Is your ring light shoved in the back of your closet? Consider this your sign to dust it off and get back in the TikTok game. And don’t worry — you won’t even have to think that hard.
If you’re stuck staring at yourself in selfie cam mode, this is for you. Ahead, a roundup of popular TikTok content formats that work for all kinds of creators.
8 TikTok Content Ideas for Every Kind of Creator
A little something for everyone.
1. Hop on a trend
It’s TikTok, so of course, our advice is to participate in what’s trending, whether it’s a song, filter, or format (like the “throwin’ a fit” moment from 2025).
TikTok’s trend culture is part of what makes it such a fun and lively platform. Plus, it’s one of the main reasons why people open the app; in a study of Gen Z TikTok users, 21% said watching trends and challenges is their preferred viewing experience. And when you hop on a trend or TikTok challenge, you get to ride the coattails of its virality. It’s a great way to reach users who don’t follow your account.
The best way to discover what’s trending on TikTok is to spend time in the app, especially the For You page. Also, check out the TikTok Creative Studio, where you can find trending hashtags, creators, songs, and videos.
2. GRWM
“Get ready with me” (GRWM) content is incredibly popular on TikTok, and it’s not limited to beauty and fashion influencers. Creators of all kinds have experimented with the GRWM format, including big names like @corporatenatalie and @adamgonon.
GRWM videos are simple to execute, but here are a few quick tips so they turn out ✨
- Film in good lighting, either by a window or in front of a ring light.
- Put your phone on a tripod (you’re going to need your hands).
- Record short clips using a three-shot flow for each step of your GRWM routine:
- Show whatever it is you’re putting on to the camera (shirt, sunscreen, eyeshadow).
- Put it on.
- Blend, style, etc.
Repeat this flow until your routine is over, then reveal your finished look.
GRWM videos often overlap with other TikTok formats, especially storytime content. For example, Bex Valentine (@xhalloweeniex), a self-described elder emo with 30k followers on TikTok, recently posted a GRWM video. In it, she goes through her makeup routine while talking about how she got into antinatalism (and showcasing a product from a brand she partners with, BTW).
This blend of GRWM and storytelling is a format Bex often turns to. “GRWM paired with storytelling, vocals, bandom news, and memes consistently work for me,” she says.
3. Storytime
The storytime format is exactly what it sounds like. You narrate a personal story, anecdote, or experience directly into the camera, in a talking-head style. Some creators pair storytime with background footage or b-roll to give viewers something to watch while they listen. There’s usually a clear hook (“So, this happened to me last night…💀”) and on-screen captions to keep viewers engaged even if they’re watching without sound.
Storytime works because TikTok users love authenticity. They keep watching to find out what happens next, which boosts watch time, and in turn, signals to the algorithm that your content is good. It’s also a format that doesn’t require much production or advanced editing.
💡 Tip: If you really get rolling with storytime content, you can monetize it by turning it into a series.
4. Skits
Skits are short, scripted videos where creators act out a scenario, sometimes playing multiple characters or working with another person. Skits are different from other content because they rely on timing and structure — there’s usually a clear setup, escalation, and punchline.
That said, one of the most popular, low-effort skit formats on TikTok is POV (point-of-view) content. Three letters (POV) place the viewer inside the situation. So, all you need is one great line, like “POV: Your boss schedules a meeting at 4:59 PM 😰” to set a scene in seconds.
If you have comedic instincts and a clear point of view — whether that’s centered on corporate life, dating, fandoms, or whatever — you could find success with skits. We (the Manychat content team) even try our hand at them from time to time.
For skit-spiration, turn to accounts like @benoftheweek and @brianjordanalvarez, both of whom have become known for the format.
5. Product reviews/UGC
If you’re a beauty, lifestyle, food, or tech creator, posting about the products you love is always an option. If you partner with brands, you likely have some kind of UGC commitment in your contract…but if you don’t, you can still make content featuring brands you’d like to work with — in fact, it’s one of the best ways to get on their radar.
Product review videos are typically lightly edited and filmed in everyday settings, making them easy to produce. Just make sure you include a strong hook (i.e., “This is the onemakeup product I’d take on a deserted island”) and show the product in action.
Also, it doesn’t have to be that deep. If you want to try a crazy new Oreo flavor and share your thoughts (like Bex), that works too.
6. Duet/Stitches
Duets and Stitches let creators build off existing TikTok videos instead of starting from scratch.
- A Duet places your video side-by-side with the original.
- A Stitch clips and plays the first few seconds of another video before cutting to your response.
You can use these formats to riff on someone else’s TikTok post. Give your hot take, make a joke, or fact-check someone. There’s a lot you can do here, and it’s a low-effort way to join in on something already gaining traction.
7. React content
React content is all about capturing a reaction in real time, be it shock, laughter, disbelief, or a full-blown crashout. These videos typically start with the creator watching or listening to something on screen before reacting verbally and through facial expressions.
React content can overlap with Duets and Stitches, but you can also use screenshots, captions, or narration to create a regular TikTok video. Either way, it’s an easy-to-execute, highly repeatable format that busy creators need.
If you’re knowledgeable on a specific topic — whether it’s nutrition, pop culture, music, news, tech, or something else — you can use this format to share your thoughts on others’ content. Let’s say you’re a professional hockey player, and you come across a video of someone ice skating for the first time; you could Duet their video and give a few tips on how they could get more confident on the ice…or something like that.
8. Teach something
From doctors to entrepreneurs, educational creators are all over TikTok. But you don’t need a fancy degree or a successful business to share your skills. Makeup artists, interior designers, organization pros, real estate agents — at the risk of getting repetitive, anyone with specialized knowledge can share it on TikTok.
Danielle Ryan (@itsdanielleryan) is a creator and small business educator with 77k followers on TikTok. Her content focuses on helping people navigate the small-business landscape in Canada.
“I find many creators wait for inspiration, but I rely on a repeatable system that ensures my content solves real problems,” she says.
“I spend time in niche subReddits to identify the exact questions small business owners are asking. Then I take those questions and turn them into content.”
One example was how to start a business in Canada; Danielle found this question and decided to share exactly how she would go about it in a GRWM-style video on her page that’s now amassed nearly 3,000 like
She also pays attention to how people respond to her content. “I treat my comment section like a focus group. High-engagement questions become the script for my next video,” she says.
When someone in her comments section asked her about DocuSign, Danielle responded by creating a multi-part series explaining why you should use Google Workspace instead.
In general, paying attention to what people in your niche need answers about is a great way to come up with ideas for educational content. “It’s helped me move away from relying on viral trends and toward utility-based content that actually provides value to my audience,” Danielle says.
If All Else Fails, Post Your Drafts Folder
If you’re still feeling stuck…just post that half-finished video in your drafts. Or a video of your drafts folder. You never know what could take off, so don’t overthink it.
More TikTok reads:
