How to Post a Video on TikTok

Posting your first video on TikTok can feel like a massive leap, but the process is surprisingly straightforward. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the absolute basics of uploading a pre-edited video to mastering TikTok’s powerful in-app creative tools. We’ll cover every step so you can go from what does this button do? to publishing content with confidence.

Two Ways to Start Your TikTok Video: Record or Upload

You have two primary options when creating a TikTok: film a new video directly within the app or upload existing footage from your phone’s camera roll. Neither is better than the other, they just serve different workflows. Recording natively is great for spontaneous, trending content, while uploading is perfect for polished videos you created in an external video editor.

Option 1: How to Upload a Video from Your Camera Roll

If you’ve already shot and edited a video on your phone or with editing software, this is your path. It's often the preferred method for brands and creators who want total control over the final look.

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown:

1. Open TikTok and tap the plus icon (+). This is the central button at the bottom of your screen, your gateway to creating content.
2. Select "Upload". In the bottom-right corner of the recording screen, you’ll see the ‘Upload’ button. Tapping it will open your phone’s photo and video library.
3. Choose your content. You can select a single video clip or tap "Select multiple" to combine several videos and photos. This is a simple way to stitch together a complete story.
4. Trim and arrange your clips. Once selected, TikTok will take you to an editing timeline. Here you can drag the ends of each clip to trim them, and you can hold and drag the clips to reorder them. You can also adjust the format from portrait to landscape if needed, though vertical 9:16 is highly recommended. Tap “Next” when you’re done.
5. Fine-tune your video. TikTok will now process your video and take you to the main editing screen. Here you can add sound, text, effects, and more before moving to the final post screen. We'll get into those powerful tools in a moment.

Option 2: How to Record a Video Directly in TikTok

Shooting natively in the app is the best way to jump on trends, use specific TikTok effects, and capture authentic, in-the-moment content.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the camera by tapping the plus icon (+). By default, you’ll be on the camera screen, ready to record.
2. Get familiar with the recording tools. Before you hit record, look at the options on the right side of the screen. You’ll find functions like:
   • Flip: Switches between your front and rear cameras.
   • Speed: Lets you record in slow motion (0.3x, 0.5x) or fast-motion (2x, 3x). This is great for creative effects.
   • Filters: A library of color presets to change the mood of your video.
   • Enhance: A feature that subtly smooths skin and brightens your features.
   • Timer: Allows you to set a 3-second or 10-second countdown before recording starts. It also lets you set an endpoint, so the camera automatically stops recording. It's invaluable for creators filming on their own.
   • Effects: To the left of the record button, this is where you find TikTok’s massive library of AR filters, Green Screen backgrounds, and interactive games.
3. Add a sound (optional but recommended). At the top of the screen, tap "Add sound." You can browse trending sounds and add one to your video before you start recording. A lot of trends are built around specific audio clips, so this is a key step.
4. Record your video. You have two recording methods. You can either tap and hold the red record button for the duration you want to film, or you can tap it once to start and tap it again to stop. Tapping once to start and stop is the easiest way to record multiple different scenes or clips in a row.
5. Review and proceed to editing. Once you've recorded all your clips, tap the checkmark on the right to move to the main editing screen.

Mastering the TikTok Editor: Your Guide to Engaging Content

Whether you uploaded or recorded your footage, you'll land on the same editor screen. This is where the real creativity happens. Taking a few moments to use these tools can transform a simple video into something that truly stops people from scrolling.

Add Sound to Stand Out

Audio is the heartbeat of TikTok. Using a trending song or sound clip can drastically increase your video’s chances of being discovered. The sound page acts as a discovery hub, so picking the right one is essential.

• How to add it: Tap "Add sound" at the top. You can scroll through recommended audios, trending charts, or search for a specific song or artist. You can also save sounds you like from other videos to your "Favorites" to use later.
• Adjusting volume: After adding a sound, tap "Volume" on the right-side menu. A slider will appear, allowing you to control the balance between the "Original sound" (the audio from your video) and the "Added sound." This is perfect for voiceovers or for when you want the music to be background noise.

