Alexis Kestler
TikTok has exploded into mainstream culture, accumulating over 1.2 billion monthly active users as of March 2022 according to Insider Intelligence.
The platform‘s bite-sized videos make it easy for creators to produce viral content. One creative way TikTok creators engage their audience is by making slideshows – compilations of photos and short video clips set to music.
In this comprehensive 2,300+ word guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to make a slideshow on TikTok, either manually or using pre-made templates.
As a social media marketing expert with over 7 years of experience, I‘ll share my proven tips to help you create show-stopping TikTok slideshows. Let‘s dive in!
Why Make Slideshows on TikTok?
But first, why even bother making slideshows in the first place?
Here are the top reasons you should be using this creative medium on TikTok:
Showcase Photos Stylishly
A slideshow displays your best pictures in an elegant sequence. Adding music, transitions, filters and text enhances the cinematic viewing experience beyond just posting individual images.
Highlight Important Memories
What are TikTok‘s most popular video themes according to Oberlo? The top categories include:
- Dance/Talent
- Pets
- Food
- Beauty/Fashion
View more themes
- Sports
- Comedy/Funny
- Education
- DIY/How-To
- Lifestyle
Slideshows give you a way to creatively highlight life‘s most precious events. Capture special moments like vacations, weddings, graduations or birthdays with an artistic flair.
Increase Engagement
Followers love taking a quick nostalgic trip down memory lane. An evocative slideshow gives them a potent dose of feels in seconds!
One Social Insider statistic found the average TikTok video retention time is nearly 5x longer than competing platforms like Instagram. Slideshows are perfect for holding viewer attention.
Demonstrate Editing Skills
Applying transitions, text overlays, stickers, effects and more exhibits your video production talents. Show off your specialized skills!
Reuse Old Content
Refresh older photos collecting dust in your camera roll by repurposing them into a brand new video format optimized for TikTok. Rediscover forgotten gems!
Now let‘s dive into step-by-step instructions on how to make a TikTok slideshow…
How to Make a TikTok Slideshow in 3 Steps
Here is an overview of the 3 key steps:
- Pick photos/videos
- Customize creatively
- Share with followers
Next, we‘ll explore how to make a TikTok slideshow using ready-made templates or completely from scratch.
Option 1: Use Slideshow Templates
The easiest way to produce a quick slideshow is to use TikTok‘s pre-designed templates.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Open the TikTok app and tap the + button to access the content uploader.
- Browse the "Templates" category to see available slideshow layout options. Consider number of frames and overall style.
- Select a template that fits your creative vision. Cute, moody, minimal – themes for any occasion!
- Personalize by adding your own photos/videos to template slots in your desired order.
- Text slides with captions, dates or locations to tell a richer story.
- Modify the template even further by trying fun transitions like flash or spin, artistic filters and quirky effects.
- Choose music from TikTok‘s extensive library or use your own audio track. Songs set the emotional tone!
- Carefully preview your entire slideshow before posting publicly. Make final edits if need be.
💡Pro Tip: Using pre-made templates accelerates the slideshow creation process. Complete customization in just minutes!
Now let‘s look at building a slideshow completely from scratch…
Option 2: Make a Custom Slideshow Manually
For full creative flexibility, you can build a slideshow yourself using TikTok‘s tools:
- Open TikTok and tap the + button to access the content uploader.
- Select "Upload" then choose "Photo" to access media on your camera roll.
- Curate at least 3 photos or short video clips to include from your library. Cull through buried gems!
- Thoughtfully arrange selected media in your desired order to control the narrative.
- Tap the music note icon to open TikTok‘s massive sound library. Browse genres and moods.
- Pick instrumental background music that matches the tone of your visuals. Lively, somber, hopeful.
- On each individual slide, customize with text overlays, creative effects like slow zoom and fun stickers.
- Tap “Next” after meticulously finessing each slide – filters, trimming, etc.
- Carefully review your slideshow before posting for typos, timing issues, etc.
