Making the Most of 15 Seconds: A Guide to TikTok Stories

At its core, TikTok Stories have similar features to Instagram Stories.

Disappears after 24 hours, shows a colored ring around profile picture, and 15 seconds long.

But if you look closer,  TikTok Stories can give you more visibility. Because, unlike Instagram where Stories can only be viewed by clicking on the profile picture at the top of your feed or on the user's avatar, TikTok displays Stories as regular posts on the For You page.

Join us in exploring the exciting feature, as we delve into how they can boost engagement on the platform. And discover content ideas for your TikTok Stories and tips to maximize the potential of this feature.

What Are TikTok Stories?

Launched in 2022, first as a pilot project, then released for more users, TikTok Story is one of the underutilized features to date, making it an untapped potential for creators and influencers.

The feature allows you to share 15-second videos on your profile that disappear after 24 hours.

Stories are designed to strengthen your relationships with your followers on TikTok, allowing them to see your world through a more familiar lens.

Why Use TikTok Stories?

Fair question!

After all, what’s the point of spending your time and energy doing something that disappears after 24 hours?

Short answer: to be on the top of your followers’ minds.

Plus, short videos drive more engagement.

As per the Sprout Social Index, short-form videos are the most favored in-feed content type for drawing engagement on social media.

TikTok Stories can be a great tool to create a sense of urgency. 

As your followers can view it for a very limited time, they’ll not want to miss it if you’re giving out discount coupons or sharing the names of your giveaway winners.

And this way, you can generate more engagement and be favored by TikTok’s algorithms — as you might already, engagement is one of the factors TikTok considers for populating videos in the FYP.

How do TikTok Stories Work?

Once you share a Story, it will be integrated into your profile and regular feed.

Your followers can view your Stories on their For You page just like they would with any other post and easily spot them by the blue Story tag.

When a new user visits your page, and you have a Story, a blue clickable ring will appear around your profile picture, directing them to it.

As is the case with regular TikTok posts, viewers can like, comment, and share your Story.

How to Create and Publish a TikTok Story?

Follow these steps to create a TikTok Story:

• Tap + at the bottom of the screen.
• Use the TikTok camera and add effects.
• Record or upload your content.
• Tap Post to Story and make additional edits, if you wish to.
• Finally, post your Story.

Content Ideas for Your TikTok Stories

We’ve already shared three content ideas for TikTok Stories; can you spot them? 😉

No worries if you missed them, here are some more content ideas for your next TikTok Stories.

Steal them all!

1. Behind-the-scenes footage

Have you seen any behind-the-scenes moments at the end of the movies that show what goes into the making of the movies? Actors trying the dialogues, failing miserably and laughing at each other.

Pretty engaging and fun, right?

Well, that’s the idea!

Behind-the-scenes content shows the real you, your business, and your team.

Use this idea for your TikTok Stores to boost engagement with your audience by giving them an authentic look into your daily life.

2. Share discounts, coupons

People love free stuff.

And if you have affiliate codes or you’re running flash sales, Tik Tok Stories are the ideal place to promote and share them.

Given the short-lived nature of TikTok Stories, they’re a good way to create a sense of urgency and drive FOMO.

Now when you’re sharing free discount codes that will vanish after 24 hours, your followers will be checking them out before time runs out.

This is not only a clever way to monetize your TikTok but is also an effective strategy to generate followers and engagement, and boost affiliate business on TikTok.

3. Announce contest winners

Do you host contests or giveaways? Using TikTok Stories to announce the winners can be a great way to build engagement and excitement.

Doing this can help you create a community of loyal fans who are excited to participate in future contests and engage with your brand.

4. Share exclusive tips

Looking to establish yourself as an authority in your industry? 

Consider sharing exclusive tips and insights through TikTok Stories that your followers won't find anywhere else. 

This can help you establish yourself as a thought leader while providing value to your followers.

By sharing insider knowledge, you can build trust and credibility with your audience, making them more likely to engage with your brand in the future.

5. Product launches

Launching a new product or service? 

Use TikTok Stories to promote your launch and build excitement around the release.

Using high-quality videos, share sneak peeks of the product, showcase its features, unbox it, and explain how it can benefit your followers.

Use words that create a sense of urgency and encourage them to act quickly. 

For example, you could offer a limited-time discount for customers who purchase the product within the first week of launch.

6. Team or customer spotlights

TikTok Stories can be a great way to humanize your brand and build a stronger connection with your audience.

Use the feature to share stories about your team members, highlight customer success stories, or give a shout-out to your most loyal followers. 

This can help you create a sense of community among your followers, while also showcasing the people who make your business possible.

Doing so can create a more personal and relatable brand image, making it easier for your followers to connect with you.

7. Start a challenge

TikTok is known for its viral challenges, so why not use Stories to start one of your own? 

Announce a challenge and encourage your followers to participate and share their own videos.

You could also encourage your followers to share their own experiences with your product by using a branded hashtag or offering a contest for the best user-generated content.

It will help you create a sense of community and engagement, increase brand awareness, build buzz, and encourage user-generated content.

Tips for More Success with TikTok Stories

Keep it short and sweet

TikTok Stories are only 15 seconds long, so it's important to make the most of that time. Keep your message clear and concise and avoid going off on tangents.

Use eye-catching visuals

TikTok is all about visual content, so use eye-catching visuals that will grab your viewers' attention. Use bright colors, proper text inlays, and eye-catching graphics to make your Stories stand out.

Find trending music

Music is a big part of the TikTok experience, so use it to your advantage. Choose a song that fits the mood and tone of your Story and make sure it's not too distracting.

Use hashtags

Just like with regular videos, using Tiktok hashtags can help your Stories get discovered by a wider audience. Use relevant hashtags that will help your content reach the right people.

Keep it authentic

TikTok users value authenticity, so don't be afraid to show your personality and be yourself. Avoid overly polished content and embrace a more natural, conversational tone.

Plan ahead

While TikTok Stories are short, they still require planning and preparation. Think about the message you want to convey, the visuals you want to use, and any hashtags or music you want to include.

Repurpose existing content

Struggling to come up with new ideas for TikTok Stories? 

Repurposing your existing content can save you time and effort while also giving your audience a fresh perspective on your content.

Create a list of the existing long-form videos you want to work on.

Now make the necessary edits and cuts to create a series of videos for your Stories.

You could also repurpose your blogs and create videos using AI tools.

Engage with your audience

TikTok Stories offer a great opportunity to engage with your audience. Ask questions, encourage feedback, and respond to comments to keep the conversation going.

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With their immersive format and creative editing tools, TikTok Stories offer a unique opportunity for individuals and brands to showcase their personality and build a loyal fanbase.

If you're a creator, give TikTok Stories a try and see how the tool can help you express your creative side and connect with new people. Now if you were to try any of the content ideas for your next Story, which one will you choose and why? Let us know!