TikTok is a popular social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos. It has become widely used, especially among younger audiences, for creative content like dances, comedy sketches, and musical performances. TikTok also makes it possible for multiple users to share and collaborate on a single account. This is known as a shared TikTok account. A shared account allows two or more people to contribute content, manage the account profile, monitor analytics, and grow the account’s following. Shared accounts enable creators to collaborate and merge their audiences on TikTok. They are commonly used by duos, couples, families, brands, and groups. This content will explore the pros and cons of having a shared TikTok account and provide guidance on how to create and manage one successfully.
Pros of a shared TikTok account
One major advantage of having a shared TikTok account is that it allows for collaboration on content creation, with each person playing off the other’s strengths (Social Media: Pros and Cons of Sharing – Haylee Baldwin). For example, if one person is great at coming up with fun video ideas but less skilled at editing, while the other excels at editing videos, they can work together to produce higher quality content. This way they are leveraging both of their abilities to create better videos than either could make alone.
Additionally, a shared account has the potential to reach a wider audience than a single account owner typically could. By combining followers, a shared account starts out with a larger built-in audience to expose content to (What Are the Benefits of Sharing on Social Media?). This wider reach also stems from each owner likely having different social circles, so they can cross-promote the account to gain new followers from multiple networks. Having more diverse contacts and greater reach can lead to increased engagement.
Cons of a shared TikTok account
One potential downside of having a shared TikTok account is trying to manage a single creative vision. With two people contributing content and ideas, it can be challenging to maintain a cohesive aesthetic and brand on the account. Disagreements may arise regarding the type of content to create or the overall direction of the account
Additionally, coordinating content creation and posting can become difficult with a shared account. Since TikTok’s algorithm favors frequent posting, both people need to regularly contribute content. If one person becomes less engaged, it can be frustrating for the other person taking on more of the workload.
According to an article on Psychology Corner, couples sharing passwords can lead to “overstepping boundaries and jeopardizing trust in the relationship” (https://psychologycorner.com/why-you-shouldnt-share-passwords-with-your-partner/). While a shared TikTok account differs from sharing passwords, it does require mutual trust and agreement on boundaries.
TikTok’s Policy on Shared Accounts
According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, shared accounts are permitted, but users should be mindful of some key policies:
First, TikTok prohibits content that violates someone’s privacy rights, including sharing personal information without consent. Users of a shared account should be careful not to post private details about others without permission.
Second, TikTok bans any account engaged in severe or repeated violations of their guidelines, even if other users of the shared account are not directly responsible. This means all users of a shared account could potentially be penalized for one user’s policy breaches.
Finally, TikTok requires users be aged 13 and older. Shared accounts with users below 13 may be removed. Users should also be aware of TikTok’s Privacy and Security policies when sharing an account.
In summary, while shared TikTok accounts are allowed, users should carefully follow TikTok’s rules to avoid penalties.
Steps to create a shared TikTok account
Creating a shared TikTok account is easy to set up. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the process:
- Download the TikTok app and create an account as you normally would using one person’s email and phone number. This will be the “main” account holder.
- Once logged in, go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Manage account” and then tap “Switch to pro account”. Follow the prompts to switch to a Pro account.
- Now tap on “Settings and privacy” and select “Pro Account”.
- Toggle on “Allow others to post videos” and “Allow dueting/stitching”.
- You can now add up to 4 other users as admins of the shared account. Tap “Invite users” and enter their email address or TikTok username.
- The invited users will receive a notification to join the shared account. Once they accept, they will have posting privileges.
- All users can now log in to the account using their own credentials and create content!
And that’s it! You now have a shared TikTok account that multiple users can collaborate on (see this example). Be sure to establish guidelines and schedules to keep your shared account organized.
Best practices for managing a shared account
Successfully running a shared TikTok account requires organization, communication, and dividing up responsibilities between the account holders. Here are some best practices to follow:
Create a content calendar to plan out videos and posting schedules in advance. This keeps everyone on the same page and lets you strategize about timing and themes. Use a tool like Hootsuite to collaborate on the calendar.
Divide up roles and responsibilities clearly between account holders. For example, have one person focus on content creation, one on engagement, one on analytics, etc. Clear expectations help avoid conflicts.
