TikTok is useful for getting ideas, learning small skills and sharing your own creativity. You can find people with the same hobby or show what you do in your shop. Start with one topic you like. Then try something from a video yourself, because watching a lot is not the same as learning something.
Read below to find out what TikTok can offer you, what to watch for and how to avoid endlessly scrolling.
TikTok helps you discover creative ideas and small skills
In a video, you can see how to do something. That is useful for a folding technique, a dance step or repotting a plant. You see the movements and can then try them yourself.
If you make videos yourself, you do not have to explain your entire hobby all at once. Choose one question and show the answer.
A fictional example: you enjoy taking photos with your phone. Film the same mug first under a bright lamp and then beside the window. Show the difference and say where the mug is. This gives the viewer something to try for themselves.
You can also meet other enthusiasts. A question such as “How do you stop your plant from growing crooked?” invites people to respond. This way, you can do more than watch videos: you can also exchange tips.
You can find new viewers on TikTok without a large account
People may come across your video on TikTok without following you. So you do not need a large group of followers first to find new viewers.
According to TikTok’s explanation of recommendations what you see depends partly on your actions in the app, information about the content and user data.
So make it clear right away what your video is about. Do you want to show how to attach a bicycle light? Start with the loose light, not a long greeting. The viewer can quickly see whether the explanation is interesting.
That does not guarantee a large number of views. Even a good video may attract few viewers. And lots of views do not mean that everyone understands your explanation or wants to follow you.
Curious about the largest accounts? Then read who has the most followers on TikTok . Do not compare their numbers with those of your first videos. A clear question from a viewer may help you more than many views without a response.
Small businesses can show what they do with TikTok
Do you have a small shop or work for yourself? On TikTok, you can show what you make or offer. A short demonstration often says more than general text about good service.
In TikTok’s post about its European users the company reported 5 million monthly users in the Netherlands on September 2025, 6,7. This is TikTok’s own figure, not the number of people who could become your customers.
For a local business in the Netherlands or Belgium, clearly mention your location and what you offer. Someone who lives far away may like your video without ever visiting your shop.
These fictional examples show how you can answer a customer question:
- A bicycle mechanic explains when a chain needs maintenance.
- A baker shows the difference between two types of bread and explains what they are suitable for.
- A dressmaker shows how shortening a pair of trousers is done.
Do not focus only on the number of views. Are there questions about your offer, enquiries or appointments? Keep those separate: a view is not a shop visit and an enquiry is not yet a purchase.
Use TikTok to see what something looks like or how it works
TikTok is useful when you want to look something up visually. Search for a specific question. “Repotting basil” makes it clearer what you are looking for than just “plants”.
- Choose one question. Think about what you want to be able to do after watching.
- Compare the explanations. See whether different creators recommend the same steps. Do they also explain why?
- Check important details. Also look up opening hours, prices and travel rules on the organisation’s own website.
- Try it yourself. Put your phone away and carry out the steps, if it is safe to do so.
A video can sound convincing and still be wrong. For questions about health, money or the law, a short video is only a starting point at most. Check the advice with an expert or a suitable official source before doing anything.
TikTok can come at the expense of your peace of mind and privacy
Pay attention if TikTok keeps taking time you need for sleep, homework or contact with others. Do you open the app for one video but often cannot stop? Or do you feel more restless or less satisfied with yourself after watching?
In videos about appearance or success, you see only a selected part of someone’s life. You do not see what happened beforehand or what takes place off screen. Do you notice that you keep comparing yourself? Then search for other topics or step away from the app.
For children, it is not only about how long they watch. What they see and whom they contact also deserve attention. Read more in the explanation of how safe TikTok is for children.
Before posting, check what appears in the image. A school logo, house number or regular route can tell people more about you than you want. Do you post stories and want to know which viewers you can see? Then read whether you can see who views your TikTok story.
Use TikTok with a purpose and a stopping point
Before opening the app, think about what you want to do. With “just having a look”, it is difficult to decide when you are finished. With “find an idea for my lunch”, it is clearer.
- Choose a stopping point. For example, set a timer for ten minutes. This is something to try, not a fixed healthy time limit.
- Stop when you have your answer. Found a useful recipe? Make a shopping list instead of continuing to search.
- Make watching less automatic. Put your phone out of reach while eating or doing homework.
- Pay attention to how you feel. Do not keep watching a topic that repeatedly makes you feel restless.
- Look back after a week. What did you learn, make or enjoy? And what mainly took time?
You can also simply use TikTok for relaxation. Ask yourself afterwards whether it worked: did you relax for a while, or did you keep watching longer than you intended?
TikTok is mainly suited to watching, discovering and showing something
Whether TikTok suits you depends on what you want to do with it. The table will help you choose.
| What do you want? | What can TikTok help with? | What should you pay attention to? |
|---|---|---|
| Discover a hobby | View examples and find other enthusiasts. | Choose something to try yourself. |
| Make your own videos | Show an idea and receive questions. | Cover one clear topic per video. |
| Show your local business | Explain your work or product visually. | Do not confuse views with customers. |
| Find detailed, reliable explanations | Get a first impression of a topic. | Then look for more explanations and information you can verify. |
| Find more peace of mind | Consciously choose something to relax. | Use the app less if stopping remains difficult. |
Want to find out whether TikTok works for you? Choose one goal and agree with yourself when you will stop. Then see whether you found, learned or did what you wanted. If you also publish your own content, our TikTok services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
