Hey everyone!
This week has been truly exciting for me! My sister surprised me with a visit from Panama City Beach on Sunday, and I’ve been enjoying every moment catching up with her. We don’t get to see each other often, so I wanted to give her all my attention while she’s here. Life can get so busy, and these moments are precious, especially since she’s been going through a tough time lately.
Even though this week hasn’t been the most productive in terms of work with my sister visiting, I did manage to hit a significant milestone: I posted my very first TikTok video! 🎉 Last week, I told you I was going to do it, so I’d be held accountable and I did it! I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally get that off my chest. It had been weighing on my mind for a couple of weeks, and now that it’s done, I feel a lot lighter.
My First TikTok Video Experience
The video itself was okay for a first try, but like anything new, there’s always room for improvement. I was a little too laid back in this one, I’ll have to do better with that. I’ve heard that it gets easier as you make more videos, so I’m looking forward to refining my skills. The key, I’ve learned, is not to overthink it, just do it!
I’ve been diving into Module 6 of the Beginners Advantage training, and my mentor, Dean, has been instrumental in guiding me through the process of posting a TikTok video. This module focuses on the importance of not just creating content but making sure that content is optimized to reach and engage with your target audience effectively.
Dean’s guidance in this module and some other resources like TikTok University has really helped simplify the entire process for me. He broke down the steps in a way that made it easy to follow, even if you’re just starting out like I am.
Here’s what I found particularly helpful
1. Understanding the TikTok Algorithm
– TikTok University emphasized the importance of understanding how the TikTok algorithm works. It explained that the algorithm favors content that keeps viewers engaged, so the more likes, comments, and shares your video gets, the more likely it is to be shown to a broader audience. He also highlighted the significance of the first few seconds of your video, this is where you grab attention, so it’s crucial to make an impact right from the start.
2. Content Strategy and Planning
– One of the key takeaways from Dean’s training was the importance of having a content strategy. He recommended planning your content in advance, which allows you to create a consistent theme across your videos. Whether it’s educational content, entertaining clips, or a mix of both, having a plan helps maintain consistency and ensures that you’re always delivering value to your audience.
3. Editing and Enhancing Videos
– Dean also shared some valuable tips on how to make your videos more engaging. He covered the various tools available within TikTok for editing, such as adding effects, transitions, and text overlays. These features can make a huge difference in how polished and professional your videos look. Dean’s advice was to experiment with these tools and find what works best for your style and audience.
4. Engagement and Community Building
– Another crucial point Dean made was about the importance of engaging with your audience. He explained that TikTok isn’t just about posting videos, it’s about building a community. Responding to comments, engaging with other users’ content, and participating in trends can help you grow your following and create a loyal audience. Dean’s insights on how to build these relationships were helpful, and it’s something I’ll be focusing on as I continue to create content.
5. Overcoming the Fear of Posting
– Perhaps one of the most reassuring parts of Dean’s guidance was his encouragement to not overthink the process. He reminded us that the first video doesn’t have to be perfect and that everyone starts somewhere. The key is to take that first step and keep improving with each video. His words were a great reminder that progress is more important than perfection, and that mindset helped me finally hit that “Post” button.
Dean’s guidance in Module 6 has been instrumental in helping me grasp the TikTok platform, create a content strategy, and conquer the fear of posting my first video.
How to Post a TikTok Video: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re new to TikTok or just need a refresher, here’s a simple guide to help you post your first video.
1. Open the TikTok App
– Once you’ve opened the app to TikTok, tap the + button at the bottom center of the screen. This is where you’ll start creating your video.
2. Record Your Video
– You can either record a new video by holding down the red record button or upload a video from your camera roll by tapping the “Upload” button on the right side of the screen.
– TikTok offers several recording options, including setting a timer, speeding up or slowing down your footage, and using various filters or effects.
3. Add Effects and Sounds
– After recording, you can add special effects, filters, text, and stickers to make your video more engaging.
– You can also choose a sound by tapping the “Sounds” button at the top of the screen. TikTok has a vast library of music and sounds you can add to your video.
4. Edit Your Clips
– TikTok allows you to trim and reorder your clips before posting. Tap the “Adjust clips” button to make sure everything looks perfect.
5. Add a Caption and Hashtags
– Before posting, you’ll need to write a caption for your video. Keep it short and catchy!
– Don’t forget to add relevant hashtags to help people discover your content. You can also tag friends or other accounts if you want to.
6. Choose Your Privacy Settings
– Decide who can view your video by selecting from Public, Friends, or Private. You can also allow or disallow comments, duets, and stitches.
7. Post Your Video
– Once everything is set, hit the “Post” button. Your video will now be live on TikTok for the world to see!
