TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022 (Source). The app allows users to create and share short videos set to music, often showcasing trends in dances, comedy sketches, and more. TikTok’s signature editing style featuring quick cuts, visual effects, and overlayed soundbites has become iconic.
Some content creators want the ability to make TikTok-style videos without actually using the TikTok app. Reasons may include reaching a different audience, having more control over content ownership, monetization opportunities, or simply not wanting to be constrained to the TikTok platform. The unique TikTok editing and music integration can be replicated through other video creation tools.
Why Make TikTok Videos Without the App?
Some people choose to make TikTok-style videos without using the TikTok app itself for a few key reasons:
First, there are privacy and data collection concerns around TikTok being owned by a Chinese company. The app collects a significant amount of user data which raises questions about how it is handled and secured.
Second, some users may have had their accounts banned from TikTok for violating community guidelines. In order to continue creating videos in the popular TikTok style, they need to use other tools.
Finally, there is a camp of people who simply don’t want to support the TikTok platform itself for various reasons, whether due to data privacy concerns, censorship issues, or other factors. Making TikTok-style videos elsewhere allows them to participate in the format while avoiding the actual app.
What Makes TikTok Videos Unique?
TikTok videos stand out for their short length, creative use of music and sounds, and fun transitions and effects.
Most TikTok videos are only 15 to 60 seconds long. This short format encourages creators to get right to the point and pack as much entertainment value as possible into a very short timeline. According to TikTok’s overview of their platform’s style, videos tend to max out at around 1 minute in length [1].
Music and sounds are a huge part of what makes TikTok videos so engaging. Creators utilize the massive library of music clips and sounds available on TikTok to enhance their videos. Trending sounds quickly gain traction, with many users creating their own take on popular audios. TikTok’s editing tools make it easy to seamlessly integrate music, voiceovers, and sound effects [1].
Transitions, visual effects, and edits also set TikTok videos apart. From simple jump cuts to green screen effects and compositing, TikTok creators use transitions and effects to make their short-form videos more dynamic and eye-catching. TikTok’s wide array of filters, text overlays, stickers, and editing tools empower creators to quickly enhance their videos in fun and creative ways [2].
Tools to Recreate the TikTok Experience
While nothing can fully replicate the complete TikTok experience and user base, there are several apps and platforms that allow you to create short, entertaining videos similar to TikTok.
Some of the top options include:
- Triller – This app provides similar video creation and editing tools as TikTok. It has a shared community aspect where you can view, share and interact with other users’ videos. Triller boasts features like AR lenses, multi-clip editing and music integration (Source).
- Dubsmash – Dubsmash is focused on lip-syncing and dancing videos. You can choose soundtracks and audio clips to perform and create your own videos. The platform also makes it easy to discover and follow other creators (Source).
- Likee – This app provides advanced video editing options within a short-form social video community. You can add special effects, stickers, filters and more. It also includes features like video duets and built-in live streaming capabilities.
A few other major platforms taking cues from TikTok include:
- Instagram/Reels – Instagram’s Reels feature allows you to record, edit and share 15-30 second multi-clip videos with audio, effects and more.
- YouTube Shorts – YouTube’s short-form video option aimed to compete with TikTok. You can record brief mobile videos to upload and share.
- Snapchat – Snapchat introduced Spotlight in 2020, allowing users to share short videos in a dedicated section of the app. Like TikTok, it serves up a feed of entertaining content.
While they may not provide an identical experience, these apps come the closest to mimicking TikTok’s core video creation tools and community features.
Shooting Your Video
When shooting your video, it’s important to keep a few key factors in mind in order to achieve high quality results. First, always film horizontally. Vertical videos look unprofessional and cut off content on most platforms. Hold your phone sideways to capture a widescreen 16:9 frame
Next, leverage natural lighting as much as possible. Outdoor light creates a much more visually appealing look compared to artificial indoor lighting. If filming indoors, position yourself near windows and other light sources.
Finally, use a tripod for maximum stability. Shaky footage is distracting and takes away from your video’s quality. Invest in a compact and portable tripod to minimize unwanted motion. You can find affordable options under $20 online or in stores.
Following these simple best practices will make a noticeable difference in the production value of your videos, even if filming entirely on your phone. With high quality visuals and engaging content, you’ll be well on your way to creating share-worthy videos without the TikTok app.
