User-generated content (UGC) has become one of the most powerful tools for brands looking to build an engaged audience on TikTok. With its highly interactive format and algorithm-driven content discovery, TikTok offers endless opportunities for brands and creators to boost visibility, drive engagement, and even go viral.

Whether you’re a brand looking to encourage community participation or a TikTok content creator aiming to refine your approach, this step-by-step guide will walk you through effective TikTok UGC creation. From spotting the latest trends to optimising video length and editing styles, here are our best tiktok content creator tips to help you make TikToks that get people talking and joining in.

Step 1: Identify Trending Topics and Formats

TikTok thrives on trends, encompassing viral sounds, challenges, and unique editing styles. For brands looking to maximise reach, one of the main TikTok content creation tips to follow is to stay updated on these trends. Regularly checking the For You Page (FYP) and Discover tab provides insights into current popular content, and offers the opportunity to spot recurring hashtags, video styles, and more. Trends often emerge from niche communities, so following creators in relevant industries can help brands and content creators spot opportunities early.

Sounds play an integral role in TikTok's algorithm, and it’s no secret that videos incorporating trending audio often gain increased visibility. For instance, the platform's influence has led to older music experiencing a resurgence; in 2024, 19 out of the top 50 tracks on UK TikTok posts were more than five years old, up from eight in 2021. This underscores the importance of incorporating popular music and sound effects when crafting content. The same applies to visual styles—using TikTok’s built-in effects and transitions can enhance engagement. By staying adaptable and continuously experimenting with trending formats, brands and creators can keep their content fresh and appealing.

By aligning your content with current TikTok trends, you increase the likelihood of reaching a wider audience and boosting engagement.

Step 2: Craft Engaging and Relatable Content

To succeed on TikTok, content needs to feel authentic, engaging, and tailored to the platform’s unique style. On TikTok, unlike other social media or traditional advertising, content that feels too polished or overly promotional often struggles to resonate. Instead, videos that are entertaining, educational, or emotionally compelling tend to perform best.

Storytelling plays a crucial role in TikTok UGC creation, and structuring videos effectively can make all the difference. The first 2–3 seconds are crucial for grabbing attention, so starting with a strong hook is essential. This could be an intriguing question, a bold statement, or a surprising visual. The middle of the video should deliver engaging content that holds the viewer’s interest, whether through humor, suspense, or valuable insights. Ending with a clear call to action—such as encouraging viewers to comment, try a challenge, or visit a brand’s page—helps drive interaction and keeps the conversation going.

Another key factor is reliability. TikTok users gravitate toward content that feels personal and unscripted. Over 56% of TikTok users say they feel more connected to brands that publish human, unfiltered content, which is why brands that embrace behind-the-scenes footage, customer reactions, and real-life product use cases tend to see stronger engagement. User-generated content that demonstrates a product’s effectiveness—such as a skincare transformation or a before-and-after home organisation video—often performs well because it provides visual proof in an engaging way. Challenges, tutorials, and “day in the life” videos also encourage participation and make content more interactive.

By focusing on storytelling, authenticity, and relatability, brands and creators can craft TikTok content that not only grabs attention but also encourages genuine audience connection.

Step 3: Encourage User Participation with Challenges and Hashtags

Engaging TikTok users through challenges and branded hashtags is a powerful strategy for amplifying your brand's reach and prompting community involvement. Branded Hashtag Challenges, in particular, invite users to create content around a specific theme or task associated with your brand, encouraging widespread participation. This approach not only showcases user creativity but also significantly boosts engagement. Notably, TikTok's Branded Hashtag Challenges have been shown to increase engagement by 40% or more, as users actively participate and share their content. 

The success of these challenges lies in their ability to transform participants into brand advocates. When users create videos under a branded hashtag, they share their personal creativity and extend the campaign's viral potential by exposing the hashtag to their followers. This organic sharing amplifies your brand's message and builds a sense of community among participants.

To expand the impact of your challenges, it's essential to design them to be inclusive and easy to participate in. Clear instructions and an appealing theme encourage more users to join in. Additionally, offering incentives such as featuring user-generated content on your official channels or providing rewards can further motivate participation.

Step 4: Optimise Video Length, Editing, and Sound Choices

To boost engagement on TikTok, it's essential to tailor your content to the platform's specific characteristics, focusing on video length, editing styles, and sound choices.

While TikTok allows videos up to 10 minutes, shorter content often performs better. TikTok recommends videos between 21 to 34 seconds, as this duration tends to receive higher engagement rates. Dynamic editing is crucial to capture and maintain viewer attention. Incorporating quick cuts, overlays, and text pops can enhance engagement, catering to users' shorter attention spans. This approach aligns with TikTok's fast-paced environment, where visually stimulating content thrives.

As discussed earlier, utilising trending sounds or music can increase the likelihood of your video appearing on users' For You Page (FYP), but a commonly overlooked tactic is to incorporate captions or text overlays to ensure your message is accessible, even when viewed without sound.

Step 5: Stay Active and Consistent

TikTok rewards creators and brands that engage consistently, both through regular posting and active interaction with their audience. Beyond content creation alone, TikTok UGC creation is about fostering conversations, building community, and strengthening visibility.

TikTok values engagement, so responding to comments and messages isn’t just good practice—it also boosts content performance. Replying to comments increases interactions, signalling to TikTok that your content is relevant and worth promoting to a wider audience. The Reply with Video feature is particularly effective for turning audience questions into fresh content, allowing brands to deepen engagement while generating new posts. This approach strengthens community relationships and keeps the conversation going.

A regular posting schedule is essential for maintaining audience interest and increasing visibility. Research indicates that the ideal posting frequency for brands on TikTok is between 3 to 5 times per week. Posting at optimal times—such as evenings and weekends—can further improve reach, as this is when users are most active on the platform. Brands that maintain consistency not only stay top-of-mind but also increase their chances of appearing on the For You Page (FYP), leading to greater organic growth.

TikTok videos have the potential to perform well beyond the platform itself. By sharing TikTok content on Instagram Reels, Stories, Twitter, and even YouTube Shorts, brands can increase reach and engagement. Encouraging followers from other platforms to engage with TikTok content helps create a multi-channel presence, strengthening brand visibility across social media.

Elevate Your TikTok UGC Strategy with SHOUT

Creating effective UGC on TikTok is about building a genuine connection with your audience through storytelling, engagement, and consistency. By identifying relevant trends, crafting relatable content, encouraging user participation, and optimising video structure, brands and creators can expand their reach and impact on the platform.

But scaling a UGC strategy takes more than just great content—it requires the right partnerships. That’s where Shout comes in. Whether you’re a brand looking to collaborate with passionate TikTok creators or a creator wanting to work with brands that align with your style, Shout makes it easy to connect, create, and amplify content. With the right approach and the right creators, you can turn your TikTok presence into a thriving, engaged community. Get started with SHOUT today and take your TikTok UGC strategy to the next level.

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