4 TikTok Tips and Tricks for Great Videos

 As with any type of video content, the audio of your TikTok is just as important as the visuals. For this reason, if you’re unsure of how to make a good TikTok, the answer is: Start with your sound. While your phone’s built-in audio input capabilities are great for everyday use, they won’t give you the best possible audio quality. For high quality audio, you’ll want to invest in a smartphone external microphone.

A good microphone will help you capture music, voices, and other audio in a way that the built-in mic on your phone can’t, so it’s worth the investment. It’ll also sharpen those sounds and muffle any distracting background noise. Remember, most social media users have a short attention span, which is why TikTok’s 15-second format has been so successful! 

Lavalier microphones have long been a favourite among professional YouTubers, and are fast gaining popularity amongst TikTokers. Also known as lapel mics, they’re ultra-lightweight and portable, and can be discreetly attached to your clothes. That way, they stay close to your mouth even if you’re moving around, making them a great choice if you like filming videos on location.

If you don’t want a mic in your shot, look into a shotgun style microphone, which you can position behind your camera and direct towards the subject. These mics pick up sound with great accuracy, and some models can even clip conveniently onto your phone.

Photo by Gavin Whitner

No matter how brilliant your content is, it’s pointless if viewers can’t see it properly due to poor lighting or heavy shadows. While you can step outside and shoot in natural light, bear in mind that sunlight is inconsistent and may result in distracting harsh shadows or bright highlights. Plus, the sun’s large dynamic range can prove too tricky for your smartphone to handle. 

Here’s where artificial lighting comes in. If you want even and consistent lighting across all of your videos, consider these TikTok lights:

Even if you have steady hands, chances are you’ll end up with shaky or bumpy footage if you choose to shoot handheld. Luckily, there are a number of accessories you can use to capture sharp, smooth, and professional-looking handheld videos.

For an affordable, easy-to-use option, go for a smartphone grip. This handy tool will allow you to hold your phone out in front of you and keep it secure and steady while filming. If you’re dancing or moving around while shooting, opt for a gimbal instead. This will stabilise your camera while you tilt, pan, and roll, and will help you to film footage on the move. 

If you’re planning on staying put during your video, you can simply pull out your good old tripod and mount your phone on that. This will allow you to shoot completely hands free, and give you an opportunity to tweak your composition so it’s just right.

Top Tip: Mini tripods or Gorillapods also make great TikTok phone stands, and can come in handy for your future photography endeavours.

TikTok is the perfect place to let your creativity shine, so don’t be afraid to get experimental with your videos! Adding a smartphone lens to your phone is a fantastic way to test out different techniques and styles, and can really help your videos stand out. The best news? There are plenty of lenses on the market, meaning there’s truly something for everyone.  

Fisheye lenses will add dramatic flair to your videos, and their ultra-wide, distorted angles are awesome for filming extreme sports and similar activities. They’re also great for capturing panoramic shots of landscapes and urban settings.

Looking to get up close and personal with your subject? If you’re filming close ups or detail shots, try a macro lens for phones. These nifty lenses are designed to capture the tiniest of details and make them look larger than life. On the other hand, if you’re shooting faraway subjects and scenes, go for a telephoto lens. This lens type has the longest magnification, so it can help you to get front-row views of the action without getting too close. 

Top Tip: Don’t want to commit to a new lens? You can rent camera lenses and other professional gear through our Studio19 program.