What's the secret to TikTok success? Let's explore TikTok storytelling lessons from four top creators.
Can you tell a story in just 40 seconds? On TikTok, leading creators prove that it’s not just possible—it’s an advantage.
In a sea of endless scrolling, a well-crafted story can stop thumbs in their tracks. Forget Hollywood-level production—the mobile-first, phone-friendly nature of the TikTok app puts your message front and center. It’s free from the pressure of cinematic perfection. It’s a place where creativity trumps high definition, and where you can build an audience drawn to your story.
Ready to dive into the world of TikTok storytelling? Let’s explore how four creators are mastering the art of short-form content. You’ll discover how you can apply their techniques to your work and build an engaged audience of your own.
4 featured short-form TikTok storytellers
With over a billion monthly users worldwide and half of the United States scrolling the “For You” page, TikTok is home to countless stories. The many niches and “sides” of TikTok mean that you can create content about truly any topic, with your own creative angle.
The featured creators in this piece have built massive audiences by bringing unique storytelling styles to TikTok. Let’s meet four creators whose creative storytelling is sure to inspire. We’ll break down their techniques, editing style, and approach.
Timm Chiusano: Cinematic day-in-the-life storytelling
Timm Chiusano blends scenes of his family, his high-profile corporate career, and his adventures in New York City with brilliant storytelling.
The audio narration is downright hypnotizing. It’s set to simple and minimalist music as a backing track. Timm finds a way to spin the mundane into a sing-song narration of the day. Every one of his videos shows this careful balancing act between family man and creative professional.
You’ll notice quick cuts and a wide variety of scenes in Timm’s videos. We love the visual variety of his videos. They focus on telling a story that makes you feel as if you were alongside him for the entire day.
Timm’s style is so distinctive that it’s sparked a network of creative copycats paying homage. Numerous other creators are showcasing everyday scenes from their lives, borrowing from his style. Far from bothered by this trend, Timm has embraced others taking inspiration.
Samba Films: From ordinary to extraordinary
We first discovered Samba Diop’s films on TikTok in his “create a scene with a random object” series. Starting with a seemingly normal object from a grocery or convenience store, Samba spun a cinematic-grade film from the ordinary.
On Samba’s website, we were struck by one phrase: “The story comes first.” That’s the perfect way to describe his short-form work. His videos vividly show how you can use ordinary scenes to set the stage for great films.
Retro film grades and a bit of mystery are a part of every clip. You can clearly see that there’s a mindset in Samba’s work that TikTok is real cinema, not unlike the silver screen.
Tabitha Brown: Heartfelt and authentic
Tabitha Brown takes a unique approach to her TikTok videos. Like many, she went viral by accident. In Tabitha’s case, it all started with an on-the-scene review of a vegan sandwich! But her success wasn’t truly random—she creates videos people feel connected to.
Tabitha’s niche is a heartfelt, winning, and relatable personality. Most of all: she’s authentic.
Hers aren’t the idealized, polished videos you’d often associate with influencers. In fact, she’s been called “America’s mom!” This is someone you can relate to, talking about the ups and downs of everyday life in a funny, yet very real way. And she’s leveraged veganism into a powerful brand: TikTok has led her to starring roles on the Food Network and more.
You won’t see cinematic productions or snazzy digital effects here. Instead, you’ll see personal, heartfelt videos. When we watch Tabitha’s TikToks, we don’t feel as if we’re viewing a narrated video. We feel as if she’s talking right to us.
Japan Eat: Tasty Japanese dishes with a side of humor
Japan Eat offers TikTok users a mouthwatering journey through Tokyo’s culinary landscape. Our mostly anonymous narrator serves as a guide to the city’s coziest and most intriguing restaurants, seasoning his food adventures with generous helpings of pop culture references.
Feeling shy about posting on TikTok? Japan Eat is an account that shows that you never have to appear on camera to build a storytelling brand. It features a mix of street scenes and food-focused shots, and you practically forget that you never meet the narrator.
Above all, this channel reminds us of the power of sharing seemingly ordinary moments. Most of the restaurants are casual and inexpensive spots. But by transporting viewers from outside Japan and weaving in signature humor, the videos become extraordinary.
What you can learn from top creators
We surveyed four creators in this article, and you might have noticed that their styles vary widely. Even so, their approach includes many of the same elements. Here’s what stands out about how they approach storytelling:
- They commit to their style. Every one of these creators has a recognizable storytelling style. They know what it is that sets them apart from the crowd.
- They post consistently. As the old saying goes, half the battle is just showing up. You can’t form a signature style if you only post once a month. Create content in batches if you’re tight on time, and then post your videos on a schedule.
- They lean into the format. Think of TikTok’s short-form video content as a feature, not a limitation. While the platform does technically support longer videos, it’s hardly what your audience expects. As these creatives show us, telling stories in roughly 40-second story arcs is the best way to resonate on the platform.
- They engage with their audience. Successful TikTok creators don’t just broadcast—they participate in a conversation. They respond to comments, incorporate feedback, and create content that speaks to viewers.
- They’re not afraid to experiment. While maintaining a consistent style, these creators also push boundaries and try new things. This keeps their content fresh and exciting for their audience.
Remember, building a following and creating your own style takes time. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see instant results. The key is to find those common threads of style that you can weave through all of your content, while also growing and experimenting.
TikTok is ready for your story
Now it’s your turn to share your story on TikTok. You don’t have to make a perfect film to tell a great story. The beauty of TikTok lies in its authenticity and accessibility.
Remember, every TikTok creator started with their first video. Your unique voice and perspective are what will set you apart. So grab your phone, tap into your creativity, and start telling your story. No matter how niche your interests, there’s an audience on TikTok waiting for you.
Get some more inspiration from the TikTok video templates at Envato, your one-stop creative destination, with millions of templates for video, graphics, and more.
And to give yourself the best chance of producing great content, be sure to keep up with the latest TikTok trends and read our advice on using TikTok to grow your brand.