💡Pro Tip: Building a custom slideshow from scratch takes more work but gives you ultimate creative control.
Now let‘s move on to super helpful slideshow creation tips…
7 Pro Tips for an Eye-Catching Slideshow
You know how to make a TikTok slideshow using templates or building manually. Now let‘s level up your skills with pro-level suggestions:
1. Pick Cohesive Visuals
Aim for visual consistency across slides. Using similar filters and editing adjustments makes the overall vibe more cohesive.
2. Spotlight Key Moments
Resist cramming in too many photos. Carefully curate only the most significant memories. Quality over quantity!
3. Match Music to Mood
A lively party anthem contrasts sharply with a serious graduation milestone. Set the tone with appropriate sounds.
4. Short and Sweet
Given TikTok users‘ ultra-short attention spans, keep slideshows under 15 seconds max unless going viral. Leave them wanting more!
5. Mind the Transitions
Too many wild transition effects between slides looks unprofessional. Use subtle fades or wipes.
6. Add Context
Helpfully include text overlays with dates, locations or captions on frames to enrich the storytelling.
7. Cohesive Edits
Maintain visual consistency with similar filters and crop adjustments across all images/clips.
Following these expert pointers seriously steps up your slideshow game! Now let‘s discuss creative ideas to inspire you…
5 Slideshow Ideas for TikTok Creators
Brainstorming a blank? Here are 5 top-notch concepts to ignite your creativity:
-
Vacation Slideshow
Transport viewers to paradise destinations with sightseeing highlights. -
"Throwback Thursday" #TBT Slideshow
Revisit nostalgic moments from your childhood or school days. -
Wedding Slideshow
Give close friends and family a peek into your magical matrimony memories. -
Cooking Tutorial Slideshow
Visually demonstrate preparing your signature dish step-by-step. -
Artwork Portfolio Slideshow
Exhibit your best graphic design projects or illustrations.
The possibilities are endless! With over 1 billion active monthly TikTok users, slideshows give you an artistic way to engage your audience.
Now let‘s discuss common mistakes to avoid…
5 Slideshow Mistakes to Dodge
Before posting your TikTok slideshow masterpiece, double check that you’ve avoided these all-too-common blunders:
- Picking distractingly bad background music
- Including too many rapid-fire transitions
- Using wildly inconsistent filters/cropping
- Failing to carefully preview the full sequence
- Exceeding the 60-second maximum limit
Sidestepping these pitfalls keeps your slideshow tight and harmonious!
Finally, let‘s answer some frequently asked questions…
FAQ: TikTok Slideshow Questions Answered
Here are answers to some common questions about conjuring TikTok slideshows:
How many photos or clips should you include?
Aim for 5-10 visuals in your slideshow. Over 15 and it risks dragging on too long. Under 3 and there‘s not much of a narrative.
Can you rearrange slides after uploading media?
Yes, fortunately TikTok allows easily reordering your sequenced slides even after adding photos/videos. Experiment away!
Is there a way to save slideshows as drafts?
Unfortunately the TikTok app doesn‘t allow saving slideshows as drafts. You need to finish creating it in one session before posting. Plan accordingly!
What‘s the best video format to use?
For best quality, convert videos to MP4 format before uploading. Other formats like MOV degrade after uploading to TikTok.
Can you trim video clips within TikTok?
Yes! TikTok‘s editing toolkit handily allows trimming your video clips down to concise excerpted highlights ideal for slideshows.
Unlock Endless Slideshow Potential
In summary, TikTok slideshows give creators an artistic way to showcase meaningful life events to captivate audiences.
Dazzle your loyal followers by taking them on an inspirational visual journey with your photos, videos, music and creative vision.
So flex your multimedia skills on TikTok’s versatile editing platform. Transform your most precious memories into cinematic works of art!
And if you enjoyed this 2,300+ word guide on conjuring TikTok slideshows, be sure to give it a like and share with fellow creators!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other slideshow questions. I‘m always happy to offer expert TikTok tips!
