Everyone’s buzzing about TikTok’s addictive GenZ content — but did you know TikTok’s video editor is perfect for Instagram Stories?
TikTok is packed with cool video editing features and effects that make it one of the most versatile and easy-to-use editors out there.
With the app’s massive growth, TikTok has perfected the art of short-form video editing — and brands have finally started to take notice!
In this post, we’ll be walking you through TikTok’s video editor, how you can create your own videos, and why you should be using it for Instagram Stories:
TikTok: “Instagram For the Mobile Video Age”
TechCrunch named TikTok the “Instagram for the mobile video age,” and creators on Instagram are paying attention.
With more than 500 million active users, TikTok has exploded on the social media scene. In fact, this February, TikTok exceeded a whopping one billion downloads from the App Store and Google Play.
While the app is a bit of a mystery to most people over the age of 24, a few brands are braving the new territory, including Nike and even the Washington Post:
Scrolling through TikTok’s main feed you’ll find a wide variety of content, dressed in GenZ humor. Some of the most popular videos include lip-syncing, skits, dancing, and plenty of “cringe” to go around.
There’s also a constant stream of new hashtag challenges that encourage creators to jump on board and put their own spin on the trend. For example, the latest challenge featuring the famous Disney tune lets creators “wave their wands” to reveal a glow-up, Halloween transformation, or anything else that might shock their viewers:
While there may not seem to be a ton of rhyme or reason behind the content, the videos are extremely addictive and can easily go viral within hours. The virility of videos is short-lasting, giving TikTok-ers their “15-seconds of fame.”
Since the videos are so short, it’s easy to fall into the “just one more video” mindset — until you realize a few hours have passed!
TikTok’s video editor is streamlined and makes it easy to transform a quick and basic 15-second clip into something engaging and dynamic.
But being active on TikTok isn’t for every brand — while the app itself is easy to navigate, it’s the demographics that may not be so easy for brands to figure out.
Alessandro Bogliari, Co-Founder and CEO of The Influencer Marketing Factory tells us, “Brands and companies have to accept the creativity, style, and tone of voice of TikTok creators.”
“TikTok users don’t like the ‘old school’ type of promotion and hard-selling techniques — they prefer good storytelling, and sometimes even a nonsense video that an older generation may find difficult to understand.”
Most TikTok’s users are young, with 41% aged between 16 and 24 — so if this isn’t your target audience, it may not be the right time to start investing in a TikTok strategy.
But TikTok-style videos are here to stay, and it might be time to take them to Instagram!
With video continuing to grow in popularity on Instagram, you won’t want to miss out on this new trend.
Luckily, we’re sharing a step-by-step to help you get familiar with the app and take advantage of it’s (seemingly) endless and easy-to-use features:
Using TikTok’s Video Editor For Instagram Stories
Instagram creators are already jumping on TikTok’s video editor, and we don’t expect this trend to slow down anytime soon.
By default, TikTok’s video editor records 15-second clips, making it a perfect fit for Instagram Stories. You can now also upload up to 60 seconds of content to create multiple stories slides that perfectly flow together.
While creating great content for Instagram often means looking outside the app, Bogliari told us TikTok creators are spending more time actually creating within the app.
“We can definitely see that content creators on TikTok use a lot of the different in-built features of the video editor,” Bogliari notes.
“Plus there is a definite shift from relying on external software to record and edit footage towards using built-in app features that can give a better user experience.”
How to Use TikTok’s Video Editor
TikTok is packed with a variety of video editing features and effects that make it one of the most versatile and easy-to-use editors out there.
Once you’ve downloaded the app and created your account, it’s time to start shooting! You can either start from scratch or upload video from your camera roll.
To get started, tap the Create Video icon to shoot a video.
Next, choose from a variety of different effects and recording tools located on the right and bottom of the screen.
There are several TikTok video editing tools to choose from, including:
Speed
Using the speed tool, you can slow down or speed up your recording. You can use this on specific parts of your recording, and adjust throughout each segment.
Beauty
The beauty tool is an AR filter that can hide blemishes and smooth out your skin. This will give you an “airbrushed” look.
Filters
TikTokers rave about the filters on the platform, and for good reason.
They seriously give VSCO a run for their money, and can be applied before or after recording. To apply filters, select the Filters button and swipe left to preview. You can also make your selection from the bottom menu.
TikTok has even categorized filters to help you choose what’s best for whatever you’re shooting, including Portrait, Landscape, Food, and Vibe.
TIP: According to TikTok cool girl @sarahhgrego, B6, S11, G3, and G6 are her go-to filters. To quote Sarah, “thank me later,” but these filters are a one-click way to level-up your footage.
Timer
This allows you to set an auto-record countdown if you want to film hands-free.
Flash
Tap the flash icon to turn on the light, and tap it again to turn it off.
Music and Effects
At the top of your screen, you’ll notice a music note labeled “Add a Sound.” Tap the button to choose the music overlay or sound effect that you want to record with.
TIP: You can add an effect before or after you shoot a video however, some may only be available before you start shooting.
TikTok’s video editor is packed with options that make it easy to create eye-catching Instagram Stories, so you can really let your creativity flow!
