How to Write on a TikTok Video

Adding text to your TikTok video is about much more than just typing a few words on the screen - it's one of the most powerful tools you have to stop the scroll and tell a compelling story. This guide breaks down how to write on your videos, from the simple mechanics of adding text to the strategies that will help you create engaging content that grows your brand. We'll cover everything from timing text reveals to using text for an irresistible hook.

How to Add and Edit Text on a TikTok Video: The Basics

First, let's get the fundamentals down. Adding text in the TikTok editor is straightforward once you know where to look. Follow these steps after you've recorded or uploaded your video clip.

1. Open the Editing Screen: After recording or uploading your footage, you'll be on the main editing screen where you can add sounds, effects, and filters.
2. Tap the 'Text' Icon: Look for the "Aa" icon labeled "Text" in the right-hand sidebar. Tapping this opens the text editor.
3. Type Your Message: A text-entry window will appear with a cursor. Simply type out the text you want to add. Don't worry about perfecting it just yet, you can always edit it later.
4. Customize Your Text Style: This is where you bring your text to life.
   • Fonts: Along the left side, you’ll see options to change the font. TikTok offers a variety of styles, from classic and bold to script and typewriter effects. Choose one that matches your brand’s vibe.
   • Color: Below the text box, there's a row of color swatches. You can select a preset color or tap the color wheel icon for more custom options.
   • Background &, Border: To the left of the font options, you'll see an "A" icon with a border. Tapping this cycles through text styles: no background, a solid background, a semi-transparent background, or a highlighted outline. This is incredibly useful for making sure your text is legible against a busy background.
   • Alignment: An icon with lined text allows you to align your text left, center, or right.
5. Position and Resize: Once you tap "Done" in the top right, you’ll return to the video preview. Now you can use your fingers to move the text anywhere on the screen. Use a pinching motion to make the text smaller or an expanding motion to make it larger.

You can repeat this process to add multiple text boxes to a single video, giving you complete creative control over your messaging.

Timing Your Text: How to Make Text Appear and Disappear

Static text is fine, but dynamic text that appears and disappears at just the right moment is what makes a video feel polished and guides the viewer’s attention. TikTok has a powerful feature called "Set duration" that lets you do exactly this.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Text Duration:

1. Add Your Text: First, create a text box as described above.
2. Tap the Text Box: Once your text is on the screen, tap on it again. A small menu will pop up with options like "Edit," "Text-to-speech," and "Set duration."
3. Select 'Set Duration': This will open a new screen with a timeline of your video at the bottom. The text box you selected will be highlighted above the timeline.
4. Adjust the Timing: Use your finger to drag the red start and end markers of the text clip along the timeline. You can make it appear for just a second or for the entire video. A preview of the video will play in a loop so you can see exactly when your text will appear and disappear.
5. Review and Save: Trim the clip to your desired length and tap the checkmark at the bottom right to save. Your text is now programmed to show up only during that specific part of the video.

Example in Action: Imagine you're making a "Day in the Life" video. You can have a piece of text that says, "First, coffee..." appear for the first 3 seconds, then have that disappear and be replaced by "Time for team meeting" for the next 5 seconds. This simple timing trick turns a montage into a structured narrative.

Bringing Your Words to Life with Text-to-Speech

Text-to-speech is a wildly popular feature that adds an automated voiceover reading of your on-screen text. It’s excellent for accessibility and grabbing the attention of users who might be scrolling with the sound on.

How to Use Text-to-Speech:

1. Add Your Text: Create a text box.
2. Tap the Text Box: From the menu that pops up, select the icon that looks like a person speaking, labeled "Text-to-speech."
3. Choose a Voice: TikTok will present several voice options, from a natural-sounding female voice (often nicknamed "Jessie") to deeper male voices and even character-like vocals. Select the one you want.
4. Apply and Time It: The audio will now be added to your video. You can then use the "Set duration" feature to control how long the on-screen text stays visible. Often, it's best to have the text disappear after the voice finishes speaking for a clean look.

Beyond the Basics: Strategic Ways to Use Text for Maximum Impact

Knowing how to add text is only half the battle. Knowing why and when to use it is what separates good content from great content. Here are some proven strategies.

