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TikTok 101: How To Make Your Own TikTok Sound

How To Make Your Own TikTok Sound

Learning how to make your own TikTok sound could make you the next viral trend.

In the last couple of years, TikTok has skyrocketed in popularity, attracting people from all around the world, and of all ages. While TikTok’s primary market is engaged Gen Z content creators, the application has also attracted a host of other celebrities and market leaders, too.

Today, being active on TikTok will give you access to a wide audience of new potential leads, while allowing you to build a more impactful brand through video. Of course, to leverage the full benefits of TikTok, you need to know how to use all the available features, including TikTok sounds.

Being active on TikTok will give you access to a wide audience of new potential leads and a chance to build a more impactful brand through video.

What Is A TikTok Sound?

TikTok Sounds have rapidly become one of the most important features on TikTok.

If you’ve ever visited the “For You” page on TikTok, you’ll notice that every one of the top videos uses Original Audio and Sounds.

Creating a sound for your video instantly gives you better ranking potential. Sounds are powerful features you can add to your TikTok content.

Why TikTok Sounds Are Important

Sounds are just as important as video when it comes to succeeding on TikTok. Music is a major part of the experience, with many challenges and trends on the platform revolving around dances, lip-syncing, and other music-focused ideas.

  • According to research from TikTok, around 88% of customers consider sound to be an essential part of the TikTok experience.
  • Another 73% of respondents said they were more likely to watch videos with audio.
  • What’s more, TikTok is the only social platform available right now where ads with audio generate both better brand favorability and purchase intent.

TikTok sounds are more likely to help you reach your target audience, too.

With TikTok, you can leverage a viral sound to make sure customers can find you by simply tapping on the music playing on any video. The For You page is even more likely to show users content with the same sound they’ve listened to in the past.

TikTok is the only social platform available right now where ads with audio generate both better brand favorability and purchase intent.

How To Add Sounds To TikTok

To add a Sound to your video, you can simply create your TikTok content, then tap the “Sounds” option in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. The icon for this feature looks like a little musical note.

TikTok lists the recommended songs and trending sounds available based on your video.

TikTok Sounds Icon

You can scroll through the full Sounds library, choosing from playlists, viral songs, new music, and more. Users can also add certain sounds to their “Favorites” list, so it’s easier to find them again in the future.

TikTok Sounds Library

Once you’ve selected your song, simply drag the soundwaves to the part of your video where you want your music to begin.

TikTok Sounds adjust

You can also choose your sound before you record your video if you prefer.

So, Which Sound Do You Use?

You can examine the songs available on TikTok by tapping the home button on your screen and tapping on sounds to see what’s currently trending.

There are various categories to help you in your TikTok search, such as UK Hot 40 and TikTok Viral.

It’s also worth paying attention to the sounds that seem to be getting the most attention in the “For You” page. When a sound appears on multiple trending videos, it’s a good chance that the music is part of a challenge or popular trend.

Tik Tok Sounds for You page

When you find a song you want to use, tap on the sound to access the audio page, and tap on the “Add to Favorites” button, so you can use it easily later.

TikTok sounds favorites

How To Make Your Own TikTok Sound

Aside from giving you access to a wide range of fantastic trending songs and sounds, TikTok also allows you to add “Original Audio” into the mix.

This could be an ideal option for companies trying to stand out from the crowd. The audio you make yourself combined with unique videos can enhance your brand voice, and your chances of going viral.

Before making an original sound, remember that anything you record on TikTok will be available for other people to use.

To use your audio:

  •         Open the TikTok app and click the “+” button to record a new video
  •         Press record, then “V” to go to the next page.
  •         Add filters, voice-over, and voice effects as much as you like. TikTok Sounds Customization
  •         Use the synth voice effect to get your talking voice to sound more lyrical
  •         Tap next and post to your page as usual
  •         You should see a spinning record at the bottom of the screen, tap this
  •         Edit the name of the sound to one other users can search for
  •         Add your sound to your favorites to use later

How To Make Your TikTok Sound Go Viral

You can learn how to make your own TikTok sound in seconds – but figuring out how to make that content go viral is a little more complicated. Here are some tips to improve your chances of going viral when you add sound to your video.

1. Be Original

When a sound goes viral, it’s because it grabs people’s attention, and pushes them to start experimenting with the audio themselves. A great sound won’t just blend in with all the other content on TikTok, it will help to grab your audience’s attention.

