TikTok for charities: Key features

It’s vital that charities feel confident with the audience engagement features that TikTok offers to amplify their cause and speak directly to existing and new audiences about their work. We know that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by TikTok’s many different features, so we’ve broken down the key elements from video editing to fundraising for charities below. 

Whether you want to create interesting content or understand how to use the app’s features, this article will help your charity get started on TikTok and make the most of the app. 

Video editing: 

Creating engaging videos is at the heart of TikTok’s appeal. Here’s how to get started: 

• Tap the “+” button: This button is at the bottom centre of your screen. It’s your gateway to creating new content. 

• Upload or Record: You can either upload a video from your device’s library or record a new one using the TikTok camera. 

• Add creative elements: TikTok offers a range of sounds (music and audio clips), effects (fun visual tricks), and filters (colour and tone adjustments) to enhance your video. Whilst you’re getting started, don’t worry too much about using these additional features, it’s ok to start simple. 

• Record your video: Press the red Record button to start capturing your video. You can pause and resume as needed. 

• Final edits: Once you’ve recorded your video, tap the check mark. Here you can make additional edits, add captions, choose a cover image (the thumbnail), and then post your video for everyone to see. 

If you’re interested in content creation support tools like in-app teleprompters, scripts and background removers, CapCut is a great all-in-one editing tool. You can save your edited videos from CapCut to your device library and upload them straight to TikTok for posting. CapCut is available to download for free in your device’s app store. 

Following Page vs. FYP vs. Live: 

Navigating the different sections of TikTok can help you engage with the right audience: 

• Following Page: This is where you’ll find videos from accounts you follow. It’s a great way to keep up with content from your favourite creators and organisations. 

• FYP (For You Page): The ‘For You Page’ is a personalised feed of videos that TikTok thinks you’ll be interested in based on your interactions (likes, shares, comments). It’s great for discovering new content and reaching a wider audience. 

• Live: Live videos are real-time broadcasts where you can interact with your audience directly through comments. It’s a fantastic way to engage with your supporters in an immediate and personal way. 

Duets and stitching: 

Duets and stitching allow you to interact with other users’ content creatively. 

• Duets: Duet allows you to create a video that plays side-by-side with another user’s video. To start, tap the Share button on the video you like and select “Duet.” This is great for collaborations, reactions, or adding your own commentary. 

• Stitch: Stitch lets you clip and incorporate scenes from another user’s video into your own. Tap the Share button on the video and select “Stitch.” It’s perfect for building on existing content or adding your own perspective to someone else’s video. 

Effects and filters: 

Enhance your videos with a variety of effects and filters. These can be accessed through the effects button on the video recording screen, allowing you to add a creative flair to your content. Again, don’t worry about effects and filters too much in the beginning, you can build any desired effects into your videos as you get familiar with the app. 

• Effects: TikTok offers a wide range of effects to add fun and creativity to your videos. These can include special transitions and more. Access them by tapping the Effects button on the video recording screen.

• Filters: Filters adjust the look of your video, similar to Instagram filters. They can enhance colours, change the mood, or give your video a unique style. Experiment with different filters to see what works best for your content. 

Hashtags: 

Hashtags are essential for making your content discoverable. 

• Using hashtags: Hashtags help categorise your content so that it can be found by users interested in similar topics. Use popular and relevant hashtags to increase your video’s visibility. 

• Joining trends: Participating in trending hashtags can boost your content’s reach. It connects your videos with broader conversations happening on TikTok, helping you engage with a larger audience. 

Donation stickers: 

Donation stickers is incredibly valuable for charities looking to get direct donations through TikTok. 

• What are donation stickers? Donation Stickers allow users to donate directly to your cause through your videos. They are easy to add and provide a seamless way for your supporters to contribute. 

• How to use: Simply add a Donation Sticker from the editing tools to your video when you create it. Viewers can then click the sticker and donate without needing to leave the TikTok app. 

Find out more: 

Keep an eye out on our Resource Hub across July and August for more TikTok tips and guides, like our TikTok for charities: Getting started resource. Want new resources sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our charity newsletter today!  

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