The Ultimate Guide to Making TikTok Content on a Budget

Many people who want to start a TikTok profile are put off - not by nerves or poor self-confidence, but by not having a huge budget. The misconception is that aspiring creators or brands need an expensive camera, pricey editing software, and plenty of disposal cash to fund an influencer lifestyle. In reality, you can become a content creator with very little, and not living an opulent lifestyle might make you even more relatable to your target audience.

So, without further ado, let's dive into how you can become a successful content creator even with a tiny budget.

You don't need the most expensive phone or editing software to make high-quality videos. What you do need, however, is some basic understanding of how to best use the technology at your disposal.

If you're new to editing videos, there are plenty of free editing programs you can use, as well as YouTube videos and tutorials that teach you how to use them. Along with tutorials on how to get the most out of your videophone or camera, you'll be filming like an expert director in no time. You don't need tons of editing experience - anyone can learn how to add some pizazz to a basic video.

While you don't have to break the bank to go far on TikTok, some small costs here and there can boost your account. Buying followers, likes, and views, for example, can be a great way to kick start your profile without having to splash out thousands of pounds.

Likewise, buying cheap editing software (or using free trials), or spending money on things to go in your content (such as food for a recipe) can offer an excellent return on investment.

The sooner you can start to monetise your TikTok content - whether that's through joining the Creator Fund or benefiting from paid partnerships - the better. That way, you can make money which will then go back into making your content amazing. Amazing content encourages more followers and more money and the cycle repeats.

While monetising your account can't happen straight away, the sooner you gain a following, the sooner you can start using TikTok as a source of income. Post at least every other day for the best chance of gaining a following quickly. Read our handy guide to monetising your TikTok content for tips.

The number one piece of advice for going viral on TikTok will always be making the most of trends. There's never a time when there's not some sort of trend on the go on TikTok, and your job as a creator is to make the most of it for your content, whether it's a trending sound, recipe, or dance routine.

You can even put your own twist on it, too - if it's a recipe, tweak it by making it vegetarian, for example, or add a new movie to a trending dance routine.

If you're not going to stand out from the crowd by using the fanciest camera or having the best editing skills, do it with your personality, instead. By becoming known for something unique - whether that's the topics you cover or your sense of humour - you'll create a following that come to you for your niche appeal, despite not having a big content budget.

While there will inevitably be some days when you forget to post or simply don't have time, aim to post daily for the best chance at success. In lieu of a large budget, creating consistent content is one of the best ways to get your profile seen and boosted up the algorithm. Instead of creating a new video every day, batch film content at the weekends when applicable and upload during the week - just don't forget to change outfit so you don't give away your methods!

You don't have to upgrade your camera to make excellent content, but you might want to switch up how you use it. If your smartphone has an option to film in 4K, for example, use this for your TikTok content. Sometimes, the back camera can be better than the selfie camera, so set up your camera on a tripod and use the back camera is quality is your priority.

While you might not be able to afford a professional marketing team, you can be your own marketing expert! Start by exploring competitor research and getting your audience down to a niche. From there, create a long-term TikTok content plan with flexibility for emerging trends thrown in. Don't forget about seasonal content and try and switch up the videos you make, including as many different styles as possible.

While you might think creating content on a budget would be offputting to followers, having a normal lifestyle can actually make you more relatable. Some of social media's biggest influencers can struggle to connect to their followers once they become huge, so take advantage of having that smaller community and more relatable lifestyle in your early content.

If you dream of going viral on TikTok but you haven't got a big budget behind you, don't fret. To make your TikTok page popular, you don't need the newest state of the art camera or a fancy social media team behind you. As long as you focus on making high-quality content that taps into trends, uploading regularly, and making the most of the tools you've got at your disposal, having a small budget won't be a barrier to success. And when you do decide to spend your money, spend it wisely. Buying a cheap background for your videos or your first few thousand followers are effective ways of getting a return on investment without breaking the bank.