How to Start a TikTok About Pennsylvania Life

Pennsylvania is a state steeped in history, culture, and regional diversity—from the urban grit of Philadelphia to the rolling Amish farmlands of Lancaster, the steel legacy of Pittsburgh, and the serene beauty of the Poconos. With over 13 million residents and countless unique traditions, Pennsylvania offers a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be told. TikTok, with its explosive growth and algorithm that rewards authenticity over production value, has become one of the most powerful platforms to showcase life in Pennsylvania to a global audience.

Starting a TikTok account centered on Pennsylvania life isn’t just about posting videos—it’s about building a community, preserving local identity, and connecting people who may have never set foot in the Keystone State. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a recent transplant, or someone with Pennsylvania roots living abroad, creating content around your Pennsylvania experience can attract millions of views, spark meaningful conversations, and even open doors to collaborations, tourism partnerships, or small business opportunities.

This guide will walk you through every step of launching and growing a successful TikTok account focused on Pennsylvania life. You’ll learn how to identify your niche, create compelling content, optimize for discovery, and build an engaged audience—all while staying true to the spirit of the state.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Define Your Niche Within Pennsylvania Life

Pennsylvania is vast and varied. Trying to cover “everything about PA” will dilute your content and make it harder to stand out. Instead, narrow your focus to a specific angle that reflects your personal experience or passion.

Here are some proven niche ideas:

• Amish Country Living – Document daily life in Lancaster County: horse-drawn buggies, homemade pies, barn raisings, and seasonal festivals.
• Urban PA – Explore hidden alleyways in Philadelphia, the history of Pittsburgh’s North Side, or the evolving neighborhoods of Allentown.
• PA Foodie – Showcase Philly cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, scrapple, whoopie pies, or the best diners in rural PA.
• Seasonal PA – Capture autumn in the Poconos, winter snowstorms in Erie, spring wildflowers in the Laurel Highlands, or summer lake life on Lake Erie.
• PA History & Ghost Towns – Visit abandoned mines, historic markers, or forgotten train stations with narration and drone shots.
• PA Sports Culture – Tailgate at a Steelers game, cheer at a Phillies match, or follow high school hockey in Scranton.
• Transplant Diaries – Share your journey from another state to Pennsylvania: culture shock, weather surprises, local slang, and “I didn’t know that about PA” moments.

Choose a niche that excites you. Authenticity is the most powerful driver of engagement on TikTok. If you’re genuinely curious about Amish baking, your enthusiasm will show—and viewers will feel it.

Step 2: Set Up Your TikTok Profile for Maximum Impact

Your profile is your digital storefront. Make it clear, compelling, and consistent.

Username: Use your niche + location. Examples: @AmishPaLife, @PhillyFoodDiaries, @PoconoSeasons. Avoid numbers or random characters. Keep it under 15 characters if possible.

Profile Picture: Use a high-quality image that represents your niche. A basket of fresh pretzels, a vintage PA license plate, or you smiling in front of the Liberty Bell.

Bio: Write a concise, keyword-rich bio. Include location, niche, and a call to action. Example:

📍 Lancaster County, PA 🥖 Amish baking, farm life & old-school traditions 📸 Daily clips from the countryside 💬 Follow for real PA life — no filter, just heart.

Use emojis sparingly but strategically. They improve readability and help with visual scanning.

Step 3: Research Trends and Sounds Specific to PA

TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes content that uses trending audio and hashtags. But don’t just chase generic trends—find ones tied to Pennsylvania.

Search for:

• “

  PennsylvaniaLife”

• “

  AmishCountry”

• “

  PhillyFood”

• “

  PittsburghStrong”

• “

  PoconoMountains”

• “

  PAWinter”

• “

  KeystoneState”

Filter results by “Top” to see which videos are getting the most traction. Pay attention to the audio used. Many viral PA videos use folk tunes, acoustic guitar, or nostalgic country music. Others use trending sounds with a local twist—like a popular “get ready with me” audio, but with you putting on a Steelers hat or making scrapple.

Save 5–10 trending sounds that fit your niche. Use them consistently, but always add your own spin. For example, if a sound is popular for “morning routines,” film your morning in a PA farmhouse: lighting the wood stove, feeding chickens, pouring coffee from a thermos.