8. Engage with Your Audience
– After posting, engage with anyone who likes, comments, or shares your video. Building a relationship with your audience is key to growing on TikTok.
What have we learned?
Understand the Algorithm: TikTok’s algorithm favors engaging content, so capturing attention in the first few seconds is crucial.
Consistency Matters: Planning and posting consistently helps build a recognizable and reliable presence on the platform.
Engagement is Key: Building a community through interaction and participation is essential for growing your following on TikTok.
Getting my first video out there was a huge step for me, and I’m excited to keep creating and improving. TikTok is a powerful platform, and with the guidance from my training, I’m confident that it will be a significant tool in my affiliate marketing journey.
If you’ve been hesitating to post your first TikTok, I hope this guide helps you take the plunge. Remember, it’s all about starting somewhere, don’t worry about being perfect right away.
Thank you for coming along on this journey with me!
What did you take away from my post? I’d love to hear your thoughts, please leave a comment below and share your experiences. Be sure to check out the free guide on starting an affiliate marketing business for beginners here, and follow my platforms for the latest updates here.
Wishing you a productive and successful week ahead!
Until then!
To Our Success,
What a heartwarming week you’ve had! I’m so glad you got to spend some quality time with your sister—those moments are truly priceless, especially when life gets busy. And congrats on posting your first TikTok video! 🎉 Hitting that “Post” button is a big step, and it sounds like you’re off to a great start. Keep experimenting and having fun with it—you’re right, it only gets easier from here. Plus, with all the tips and guidance you’re getting, I’m sure you’ll be a TikTok pro in no time. Can’t wait to see what you create next!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Spending time with my sister was definitely a highlight, and I’m thrilled to have taken that first step on TikTok. It’s all about learning and growing, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. Your support means a lot, I can’t wait to share more with you soon!
Meredith
Great to see you made that first adventure into TikTok. I do not think I have ever received 700 views, but I keep going. I think a bit of study is in order.
Hi Scott,
Thank you! Starting on TikTok has been quite the adventure. It’s all about persistence, so keep going! A bit of study and refining your approach can make a big difference. We’re in this together—let’s keep pushing forward!
Meredith
Congratulations on getting your first video out there. Over 700 views! That’s fantastic. I can see you’ve been busy since then and I can tell you’re getting more confident with each new one. One tiny criticism, the sound is very soft. Can I recommend getting a wireless microphone; they are not too expensive and make all the difference. Keep up the good work.
Hi Andy,
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled that my first video got over 700 views, it’s been an exciting start. I appreciate your feedback and completely agree about the sound. Improving audio quality has been on my mind, and I’m glad you mentioned it. A wireless microphone sounds like a great investment, and I’ll definitely look into getting one.
Thanks again for your support and helpful suggestion. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and improve with each video!
Meredith
Hi Meredith!
Your post is giving me a lot of wings and I definitely wish we both soar with subscribers!
Appreciate you providing a great recap of what to do to get viewers to view your video. Tik Tok University is a great place also to find additional information.
Here’s to your next video and continued growth!
All the best!
Hi Marc,
I’m thrilled to hear that my post is giving you wings, let’s definitely soar together with subscribers! 😊
I’m glad the recap was helpful, and I agree, TikTok University is such a valuable resource for anyone looking to grow on the platform. I’m excited to keep learning and sharing as we both continue on this journey.
Here’s to our next videos and continued growth! All the best to you too!
Meredith
Congratulations on posting your first TikTok video, Meredith! 🎉 It sounds like you had a fantastic week with your sister and still managed to hit that milestone. I love your breakdown of the TikTok process and the insights shared from Dean’s training. Understanding the algorithm and focusing on engagement are such valuable takeaways. Your journey is truly inspiring, and I can’t wait to see how your TikTok content grows! Thanks for sharing this guide; it will definitely help those of us looking to take the plunge too. Keep up the great work, and here’s to continued success on your affiliate marketing journey!
All The Best
Hi Ezequiel,
Thank you so much! It was definitely a week full of surprises, and I’m thrilled I could still make that TikTok milestone happen. I’m so glad you found the breakdown and insights helpful, Dean’s training has been a game changer for me, especially when it comes to understanding the algorithm and focusing on engagement.
Your support means a lot, and I’m excited to keep growing and learning with each new video. I’m glad this guide can help others take the plunge into TikTok too. Here’s to all of us finding success on our affiliate marketing journeys!
All the best to you as well!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – This is so exciting for you and encouraging the rest of us who are venturing out into this TikTok so I can find out more about TikTok University. I was wondering where I could discover its benefits and your addition here was very beneficial. I look forward to following your videos and watching you become more of an expert in this area. Excellent post and thank you for taking the time to write it so we all may benefit. Wonderful week!
