Creating Your Account
Chances are you already have a TikTok account - maybe you've been scrolling BookTok for a while, or you have a personal account from before. That's perfectly fine! We'll cover both creating new accounts and optimizing existing ones. Even if you're keeping your current account, there are valuable tips here about usernames, bios, and settings that can significantly improve your visibility.
Profile Foundation
Your profile is your BookTok business card. Every element needs to work together to attract your ideal readers and convert them into followers.
Choosing Your Account Type: Pen Name vs Reader Account
You have two main options when starting on BookTok, each with distinct advantages:
Pen Name Account: This establishes your author brand immediately and builds recognition for your name. Since you'll need one eventually anyway, many authors start here. The downside? It can feel more "official," which sometimes leads to perfectionism that actually hurts engagement.
Reader/Fan Account: These often lead to more experimental content and higher views because perfectionism kills virality. It's easier to connect with readers when you're "one of them." If you go this route, choose names that reflect your genre ("CozyMysteryAddict"), include reading-related terms ("BookishAndBinge"), but avoid being too generic (skip "BookLover123"). The main drawback is you'll eventually need to transition or create a separate author account.
Many successful authors started with reader accounts and transitioned later. Others built their pen name from day one. There's no wrong choice - just different paths.
Once you've decided on your account type, it's time to set up the profile elements that will represent you on the platform.
Handle vs. Display Name
Your handle (@username) and display name work together but serve different purposes. Your handle needs to be short, clear, and easy to type since this is how people will tag you in comments. Consider using something consistent across all your platforms if possible.
For your display name, you have more flexibility. Many authors keep it simple with just their name like "Sarah Chen" or "S.K. Morgan." Others add context like "Maya | Romance Writer" or "J.T. Vale - Fantasy." Reader accounts often use descriptive names like "Reads Dark Romance" or "Cozy Mystery Fan."
The key is clarity - viewers should understand what your account offers at a glance, but don't overthink it. Many successful accounts break conventional "rules" and still thrive.
Profile Photo
Pick something that represents your account and remains clear at small sizes. This could be your author photo, a branded logo, book cover art (if text stays readable when small), or genre-appropriate imagery. The main thing is consistency - whatever you choose becomes part of your brand recognition on the platform.
Bio & Link Strategy
Your bio should communicate what you offer while working within TikTok's limitations. Keep it simple - mention your genre, what readers can expect, and where they can find more.
The Link-in-Bio Reality: TikTok requires 1,000 followers before you can add a clickable link to your profile. Until then, you'll need to get creative with:
- Pinned comments with your website
- Directing people to search your name
- Using story features (when available)
Once You Hit 1,000 Followers: Most authors use Linktree or similar services to maximize their single link. Here's why:
- One link can lead to multiple destinations (website, newsletter, books, etc.)
- Easy to update for launches or promotions
- Tracks click data to see what's working
Setting Up Linktree: Create your free account, add your most important links (newsletter signup usually first), and customize it to match your brand.
Account Type Settings
Stick with a Creator account (which is the default when you sign up). Creator accounts give you access to trending sounds, full analytics features, and eligibility for Creator Rewards (though as authors, we're focused on converting viewers into book readers, not chasing platform payouts). This account type is optimized for content creators and provides the best tools for growth and engagement tracking.
The 1,000 follower threshold for adding links to your profile remains the same regardless of account type.
Privacy & Discovery Settings
These privacy settings directly impact your discoverability. Get them wrong, and you'll wonder why your content isn't reaching anyone.
For a complete walkthrough of these settings, here's an external video guide we found valuable (note: this creator isn't affiliated with our guide):
Private Account: Keep this OFF. Private accounts don't appear in search results or on the For You page. You can't grow what people can't find.
Suggest Your Account to Others: Turn OFF suggestions based on contacts, Facebook friends, and link viewers. You want organic discovery, not recommendations based on your personal network.
Sync Contacts/Facebook: Keep this OFF to maintain separation between your personal and author identities.
Allow Reuse (Duet/Stitch/Stories): Set this to ON for Everyone. Duets, stitches, and story shares are free marketing opportunities. When other creators engage with your content this way, their followers discover you.
Consider additional safety measures like comment filters for sensitive topics, restrictions on who can tag or mention you, and DM rules for your sanity. These are personal choices based on your comfort level and genre.
You're Ready to Start
Your account is now set up with a strong foundation. These fundamentals will compound your success over months and years of consistent posting.
In the next sections, we'll cover how the algorithm works and how to warm up your account properly.
A Note on Multiple Accounts: Many authors eventually manage multiple accounts - whether for different pen names or to run reader/shadow accounts alongside their main author presence. This advanced strategy can help you:
- Test content ideas on a reader account before posting on your author account
- Build separate audiences for different genres or pen names
- Create fan accounts that recommend your own books (ethically, with disclosure)
We cover these strategies in detail in our Multi-Account Strategy guide, but for now, focus on making your first account successful.