Editing Considerations
When editing your TikTok-style video, focus on creating smooth transitions between clips and using stylized effects to enhance the viewing experience. Some editing tips to consider:
- Use basic video transitions like fade, wipe, or dissolve to transition between clips smoothly. Going abruptly from one clip to the next can be jarring.
- Add stylized effects like slow motion, speed ramping, or glitch effects to make your video look more polished and dynamic. Use them sparingly though, so they don’t distract.
- Layer b-roll footage or still images over your main footage to make visuals more interesting. Lower the opacity to make the layer translucent.
- Trim longer clips into shorter segments to feature only the most engaging moments.
- Insert customizable text overlays to highlight key words, phrases or hashtags. Pick a clean, readable font.
Following basic editing best practices like these can make your DIY TikTok-style videos look almost professional. Remember that transitions, effects and text should enhance the video without overwhelming it.
For a comprehensive guide on video editing aimed at beginners, check out this helpful resource: https://www.adorama.com/alc/video-editing-tips-for-beginners/
Adding Music and Sounds
Music is an integral part of most TikTok videos. TikTok features a large library of popular sounds and songs that creators can easily add to their videos. To recreate the TikTok experience without the app, you’ll need to find similar music and sound effects.
Look for instrumental or remix versions of trending TikTok songs that are available royalty-free. Sites like Bensound, Uppbeat, and Free Stock Music offer copyright-free music that’s safe to use in videos.
You can also search for “TikTok sounds” on YouTube and find hour-long compilations of popular sounds and songs. Just be mindful of any copyright restrictions if you want to reuse sounds exactly as they are on TikTok.
Consider creating your own simple sound effects, like the popping sound on cooking videos. This allows you to customize the sounds to match your content rather than copying directly from TikTok.
Properly credit any music or sounds you use that aren’t 100% original. Check the terms of use and add a note in your video description acknowledging the creator.
Optimizing Your Video
Once you’ve finished editing your video, you’ll want to optimize it for the platform(s) you plan to share it on. Two of the most popular video platforms right now are Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Here’s what you need to know about optimizing for each:
For Instagram, you’ll want to export your video cropped to a square. Instagram’s main feed is oriented in a square 1:1 aspect ratio. To ensure your entire video frame shows up properly, be sure to crop and export it as a square before uploading. You can do this easily in most video editing apps.
For YouTube Shorts, you’ll want to export your video in a vertical format with an aspect ratio of 9:16. This vertical orientation is ideal for the small mobile screens that viewers will watch Shorts on. Again, most video editors allow you to set custom export presets, so just be sure to choose the 9:16 vertical option.
On both platforms, you’ll also want to take advantage of hashtags and captions to optimize your video for discovery. Come up with a list of relevant hashtags – a mix of popular general tags and more niche tags related to your content and niche. And write an engaging caption that gives context and draws viewers in. The caption is especially key on Instagram, where the first 2 lines show up directly under your video thumbnail.
By taking the time to tailor your video crop and orientation for each platform, and adding good metadata, you’ll give your DIY TikTok-style videos the best chance of being found and engaging new viewers.
Cross-Posting Your Video
Posting your video to other platforms besides TikTok is a great way to reach a wider audience. Some popular platforms to consider cross-posting to include:
YouTube – With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube is the second largest social media platform after Facebook. Uploading your video to YouTube can help expand your reach significantly. You can include links back to your other social profiles in the description to drive traffic.
Instagram – Using Instagram Reels is a natural fit for a TikTok-style video. Reels has similar vertical video formatting and many of the same features as TikTok. Cross-promote by linking to your Instagram Reels video in your Instagram Stories or feed posts.
Facebook – Upload your video natively or use Facebook Watch to publish your video. Add it to your Facebook Page and promote it to your followers. You can also join relevant Facebook Groups to share your content.
The key benefit of cross-posting your video across multiple platforms is tapping into new audiences. Each platform has its own user base, so utilizing multiple networks will help maximize your reach and views. Just be sure to customize your posting strategy for each platform.
Promoting Your Video
Sharing your video with friends and family is a great way to get initial views and engagement. Ask them to like, comment, and share the video to help it reach a wider audience organically.
You can also run paid ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to promote your video. Carefully target the ad to your ideal audience and create compelling creative that will capture attention. Measure results to see which ads are most effective at driving views.
Influencer marketing is another powerful tactic. Identify influencers in your niche with an engaged audience. Offer to collaborate on a video or ask them to share your video with their followers. This can rapidly expand your reach. According to one study, influencer marketing generates 11 times the return on investment compared to traditional methods.