory. Furthermore, you can use it to create a wonderful story, but also to proceed with external sharing on other social networks.

How does TikTok work?

Before reporting in detail a whole series of useful information in reference to this revolutionary social network, it is good that you keep in mind something useful for registration purposes: everything that was available until 2018 on Musical.ly, is present today on TikTok. Reason why, if you have already completed the subscription to the first platform, before merging with the second, you can use the same account to log in.

Therefore, about the functioning of TikTok, the starting point is the download and installation of the app on your mobile device: you can find it on the Play Store or on the App Store for free. Once downloaded, you can install it on your Android terminal or on your iDevice. At this point, all you have to do is open it: you will see the various videos being played that the other tik tokers have uploaded. If you want to share a video, creating a personal account is essential.

The next step is to complete the setting of the profile page, just like on Instagram. So, we report the round profile photo, the feed of the uploaded videos and the possibility to manage the settings from the menu located on the right: between privacy, account management, help center, notifications, fans, number of followers, and hearts, there is a lot of work in terms of customization.

What's happening within the TikTok community is highlighted in your feed. Just like on Youtube and on video sharing portals, the videos are shown to you in relation to your actual preferences and your real interests.

How is TikTok used?

In reference to how to use TikTok and how to Buy TikTok Followers it becomes of fundamental importance to know how to create videos with effects and how to upload them within the platform.

The procedure is within everyone's reach, given how intuitive it is: once you have pressed the central “+” button, you must allow access to the camera and microphone by first clicking the appropriate button and then clicking “OK”, confirming. The camera will open: you, as a user, will have to decide whether to use the classic recording mode or to lean towards selfies, as happens on Instagram Stories.

By acting in this way, the creation of a video, starting from scratch, directly with the camera of your smartphone will be an immediate action. On the platform, the uploading of the video or photo will be immediate. Furthermore, with the appropriate tools, making the necessary changes will be immediate. With a click on the icon, located at the bottom of the screen, to be precise on the right side near the red button, you will have fully achieved the purpose. In addition, TikTok allows you to view previews of your photo shots.

The last thing to do, therefore, remains to choose if it is the case to opt for the upload of one or more videos / photos. The multiple mode is really convenient.

How to insert special effects with TikTok

Customizing the movie with a whole series of special effects on TikTok is quite simple.

The insertion of a sound can be done by choosing one of the numerous playlists, strictly divided into categories (Viral, Popular, Global Hits, etc. are the most popular); alternatively, you can add the first person to the soundtrack. How? By typing the title of the song or the name of the artist directly into the internal search engine.

Once the song in question is shown, click on the flag sign and you will have made your movie even more personalized. And after choosing the background music, you can choose the playback speed. Lip-sync or music will have a faster pace if you opt for 2x or 3x keys. To record the video, simply click the red button, located in the center of the interface.

Let's move on to inserting filters and special effects. By clicking on the icon marked by the presence of the three colored circles, you will be able to choose the filter that best suits you. The beauty effect, very popular among those who want to perceive all their potential from a simple photo shoot, can be activated (or disabled) with a click on the icon depicting the magic wand.

Tiktok effects

The Vlog 123 key, located at the bottom left, always near the red button, allows you to add a whole series of filters, three-dimensional effects, spectacular stickers, moving writings, ears and faces of animals. Once you have made the change, just click on "Next" and continue.

The video, as well as with the camera key, located at the top right, can be made, taking full advantage of the Timer function. You will not have to hold down the record button, but just click on the clock icon, where there is the number 3 and then on “Start countdown”. After a few seconds, the recording will start automatically.

What if you don't like the uploaded video? No problem! You can remove it from the platform by simply opening it, first clicking on the three dots icon and then on "Delete". Now, you can make another one.

Downloading videos and saving them as favorites remain particularly interesting functions.

Is TikTok safe as a social network?

Yes. However, you have to be careful. Starting from the assumption that it is necessary to be 13 years old to be a TikTok user, it should be noted that by default the accounts are public. What does this mean concretely? That everyone, subscribed and not subscribed to the platform, have the opportunity to view the shared videos. As far as the sending of private messages is concerned, this function is valid only for approved followers.

Reactions to videos include following the video maker’s account or sending messages. And it is here that some problems arise, in the face of improper use of this social network: there is in fact the risk of being contacted, sometimes annoyed, by strangers. In the case of minors, therefore, maximum attention is required.

The opportunity to filter inappropriate content is definitely useful for an intelligent use of the social network in question. The same can be said for the “Off / Friends” mode: only by following each other, the sending of private messages becomes feasible.

And if you care about your privacy, I invite you to create a private account: only accepted Followers on TikTok will be able to view the videos you created. Even in the case of private accounts, however, everyone will be able to view your bio, your profile photograph and your account name.