How to Plan Your TikTok Video Shoot

If you have never shot a TikTok video, there is no better time than 2024. Everyone and their cat are on TikTok these days, and you should be, too.

Whether you dream of being an influencer or simply want to share your skills with the world, TikTok is the platform for you. You will find an appreciative target audience and more than enough opportunities to make your content go viral.

However, you can only achieve these goals if you plan your video shoot properly. The following steps will ensure you create a high-quality, trendy, and, most importantly, engaging TikTok video.

Decide on the Purpose of Your Video

Planning is essential when creating TikTok videos. Before you can shoot a single clip, you must decide the purpose of your video and who you want to reach.

Do you want to make people laugh because everything is currently miserable worldwide? Do you have a subject you want to educate people on? Or do you want to promote a product?

You must define the video's purpose so you can choose the right type of content. For instance, challenges or funny clips are great for getting people to laugh. Think of the classics, like wives scaring husbands by dressing up as horror movie characters.

To create an educational video, you should aim for tutorials or ‘top ten tips.’ Promotional videos should focus on showcasing products, services, or branded content.

It is also important to understand your target audience. If you are creating content for Millennials or Gen Z, you need to know what type of content style they prefer and even the music they like.

Use the Latest Trends

Your video should contain at least one current trend to appeal better to your target audience. Moreover, the algorithm is likely to promote current trends, making your video visible to more people.

Trends are highlighted on the For You page, where TikTok highlights trending content. The app also offers a feature that showcases trending sounds, which you can use in your video.

Another option is to follow content creators in your niche and watch what they do. Don’t copy them; rather, use their content as inspiration for your videos.

Create a Concept

Your video should be between 15 and 30 seconds long to keep up with attention spans. Yes, you can make 10-minute videos, but shorter is better if this is your first time creating a TikTok video.

If you do not know how to start creating a concept or story for your video, try creating a storyboard. You can also use a script to write down your different ideas for shots, transitions, text overlays, and voiceovers.

When you have the story down, you should break up the concept into three steps:

• Intro (0-3 seconds)

  You have to hook your audience within 3 seconds. It is not always easy, but an unusual question or statement can do the trick. If you want to create a purely visual video, an eye-catching picture should be your go-to for the intro.

• Body (3-25 seconds)

  If you are making a 30-second video, you have only 3 to 25 seconds to show the main part of your content. This means you need to include a product demo, tutorial, or skit.

• Conclusion (25-30 seconds)

  You must end your video in style, even if you only have 5 seconds. Add some memorable scenes or a simple CTA.

Choose the Right Setting for Your Video

Your video’s background is as important as what is happening in front of it. Keep the background neutral to keep the attention on the tutorial, dance skit, or product demo.

If you are creating a humorous video, you can add funny objects to the background. Just be sure to shoot in natural light during the day to improve the quality of the video. If you shoot at night, you need professional lighting to avoid shadows.

You can also choose your video outdoors, but it will be trickier. You have to monitor natural light changes and prevent interruptions from bystanders.

Use the Best Equipment

Efficient equipment is essential in shooting a high-quality video. Use an updated smartphone camera and shoot your video in a resolution suitable for TikTok’s 1080p limit. You can shoot in 4K resolution, but TikTok will compress your video.

Use a tripod or gimbal stabilizer to avoid shaky footage and external microphones if you have people talking in the video (outdoors). High-quality sound is just as crucial as crisp visuals. TikTok users tend to scroll past videos with bad sound.

Edit Your Videos Well

The point of shooting a TikTok video is to edit it to appeal to your target audience. TikTok has several in-app tools you can use. There are also third-party editing apps that will make it easy to trim your video, add music and text, or even animations.

Remember to go light on the filters and tight on the editing. You want an authentic, fast-paced video that will perform better with TikTok’s algorithm.

Use Music or Sounds

The right music or sound can elevate even the plainest TikTok video. Check the TikTok library for trending sounds or upload your own. Remember to keep the music volume reasonable. You do not want the background sounds and music to overpower your video’s message.

More Ways to Make Your TikTok Video Shine

When you get the hang of creating TikTok videos, you can Duet and Stitch with other content creators. You can also work on attracting partnerships with influencers and brands in your niche.

However, you can only get to this point if you consistently upload good TikTok videos and engage with your audience. Use TikTok’s analytics tools to identify which of your videos perform the best and which do not. Refine your content based on this information.

TikTok is the Best Platform for Creative Video Uploads

Combining these steps and your creativity lets you easily plan and execute a fantastic TikTok video shoot. Before you know it, you will be entertaining, educating, and promoting content on one of the biggest social media platforms in the world.