So, you wanna be on TikTok, but the thought of putting your face out there makes you want to hide under your blanket with a bag of chips and pretend social media doesn’t exist? You’re not alone. But guess what? You don’t have to dance, lip-sync, or even show your face to build an audience on TikTok. Some of the biggest music creators on the platform started without saying a word or showing their face.
Here are 10 ways to post on TikTok when you’re shy—without sacrificing engagement, fun, or your sanity!
1. Lyric Videos With a Twist
Take a cool line from your song and turn it into a bold, eye-catching text animation. Add some vibey visuals (think lo-fi rain, neon city lights, or retro VHS effects) and BOOM—you’ve got a post. Bonus points if you make it a loop so people keep watching!
2. Behind-The-Scenes Studio Clips
Film your hands on the instrument, your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) screen, or the recording process—no face needed! Throw in captions explaining what’s happening, and suddenly, you’re the mysterious producer-genius that everyone wants to know more about.
3. Use Text-To-Speech Narration
Don’t wanna talk on camera? No problem. Use TikTok’s built-in text-to-speech feature to tell a story about your song, a funny band moment, or a behind-the-scenes anecdote. The robotic voices make everything sound hilarious.
4. Visualizer Clips & AI Art
Create an AI-generated video that moves to the beat of your track. You can use tools like RunwayML or Kaiber to make a trippy, animated version of your song. People LOVE these kinds of posts.
5. Show Off Your Gear & Setup
Got a cool guitar? A weird pedal? A messy-but-vibey bedroom studio? Film it. People on TikTok are obsessed with aesthetic setups, even if you’re just showing a close-up of your keyboard lighting up in a dark room.
6. Post a “What If” Mashup
Try posting a “What if [famous artist] wrote a song in my style?” or “What if I turned this meme into a song?” You don’t have to appear on camera—just screen record your DAW or add captions to a still image. This keeps the focus on the music, not you.
7. Duet or Stitch Without Showing Your Face
React to viral videos by stitching them, but instead of showing your face, record your hands clapping, playing an instrument, or even just typing out a reaction on your laptop screen.
8. Let Your Pets (or Props) Do the Work
Seriously—cats, dogs, houseplants, coffee cups—let them be the star of the show. Film your cat ignoring your song, your coffee “vibing” to the beat, or your houseplant “headbanging.” The internet eats this stuff up.
9. Create a Looping Hook Teaser
Take 5-10 seconds of your most addictive hook and make a looping video with cool glitchy text and motion graphics. TikTok’s algorithm loves videos that loop seamlessly!
10. Make a “No Context” Viral Post
Write a cryptic one-liner on the screen—something intriguing, funny, or dramatic, like:
👉 “This song almost got me banned from school”
👉 “POV: You hear this at the end of a 90s teen movie”
👉 “This song is literally about my worst date ever”
Then, just play the song in the background and watch the comments roll in.
Final Thoughts:
You don’t need to be a full-on TikTok personality to promote your music. People engage with stories, aesthetics, and good hooks—not just faces. And remember: The best TikTok strategy is the one that feels natural to you. Try these ideas, experiment, and most importantly—HAVE FUN.
If you’re still looking for help, or have any questions, or looking for more information, email me, I’ll be happy to chat – Eric@ThatEricAlper.com and talk soon!