Maintain open communication through a group chat. Discuss upcoming content ideas, handle approvals, exchange feedback, and resolve any issues quickly. Good communication is key.
Use TikTok’s collab features to delineate ownership. The original account holder can add others as collab managers so all have the ability to post and engage.
Set guidelines regarding branding, hashtags, responding to commenters etc. to keep messaging consistent.
Analyze performance regularly to assess what’s working. Tweak your approach based on data and feedback.
Mistakes may happen, so be understanding. Maintain a collaborative, constructive environment.
While challenging, shared accounts can expand reach and creativity. Following best practices helps ensure effective teamwork and management.
Case studies of successful shared TikTok accounts
There are several examples of popular joint TikTok accounts that have found success. Some of the top shared accounts with a large following include:
Lizzza & Rylan (@lizzzaandrylan) – This couple shares funny skits, couple challenges, and vlogs about their life together. They have over 4.5 million followers.
Danny & Kassi (@dannyandkassi) – With 3.4 million followers, this husband and wife duo posts comedy skits and videos about relationships.
Kallmekris & Alexandros (@kallmekris) – Featuring travel vlogs, couple challenges, and lifestyle videos, this account run by a wife and husband has 1.6 million followers.
The key to the success of these shared accounts is consistently creating fun, engaging videos that play off the dynamic between the two people. Posting frequently and using viral trends also helps these accounts build a loyal following.
Potential pitfalls to avoid
While sharing a TikTok account can seem fun and convenient initially, there are some potential pitfalls couples should be aware of before creating a joint account:
Creative conflicts – Partners may have different creative visions for the account, leading to disagreements on content style and branding. Negotiating creative differences on a shared account can strain the relationship (Source).
Scheduling – Finding time to co-manage the account can be challenging, especially with busy schedules. Lack of coordination on posting times and responding to comments can cause confusion for followers.
Delineating roles – Unless responsibilities are clearly defined upfront, conflict can arise over who handles what tasks like creating content, engaging with followers, analytics, etc. Unclear expectations lead to frustration.
Jealousy and lack of independence – Joint accounts can overly intertwine identities and inhibit personal expression. This dynamic can breed resentment and jealousy.
Lack of privacy – Sharing access means each person sacrifices a degree of privacy. Individual thoughts and conversations meant to be private can be visible to the partner.
Relationship breakdowns – If the relationship ends, untangling the shared digital identity can be messy. The joint account may need to be deleted entirely.
By proactively discussing these risks, couples can either create strategies to avoid pitfalls or reconsider whether a shared account is right for their partnership.
Tools for managing a shared account
To help multiple people collaborate and manage a shared TikTok account smoothly, there are various social media management tools available that provide useful features like scheduling posts, monitoring analytics, and enabling collaboration between team members.
According to The 6 best social media management tools in 2024, some popular tools for managing social media accounts include:
- Buffer – Makes it easy to schedule and publish content across multiple accounts.
- Hootsuite – Offers a fully-featured social media management platform with analytics.
- Crowdfire – Helps manage your accounts and schedule content across platforms.
The main benefits these tools provide are the ability to schedule and collaborate on posting content, monitoring engagement and analytics, managing customer interactions across platforms, and saving time versus manually managing each account.
By using specialized social media management apps and services, the owners of a shared TikTok account can streamline managing that account, divide up responsibilities, and achieve a cohesive and optimized presence more easily.
Conclusion
In summary, there are both pros and cons to having a shared TikTok account. The main benefits are the ability to combine talents and resources, reach a wider audience, and save time. However, potential challenges include coordinating schedules, managing creative differences, and handling logistics like login info. TikTok’s policies allow for shared accounts as long as they follow the platform’s community guidelines. If managed properly, a shared TikTok account can help creative partners grow their brand and following in an efficient and engaging way. But it requires commitment, communication, and compromise from all parties involved.
Overall, with the right partners and approach, having a shared TikTok account can be an effective strategy for increasing reach and creating captivating content. But the decision should not be taken lightly, as it requires trust and alignment to succeed. By weighing the pros and cons, setting clear expectations, and implementing best practices, any creative team can make a joint TikTok account work to their advantage.