Hi Ernie,
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement, it really means a lot to me. I’m glad to hear that you found the information about TikTok University helpful. It’s been a valuable resource for me, and I’m excited to keep learning and sharing what I discover along the way.
I’m thrilled to have you following along on this journey, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and improve with each video. Your support is truly appreciated, and I hope my experiences can help others as they venture into TikTok as well.
Wishing you a wonderful week too!
Meredith
Wow, Meredith! You’ve had a great week!
I’m so glad your sister was able to visit and that you had that time with her. Making the most of her visit shows just how much you value your family. That’s truly heartwarming.
Congratulations on that first TikTok video! Your enthusiasm is contagious 🙂 I can’t wait to see the next one!
I’m excited to see your progress. Here’s to continuing!
Hi Nakina,
Thank you so much! It really was a great week, and having my sister visit was a wonderful surprise. Family time is so important to me, so I’m glad we could make the most of it.
I really appreciate your kind words about my first TikTok video. Your encouragement means the world, and it’s motivating me to keep going. I’m already working on the next one, so stay tuned!
I’m excited to keep moving forward and share the journey with you. Here’s to continuing and supporting each other along the way!
Meredith
I saw your video and you did a great job!! As Atif always says, keep on going. I appreciate the link to TikTok University. I wasn’t sure how to access it, previously.
I love TikTok but my main traffic source is You Tube. Then I extract clips and send them to FB, Instagram, TikTok, my you tube shorts channel, Twitter (I’ve been on that platform since 2007,) blogger, Pinterest, LinkedIn etc I say all of this certainly not to brag, but to demonstrate visibility as a way to attract more followers.
Again, keep up the good work!
Hi Kate,
Thank you so much! Your support means a lot, and I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. I’m definitely taking Atif’s advice to heart and pushing forward.
It’s awesome to hear how you’re leveraging multiple platforms for visibility, that’s a great strategy! You’re clearly maximizing your content’s reach by repurposing it across so many channels. I appreciate the insight, especially since you’ve been on Twitter since 2007—such dedication!
Glad the link to TikTok University was helpful. It’s been a valuable resource for me, and I’m excited to see where it takes us both. Keep up the amazing work as well, and thanks again for the encouragement!
Meredith
Meredith, This post is so inspiring! I’ve been thinking about diving further into TikTok, and your experience makes me want to try out TikTok University too (I have been planning to for a while). Your first video was great—congrats on taking that big step! The tips on understanding the algorithm and building a content strategy are really helpful, especially for someone new. I’m excited to see what you do next. Atif
Hi Atif,
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to hear that you found the post inspiring. TikTok University has been a very helpful for me, and I definitely recommend diving in—there’s so much to learn about the platform, and it’s been really rewarding. I’m glad you enjoyed the first video; it was a big step, but the support from everyone has made it worth it.
Understanding the algorithm and crafting a content strategy can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it really helps in building momentum. I’m excited to see where this journey takes both of us! Looking forward to hearing about your experience with TikTok University too.
Thanks again for the kind words and encouragement—it means a lot!
Meredith
Meredith you’ve had a busy week! Got a visit from your sister, made your first TT video and discovered all kinds of ways to use the TT software. Sounds like your productivity wasn’t as bad as you thought! I watched your video on TT and look forward to seeing you doing more of them. Enjoy the rest of your time with your sister as I’m sure she is enjoying your company as well.
Hi Ken,
I really appreciate your feedback! It’s been a rewarding experience diving into TikTok and exploring its features. Seeing your positive response to my first video is encouraging and motivates me to keep going. My time with my sister has been a lovely way to recharge, and I’m excited to bring more content your way. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Meredith
Wow, congratulations on posting your first TikTok video! 🎉
It is so true that the first few seconds of your video are everything. It’s amazing how crucial those initial moments are for grabbing viewers’ attention. I’ve found that applying a strong hook right away can make all the difference, and your experience underscores that perfectly.
I often forget to utilize hooks and keep telling myself to do them, but when I press record, everything goes out the window🤷♀️
Looking forward to seeing how your TikTok journey evolves! Thanks for sharing these actionable tips—I’m definitely going to keep them in mind as I work on my own content.
Hi Alison,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad you found the tips useful. It’s definitely a challenge to nail that hook every time, but practice is helping me get better at it. I totally get what you mean, sometimes the pressure of recording can make you forget the basics!
I’m excited to keep refining my approach and sharing more as I go. Best of luck with your own content, and I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me.
Thanks again for your support!
Meredith