How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok

You don't need to be a professional videographer to create compelling content on TikTok. In fact, some of the most engaging posts on the platform right now aren't videos at all - they're high-energy photo slideshows. This quick, versatile format is perfect for telling stories, sharing tips, and hopping on trends. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create your own TikTok slideshow, from the basic steps to pro tips that will help your content stand out.

Why Photo Slideshows are an Amazing Tool for TikTok Creators

Before getting into the "how," it's worth understanding "why" slideshows perform so well. They aren't just an alternative to video, they offer unique advantages for brands and creators looking to grow their audience.

• Low Barrier to Entry: Creating a slideshow is often faster and requires less effort than filming and editing a full video. You can repurpose existing photos from your camera roll, making it an incredibly efficient way to produce content consistently.
• Perfect for Bite-Sized Storytelling: Slideshows excel at telling a clear, step-by-step story. Think before-and-afters, mini-tutorials, recipe guides, travel diaries, or end-of-month "photo dumps." Each swipe or transition moves the narrative forward.
• High Viewer Engagement: TikTok's swipeable "Photo Mode" keeps users actively involved. Since they control the pace, they spend more time on your post, signaling to the algorithm that your content is valuable.
• Ideal for Highlighting Details: Need to showcase product features, highlight text from a screenshot, or share multiple infographics? A slideshow format allows viewers to pause and absorb the information on each slide at their own pace.

How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok: The Step-by-Step Guide

Making a slideshow directly within the TikTok app is simple. TikTok gives you two main options: Photo Mode (a swipeable carousel) and Video Mode (a video made from your photos). Here’s how to do both.

Step 1: Get Started

Open the TikTok app and tap the plus (+) button at the bottom center of the screen to open the creation camera.

Step 2: Select Your Photos

On the right side of the red record button, you'll see an ‘Upload’ button. Tap it to access your phone's camera roll. From here, you can select all the photos you want to include in an organized manner. Choose them in the order you want them to appear to save time rearranging them later. Once you've selected all your images, tap ‘Next’.

Step 3: Choose Between Photo Mode and Video Mode

This is the most important step. After selecting your media, TikTok will prompt you to choose a format. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see two options: ‘Switch to photo mode’ and ‘Switch to video mode’. Let's break down each one.

Option A: Creating a "Photo Mode" Slideshow (Swipeable Carousel)

Photo Mode is the popular format that lets users swipe through your images manually, almost like an Instagram carousel. This format feels more interactive and often boosts watch time because users control the experience.

1. Keep it in Photo Mode: If you've selected photos, TikTok will usually default to this mode. You can confirm by checking that "Photo Mode" is highlighted at the bottom.
2. Add a Sound: Even though it's not a video, music is a must. Tap 'Add sound' at the top of the screen. Choose a trending track that fits the vibe of your photos. The music will play as users swipe through your collection.
3. Add Text & Stickers: Tap the 'Aa' icon to add text overlays or the sticker icon to add polls, GIFs, or emojis. In Photo Mode, text and stickers will appear on each photo individually, so you can customize captions for each slide.
4. Refine and Post: From here, you move to the final posting screen. Write a compelling main caption for the overall post, add relevant hashtags, tag any accounts, and you’re ready to hit 'Post'.

Pro Tip: Photo Mode is best for showing collections, like "My Favorite Outfits This Week," or for informative content where users might want to pause on a specific image, like a recipe card or workout routine.

Option B: Creating a "Video Mode" Slideshow (Auto-Playing)

Video Mode takes your chosen photos and stitches them together into a traditional video. The photos transition automatically in time with the music. This gives you more control over the timing, effects, and overall rhythm of the slideshow.