Step 4: Film Authentic, High-Value Content

Quality matters, but perfection doesn’t. TikTok rewards raw, real moments over polished ads.

Equipment You Need:

• Your smartphone (iPhone or Android—both work fine)
• A tripod or phone stand (optional but helpful for steady shots)
• Good lighting (natural light is best—film near windows or outdoors during golden hour)
• A portable microphone (optional for voiceovers)

Content Ideas to Start With:

• “A Day in the Life” – Film your routine in a specific PA town. Show the bus ride to work in Pittsburgh, the smell of fresh bread at a Lancaster bakery, or the quiet of a snow-covered Bethlehem street.
• “Before You Move to PA” – List 5 things no one tells you. “You’ll need 3 coats,” “Everyone knows your last name,” “You’ll argue about whether it’s ‘hoagie’ or ‘sub.’”
• “PA vs. [Other State]” – Compare Pennsylvania traditions to another state. “PA cheesesteaks vs. New York pizza,” “PA winters vs. Florida winters.”
• “Hidden Gems in PA” – Show off lesser-known spots: the Pennsylvania Dutch Market in Ronks, the abandoned trolley station in Scranton, the waterfalls in Ricketts Glen.
• “Ask a Local” – Interview someone in your community: a farmer, a diner owner, a retired steelworker. Ask them, “What’s something outsiders don’t understand about PA?”
• “Seasonal PA” – Weekly videos showing how life changes with the seasons. Autumn leaves in the Poconos, winter ice fishing on Lake Erie, spring wildflower hikes in the Alleghenies.

Keep videos between 15–45 seconds. TikTok’s algorithm favors watch time—so hook viewers in the first 3 seconds. Start with a question, a surprising fact, or a visual punch: “This is what 100-degree heat looks like in PA… and we’re not even in July yet.”

Step 5: Optimize for Discovery with Hashtags and Captions

Hashtags help TikTok categorize your content and show it to the right audience. Use a mix of:

• 1–2 broad hashtags (e.g.,

  Pennsylvania, #TikTokPA)

• 2–3 niche hashtags (e.g.,

  AmishLifePA, #PhillyEats)

• 1–2 trending hashtags (check the Discover page daily)

Avoid overloading. 5–8 hashtags total is ideal. Place them in the caption, not the comments.

Write captions that encourage engagement:

• Ask a question: “What’s your favorite PA snack?”
• Use humor: “When you realize PA winters are just 7 months of shoveling and 5 months of complaining.”
• Share a personal story: “My grandma taught me how to make shoofly pie. Here’s how it’s done.”

Always include a call to action: “Follow for more PA hidden gems,” “Tag someone who needs to see this,” or “Save this for your next road trip.”

Step 6: Post Consistently and at Optimal Times

Consistency beats sporadic viral hits. Aim to post 3–5 times per week. Even if you’re busy, batch-create content on weekends.

Best posting times for Pennsylvania audiences:

• Weekdays: 7–9 AM (commute time), 5–7 PM (after work)
• Weekends: 10 AM–12 PM, 7–10 PM

Use TikTok’s analytics (available in Creator Tools) to see when your followers are most active. Adjust accordingly.

Step 7: Engage With Your Audience and the PA Community

TikTok is a social platform. If you don’t engage, your content won’t grow.

• Reply to every comment—especially early on. Even a simple “Thanks!” or “That’s right, we DO have snow in January!” builds loyalty.
• Comment on other PA creators’ videos. Use phrases like “Love this! I’m from Erie and this made me smile 😊”
• Join duets and stitches with other PA creators. React to their videos with your own perspective.
• Collaborate with local businesses: a bakery, a farm stand, a museum. Offer to feature them in exchange for a shoutout.

Building relationships within the PA TikTok community is one of the fastest ways to get recommended to new viewers.

Step 8: Track Performance and Adapt

Check your TikTok analytics weekly. Look for:

• Which videos got the most watch time?
• Which hashtags drove the most traffic?
• What time of day did your audience engage most?
• Which videos had the highest share rate?

If a video about “PA diner breakfasts” performs well, make 3 more variations: “Breakfast in Pittsburgh,” “The Best Pancakes in Scranton,” “Why PA diners serve coffee in mugs.”

Don’t be afraid to pivot. If your “ghost town” series isn’t catching on, try “PA school traditions” or “What I miss about PA when I’m away.”

