How to Start a TikTok Account

Ready to jump into the world of TikTok but not exactly sure where to start? You've come to the right place. This guide walks you through every step of getting your TikTok account live, from the initial download and setup to posting your very first video and building a strategy for growth.

First Steps: Creating Your TikTok Account

Setting up your account is a quick process. Before anything else, you'll need to download the app. Head to the Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android) and search for "TikTok" to download it for free.

Once you have the app installed, open it and tap the Profile icon in the bottom-right corner, then tap Sign up. You'll be given several options to create your account:

• Use phone or email
• Continue with Facebook
• Continue with Apple
• Continue with Google
• Continue with X (formerly Twitter)

If you're creating an account for your brand or business, we highly recommend using your business email address. This keeps your personal and professional digital lives separate and makes it easier to manage account access down the line if you bring on a team member.

After you choose your sign-up method, TikTok will ask for your birthday. Note: You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. Then, you’ll create a password and your username. Don't stress too much about the username right now - you can always change it later.

Choosing the Right Account Type: Personal vs. Business

TikTok offers two main account types, and picking the right one from the start is important for your goals. By default, every new account is a Personal Account. You can switch to a Business Account in your settings at any time.

Personal Account

This is the standard account type for most users. It’s perfect if you're using TikTok for fun, connecting with friends, or just being a casual creator. The biggest advantage of a Personal Account is having access to TikTok's full library of sounds and music, including all the popular, trending songs that go viral. This gives you maximum creative freedom.

Business Account

If you're a brand, service provider, or any kind of commercial entity, a Business Account is the way to go. It unlocks features that are essential for marketing:

• Website Link in Bio: You can add a clickable link to your profile to drive traffic to your website, shop, or landing page.
• Business Suite: This includes advanced analytics to track your video performance, follower demographics, and profile traffic. It also provides tools like a message center directly in the web app.
• Commercial Music Library: This is the most significant trade-off. Business Accounts have access to a library of over 1 million royalty-free sounds and songs for commercial use. However, you cannot use most popular, mainstream songs due to licensing restrictions.

How to switch to a Business Account:

1. Go to your Profile page.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Tap Account.
5. Choose Switch to Business Account and follow the on-screen instructions.

Crafting the Perfect TikTok Profile

Your profile is your digital storefront. It's the first thing people see when they’re deciding whether to follow you. A well-optimized profile gives a clear, exciting impression of who you are and what kind of content people can expect.

Your Username and Display Name

Your Username (e.g., @yourbrand) is your unique identifier. Aim for something short, memorable, and easy to spell. If possible, keep it consistent with your handles on other social media platforms like Instagram or X. Your Display Name can be your actual name or business name and can include emojis. It appears in bold at the top of your profile. Make it clear and recognizable.

Your Profile Photo (or Video!)

Choose a high-quality photo that represents you or your brand. For personal brands or creators, a clear, friendly headshot works best. For businesses, your logo is usually the best choice. TikTok also lets you upload a 6-second profile video, which can be a great way to show a bit more personality when people land on your page.

Your Bio

You have 80 characters to make an impact. Use them wisely! A great TikTok bio does three things:

1. Says who you are and what you do: "Social media tips for small biz" or "Daily recipes for busy parents." Be specific.
2. Gives people a reason to follow: Use a benefit-driven statement like, "Helping you build a brand you love."
3. Includes a Call to Action (CTA): Tell people what to do next. "👇 Shop our new collection" or "Grab your free guide! 👇" point them towards your link.

Your Link in Bio

The ability to add a clickable link to your bio is an unbelievably valuable tool for directing your audience off of TikTok. On a Business Account, you can add this right away. This is where you can link to your website, an online store, a blog post, or a "link in bio" service that hosts multiple links.

A Quick Tour of the TikTok App Interface

The TikTok app can feel a bit busy at first. Let's break down the main navigation tabs at the bottom of your screen from left to right.

Home: When you open the app, this is where you land. It's split into two main feeds.

• For You Page (FYP): This feed is powered by TikTok's algorithm. It shows you an endless stream of videos it thinks you’ll like based on your viewing habits, engagements, and interests. This is where most discovery happens and where your videos can go viral.
• Following: This feed only shows videos from accounts you've chosen to follow.

Friends: This tab shows activity from your mutuals (people you follow who also follow you back).

Create (+ Icon): This is the big button in the middle. Tapping it opens the TikTok camera, where you can record or upload video, add sounds, effects, and text to create your own content.

Inbox: Your notification hub. Here you’ll find all your new followers, comments on your videos, likes, mentions, and Direct Messages (DMs).

Profile: This is your personal page. It shows your bio, profile photo, and a grid of all the videos you've published.

Your First Video: What to Post and How to Do It

The final step is to stop scrolling and start creating. Your first video doesn't have to be perfect - the goal is just to start. The more you create, the more comfortable you'll become.

Brainstorming Your First Content Ideas

Staring at the camera with no ideas can feel intimidating. Here are a few simple concepts perfect for a first video:

• Introduce yourself: A quick "Hi, I'm [Name], and on this account, I'll be sharing..." video helps set expectations.
• Share a quick tip: If you're an expert in something, share one valuable piece of advice related to your niche. This immediately establishes your value.
• A day in the life: Show a quick montage of what a typical day looks like for you or your business.
• Hop on a simple trend: Find a trending sound or format that's easy to replicate. This is a low-pressure way to create content that’s already proven to work. Don't overthink it!

The Basics of Creating and Posting

1. Tap the + icon to open the camera.
2. Add a Sound: Tap "Add sound" at the top of the screen to browse trending music or search for a specific track. This is one of the most important creative elements on TikTok.
3. Record or Upload: You can either hold the red button to record video directly in the app, or you can tap "Upload" to select clips from your phone's camera roll.
4. Edit your video: On the right-hand panel, you’ll find basic editing tools. You can add text, stickers, filters, and voice effects. Tap "Adjust clips" to trim or reorder your footage.
5. Write your caption and add hashtags: Once you’re happy with your video, tap "Next." On this page, you’ll write a short, punchy caption. Then add 3-5 relevant hashtags. Use a mix of broad hashtags (like #marketingtips) and niche-specific ones (like #smallbusinesssocialmedia) to help the algorithm understand who to show your video to.
6. Post!: Tap "Post" to send your video out into the world.

Don't be discouraged if your first video doesn't get millions of views. Consistency is what really matters on TikTok.

Building Momentum From Day One

Getting your account set up is just the beginning. The next goal is to build good habits that will help you grow your presence and connect with your audience.

• Post consistently: You don't need to post 10 times a day, but aim for a schedule you can maintain. Even posting 3-5 times a week regularly is a great starting point. Consistency signals to the algorithm that your account is active.
• Engage with your comments: When people take the time to comment on your video, respond to them! Answering questions and thanking people for their feedback builds a loyal community.
• Watch and engage with other videos: Spend at least 15 minutes a day actively watching and engaging with videos on your For You Page, especially ones in your niche. Leaving thoughtful comments on others' content is a fantastic organic growth strategy.

Final Thoughts

Starting a TikTok account is a refreshingly simple process that opens you up to a huge potential audience. The key is to get the fundamentals of your profile right, understand the app's basic functions, and then jump right into creating content without getting caught up in perfectionism. Your journey starts with that first video.

To make staying consistent easier, especially as your content strategy grows across multiple platforms, we designed Postbase to streamline your entire workflow. You can plan your TikTok videos visually on a calendar right next to your Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, schedule them to post automatically, and manage all your comments in one unified inbox. Our goal is to handle the tedious parts so you can spend less time managing and more time creating.