If you’re a creator or business looking to grow on TikTok, knowing how to post content the right way is essential.
Whether you’re uploading a short video, sharing a carousel of photos, or experimenting with TikTok Stories, posting isn’t just about hitting “Upload”—it’s about maximizing your visibility and engagement.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to post on TikTok from your phone and desktop, including using schedulers and tools like Canva. We’ll also cover tips to make your content stand out and reach the right audience.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to Post on TikTok from Mobile
Posting from the TikTok app is the most common way to share content. It gives you full access to TikTok’s creative tools and is great for quick uploads.
1. Open the TikTok App
Start by opening the TikTok app on your iOS or Android device. Make sure you’re logged in to the right account, especially if you’re managing multiple profiles for clients or brands.
Pro tip: Use a business account if you’re promoting products or services. It unlocks analytics and allows you to add a link in your bio.
2. Create a New Post
Tap the plus (+) button at the bottom center of your screen. This opens up the TikTok camera where you can start recording, or access your gallery to post existing content.
This screen is your content hub—it’s where the magic starts.
3. Choose the Content Type
TikTok now supports multiple content formats:
- Videos: The classic format, perfect for tutorials, challenges, or storytelling.
- Images/Photo Carousels: Great for product showcases, testimonials, or portfolio content.
- Stories: Disappear in 24 hours, ideal for behind-the-scenes content or quick updates.
To post a photo carousel, tap “Upload” and select multiple images. TikTok will automatically turn them into a swipeable post.
Want to post a Story? Tap the camera icon, record or post content, and choose “Post to Story” before publishing.
4. Upload or Record Your Media
You can:
- Film new videos directly within the app.
- Upload clips or a photo from your camera roll.
- Combine both recorded and uploaded clips.
If you’re shooting a product demo, for example, consider filming directly in the app for fast editing. But if you’re a photographer showing a portfolio, uploading high-quality images works better.
5. Edit and Customize
TikTok gives you tons of built-in editing tools:
- Text overlays
- Stickers and GIFs
- Filters and effects
- Add music and voiceovers
- Captions and auto-sync
Editing videos isn’t just for fun—it’s how you stand out.
Add trending music, include subtitles for accessibility, and use stickers to highlight call-to-actions like “Follow for more” or “Link in bio.” Add sounds when applicable.
To create videos that stand out, you should always edit before you save and publish on your page.
6. Add Details
Before you post, you’ll need to:
- Add captions: Keep it short, include a call-to-action (CTA), and use relevant hashtags like #smallbiz, #TikTokTips, or #foryou.
- Tag accounts or locations: Great for collaborations or local businesses.
- Set privacy settings in the app: Choose who can see your post—Public, Friends, or Private.
- Allow comments, duets, or stitches: Engage with your audience by enabling these features.
Captions are key. If you’re a fitness coach posting a tip, try:
“Try this 10-sec morning stretch 💪 #WellnessTips #FitnessTok”
7. Share Your Post
Once everything looks good, tap Post—and you’re live!
You can also tap Drafts to save the post and come back later, which is useful if you want to plan your content or schedule posts manually.
Consider the best time to post and create a schedule around that for highest views and engagement.
How to Post on TikTok from Desktop
Posting from a computer is perfect for creators and businesses who work with high-quality TikTok video or want to manage content with a team.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to https://www.tiktok.com/upload and log in.
- Click Upload Video.
- Drag and drop your media files (up to 10 minutes long for videos).
- Add your caption, hashtags, cover thumbnail, and settings.
- Tap Post or Schedule to publish later (only available for Business accounts).
Posting from desktop makes it easy to reuse YouTube content, share promo videos, or upload long-form storytelling content.
It’s easy to see a clear preview of content, add a filter, change the audio, or even crop photos and videos before you publish.
The editing options are robust, you can search for and add audio, and even watch your video on different device display. Very easy to adjust things.
Side note: You can also reply to comments and monitor analytics directly from TikTok’s desktop version.
Post on TikTok with a Scheduler
If you’re managing multiple accounts or want to plan videos ahead, using a scheduler is a game-changer.
Create & Schedule TikTok Videos
Tools like Later, Hootsuite, and Metricool let you:
- Upload videos
- Write a caption
- Add hashtags
- Schedule videos to auto publish
You’ll need to connect your TikTok Business account and follow their setup process.
Example: A social media manager planning a week of videos for a skincare brand can upload everything on Monday and let the tool post daily.
Post to TikTok with Canva
Canva Pro users can now post or schedule TikTok videos directly from the design editor.
- Create your TikTok content using Canva’s templates.
- Click Share > Schedule or Post to Social > TikTok.
- Connect your account and set your caption.
- Choose to post now or schedule for later.
This is perfect for branded content, product launches, or animated explainers.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to post on TikTok is one of the first steps to growing your audience, driving engagement, and making money—whether you’re an influencer, small business, or social media manager.
The more you post, the better you get. And the better your content, the more TikTok’s algorithm will reward you.
Ready to go viral? Start posting videos!