Best Practices

Be Authentic, Not Performative

TikTok users can spot inauthentic content instantly. Don’t stage Amish life for the camera. Don’t pretend to be from a town you’ve never visited. Your viewers are smart—they want real stories, not scripted ads.

Respect Local Culture

Especially in Amish and Mennonite communities, photography and recording can be sensitive. Always ask permission before filming people, homes, or businesses. If someone says no, respect it. Your integrity matters more than a viral video.

Use Local Slang and Pronunciations

Use the words locals use: “hoagie,” “jawn,” “yinz,” “butter knife,” “pop,” “redd up.” Pronounce “Pittsburgh” as “PITS-burgh,” not “PITTS-burgh.” These small details signal to viewers: “You’re one of us.”

Highlight Diversity Within PA

Pennsylvania isn’t just Amish farms and steel towns. It’s also the LGBTQ+ community in West Philly, the vibrant Latino neighborhoods in Allentown, the Appalachian culture in the south, and the college towns of State College and University Park. Show the full picture.

Protect Your Privacy

Don’t share your home address, exact location tags on every post, or personal details. Use general locations like “Lancaster County” instead of “123 Main Street.”

Stay Updated on Local Events

Plan content around PA-specific events:

• Philadelphia Flower Show (March)
• Amish Country Harvest Festival (October)
• Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta (July)
• PA Dutch Christmas Markets (December)
• State Fair of Pennsylvania (July–August)

Posting during these events gives you built-in relevance and higher search volume.

Use Captions and Text Overlays

Many users watch TikTok without sound. Add clear, bold text overlays to explain what’s happening: “This is how they bake shoofly pie—no oven, just a wood stove,” or “This is why PA drivers hate left turns.”

Don’t Chase Virality at the Cost of Values

It’s tempting to exaggerate or misrepresent PA culture for clicks. Avoid stereotypes like “everyone in PA drives a pickup truck” or “Amish people don’t use technology.” Reality is more interesting than myth.

Tools and Resources

Editing Apps

• TikTok’s Built-In Editor – Perfect for quick cuts, text, filters, and audio syncing.
• InShot – Free app for trimming, adding music, and overlaying text.
• CapCut – Powerful for advanced effects, transitions, and templates. Great for storytelling.
• VSCO – For color grading and enhancing natural lighting in outdoor shots.

Research & Trend Tools

• TikTok Creative Center – Official tool to explore trending sounds, hashtags, and ad trends by region.
• Google Trends – See what PA-related topics are spiking (e.g., “PA fall foliage,” “Pennsylvania state parks”).
• AnswerThePublic – Discover questions people are asking about Pennsylvania (e.g., “Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?”).

Photo & Video Resources

• PA Tourism Official Website – Download high-res photos of state parks, landmarks, and events for inspiration or background use.
• Unsplash / Pexels – Search “Pennsylvania,” “Amish,” “Philadelphia street” for free, royalty-free images if you need B-roll.
• Local Libraries & Historical Societies – Many offer free access to digitized archives of old PA photos and postcards—perfect for “Then & Now” videos.

Community & Support

• Facebook Groups – Search “Pennsylvania Content Creators,” “TikTok PA,” or “Amish Country Photographers.”
• Reddit – r/Pennsylvania, r/Amish, r/Philly, r/Pittsburgh are great for finding story ideas and local insights.
• Meetup.com – Find local photography or storytelling groups in PA cities.

Music & Audio Libraries

• TikTok Sound Library – Filter by “Trending” and “Pennsylvania” for local favorites.
• Free Music Archive – Search for folk, bluegrass, or acoustic tracks that fit PA themes.
• YouTube Audio Library – Free, copyright-safe music for background tracks.

Real Examples

Example 1: @AmishPaLife (187K followers)

This account features a woman from Lancaster County documenting her family’s daily life. Her videos include:

• “How we make apple butter without electricity”
• “Why we don’t use phones at the dinner table”
• “My 8-year-old’s first time riding a horse”

She uses soft acoustic music, natural lighting, and minimal editing. Her captions are simple: “This is just Tuesday.”

Her growth came from authenticity. She never tried to “sell” Amish culture—she just showed it. Her videos often get 500K+ views and are shared by tourism boards and history pages.