1. The All-Important Hook

You have less than three seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling. On-screen text is your best tool for the job. Use a bold, attention-grabbing statement that creates curiosity or promises value.

• Curiosity Gap: "You won't believe what Target had in the hidden clearance section."
• Pain Point: "Tired of your houseplants dying? Try this one thing."
• Value Proposition: "3 life-changing keyboard shortcuts you don't know."
• Relatability: "POV: you accidentally opened your front camera"

This hook should appear instantly and be easy to read in a split second.

2. Tell a Deeper Story

Use text to provide context that the visuals alone can't convey. This is perfect for montages, before-and-after reveals, or process videos. In a travel video, don't just show a beautiful beach - add text that says, "Found this hidden local spot just outside of town." Text turns a pretty clip into a piece of shareable advice.

You can also use overlapping, timed text to build a dynamic story. Imagine stacking questions on the screen that get answered one by one, or using text to reveal shocking plot twists in a short skit.

3. Create Your Own Subtitles

An estimated 85% of social media videos are watched with the sound off. If your video relies on someone talking, you need captions. While TikTok has an auto-caption feature, creating your own stylized subtitles by hand offers several advantages:

• Branding: You can use your brand's fonts and colors.
• Emphasis: You can make certain words bigger, italicized, or a different color to emphasize them.
• Pacing: Manual subtitles let you control the rhythm of the text, syncing it with the speaker for a more engaging feel.

This takes more time, but the payoff in watch time and retention is huge, especially for educational or story-driven content.

4. Break Down Complex Information

If you're creating a tutorial, explaining a concept, or sharing a recipe, text is your best friend. Use it to:

• List Ingredients or Tools: Flash a quick list of what people need at the beginning.
• Number Your Steps: Use "Step 1," "Step 2," etc., to guide viewers through a process.
• Highlight Key Takeaways: At the end of an educational video, put a summary of the main points on the screen as a quick recap.

This clarity makes your content more valuable and "savable," a key metric for the TikTok algorithm.

5. Drive Action with a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Don't assume your viewers know what to do next. Tell them! A simple text overlay at the end of your video can dramatically increase engagement.

• "Follow for Part 2!"
• "Comment your thoughts below 👇"
• "The full recipe is on our website! Link in bio."
• "Have you ever experienced this? Let me know!"

Advanced Tips &, Best Practices for On-Screen Text

Ready to level up? Keep these pro tips in mind to make your text truly effective.

Mind the Safe Zones

Picture the TikTok interface. The right side is covered with icons for your profile, likes, comments, and shares. The bottom is covered by the caption and sound information. Avoid placing important text in these zones, as it can be cut off or become unreadable. Keep your most important text closer to the center of the screen, skewing slightly to the top-left if possible.

Legibility Over Everything

A clever hook is useless if no one can read it. Prioritize readability:

• Contrast: Use light text on dark backgrounds and dark text on light backgrounds. If your background is a mix, use the text background/border feature to create separation.
• Font Choice: Intricate script fonts can be hard to read on a small screen. Stick to clear, bold fonts for main points.
• Size: Make it big enough to read comfortably without having to squint.

Keep It Short and Sweet

TikTok is fast. Viewers aren't there to read a novel. Keep your on-screen text concise. Deliver one idea per text bubble. A good rule of thumb is to make it short enough that someone can read it twice before it disappears or the scene changes.

Develop a Consistent Style

If you're building a brand, using a consistent text style can make your content instantly recognizable. Choose 2-3 brand fonts and a specific color palette and stick to them. This creates a cohesive look across your feed and strengthens your visual identity.

Final Thoughts

Mastering on-screen text transforms your TikToks from simple clips into effective communication tools. By moving beyond just adding words to strategically timing hooks, telling stories, and guiding your audience's attention, you change the way viewers interact with your content. It’s a skill that directly translates to more engagement, better retention, and stronger brand recall.

Thinking this strategically takes time, which is why we built our visual calendar to help you map out your TikTok content - hooks, concepts, and all - weeks in advance. When you can plan your videos and schedule them alongside all your other platforms in one place, you get more headspace to focus on creating content that truly connects. With Postbase, we handle the scheduling chaos so you can focus on the creative story.