According to Bogliari, “Based on our experience we can see that text on video is used a lot, especially for meme videos which is one of TikTok’s biggest trends.”
“We’ve also spotted video effects such as Time Warp, Nine Camera Split, or Reverse that can help create funny and super-viral content that will then be copied by thousands of other TikTok-ers”.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to start rolling! Here’s how you can use the TikTok video editor to create high-quality Instagram Stories content in a breeze:
Recording Your TikTok Video
Once you’ve selected your recording effects, it’s time to start rolling.
If you want to record hands-free, you’ll want to use the countdown option to record your video. This lets you record a video without holding down the record button.
Select the video duration and tap Start Countdown. Once the countdown is turned on, the app will count down 3 seconds then start recording.
You can stop recording by tapping the record button.
You can also shoot your video by holding down the Record button. TikTok’s standout video editing feature is that the app allows you to record in “segments”.
This means, by holding down the record button and releasing, you can pick up where you left off and continue recording.
If you aren’t happy with your segment, just press Back to the right of the Record button. You will see a prompt that asks if you’re sure you’d like to delete the last segment. If you’d like to continue, just hit Confirm.
Here’s how Instagram influencer (and major trendsetter) Tezza shoots her story in “segments” to create eye-catching content for her Instagram Stories:
Once you’ve finished recording, hit the checkmark to switch to TikTok’s video editor. Here you will see Filters, Trim, and Volume controls on the right hand side of your screen: 
In the bottom menu, you can add Sounds, Effects, Text, and Stickers. Once you’re happy with your video, click Next.
Save Your TikTok Video to Your Camera Roll
Finally, it’s time to save your masterpiece!
To save your creative to your camera roll, just open the video and tap Share. Next, click Save to Album.
If you want to learn how you can grow your business with Instagram Stories, watch our free 45 minute video course to create a strategy behind your stories:
Remove the Watermark From Your TikTok Video
When you download a TikTok video to your camera roll, you’ll notice an animated watermark in the corner of your video. There are a few different ways you can remove the watermark before posting to Instagram Stories.
1. Zoom in On Your Video After Uploading to Instagram Stories
The simplest method is to simply stretch your video so the watermark is off-screen. To do this, just upload your video to Instagram Stories like normal.
Next, pinch outwards to zoom in on your video to push the watermark out of view:
You can also add your video to a template or Instagram Stories app to really upgrade your Stories content!
Check out our post, 14 Apps for Creating Gorgeous Instagram Stories to learn how you can create cohesive, on-brand content that aligns with your brand as a whole.
2. Crop Video Before Uploading to Instagram Stories
You can also crop your video before uploading to your story. If you have the new iOS, this is super simple to do!
Just open the video in your camera roll and select the Crop button:
Slide the crop tool to the very edge of the watermark (at the top and bottom of the screen – they bounce back and forth) and click Done to save.
If you don’t have the latest iOS, you can use apps like Video Crop remove the edges of your video.
TIP: If you choose either of these methods, consider shooting at a wider angle so you don’t lose anything important along the edge of your screen.
3. Remove TikTok Logo Using a Watermark Removal Tool
If you don’t want to lose any of your footage around the edges of your shot, this is the method for you!
Luckily, there’s a ton of tools online that make it super easy to make your video watermark disappear.
For this method, you’ll need the URL for your video. To find the URL, just go to your TikTok video on the app, click Share, and select Copy Link.
Next, open the browser on your desktop or phone and navigate to www.musicallydown.com. Paste your video URL into the toolbar, and click Download.
Simple as that! Now you can download your video watermark-free and publish to your Instagram Stories.
If you prefer working from desktop, check out Apowersoft’s Online Watermark Removal. Instead of using your video URL, you can simply drag and drop your video into the tool.
If you’re trying to grow on TikTok as well as Instagram, there’s no harm in leaving your watermark — it’s an easy way to cross-promote your content and get other TikTok users on your profile.
Posting regularly on Instagram Stories is key to building an audience and increasing your views, and you can plan your stories just like you would plan other social posts in your content calendar.
Now instead of coming up with new stories daily, you can add your photos and text directly to your Instagram Stories scheduler!
By scheduling your content in advance, you can make sure you’re posting consistently and staying top of mind with your followers.
All you have to do is drag and drop your stories on to the storyboard tool, and then re-arrange them to fit the order and look that you want.
Next, you can add links or captions to your scheduled stories, which will be copied to your phone when it’s time to post.
When it’s time to post, you’ll receive a notification on your phone. And once you open the notification, your stories will be downloaded to your camera roll and caption or links copied to your clipboard, making it easy to post Instagram Stories in seconds.
Sign up now! Later is free to use, but you’ll have to upgrade to a paid plan to schedule your Instagram Stories.
Using TikTok’s video editor for Instagram Stories is a sure way to grab your audience’s attention and step up your stories content! With so many different tools and effects, you can really get as creative as you’d like and create videos that are a perfect fit for your brand.
Looking to learn more about creating high-quality Instagram Stories content? In our free 45 minute Instagram Stories course, you’ll learn how to design beautiful stories, how to use the newest features, and how to optimize your stories for more followers, sales, and traffic! Ready to get started? Sign up for free!
