How to Make a TikTok Video with a Pre-recorded Video

Creating TikTok content has become a crucial skill in today's social media-driven world. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, a business owner, or just someone who loves sharing fun moments, making TikTok videos with pre-recorded videos can elevate your presence on the platform. The ease of editing, adding effects, and pairing your video with trending sounds makes TikTok an attractive platform to showcase creativity.

If you're sitting on a treasure trove of videos that you haven't yet shared on TikTok, now is the time to leverage them! Whether it's vacation clips, event footage, or even random fun moments, these videos can be edited to fit perfectly within TikTok's dynamic and fast-paced format. The key is knowing how to import and edit these videos within the app so they feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.

Why Use Pre-recorded Videos?
Often, real-time filming on TikTok can be spontaneous, but pre-recorded videos allow you to produce polished, high-quality content. You have more time to decide what story you're telling, the kind of transitions you want to incorporate, and how to make your video more engaging with sounds, filters, and text overlays.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make the best use of pre-recorded videos for TikTok:

1. Select Your Pre-recorded Video

To start, choose the video you want to use. TikTok allows you to upload content directly from your phone’s gallery. To do this:

• Open TikTok.
• Press the "+" button at the bottom of the screen.
• Instead of recording, tap the “Upload” button on the right.
• This will take you to your phone's gallery where you can select the video you want to use.

Remember, TikTok has certain limits for video length—your uploaded video should fit these guidelines. While TikTok recently extended its video length to up to 10 minutes, short and snappy content of 15 to 60 seconds tends to perform better with the platform’s algorithms.

2. Trim and Edit Your Video

Once your video is uploaded, TikTok allows you to trim it down to the perfect length. Short-form content is the key to TikTok’s popularity, so while you may want to share every second of your pre-recorded clip, it’s often better to condense it. Here’s how you do it:

• After selecting the video, click “Next” to go to the editing screen.
• Use the “Adjust Clips” tool to trim your video down to the desired length. This is crucial for creating punchy content that retains viewers' attention.
• Keep in mind that the first 2-3 seconds of your video are critical. TikTok users scroll quickly, and your video must grab attention immediately.

3. Add Sound or Music

TikTok is known for its viral sounds and music. To make your pre-recorded video more engaging, consider pairing it with a trending song. You can browse TikTok’s extensive sound library:

• Tap the “Sounds” button on the editing screen.
• Search for a trending sound that fits the mood of your video. You’ll see a list of popular tracks that are currently gaining traction on the platform.

Pro Tip: Sounds often help videos go viral. Using a trending sound can boost your video’s visibility because TikTok’s algorithm tends to promote content that includes trending sounds.

4. Apply Filters, Effects, and Text Overlays

Filters and effects give your TikTok video a polished look. TikTok offers a wide variety of effects, from color corrections to quirky animations. You can apply these after you’ve uploaded your video:

• Tap “Effects” to add transitions, visual effects, or slow-motion sequences.
• Use filters to change the color palette or tone of your video, depending on the vibe you're going for.

Adding text overlays is another great way to engage your audience. Text can be used for captions, subtitles, or even as a punchline for comedic videos:

• Tap “Text” to input the text you want.
• You can choose the style, font, and color that best matches your theme.

5. Post Your Video

After editing, you’re ready to post. TikTok allows you to include a caption, hashtags, and tag friends or collaborators before publishing. Remember:

• Use relevant hashtags. The right hashtags help categorize your video and boost its chances of appearing on the "For You" page.
• Write an engaging caption. It’s the hook that will entice viewers to watch till the end.

6. Engage with Your Audience

Once you’ve posted your video, the work doesn't stop there. Engagement is a big part of growing on TikTok. Reply to comments, share the video to your other social media platforms, and keep an eye on how your audience is responding.

Bonus Tips for Using Pre-recorded Content:

1. Batch Create Content: Since pre-recorded videos give you the advantage of planning, consider batching your content creation. Upload several videos at once, and schedule them throughout the week to maintain consistency on TikTok.
2. Optimize for Trends: TikTok thrives on trends, so when you use pre-recorded videos, try to adjust the content to fit into the current trends. For instance, you can take a vacation video and repurpose it by adding a trending sound or using it as part of a viral challenge.
3. Keep It Vertical: TikTok is a vertical video platform. Ensure that your pre-recorded videos are shot vertically or edited to fit within the vertical frame.

In conclusion, making TikTok videos with pre-recorded content is a smart way to maintain a steady flow of high-quality content on your feed. It allows for more creative control and lets you carefully craft the perfect TikTok video by taking advantage of editing tools, effects, sounds, and trending elements. With a little planning, your old videos can breathe new life on TikTok, grabbing attention, generating engagement, and even helping you go viral.