How to Make a Reel on TikTok

Ready to create a video for TikTok but not sure where to start? Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to level up your content, we’ve got you covered. This guide breaks down exactly how to make a TikTok video (often called a Reel, reflecting the popular format), from recording your first clip to using advanced editing features right inside the app.

Getting Started: Your First TikTok Video

Diving into TikTok creation can feel like a lot at first, but the core process is straightforward. Let’s walk through the simple steps of opening the camera and recording your first few clips. Think of this as your launchpad - once you understand these basics, everything else will build on them.

Step 1: Open the Creator Camera

To begin, open the TikTok app and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom center of your screen. This takes you to the creator camera, which is command central for everything you’re about to record. You may need to grant the app permission to access your camera and microphone if you haven’t already.

Step 2: Get Familiar with the Recording Screen

Before you hit record, take a look around. You’ll see a row of icons on the right side of the screen. These are your essential tools for setting up your shot:

• Flip: Switches between your front-facing and rear-facing camera.
• Speed: Allows you to record in slow motion (0.3x, 0.5x) or fast motion (2x, 3x). Recording in fast motion is a popular trick for making lip-syncing videos easier to nail.
• Enhance: A light touch-up tool that can smooth skin and add subtle brightness.
• Filters: These are color overlays you can add before or after recording to change the mood or aesthetic of your video.
• Timer: An absolute lifesaver for hands-free recording. Tap this to set a 3 or 10-second countdown before recording starts. You can also drag a slider to determine exactly when the recording should stop, which is perfect for timing clips to music.
• Reply: Used to respond to a comment with a video.

Step 3: Record Your Clips

You have two ways to record video in TikTok:

1. Tap and Hold: Press and hold the red record button. The recording will stop as soon as you lift your finger. This method is great for shooting quick, successive shots.
2. Tap to Start/Stop: If you're using the Timer or just prefer hands-free recording, you can tap the record button once to start recording and tap it again to stop.

You can record multiple clips that will automatically be stitched together. For example, you can record a 3-second clip, change your outfit or location, and then record another 3-second clip. After you're done recording all your video segments, tap the red checkmark to move on to the editing screen.

The Heartbeat of TikTok: Sounds and Music

Sound is arguably the most important element on TikTok. A trending sound can be the difference between a video that gets 100 views and one that gets 100,000. It sets the tone, provides the rhythm, and plugs your content directly into a larger conversation on the platform.

How to Add a Sound Before Recording

If you want to use a specific song or sound trend, it's best to add it before you start recording so you can film your clips in time with the audio.

1. At the top of the creator camera screen, tap "Add sound."
2. This opens TikTok's commercial music library. You can browse playlists, search for a specific song or artist, or look through the "TikTok Viral" section to find what's currently trending.
3. Once you find a sound you like, tap on it to preview it.
4. Tap the red checkmark to add it to your video. Now when you record, the sound will play in the background to guide you.

How to Grab a Sound from Another Video

Seen a trending meme or sound on your "For You Page" that you want to use? This is the easiest way to join in:

1. While watching the video, tap on the spinning circular icon in the bottom-right corner. It will show the name of the sound scrolling.
2. This takes you to the sound's official page, where you can see other videos that have used it.
3. Tap the red "Use this sound" button at the bottom of the screen. This will open the creator camera with the sound pre-loaded and ready to go.

Adjusting Volume

After you’ve filmed your video, you can adjust the volume. In the editing screen, tap "Audio editing" on the right-hand panel. Here, you can change the volume of the Original sound (what your camera's microphone recorded) and the Added sound. This is particularly useful if you're doing a voiceover and want the background music to be quiet or if you want to completely remove the original audio you recorded.

Bringing Your Vision to Life: The In-App Editor

Once you’ve recorded your footage and selected a sound, it’s time to edit. TikTok’s built-in editor has become surprisingly powerful, giving you all the tools you need to create a polished, dynamic video without ever leaving the app.

Adjust Clips: The Foundation of Good Editing

To access the main editor, tap the "Adjust clips" icon on the right side of the post-recording screen. This timeline view is where the magic happens.