It’s important to ensure that although your sound is unique, it’s also relatable and flexible.

For instance, the @KikaKiim video “happy birthday to me” includes an original sound anyone could apply to a similar post:

@kikakiimHappy birthday to me🤍🎂♬ original sound – 𝙙𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙚

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the effects on your sounds, too. Sometimes, a familiar-sounding song with a different pitch or sound effect can be an excellent way to grab attention.

Get creative and ask yourself what kind of sound would stick with you.

2. Make It Rewatchable (And Short)

TikTok benefits from high engagement rates because it’s all about short, fast-paced content.

With that in mind, it’s important to make your original audio as short as possible. Find a sound or snippet of a song that works perfectly with the kind of content you’re creating. At the same time, think about how you can capture your audience’s attention to get them watching again and again.

Creative social media videos on TikTok with funny sounds are often more likely to be rewatched, like this one from: @Aymieandgracie:

@aymieandgraciePenny always turns a rough day into a happy day!♬ original sound – Amy

Aside from likes and follows, TikTok’s algorithm also prioritizes content based on how many people engage with your video. If you can convince your customers to keep watching on repeat, you’ll rank higher, and find more viewers.

3. Consider The Audience

Finally, think about the audience you’re trying to reach.

If you’re learning how to make your own TikTok sound specifically because you want your videos to go viral, you need to make sure you’re keeping your target audience in mind. Follower growth happens when you take the time to think about what your customers really want.

Check out what other companies in your industry are posting to see whether you can get inspiration there. Pay attention to trending hashtags, and the kind of music that people in your audience tend to use when posting their own content.

Pay attention to your analytics within your TikTok Business account, too. This should give you an insight into what kind of customers find your content appealing, and what you can do to improve your chances of success.

Top 5 Viral TikTok Sounds In 2021

To help you better understand the value of TikTok sounds, let’s look at some of the most popular options over the last couple of years:

1.       Kreepa: Oh No

Probably one of the songs most associated with TikTok by now, “Oh No” has been the soundtrack for many viral hits since TikTok popularity began to skyrocket. This song is usually the number one choice for videos showing someone stuck in a hilarious situation or about to face some kind of problem.

@janelleandkateWhose side are you on?! ##ohno ##toxic ##drama ##airplane ##travel ##GivingThanks♬ Oh No – Kreepa

2.       Xilo: Aesthetic

This stunning song is one of the most viral background songs for TikTok creators. Usually, the Aesthetic song appears in art-focused videos that tell a story, demonstrate a how-to, or just show behind the scenes of someone’s life.

@mayapolarbearI swear I would die for her 🥺❤️ #dog #samoyed #thingsmydogdoes #foryou♬ Aesthetic – Xilo

3.       Erica Banks: Buss It

One of the top transition video sounds that people use to show off amazing looks and outfits, Erica Banks’ Buss It is a fantastic sound. The main difference here is that instead of just showing a face, the user has to pop into a squat-style dance to be part of the trend.

@maliahbeachclubZorritos , Maliah Beach Club♬ Buss It – Erica Banks

4.       Wale feat. Miguel: Lotus Flower Bomb

Created in 2020, this popular TikTok sound didn’t go viral until 2021, when top TikTok influencers started using it in the form of a TikTok dance.

Lotus Flower Bomb Challenge Dance Compilation

Lotus Flower Bomb Challenge Dance Compilation #lotusflowerbombchallenge #wale Song : Wale - Lotus Flower Bomb ft

The music has gone viral since because the dances associated with it are generally quite easy to mimic.

5.       Olivia Rodrigo: Driver’s License

Appearing in millions of videos across TikTok, this song has been a huge part of the “For You” page in 2021. Used as a background for fast dances and challenges, the song can also be a fantastic choice for showing heartbreak or sadness.

@daliaelichavezThis song got me actin’ up 💀 he thought I was dramatic before this song came out☺️ ##Comedy ##fyp ##relationships ##driverslicense ##girls ##relatable♬ drivers license – Olivia Rodrigo

Mastering TikTok Sounds

Learning how to make your own TikTok sound ensures you can take full advantage of the latest trends and challenges on TikTok. As one of the fastest-growing social media channels in history, TikTok definitely has the power to elevate your brand, but it works best when you know how to leverage the most essential features, like sound.


About the author

Samantha is a Marketing Coordinator at InfluenceGrid with expertise in all things TikTok and social media marketing. Our passion is to help companies partner with influencers and kill it in social media!

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