How to Post Text on TikTok

Thinking you can only post videos on TikTok? Think again. The platform's text post feature lets you share thoughts, questions, and quick updates without ever turning on your camera. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create and customize TikTok text posts, along with a few ideas to get you started.

So, What Exactly Are TikTok Text Posts?

TikTok text posts are a simple, static content format that feels a lot like a classic Twitter post or an Instagram Story text block. Instead of relying on video, you communicate your message with words against a colored background. Users see these posts in their For You page and can interact with them just like a video - liking, commenting, saving, and sharing.

While video is still the heart of TikTok, text posts offer a low-effort yet powerful way to stay connected with your audience, start conversations, and add a different flavor to your content strategy. They're perfect for moments when you have something to say but don't have the time or energy to film a full video.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Posting Text on TikTok

Ready to make your first text post? The process is super straightforward and takes just a minute. Here’s how to do it step by step.

1. Open the TikTok Creation Screen

Just like you would for any other type of content, open your TikTok app and tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom center of the screen. This will take you to the camera and creation hub.

2. Switch to the “Text” Option

On the creation screen, you’ll see several format options listed at the bottom, like Photo, Video, and Template. Swipe right on this menu until you find and select “Text.” Once you do, the camera view will disappear and be replaced by a simple text editor.

3. Type Your Message

This is where you write your post. Tap on the screen and start typing. You can share an opinion, a funny thought, a question, or a quick announcement. As you type, you'll notice TikTok automatically adjusts the text size to fit the screen. Don’t worry about making it perfect just yet, you can edit colors, fonts, and more in the next step.

A key thing to remember: Keep it concise. TikTok is a fast-paced platform, so scannable, punchy text performs best. A few lines are usually more effective than a giant wall of text.

4. Customize Your Text Post

After you’ve written your text, it’s time for the fun part: customization. This is how you make your post visually appealing and align it with your brand or personal style. Here are the main options you have available:

• Change the Background Color: At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a row of colorful circles. Tap on these to change the background color of your post. Experiment to find one that fits the mood of your message and offers good contrast with your text color.
• Select a Font: Above your keyboard (or where it was), you'll see different font style options like “Classic,” “Typewriter,” and “Neon.” Tap on them to see how they change the look of your text. Choose a font that is easy to read and reflects the tone you’re going for.
• Add Music or Sound: Just like with videos, you can add trending audio to your text posts. Tap “Add sound” at the top of the screen to browse through TikTok’s massive library of songs and sounds. Adding a trending sound can significantly boost your post's visibility on the For You page.
• Use Stickers: The real customization happens when you add stickers. On the right-hand side of the screen, tap the sticker icon (the little square with a smiley face). This opens up a world of possibilities:
  • Mention Sticker: Use the "@Mention" sticker to tag another user’s account directly in your post.
  • Topic Sticker: Search for a relevant topic like #BookTok or #MarketingTips to make your content more discoverable.
  • Poll Sticker: Ask your audience a question and let them vote on two options. This is an excellent tool for boosting engagement.
  • Question Sticker: Let your audience ask you questions directly on the post.
  • GIFs and Emojis: Search Giphy for animated GIFs or add your favorite regular and animated emojis to add personality.

Take a few minutes to play around with these options. A visually compelling text post is far more likely to stop someone from scrolling than a plain, basic one.

5. Finalize and Post

Once you’re happy with how your text post looks, tap “Done” in the top-right corner. This will take you to the final posting screen, which should look familiar if you’ve posted videos before. Here, you’ll:

• Write a compelling caption: This is your chance to add more context, ask another question, or include a call-to-action.
• Add relevant hashtags: Use a mix of broad and niche hashtags to help TikTok’s algorithm show your post to the right people.
• Tag other accounts (if applicable): Mention any relevant creators or brands in your caption.
• Choose your cover: Even though it’s not a video, you can still select a cover for how the post will appear on your profile grid. Keep it consistent with your other posts.
• Adjust privacy settings: Decide who can see your post, whether you want to allow comments, Duets, or Stitches.

Once everything is set up, just tap “Post,” and your text post will go live! It will show up on your followers' feeds and on the For You pages of relevant users.

Creative Ideas for TikTok Text Posts

Knowing how to create a text post is one thing, knowing what to post is another. Here are a few tried-and-true ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Text posts are amazing conversation starters. Instead of just announcing something, ask a question that encourages people to share their own experiences or opinions. For example:

• "What’s one piece of advice you’d give your 20-year-old self?"
• "If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?"
• "What's a marketing mistake most people make when they're first starting?"

These kinds of questions generate a ton of comments, which signals to the algorithm that your content is engaging.

2. Share Quick Tips or Quotes

Have a quick piece of advice or an inspiring quote that doesn't need a full video explanation? A text post is the perfect format. Make the text big, pair it with trending audio, and you’ve got a piece of easily shareable, valuable content.

• "Pro tip: Batch-create your content on one day to save hours during the week."
• "Your big dream doesn’t have a deadline. Keep going."

3. Post Relatable "Shower Thoughts"

Sometimes the most viral content is the simplest. Share a funny, quirky, or relatable observation that makes people think, "That's so true!" These types of posts create an instant connection with your audience.

• “Am I the only one who rehearses arguments in my head?"
• “Remembering something you needed to do for tomorrow...when you're already in bed for the night.”

4. Make an Announcement

Got a new product dropping, a sale coming up, or a big life update? A text post is a clean and direct way to share the news without the production of a full-blown video. Add a sticker or a GIF to build a little excitement visually.

5. Tell the Beginning of a Story

Hook your audience by starting a compelling story and ending your post with “part one.” This sparks curiosity and encourages people to follow you to hear the rest of the story. Your caption can add more detail and ask people to drop theories in the comments section.

Example Post: "The time my boss told me my new marketing idea would never work…" [Caption: full story in tomorrow’s video]

Final Thoughts

That's everything you need to know about how to post text on TikTok. This format is a powerful, low-effort tool to engage your community, test new ideas, and add variety to your content calendar without relying on video every single time. Give it a shot and see how your audience responds!

Managing a mix of videos, text posts, and Stories across multiple platforms can feel like a lot to juggle, though. To keep everything organized, we built Postbase to streamline that chaos. With our visual content calendar, you can plan and schedule all of your content - from TikTok videos to text posts - in one clean dashboard, making it easier to see your whole strategy at a glance and stay consistent.