• Trimming: Tap on any clip in the timeline. You’ll see white handles appear on either end. Drag these handles inward to shorten the beginning or end of the clip. This is perfect for removing awkward pauses or blank space.
• Reordering: Need to change the order of your clips? Just tap, hold, and drag a clip to a new position in the timeline.
• Splitting: Position the white playhead on a clip and tap "Split" to cut that clip into two separate pieces. This is great for inserting another short clip in the middle or timing an edit perfectly to a beat drop.

Adding Text and Text-to-Speech

Text overlays are an awesome way to add context, tell a story, or provide a hook. Tap the "Text" (Tt) icon to get started.

• Add Text: Type your message, choose your font, and select a color or background.
• Set Duration: This is a crucial step! After placing your text, tap on it and select "Set duration." You can then drag the handles to control precisely when the text appears and disappears in your video. This allows you to sync text to specific moments or words in a voiceover.
• Text-to-Speech: After typing your text, tap on it and look for the icon of a head with sound waves (it might be under "More options"). Select "Text-to-speech" and choose a voice. TikTok will generate an automated voiceover reading your text, an incredibly popular and recognizable feature.

Using Effects and Filters

Stickers, Effects, and Filters add personality and flair to your videos.

• Effects: Think of Effects as interactive elements - the famous Greenscreen, face-morphing tools, or augmented reality animations. These are typically applied before or during recording from the creator camera screen. However, you can add certain visual Effects (like blurs, sparkles, or glitches) from the post-recording editing screen by tapping the "Effects" icon.
• Filters: Filters are simple color grades that change the overall look and feel of your video. You can add them from the creator camera or in the editor. Swipe through them to see what best matches your video's vibe.
• Stickers: In the editor, tap "Stickers" to add GIFs, emojis, or interactive features like polls and location tags.

Pro-Tips for Videos That Stop the Scroll

Knowing how to use the tools is one thing, using them strategically is another. Here are a few techniques that successful creators use to make their videos more engaging and dynamic.

Master a Simple Transition

Transitions make your videos more visually interesting and give them a professional polish. The easiest one to learn is the "cover and reveal." Here's how:

1. Clip 1: Record yourself doing something (e.g., in your pajamas). At the end of the clip, quickly move your hand to completely cover the camera lens. Then stop recording.
2. Clip 2: Change your outfit or location. To start the next clip, place your hand directly over the lens, hit record, and then quickly pull your hand away to reveal the "after."
3. Trim it: In the editor, trim the clips so the moment of transition is lightning-fast. The result is a seamless-looking "magic" transformation. Get yourself a tripod to ensure your phone stays in the same spot for even cleaner-looking transitions.

Craft a Powerful Hook

You have less than three seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling. Your "hook" is what you use to grab their attention. It can be visual (something surprising or satisfying happening) or text-based. Some popular text hooks that work well include:

• "Here’s something you probably don’t know about X..."
• "Three mistakes everyone makes when..."
• "The single best life hack I've ever learned..."

Place your hook right at the beginning of the video so it's the very first thing people see.

The Final Check: Before You Post

You’ve recorded, edited, and you're ready to share your masterpiece. You're now on the final screen before publishing.

• Caption & Hashtags: Write a short, engaging caption that adds a bit of context or asks a question to encourage comments. Add 3-5 relevant hashtags that describe your content. A good strategy is to use a mix of broad hashtags (#DIY) and more specific, niche hashtags (#ikeahacksforkids).
• Select Cover: Don't skip this! This is the thumbnail people will see on your profile grid and in search. Tap "Select cover" and scrub through your video to find an eye-catching still frame. You can also add styled title text here to create a cohesive look on your profile.
• Post Settings: Review who can see your video (public, friends, or only you) and choose whether you want to allow comments, Duets, or Stitches. Duets and Stitches are fantastic for engagement, as they let other creators use your video in their own content.

Once everything looks good, hit that "Post" button and send your video out into the world.

Final Thoughts

Creating your first TikTok can feel daunting, but it's simpler than you might think. Start by mastering the basics - recording, adding sound, and trimming clips - and gradually experiment with text, transitions, and trends. Consistency is more important than perfection, so get out there and start creating.

Of course, once you get the hang of creating content, the next challenge is managing it all, especially if you’re posting on multiple short-form platforms like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. To stay organized, we built Postbase with today's social media world in mind. Our visual calendar lets you plan all your video content at a glance, and our reliable, video-first scheduler means you can upload your work once and publish it everywhere without headaches. It helps you focus on creating, leaving the organizing to us.