1. Switch to Video Mode: At the bottom of the editing screen, tap ‘Switch to video mode’. TikTok will automatically turn your images into a video clip.
2. Add a Sound and Sync It: Just like with any other video, tap 'Add sound' at the top. This is even more important in Video Mode, as the pace of your photo transitions will be dictated by the sound. We’ll cover syncing in the tips section below.
3. Adjust the Timing and Transitions: Tap the 'Edit' button in the top right corner. This opens up TikTok’s video editor.
   • Editing Clips: Here, you’ll see each photo displayed on the timeline. Tap on an individual photo to trim its duration (how long it stays on screen) or drag them around to reorder everything.
   • Adding Transitions: Between each photo clip on the timeline, you’ll see a small white icon. Tap it to open the transition menu. You can add slick effects like a fade, slide, or zoom to make your slideshow more dynamic. You can apply one transition type to all clips or pick a unique one for each.
4. Add Text That Appears and Disappears: While in the main editor (not the timeline editing screen), tap the ‘Aa’ icon to add text. After you type your message, tap the text box again and select ‘Set duration’. This allows you to drag the start and end points of the text overlay on the timeline to make it appear dynamically while specific photos are on screen - a fantastic tool for storytelling.
5. Apply Effects and Filters: Tap the ‘Effects’ icon to browse through trending visual effects like "Green Screen" or subtle enhancements. You can also apply a cohesive color filter to give all your photos a consistent aesthetic.
6. Finalize and Post Your Slideshow video: Once you love how your video looks, tap 'Next'. This will take you to the final posting page where you can write your caption, select a video cover, add hashtags, and publish.

Pro Tips for Making Your TikTok Slideshows Stand Out

Now that you know the technical steps, let's talk about the strategy. A good slideshow isn’t just a random collection of photos - it’s a story told well. Here are some key tips to make your content grab attention.

1. Start with a Strong Visual Hook

The first photo in your slideshow is your headline. It needs to grab attention immediately and make the viewer want to see what's next. A compelling question, a shocking "before" photo, or a beautiful cover image will prevent users from scrolling past. Make the first image promise something that the rest of the slideshow will deliver on.

2. Tell a Clear and Cohesive Story

Great slideshows have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The progression should feel logical. Think chronologically (a "Day in My Life"), procedurally (a step-by-step DIY tutorial), or thematically (a collection of fall-themed recipes). Avoid randomly mixing photos. Every image should serve a purpose in moving the story forward for it to feel compelling for new viewers to discover in their feeds.

3. Sync Your Photos to the Music's Beat

This is one of the easiest ways to make your slideshow look professional and polished. For a Video Mode slideshow, choose a song with a distinct beat. In the 'Edit' menu, manually adjust each photo’s duration on the timeline so that the transitions happen right on the beat drop. This rhythmic editing creates a satisfying, hypnotic effect that keeps viewers watching all the way to the end.

4. Combine Photos with Short Video Clips

Who says a slideshow can only be photos? When you’re in the 'Upload' screen, you can select a mix of photos and short video clips. Intersperse a few 1-2 second video clips between photos to add a burst of dynamic energy. This hybrid approach keeps the slideshow visually fresh and engaging and looks really creative yet requires very little extra editing overhead to get done for any creator.

5. Use Text Overlays as a Guide

Don't assume your visuals tell the whole story. Use text overlays on each slide to provide context, narrative, or instructions. Keep it short and easy to read. You can use the text to ask questions and prompt comments, like, "Which look is your favorite?" Simple text guides your audience and makes your content more accessible to those watching with the sound off.

6. End with a Call to Action (CTA)

What should your viewer do after they’ve seen your slideshow? Tell them! Your last slide can be a dedicated image with a text CTA. Ask them to follow you for more, drop a comment with their opinion, visit the link in your bio, or save the post for later. A clear CTA transforms passive viewers into an engaged community or your next new customer online!

Final Thoughts

Creating a photo slideshow on TikTok is a quick, fun way to share great content without all the heavy lifting of traditional video shoots. Whether you choose the interactive Photo Mode or the cinematic Video Mode, you can tell powerful stories and connect with a new audience on your social channels, one slide at a time.

Once you get into the swing of creating compelling TikToks and Reels, scheduling them to create a consistent content calendar becomes the next challenge. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar so you can see your entire strategy across all your platforms in one place. You can plan slideshows next to your short-form videos and other social content, easily drag-and-drop posts to reschedule them, and make sure you’re posting consistently without juggling endless spreadsheets.