Use Text, Captions, and Text-to-Speech

Text overlays are an awesome way to tell a story, add context, or highlight key points. Many users watch videos without sound, so on-screen text makes your content much more accessible.

• Adding text: Tap the "Text" icon (Aa) on the right. Type your message, and then you can choose different fonts, colors, and add a background highlight to make it pop. You can pinch and drag the text to reposition and resize it anywhere on the screen.
• Setting text duration: Once you've added your text, tap on it and select "Set duration." A timeline will appear, allowing you to drag the start and end points so the text only shows up for a specific part of your video.
• Using Text-to-Speech: After adding your text, tap it again and select the "Text-to-speech" icon (it looks like a person's head with soundwaves). You can choose from a variety of voices to read your text aloud. This feature is incredibly popular and adds a narrative element to your videos.

Enhance with Effects and Filters

Effects are more than just goofy filters, they are powerful creative tools that form the basis for millions of videos.

• What's the difference? Filters mostly change the color and tone of your video, much like Instagram filters. Effects are interactive or decorative overlays, like the famous Green Screen effect that lets you place yourself in front of any image or video backdrop. Tap ‘Effects’ to browse the enormous library. You can add them before OR after you've recorded a video.
• Using Effects Sparingly: While it’s tempting to try everything, the best videos often use one or two effects purposefully to enhance their story, rather than just for decoration.

Add a Voiceover

Recording a voiceover after filming adds a personal commentary and is a popular format for tutorials, “day in the life” videos, and reaction content.

• How to record: In the right-side editor menu, tap the down arrow to reveal more options, and select "Voiceover." A recording screen will appear. You can tap and hold the record button over the section of the video you want to narrate. You can also check a box to "Replace original sound with voiceover" if you want your voice to be the only audio.

The Final Check: Everything to Do on the Post Screen

You've edited your masterpiece, and you hit "Next." Now you're on the final screen before publishing. Don't rush this part! The details here are critical for visibility.

1. Write a Captivating Caption

Your caption should hook the viewer and generate engagement. Keep it short, but make it interesting. Asking a question is a simple and effective way to encourage comments.

2. Use a Smart Hashtag Strategy

Hashtags help the TikTok algorithm understand what your video is about and show it to the right audience. A good strategy is to use 3-5 hashtags that blend broad and niche topics.

• Example for a baking video: A good mix might be a broad tag like #baking (millions of views), a slightly more specific one like #chocolaterecipe, and a niche community tag like #bakingfromscratch. Don’t forget the generic "For You Page" tags like #fyp or #foryou.

3. Select a Compelling Cover

Your video cover is the thumbnail people will see on your profile grid and possibly see before your video autoplays. This is your content's first impression! Tap "Select cover" on the video preview. You can scrub through your video to find a frame that is clear and eye-catching. You can also pick a text-based cover style and type out a title.

4. Set Your Privacy and Post Settings

Before you post, double-check these settings:

• Who can watch this video: For growth, you'll want this set to "Everyone." "Friends" restricts it to mutual followers and "Only me" hides it from everybody else.
• Comment, Duet, and Stitch toggles: Leaving these on encourages community engagement, which the algorithm loves. Duets and Stitches allow other creators to use your video in theirs, massively expanding your reach if your video gets popular.
• More Options: Look for the "High-quality uploads" toggle and make sure it’s on to get the best possible video resolution.

5. Hit "Post" or Save as a Draft

If you're ready, tap "Post"! Your video is now live. If you’re not quite ready, you can hit "Drafts." This saves your video with all of its edits, so you can come back and post it later. You can find saved drafts on your profile page in a special folder.

Final Thoughts

That's it! From filming and uploading to editing and posting, you now know everything you need to share your first TikTok video. While the steps are simple, mastering the creative tools available in the editor is what truly unlocks your potential to create fun, engaging content your audience will love.

As you start posting more frequently on TikTok and other platforms, staying organized can become a real challenge. We realized that many social media tools just aren’t built for how people create content today - they feel clunky, and video editing feels like an afterthought. That's why we built Postbase, a social media management platform designed for video-first creators. You can manage your entire content strategy in one visual calendar, schedule posts across all your platforms, and see what's actually working with clear analytics, so you can spend less time juggling tabs and more time creating.