Example 2: @PhillyEatsWithSam (92K followers)

Sam, a transplant from Texas, started posting “Philly food reviews” with humor and vulnerability:

• “I thought a hoagie was just a sandwich… until I tried one here.”
• “I asked for ‘subway’ and got laughed at.”
• “Why does every Philly deli have the same 3 signs on the wall?”

She visits iconic spots like Jim’s Steaks, Pat’s King of Steaks, and local bakeries. Her videos are fast-paced, funny, and end with a “Would I move here? Yes.”

Her engagement rate is over 12%. She’s now partnered with local food tours and has been featured in Philly Mag.

Example 3: @PoconoSeasons (68K followers)

This account showcases the changing landscape of the Poconos month by month.

• Winter: Snowmobiling, frozen waterfalls, cabin life
• Spring: Wildflower hikes, trout fishing
• Summer: Canoeing on Lake Wallenpaupack
• Fall: The most colorful leaves in PA

Each video is a 30-second time-lapse with a voiceover narrating the season’s beauty. The audio is always ambient nature sounds—no music. The result? Calm, meditative content that stands out in a noisy feed.

His followers include nature photographers, retirees, and people planning PA vacations. He now sells digital photo guides to his followers.

Example 4: @PittsburghSteelersLife (115K followers)

Not just game highlights—this account shows:

• “What happens at 5 AM on game day in the North Side”
• “Why we wear black and gold in July”
• “The 10 rules of tailgating in Pittsburgh”

He films with his phone in the stands, interviews fans, and uses the official Steelers chant as audio. His videos get shared by NFL accounts and even local news stations.

FAQs

Can I start a TikTok about Pennsylvania if I’m not from there?

Absolutely. Many of the most popular PA accounts are run by transplants. What matters is respect, curiosity, and accuracy. Do your research. Talk to locals. Avoid stereotypes. Your outsider perspective can actually be an asset—it helps educate others about PA.

How long does it take to grow a TikTok about Pennsylvania life?

Some creators go viral in a week. Most take 3–6 months of consistent posting to build a solid following. Focus on quality over speed. If you post 3–5 high-value videos per week for 90 days, you’ll see growth.

Do I need expensive equipment to start?

No. Most viral PA TikToks are shot on smartphones. Good lighting and clear audio matter more than a $1,000 camera. Start with what you have.

Can I make money from a TikTok about Pennsylvania life?

Yes. Once you reach 10K followers, you can join TikTok’s Creator Fund. You can also partner with local businesses (diners, tour companies, craft shops), sell digital products (e.g., “10 Hidden PA Spots You Must Visit”), or create a YouTube channel from your TikTok clips.

What if my videos don’t get views?

Don’t give up. TikTok’s algorithm is unpredictable. Analyze your top-performing video: What worked? Was it the sound? The topic? The timing? Replicate that. Try a new niche if needed. Persistence beats perfection.

Should I post in English or include Pennsylvania Dutch?

Stick to English unless you’re specifically targeting the Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking community. If you do use Pennsylvania Dutch phrases, include English subtitles. Most viewers don’t understand it—but they’ll appreciate the authenticity.

Is it okay to film in state parks or public places?

Yes, as long as you’re not disrupting others or violating park rules. Some parks require permits for commercial filming, but personal TikTok content is generally fine. Always check signage or park websites.

How do I avoid cultural appropriation when covering Amish or Native communities?

Never portray them as “quaint” or “backward.” Focus on their agency, not their differences. Always ask permission before filming. If you’re unsure, don’t post it. Seek guidance from local cultural centers or historians.

Conclusion

Starting a TikTok about Pennsylvania life isn’t just about posting videos—it’s about becoming a storyteller for a state that often goes unnoticed in the national spotlight. Pennsylvania’s charm lies in its contradictions: historic yet modern, rural yet urban, quiet yet fiercely proud. Your content can bridge the gap between those who know it and those who’ve never heard of it.

By defining your niche, staying authentic, engaging with your community, and using the tools available, you can build an audience that doesn’t just watch your videos—they feel connected to Pennsylvania through you.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Film the first video today. Show the world what Pennsylvania really looks like—not through a postcard, but through your eyes. One clip at a time, you’re not just making content. You’re preserving culture, sparking curiosity, and building a digital home for everyone who loves the Keystone State.

Now go out there. Grab your phone. And start telling your Pennsylvania story.