How I Started Creating TikTok Videos: Lessons from My First 2 Weeks

I started my TikTok journey two weeks ago, and one thing became clear right away: editing videos is a skill that takes time to learn.

Here’s my key takeaway so far: No one really cares about you. This might sound harsh, but it’s liberating. Even if you post something bad, imperfect, or cringy:

• Most people will only glance at your video for a second.
• They’ll forget about it in two seconds.
• The ones who like your content will stick around and enjoy it.

So, say “fuck it” and post whatever you feel like. TikTok is about experimenting, not perfection.

How I Create My Content

I use just my phone and some creativity. I have an old wobbly tripod, but most of the time, I find inventive ways to prop my phone up—on books, shelves, or even random objects. This lets me shoot both videos and pictures to keep my content fresh and original.

My Biggest Challenges So Far

1. Consistent Posting: From what I’ve learned, you need to post regularly—ideally 1–2 videos a day (haven't managed this yet.. like how?). Balancing this with other projects has been tough.
2. Lighting Issues: My phone camera struggles in low-light settings, which can be frustrating.
3. Content Ideas: Finding ideas that feel original and unique is challenging. I don’t want to just copy others—I’m aiming to develop my own style.

Problems I’ve Encountered

• Finding My Niche: I have lots of ideas but haven’t zeroed in on a specific niche.
• Stuck in 300-View Jail: TikTok isn’t pushing my videos beyond 200–500 views. It could be my content, audience mismatch, or just the algorithm.
• Validation Pressure: Relying on likes, comments, and shares for validation can be a slippery slope. It’s something I’m working to ignore.

What I’ve Realized

• Short Attention Spans: Most users don’t even watch the first second of my videos.
• Audience Fit: My content might not be reaching the right viewers.
• Editing Matters: Capturing attention in the first second is key. I’m exploring new editing styles to make my videos more engaging.

Where I’m Heading

• I’m Not Giving Up: It’s only been two weeks, and my ideas are starting to come together. Whenever inspiration strikes, I jot it down in my “social media ideas” list.
• Following My Gut: I focus on creating content that feels authentic to me.
• Letting Go of Overthinking: I’ve realized I should stop worrying about how I come across. Why? Go back to my key insight at the start.

Wrapping Up: My Numbers So Far

• 14 days since I started posting
• ~40 videos created
• 14 edited and 10 posted
• 9 followers
• 167 likes collected

This is just the beginning of my TikTok journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. If you’re on the fence about starting, just do it. Experiment, learn, and most importantly—have fun!